City Council - Regular Meeting

Hello. If anybody from the public would like to speak on public participation, we have the list here. You're going to have two and a half minutes to speak. So I only have three people that sign up. If you would like to speak on public participation, please write down your name. Just let me know, please. If anybody from the public will need translation, . If you need translation, please just raise your hand and we're going to provide you with a piece of equipment so you can hear the meeting.

We actually is it it should be off the impact just you know We specifically okay, I'm sorry Thank you For right now we don't have them THE DOOR GOOD EVENING AND WELCOME TO THE REGULAR MEETING FOR THE LAUREN CITY COUNCIL TODAY IS TUESDAY OCTOBER 20 2026. Pursuant to Chapter 20 of the Act of 2022, this meeting will be hybrid, allowing participation both in person in the city council chambers as well as remotely. The Zoom link was provided on the agenda. This meeting is also being transmitted live through Facebook and YouTube for the city council. Madam Clerk, roll call.

Present. Please join me for a moment of silence. Now join me for the Pledge of Allegiance. Cancellors, on the minutes, we're going to come back with the minutes from 9-15-2026 in a second. We're going to go straight to public participation. The rules for public participation are as follows. You're going to have two and a half minutes to speak. Please refer to this council as a whole. At the two-minute mark, you're going to hear a beep or an indication that you still have 30 seconds. The first person that we have is Rich Russell, Councillor Russell. Name and address for the record, please.

Thank you. The next person is Fabian Rojas. Name and address for the record, please.

I am here because this resolution asks completely a different question.

Symbols matter when it comes to elected officials.

Thank you. The next person is James Russell. Name and address for the record, please.

stat council if i think i remember two years ago i was standing there you talk to director cassia about hostile activities thank you thank you all these names are going to be submitted for the record uh... money mansion so counselors uh... Madam Chair, from the Committee of the Hall and by Chair Levy, item 403.26, which is the adoption of a Board of Non-Competence Resolution regarding the Mayor Reagan-Elepeña. Madam Chair, from the Committee of the Hall, and the Vice President Levy.

Thank you, Mr. President. Council President, item 433. 403. Yes, I'm sorry.

Committee of the House. I'm sorry. It's item 4.

Council 403. I don't want to be the other show off. A vote of not confident resolution regarding my mayor Brian at the pain. Yeah, what's in there to the full council with favor recommend this so and I guess the former motion.

There is a motion in front of us can hear second. Properly second discussion. So these are.

The people of Lawrence should have that final say. to sign a recall petition to put this question in front of the residents.

I guess that you might have a little bit of an issue. Do you mind just go over?

I'll just go over that last point because I think that's probably the most important point of this. To make certain that there's no confusion, I'm willing to and willing and prepared to sign the recall petition the democratic process, and I believe the people of Lawrence deserve the opportunity to make that decision for themselves. Thank you, Council President.

No problem. Any other councillors that would like to speak on this matter? Manager, I just wanted to ask you if you can explain how the process went from the beginning, the first day that it was introduced, and then later on going to committee and then subsequently coming to this committee, to this meeting.

Yep. It is important to recognize that a resolution is an official opinion of the City of Lawrence, only the City Council. ONLY THE CITY COUNCIL CAN DO THIS. AN OFFICIAL OPINION OF THE CITY OF LAWRENCE, THAT IS A RESOLUTION FOR ANYTHING THAT WE CONSIDER IN VOTE AS A RESOLUTION. TONIGHT IT'S BEEN DISCUSSED, ITEM 403.26, THE ADOPTION OF VOTE OF NO CONFIDENCE RESOLUTION REGARDING So at this time, if it is any other councillor that would like to speak, this is the last chance. Otherwise, Madam Clerk, I would like to call a roll call.

All right, motion carries, motion passed. All right, now we are going to item, Out of the public hearing, we have item 341.26, which is the...

An act compelling- Which is an act compelling the city agencies to inherit Chapter 9.25 of the Municipal Code of Civilian Technologies. Madame Clerk, please read the notice for item 341-26.

The public hearing regarding civilian technology is now open. Anybody from the public that wishes to speak? Anybody from the public regarding this item would like to speak? The public hearing is now closed. As for motion, we have a couple of items related to this matter, which is item 412.26, as well as item 408. as well as AIDAN 40826, which is Introduction to a Pilot Program, Sounds, Thinking, Lights, and Play Readers. So we are going to entertain those two items and potentially bring this up from the committee as well as the finance committee. Madam Chair, from the finance committee, can yo

Item 408-26 is the introduction of pilot program sound thinking plate reader automated license plate recognition, or known as the ALPR. We sent it up. It was already a public hearing scheduled, so we sent it up as a fair recommendation with the public hearing.

All right, councillors, we have this item, which is in relationship to a license by reader. And that was introduced with a fair recommendation. All right, can I hear a second? Second. Properly second. Discussion on item 40826.

Are we just talking about that item or just any camera items at all?

any cameras at all, but under item 408.26, because we don't have an item to discuss that matter.

So the public hearing item, we're willing to discuss that now. I forget the number. So the public hearing was closed. 341. 341.

Okay. And item, well, we can entertain a motion for the purpose of discussion under item 341.26. So, yeah, so I thought the public hearing was closed.

But we have the police officer here. We have the IT director here. They're here so that, because there's a lot of information, I just think it's important that we hear. They're... What we have written, we want to hear a little like a summary of that information regarding what's happening in the police department and also what's happening outside of the police department and other departments, which I think RIT offices go. So if there's no objection, Council President, what I would ask is that the police department give a presentation, if they will, overall on all of the issues regarding camera

By all means, we have item chapter 9.25 of the municipal code that entertain all the surveillance cameras. We have numerous cameras at the police department, but also located throughout the city, including City Hall. And that chapter expands to all the cameras in the city. So obviously, the police department is the department that handles the most cameras in the city. So we will entertain the chief of police that is here present with us. Just make sure you introduce yourself.

In general, Chief, I would like you to explain to the public and to us all the terms that you have when it comes to amount of cameras, what is it that you have. What is it that each one of them is specialized until the limit that you can discuss? And give us an overall overview of the system.

So before you continue, Chief, it is important to recognize that we have an item under the old business that the intent is to discuss, item 412.26. As per what you just said, this item might take longer than what is expected, and the uh, potential discussion will be, uh, uh, essential and needed and a flux, uh, personal representative will be here as requested. Correct?

Um, I do want to add that during the public safety committee that there were, um, several documents referencing to the policy of flock cameras that was provided the day of the meeting. which was why that item was tabled to allow sufficient time and opportunity for counselors to read up on that information and therefore propose any questions that potentially was not answered during that public safety meeting. So I do recommend that those documents, if we are going to entertain that item at a full city council to untable it as an old business, or under tabled matters that those documents are now

Yes, the intent is to potentially keep it on the old business here and essentially be able to entertain this item at the full council meeting with the regards of getting all that information and providing all that information as needed to the councillors, yes.

So if Sergeant Darg, if you could please provide those pamphlets. It was like three different sections. IF YOU COULD PROVIDE IT TO ALL COUNSELORS.

YES, WHICH IS BASICALLY A COMMITTEE WITH ONLY FOUR COUNSELORS. SO IF YOU CAN SEND IT TO ALL OF US, That would be essential.

Yes, by all means, Chief, what we're gonna do is maintain the flux camera on a separate discussion for later on, and be able to just get an overall, when it comes to section 9.25, other than the flux. Very well.

Before we open up for the council for discussion, do you mind summarizing the policies that we have?

Okay. Sergeant, just name and address for the record.

Councilors, any questions? Councilor Platt. Yeah, sure. So because we'll be dealing with flock, I'm not going anywhere near flock. And just a reminder, while the police department has the biggest piece of the pie, there is another piece of the pie with IT, which has City Hall, DPW, and the library. So we're going to need to bring them up because they don't have flocks. They have cameras. And so we will want to know more about that. But, you know, The most important thing about this evening is this, from my perspective. It is to get information to the public. The whole idea behind 925, when I w

Let me just ask one specific question and I'm gonna get off because we know it was a lot of stuff, we're all acknowledging. So one example of an issue, how do we determine where the 400, 450 cameras are in the city and are they all working? Are there any out of commission? So that's a two-fold question. And I'm not going to go beyond that because there's a lot we can do and we're not going to have time.

Yes, and... Where can the public find it as of today? Is it published yet or not yet?

So this... So once we finish with the discussion tonight, hopefully we can actually see it on the website sometime tomorrow. I love your attitude. Yes, okay. I mean, it's a big day for the police department tomorrow.

And how do we choose where these locations are?

So we have a total of, and how many are down?

Okay, no problem. So we have 402 that are working. Yes.

Okay, thanks. And how do we make the decision? And there's 415. I remember we started with 50. Yes. We started with 50 back. I don't remember what year it was. I think it was VASC who started this whole thing back in the day. And it was 50. And now we have exploded. And we're going to talk, not tonight, but we're going to talk about why we've exploded. But how do we decide where those locations are? There's 415.

Councillor Blunt. I'm all done with the police department. I just want to take the time. Chief Aguilar, when you first heard that we were behind the eight ball on this, you stepped up immediately to give us at least a preliminary information on that. So you understood we had some issues, and obviously this is way more comprehensive tonight, but you initially got some stuff. So I just want to publicly say thank you for getting us, as quickly as you heard about it, some information because you saw the seriousness of it early on during your tenure as chief. So I appreciate that, and I just want t

Thank you, Council President. No problem. So let's allow the IT department to come and speak on behalf of the city in regard to the other cameras. Just if you can provide us with an overall of the system that you manage or the IT department manage when it comes to the city cameras.

CANCELLOR, ANY QUESTIONS IN REGARD TO THE REMINDING OF THE CAMERAS THAT WE HAVE IN THE CITY OF LUMS? SIMILAR QUESTION, COUNCIL PRESIDENT.

SO HOW DO YOU DECIDE HOW MANY CAMERAS ARE APPROPRIATE AND ADEQUATE IN CITY HALL? SO I'M GOING TO ASK YOU TWO QUESTIONS BEFORE I FORGET THE SECOND ONE. OR THE DPW OR THE LIBRARY. HOW DO YOU DECIDE HOW MANY AND WHERE? AND NUMBER ONE, NUMBER TWO. The police department's a little bit easier. The chief wants, the chief gets, right? So it's pretty simple. In your arena, who has the authority to say, I want to see videos? Who has that authority?

Are there audio on the cameras or just video? No, just video. All in the video? I know right now, for all we know what happened recently, I just noticed around this building, for example, we see that there is cameras are in use in audio or whatever.

And last question, again, we could spend a lot of time on this. I'm not going to take any more time. I asked the police department, this question I'll ask you, out of the 16 at City Hall, the nine at DPO, that's 25, 20 at the library, I think that's 53. Out of the 53 cameras that we have, are they all operational or some out of operation?

Again, plenty of stuff. I'm going to stop. Thank you very much. Thank you for your cooperation and working through. I know this is a very sensitive topic now. None of us, we all understand and see you and understand what's going on. From what I'm saying, I appreciate your assistance on trying to get us information. And how can the public find out where the cameras are for your work?

It's the whole idea. The whole idea behind this is to get it out. The second, the council president, the second step in this, this is not a tonight thing. This is a in the future thing. This is step one. Step two is for us to have a conversation regarding, now that the approvals, the discussions, this is a very broad overview, but what we need to find out are what are the results? What are the impacts? That's the next conversation that needs to come from this. So this is step one, and there needs to be step two for the police and with the IT and their things. But tonight, I think we've cancele

Any other councillors? Councillor Stephanie Fante and Councillor Vivian Marmo are next.

Thank you. Through you, Council President. Director, can you go back? REPEAT OR RE-CLARIFY FOR ME. WHEN YOU MENTIONED THAT OUT OF ALL THE CITY CAMERAS, THERE'S ONLY ONE IN COMPLIANCE, WHICH IS THE ONE IN COMMON PARK, IS THAT CORRECT? COMMON STREET. ALL RIGHT. SO WHAT DO YOU MEAN BY NOT IN COMPLIANCE? WHAT FACTORS?

Can you just expand a little more on that, because I mean, I was a little confused. Confused, right. Okay. Because if it is not in compliance, it means potentially have audio and all those stuff.

Okay, perfect. That's good for clarifying that.

Thank you. Repeat again. How many city cameras do we have? I missed that.

53, OKAY. SO ONE IS IN COMPLIANCE ACCORDING TO THE LIFE SPEND. YES. HAVE YOU CONDUCTED A COST ANALYSIS OF REPLACING THE. YES, I HAVE. OKAY, HOW MUCH WOULD THAT BE? YES. DO YOU REMEMBER OFF THE TOP OF YOUR HEAD?

And then my second question to you is I guess more of a comment. You also mentioned that we don't have a policy in regards to access to? Video request. Yes. Okay, so my colleague from District F mentioned that this is a first step out of a multi-step discussion. What I'm going to recommend to you is to have a meeting with the city attorney and let's get working on that because I believe that's important. Perfect. So I missed that. So I apologize. I'm glad that you did that. And that is all I have for you. Thank you.

My colleague already touched on it. It was regarding the policy factor of it. And I do see that the attorney is here with us. So I was going to ask his input, but I believe you just said that you're currently working on that policy.

Given the fact that there wasn't a policy per se regarding the request of videos, I'm assuming you've been requested. How do I word? I'm trying to see how do I word this? How do I phrase it? Have we've, have your department has received requests in the past for videos? Yes. And if so, what was the process that you were following?

And you were able to, like, pass over the video?

Okay. And there was never any... like kickback or challenges or discussions regarding sending videos to like... Anyone could have requested it? I don't know if the... You stood up, so I'm assuming...

And I understand, attorney. But again, the question was, considering that there hasn't been a policy set in stone, I was curious as to what was the procedure prior to having a policy in place.

Is there a log that you guys keep? Is there some sort of record to keep track as to who requests it?

But as of now, so as of now, it's a work in progress. There's no tracking system?

All right, it is important to recognize that the police department have a specific procedure to release video footage from anybody in the public. And that's usually through a FOIA request and got to be documented and then provide that information. So the police work a little different. I don't want both process to be confused. So they already have a specific process to follow that they have done in the past. Councilor Espresso and Levy?

Okay, thank you, Mr. President, through you. Just only a quick question. You said that we have a camera at the senior center or at the center?

So maybe this is for the police, neither outside?

You're welcome. Councilor, any questions in regard to the city cameras or perhaps the police department?

Councilor, any questions in regard to the city cameras or perhaps any questions to the police department? ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? CANCELLORS, FOR FUTURE REFERENCE, I THINK THAT WE SHOULD TABLE THIS MATTER AT THE FULL COUNCIL, BUT IT'S UP TO THE CANCELLORS TO DECIDE.

WE HAVE THREE ITEMS RIGHT NOW. ITEM 341. I'LL ENTERTAIN A MOTION.

That box is now checked off. There needs to be another item, I think, new item introduced to say, what are the results? What's happening? We got that. Now we need to figure out, what are the numbers? So we can dig a little deeper on that, and it's going to go beyond the flocks. That's everything. Again.

Yeah, we can definitely, we can either table this matter or withdraw this matter and introduce a new item when it comes to seeking for the result of the cameras. And the flocks have an independent item, completely independent item that is at the safety committee and at the old business on this agenda today.

And we have, Chancellor President, also we have a 412.

Yeah, we will entertain 412 in a second.

Second. There's a motion to table. No discussion on the table matters. All those in favor, please say aye. Aye. Any nays? Nay. Madam Clerk, please call the roll. I should have a new item.

Yes, motion carries. Item 40826, we present the report. We have an underlying motion for this item, which is a motion to approve, correct? Motion to approve, I believe. So, item 40826, introduction of pilot program, sound stinking plate rangers, automatic license plate recognition. Yeah. That was a motion to approve. And it's been properly seconded. Discussion on the matter?

That was, it was sent out as a committee report.

So it was sent out with a fair recommendation and that was presented as a form of a motion. And it was second as well. So discussion on this matter. This matter is a license plate reader. So let's allow the police department to expand on this program. Discussion?

Extra cameras that are going to be separate from the- Separate from the flock ones, yes. Okay. Councillors, this item was debated in the Boyan Finance Committee. Any questions in regard to this matter? Councillor Infante.

Thank you. I just want to – this is a comment on a question, but we had a very – IN-DEPTH CONVERSATION AND PRESENTATION DURING THE BUDGET AND FINANCE COMMITTEE. AND I BELIEVE THAT ANYONE FROM THE PUBLIC WHO HASN'T WATCHED THAT PORTION OF LAST WEEK'S MEETING SHOULD BECAUSE IT WAS VERY INFORMATIONAL. I ACTUALLY BELIEVE MAYBE IT'S SOMETHING TO DISCUSS MORE WITH THE CHIEF. perhaps even that portion of the video should be displayed within the Lawrence police website or the city website, because it is a pilot program. There is safety concerns when it comes to surveillance and et cetera. And I just b

Yes, in general, can you give us an overall view of this new system that the city is considered as a pilot program for 90 days? And can you establish some type of difference between the current system that we have and this new system that we're trying out?

So the new system is more like have an option of being only local? Yes. Correct? And I'm assuming that that's what we're going to try out?

Councilor, any questions? Councilor Rosario.

Thank you. If we decide to go with this pilot program, are we in any contract that we need to cancel and maybe pay with FLOG?

Thank you. Any other questions, Councillor?

So, actually, I had a question. The yearly contract needs to be approved by this council now. I think that's been established. Correct. So, from this point going forward, whenever that due date is, we should have an opportunity to... to know more about what's happening, et cetera, et cetera. So just so we're aware of that.

And that's my real point here, which is this. Finally, since 2018, this is what this council intended to see when this ordinance was passed. We are finally, it took how many years now? eight years or so, but we're finally where we should be when regarding the cameras and allowing us as a council to review and understand because of the sensitivities of the cameras, the civil liberties of the cameras, the way these cameras can be abused, BE ABUSED, AND WE'RE GOING TO BE ABLE TO HANDLE THAT, AND IT'S GOING TO BE A TOOL, AND IT'S ALL ABOUT MAKING SURE THAT WE PROTECT, MAKING SURE THAT POLICE HAS T

Any other questions, Councillors? We have a pilot program that we need to approve. If there is no questions on the pilot program specifically, I'll call the question. Madame Clerk, please call the roll. Yeah, just call the roll.

I vote yes. Can you call the vote for Councilor?

For the adoption of the new camera system, the license plate.

So we're voting on, can you please repeat that?

All right, my motion carries unanimously. At this time, we are not taking out the flux camera. We're going to let it go to another meeting or two to be able to discuss this with more data. So, Councilor, let me go back.

Can I make a recommendation, Council President, that we continue with the police department so they can move on and finish with them tonight with document 6526, which is the noise ordinance?

Yeah, that's exactly what I have, the noise ordinance as a third item. Can I get a motion to untable item 6526? So moved. Second. There's a motion to untable this item properly. Second discussion. I hear none. All those in favor, please say aye. Aye. Any nays? The ayes have it. Let's introduce this item again. It was tabled in the past. You want me to read it back into the record? Yes, please.

Do you just mean the document as a whole? No. I'm assuming there is some changes that we're going to be discussing. And the item per se. So item 6576 is the proposed update to noise ordinance 09-04-040. The Captain Ariel Montaz from the Lawrence Police Department is here with us. Welcome again.

Councilors, we have this ordinance that is a modification of the former ordinance that we have in the city of Lawrence, more open and more clear to the public. And we have a good amount of discussion last time, and it was some changes also introduced As it was highlighted on the package that you have you guys receive any questions on this matter? That's a question in parliamentary question.

Who is the author of the underlying motion?

Let me just start off by saying One of the most important issues, the thing that aggravates residents the most, in my opinion, parking is starting to creep up, by the way, but it is noise. You mentioned it, Captain. You mentioned the lack of sleep, families, people trying to get to work, trying to go to school, elderly people just want a quiet time. It's loud. You get it. You've given us numbers. You gave us a number. I wrote it down somewhere. 3,400 noise calls this current year. We're not even done with the year yet. We still have two more months left. It's probably going to eclipse 3,500, m

I'm amending my own motion with this document.

Yes, Captain Montez. Thank you for the statement. Any other questions? Councillor Infante.

Councillor Rosario. Thank you, Councillor Infante. Thank you, through you, Councillor President. I want to apologize to the police department because probably out of those 3,400 calls, 1,500 are mines. 1,500 are mines, and I want to apologize for that, but I also want to say that I've been in support of this ordinance, and now, I mean, the amended one, it's better. We need this. And probably in my neighborhood, it's one that you guys know, because it's recorded, it's when I get most of the calls from the neighbors, and it's outrageous. And you guys responded. You guys responded every time that

I was a supporter of this from the beginning. So I also thank you But I do have questions of regarding the revised draft So in district II we've had issues in the industrial park at the frost school at the state park and also at Mount Vernon Park throughout the five years that I've been a city councilor. And what I'm seeing here is the language, there's a lot of language about residential, residential property line or when it penetrates residential property line, but what are we doing in terms of public spaces when noise is out of hand?

Okay, I just wanna make sure because again, it is very, targeted when it comes to residential peace and residential disturbance. But I want to make sure that the public spaces are also covered. I mean, my biggest headache out of all the ones that I listed is that industrial park aspect of it every summer. So I just want to make sure that you guys are able to enforce whatever it is when calls come.

Thank you. And I also received two questions directly from a constituent. Yes, ma'am. One of which is, how would this cover businesses that disrupt the peace? So specifically, the example or the instance that was given to me was the businesses across the Merrimack River, when they have their outdoor settings or parties or et cetera, That noise actually travels to the Rowe and Everett Street area where residents there can hear that. And it goes on and on and on. And it appears to them that nothing is done about it. So how do we address those situations?

And then the second question that I received from a constituent is to ask you whether you believe the $200 violation fee is sufficient for repeated offenders. Yeah. Well, as an officer sponsoring this, is $200 sufficient? Or should a repeated defender, thank you, get an increase every time?

Thank you. I believe that this may satisfy their questions. If not, I'm sure I will hear from them because they are watching. And I will connect with you if there are other questions or comments from the constituents. Thank you.

Any other concerns? So, Captain Montance, do you mind reading Section E of the ordinance, of the proposed ordinance?

So can you can you can you expand a little more when you says on section C If a responding officer, police officer can clearly hear the noise under those conditions? So can you provide an example of what is that?

Because it's not just about music. It's about television and stuff like that as well. Correct. It could be a Netflix show.

When section F on the ordinance, you said traffic control officers are going to be also enforcing this law.

Is this appropriate to have it here or should it be removed?

Traffic control officers are not under the chief of police. I'm sorry, sir? Traffic control officers are not under the chief of police.

No, what I'm saying is traffic control officers are not under the chief of police jurisdiction. It is under the DPW director jurisdiction.

Enforcing traffic, yeah. I mean, me personally, I'm going to pass the gavel over to the vice president. Me personally, I have an agreement with this ordinance when it comes to the concept of what we need to fight what have affect the city of Lawrence resident when it comes to noise and noise complaint. But I also need to recognize that in the way that it's going to be enforced, it is not as I wanted to see when it comes to collecting fat to be able to give somebody a ticket of 200 or any type of amount. we need to make sure that we collect the facts, not just a sense of what is it. And the way

Just before you continue, I think that we are going in different directions because there is a spectrum of the topic. And you are on one side of the spectrum, and I'm talking about the other side of the spectrum. We are talking within the topic, but we are on different side of the equation. And what I mean by that, I'm not talking about the loud music that everybody can determine it from here to my house. Or perhaps when we're here at the city council and the music right next to us is loud. We can hear that. We can determine that. But I'm not talking about that. I'm talking about the subjectiv

It is conflicting what you're saying. But you know what? You have the vote to pass this ordinance tonight. I believe that what I'm saying is different than what you're saying. And it's conflicting. What you're saying is conflicting. Because if a neighbor called, the officer knew that they've been there a couple of times already. but it might be not the same person. So we're already assuming that it's the same. And essentially we'll provide a ticket with a zero tolerance. So I don't want you to keep on going that way because it might not be something positive when it comes to potential challeng

Councillor, any further discussion on this item? So there is a motion to approve item 6526. There is a motion to approve or to untable?

As amended with the current information. With amended, okay.

Okay, so motion to approve and already second. All those in favor?

Have a good night. Thank you. All right. Let's go back to Personnel Committee. Madam Chair from the Personnel Committee, do you mind taking item 411.26, please?

Item 411-26, appointment of Valencia Lynette Perez as Director of Office and Planning Development was sent up as a favorable recommendation, and I make that as a formal motion.

It's a motion to approve. Properly second discussion. Let's allow the HR Director and also the candidate to introduce himself and to talk about the process, how it went, what do you believe it should be, and what do you believe, if it is any changes or anything like that.

Ms. Lina Perez, please introduce yourself and give us an update.

Thank you, Ms. Perez, for the presentation and the update when it comes to your appointment to become the next OPD director. At this time, councillors are going to open up for questioning to the candidates. Any questions? Question? Councillor Blanchard.

Welcome, Ms. Perez. And to start off, I always applaud people who want to take an active role in our city, who want to lead our city, who want to better our city. And clearly, from your track record, you have demonstrated that you do have a passion for our city. I see that your involvement in so many different things. And that's a credit to you and to what you're trying to, and who you are as trying to better our residents. So thank you, and I mean that.

I do have some questions regarding the application, which is what I'm focusing on. I am focusing on pieces of paper that tell about your past. I'm also focusing on requirements in our ordinances that have requirements on there. So as I ask you these questions, please keep in mind what I'm trying to do is to see if what you have done matches what the requirements are in our ordinances. So the first thing that just jumps at me in looking at materials is the requirement for a master's degree in, I should have had it open. I'm going to read it. A candidate for this position requires to have a mast

And so step one is a master's degree in urban and regional planning preferred. So it's a master's degree of which you're acknowledging you don't have a master's degree. Correct. So you haven't even crossed that threshold. The next part of that.

Yes. It is important to just read the last part that you said.

I did. Prefer. I said that, prefer. I said it several times for the whole thing. Okay. A minimum of five years experience as a municipal planner with one to three years of supervisory experience. So let's move on. A minimum of five years of experience as a municipal planner. Do you have five years of experience as a municipal planner?

Okay. I don't even have to go through the second part of that. And then what it looks for is an equivalent combination of education and experience. And it would appear to me that that is not met as well. I've had a chance to look at your record. I actually spent some time late this afternoon in the personnel office looking at the records because there's other things that are of some interest. One of the things on issues like this and OPD is an important position in our city. And so I wanted to make sure that was thorough and as fair as possible. When I woke up this morning, I had no idea how I

All right, give me one second. Okay, Ms. Perez, I've had the luxury of like sitting in the last time trying to get a head start with the process of you being interviewed and hearing your responses. And I wanted to kind of like follow up on some of those responses. And I've also added, unfortunately, it brings me to add further questions as I'm diving deeper when it comes to this position. At one point, because I've realized how contentious this position is, and I've questioned, like, why is it so politicized? Sometimes it's very annoying when we're seeing so many people from the outside trying

The reason why I'm asking this question is because not only the whole LRA debacle, but recently on Margin Street, there's a specific developer, we're not naming any names, but I want to be able to bring awareness And I'll give you an example. I was helping my mother who happens to live in Methuen, and I'm learning through the mayor of Methuen and DPW as to if there are complaints or if there's a pattern or a history of complaints working with a specific company, they have something in place where... These companies will, they stand to lose by not having to have anything on record from the city

Okay, thank you. Also, the last meeting, we touched on projects and I believe the chairman of that committee asked you how would you determine the approval of these projects and I believe, and I don't want to answer for you, I believe you said something along the lines of making some sort of assessment as to what's beneficial. And I want you to dig a little bit deeper as to what do you mean by that because I feel like that's a matter of perspective. The administration, every administration has a different vision and we have different counselors and each counselor may have a different vision as

I'm glad that you touched on community input because it was part of my question, so that's one less thing for me to ask. Because to me, it is important to also get the community input when it comes to these developments and projects. And I promise to almost be done. I'm sorry, guys. What would you do if these proposed developments are in compliance with zoning, however, we're seeing pushback and disagreement amongst elected officials or counselors regarding that prospective district.

Do you want to touch on that? What are like the projects that you've?

Okay. Do you partake in these meetings in zoning and planning?

I want to touch on affordable housing and how that is a priority, or it seems like it is, but then we have projects where it kind of undermines that. So I just want to have your take on that as to how do we prioritize affordable housing, but then we're having projects that come before us where it looks like they're prioritizing market rate housing and then we obviously have the commercial aspect of these projects as well. So I just want to get your take on that.

Okay. And I'm just, I'm going to find, I could keep going. I could keep going. But I heard, I'm not sure how accurate this is, but if you could provide, if you could provide maybe details regarding, I heard you're willing to take a pay reduction on the salary for this position. And if that is so, I do find that commendable. I don't, I rarely, I don't think I've ever seen someone since me being counselor, someone willing to take a pay cut coming into a position.

One point of information very quick. Please. This position is contract. This is one of the three positions that are contract.

Talk to me as if I don't know what that means.

Well, the chief of police's contract, the fire department's contract, and this position is also contract, which means that the negotiation of the salary will be based on the negotiation of the contract. So I think that where... And that negotiation can happen.

So was I wrong for... No, no, no. Not at all. I don't know how accurate that information was. Not at all. And I can make a disclosure. Oh, okay.

Oh, I know, because I tried with a budget, you know, I tried to make a budget cut for that specific department because of that increase, but it didn't go through. Just wanted to say that for the record. But then again, I do want to reiterate that I do find it commendable that... Thank you. your willingness to move forward acknowledging that this would be a decrease from the previous allocated funds for that position. Yes. I will put a pin on it when it comes to my questions and allow my colleagues to take the mic at this point.

Thank you. I would be remiss as the chair of the personnel committee if I don't bring this up. During our discussion, there was questions pertaining to transcripts, and we do have an update on that that I would like the city clerk through you, Council President, to give an update on.

And can you clarify that this was confirmed through the city clerk's office directly? Or was it?

Yeah. Council President, if I may, I have another.

I have a comment. An update of my due diligence. I was receiving calls and communication from individuals opposed to this confirmation, as well as individuals for it. I even took it a step further and spoke with individuals that participated in the committee, the hiring committee. And I was pleased with what I heard, to be quite honest. I also want to say, and I believe she's here tonight, because it's similar going back to qualifications, doing the job, et cetera. There is a time when there's a difference between questioning PROCESSES AND QUESTIONING A POSITION. AND WHAT I'VE LEARNED THROUGH

I appreciate that. Any other councillors?

I agree with some of my councils, and I do not agree with some of the others. But it's nothing against you or whatever, because that is sometimes start coming that I had nothing. I know you're important in the community. I know you for many, many years. And like I told you before, this position required The minimum qualification is a director for the office of the planning and development shall be a master degree in urban and regional planning and prefer a minimum of five year experience as a municipal planner. That is practically the minimum qualifications that they've been looking for. Sayin

So we know your engagement in the community. There is no doubt on this. But I think that there is more important things for this position. There is also a fundamental difference between securing grants, so you mentioned that you know how to write grants, and there is a fundamental difference between securing grant funding and being responsible for the successful execution of a municipal development project. Can you identify significant projects for which you were personally accountable from the initial planning through budgeting, procurement, implementation, and regulatory compliance and compl

What was the project total budget and how many employee or contractors did you supervise? How the challenge aroused and how did you measure the result of this grant?

So what was the final decision-making on the ground and the capacity for that? What was the final decision-making on that? How did you measure it?

um i still have a more question but i'm going to do this one and i'm going to let my other so considering the technical administration administrative and executive responsibility of this position what specific qualification distinguish you from other applicants who posed the formal education in urban planning and demonstrated municipal development experience and also had the leadership in comparable departments.

I understand what you say. You know, see, we focus on what you have and what you don't have. Instead, I need to focus on what is the most important for this department. So I have to focus on the qualification that's... the knowledge on some of these things that have this department. So the community development department is one of the most, for me, is one of the most important

Peace in the city alone, that we need to focus and not just only to have someone that's having, okay, so everybody wants to learn and how to do so many things. But here, there are so many important parts of peace, you know, that we have to put together. And like for me, as an assassin architect, knowledge and you know about urban development construction and all of this I feel like we have to be very careful you know with this department and I respect that I'm going to pass so I don't know if there is any other council that would like to make

All right, councillors. Any other questions before we end the first round and then go back to Councillor Platt? Through you. Councillor Miguel.

Yes. I mean, you already answered part of my question, but I would like to know, in your... days at the department. What accomplishment can you highlight? What was not there that you brought to the table and how are you working with your directors in the department?

Thank you. I did have questions about the contract, but you already mentioned it's for three years, right? Yes. Okay.

All right. Thank you. Any other councillors before I go back to the second round of questioning? Okay, let's go back to the second round. Councillor Platt.

Thank you. I paid attention to the answers, and I appreciate the candor. A couple of things that are just, I think, of concern, and I would feel like I'm not doing my job if I didn't express it. so i had a chance late today to look like i said to do my due diligence to do just because it is an important position i agree so i had a chance to take a look at your application in january 18 2022 for the police department position i had a chance to take a look at your application and resume for july 14 2026 for this position and then i had a chance to take a look at the july 20th 2026 application an

I appreciate the explanation. It rises the question why it wasn't placed in 2022 or why you would put N.A. No one says all that and then says N.A.

It says, and we all have it in our packet, it's got the school name and address, Salem State University, numbers of years completed, two, major in field social work, diploma degree, MA. MA means, and you correctly, because you just provided the transcripts, a BA that we all heard about this evening from Greenville. So we know BA, we know MA, this is a very common thing. You don't put... and A, you just say you didn't get it. You know what I'm saying? There's something that couldn't, you can understand how this could mislead. You can understand how this could mislead, because on September 24th

Can you please stand? Yeah. The ones that are here.

They don't need to stand up. I know who they are. Thank you everybody on that team. And they're very good people. I know them all and have a lot of respect for those individuals. The people who you used as references are one of them. It was somebody on the team. That's not true. Somebody that you used as a reference was on this interview committee, that's true. I don't know if I need to name the names. If a counselor is aware, I'm willing to go ahead and do it. I don't think it's top secret. Also, there's people that are on. I will mention the people who are on the interview committee. Martha

I don't doubt that, and I believe that. I really do, because it's not your job to create the interview committee. Of course you wouldn't know unless someone told you, hey, and I believe that you didn't know that. But when you do something like that, it would leave someone like me who's looking at this, who looked at the scores, who looked at these things, right, to say, the way that we conducted this don't you, it would appear like that's a leaning a little bit of an advantage. Someone that is a professional person that you've described one of these individuals as, that's serving now to judge

That I don't know, but I would certainly say that.

It's a motion to pass the end. Yeah, right now. Properly second discussion is done. All those in favor please say aye. Aye. Any nays? The ayes have it. Please continue.

And Councillor Plank, it's important to recognize the following too, that the interview committee recommend to the mayor, the mayor make the ultimate decision as to who to send to the council.

So the mayor, I mean, I've been on this a little while now. The mayor doesn't have to go with the recommended person. Exactly. But in this particular case, the mayor decided to do that, and the person that was recommended was Ms. Perez. Correct. That's what happened. Final point, and I think this is going to be it for me tonight. There's another point, but this is what I want to make. I think we have... We see things differently. Listen, we all are looking for opportunities. We all are looking for a way to grow, to get challenged, to do new things, to be able to excel, sometimes fail, but tryi

You brought up great points, Councillor LaPlante, when it comes to the process and the intent and the candidates. I just happen to be that sometimes you're consistent with what you say, but sometimes you're not. I understand that, you know, important points

uh... they brought up uh... i don't know how you bought it last time we have this position of us but i mean i i think they were positive because of us i got a lot of stuff thank you to you would be possible that call those members actually mister asin and ask them work debate based on recommending her would be in order to have been through

Some of them are here, so they should walk us through some of the process, not all of it, and make us understand why was she choosing to be the candidate. If you find it in order, I believe that we need to hear from that committee or some of them to see how the process went.

Yeah, I mean that's something that it will be helpful for the council to hear even though potentially we are going away from the process because that committee actually introduced candidates to the mayor and the recommendation as the mayor followed through it was Miss Perez, I believe that, you know, destructing that specific order will go against the process of the mayor recommending a candidate. So we're going to have to make that as a norm. But what I can do. But I heard it was unanimous. Huh?

Yes. What I can do is to hear the process as to how we went out of the HR director. So in that way, she will explain in general terms how the process, how that committee was formed and assuming that she was an advisor and advisory to the mayor and also part of the committee. And that way we can talk in general also how the process went.

So in general terms, the questions were picked, developed, and asked to every candidate. Yes, correct. Equally.

Okay. In general terms, I think that it is a proper process. And also, you mentioned something very important, that it is important to talk about our counselor plan went ahead and review those. He was not sent, those information were not sent to him. He come over to your office and review those according to the process. It's also important to recognize that the process is that in any counselor, HAVE THE RIGHT TO GO TO THE PERSONAL DEPARTMENT AND REVIEW ANY TYPE OF PROCESS NOW OR POTENTIALLY LATER.

YEAH. COUNSELOR ROSARIO. COUNSELOR REYES.

YOU, COUNSELOR PRESIDENT, JUST COMMENT FOR THE CANDIDATE. ABSOLUTELY. THANK YOU.

Thank you for applying for this position. Sometimes we lose great candidates because we are taking in consideration a lot what is the qualification, but at the same time we need to take in mind how important it is to have the passion and lead the department. When we have the ability to move forward the department is a plus too. I want to say thank you because you respond every question we have tonight and you know sometimes we don't have the master degree in planning development but through through the day or through the moving forward, the kind of job you can have interesting to continue UCA

On the second round of questioning, councillors, any other questions before I call the question? All right, at this point, councillors, all those in favor, please say aye. Aye. Any nays? Madam Clerk, please call the roll.

Yes. What's the count? Seven, two. Seven, two. Congratulations.

And we have a couple of things that we need to take care of right away. The police. Let's go to committee report and let's go to the budget and finance committee. And those are quick. Budget and Finance Committee. Madam Claire from the Budget and Finance Committee. Guys. Okay, let's go. Item 383.26.

Item 383.26, home rule petition for credible service for six Lawrence fighter fighters was sent up. As a favorable recommendation, however, I'm going to make a motion to table until the November 17th meeting per the communication that we received.

Yeah, being second, the version that we sent over was version number two, which is including payment of the recipient. If they pay, they will receive their creditable time. So it's more... THE COMMUNICATION. SO TWO VERSIONS WERE PRESENTED. VERSION ONE THAT DIDN'T INCLUDE THE PAYMENT. VERSION TWO THAT INCLUDED THE PAYMENT. AND WE'RE GOING TO HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO DISCUSS THIS ON NOVEMBER 17, 2026. All right, it's a motion to table. All those in favor, please say aye.

Any nays? The ayes have it. Item 405.26.

Item 405-26, authorization to expend $300 as a gift from the Estates of Contents. M. Gadardi was sent up as a favorable recommendation, and I make that as a formal motion.

There is a motion in front of us, properly seconded. Discussion? Councillors, I encourage everybody to look at the meeting at the subcommittee level for the Board of Finance Committee and hear the discussion that took place around this $300 gift from a specific person from the city. At this time, any questions to the Chief of Fire? I hear none, so all those in favor, please say aye. Aye. Any nays? The ayes have it. Item 407. Thank you. Item 407-26.

Item 407-26, authorization to spend 43,500 of the BJA FY25 Edward Ryan Memorial Justice Assistance Grant was sent up as a favorable recommendation, and I make that as a formal motion.

There's a motion in front of us. Second. Properly second. Discussion on this money. I hear none. All those in favor, please say aye.

I'm going to take actually item 410-26 first, Council President. Okay. 410-26, transfer of funds in the amount of $2,000 from legal services to, from the legal services account to the claims account was set up as a favorable recommendation and I make that as a formal motion. Second.

There's a motion in front of us. Properly second. Discussion? I hear none. All those in favor, please say aye. The ayes have it. Madam Chair, from the Personnel Committee, let's go to that.

I'll make a motion to untable item 372-26, appointment of Sheriff J. Daniford to the Board of Registers.

There is a motion to untable this item. Properly second. Discussion? I hear none. All those in favor, please say aye. The ayes have it. What is the underlying motion for this item?

There is a motion to approve. Who was second? We can entertain a new motion. You have it? Okay. 44626. Hold on. Never mind. 37226. Well, the clerk, we know that we already have a motion, motion to approve. While the clerk is looking for the information as of who seconded, let's entertain the candidate. Thank you for coming today. And if you can introduce yourself, name and address for the record, and tell us a little more about you.

Okay. Can you, um, uh, so can you repeat some of the questioning that I asked you at the committee level and what you want to serve?

Councilor just point of information. This this committee is one of the two committee in the city of Lawrence that is a partisan committee and Republican and the Democrat and whoever the mayor's decide. FOR THE REMINDING OF THE MEMBERS. IT'S A REQUIREMENT BY LAW AND SHE'S GOING TO REPRESENT THE REPUBLICAN SECOND PARTY ON THE COMMITTEE. THE COMMITTEE IS AN ESSENTIAL COMMITTEE FOR ORGANIZING ELECTIONS. ANY OTHER QUESTIONS TO THE CANDIDATES?

Are you aware of what you're getting yourself into?

Okay. I mean, we are about to enter a crazy time in the city. Correct. And we are about to. I think we are in a crazy time right now. So we are in... WE ARE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE CRAZY TIME AND SOME OF THIS CRAZINESS MAY REACH YOUR DOORSTEP. AND SO I JUST, YOU KNOW, IT'S A TOUGH POSITION. THERE'S EXPECTATIONS. FORTUNATELY, UNLIKE THE BOARD OF REGISTERS, WE ARE ON TELEVISION EVERY NIGHT OF THE WEEK. YOU CAN SEE US. YOU CAN HATE US EVEN MORE AFTER YOU WATCH US TWO OR THREE TIMES OR YOU CAN LOVE US. Which other way it goes. You're not going to have that. But the decisions you make are going to be

So a quick question. Are you registered as a Republican?

Just making sure because it could be that you intend to register and not register. No, I'm registered. Okay. Councillors, any questions to the candidate?

ALL RIGHT. THIS IS THE TIME THAT IS VERY DIFFICULT FOR THAT BOARD WHEN IT COMES TO LEARNING THE PROCESS. NOT TO THE BOARD, PERHAPS TO A NEW MEMBER THAT IS COMING IN INTO A COMPLETELY NEW PROCESS THAT HAVEN'T BEEN DONE FOR QUITE SOME TIME IN THE CITY, BUT IT HAPPENED IN THE PAST.

Thank you. I just want to read, because I don't remember whether or not I said this at the personnel committee level, but I do want to publicly state that although each election cycle is hectic, we do see a difference between state and municipal elections. Municipal elections are ten times worse, in my opinion at least. um there's a lot more pressure there is sometimes lack of boundaries and respect to people's um respective jurisdictions and um i just want to make sure that you are prepared for that and it looks like you are and and i have faith in that but i i want to put it out there that t

It's true. Counselors, any other questions? I hear none. All those in favor, please say aye. Aye. Any nays? The ayes have it. Congratulations. All right. So, counselors, let's go back to the Boyan Finance Committee. Okay.

Item 409-26, the net metering electricity offtake agreements, 20-year electricity billing credit agreement with the 978 Solar Development LLC or New Leaf Energy was sent up with a favorable recommendation, and I make that as a formal motion. Pending, actually, I'm sorry, it was sent up as a committee report pending a letter from the city attorney and also a letter from our CAFL. That is the actual... Your mic is off.

We are accepting the committee report. Can I hear a motion for the committee report?

Can I have a motion? Oh, okay. It's properly second discussion on the committee report only. Are there none? All those in favor, please say aye. The committee report. Yeah. Now we can entertain another motion.

No, I have a question on the committee report. Yes, go ahead. So the committee report pertains to, is attached to whether or not we received a letter from the city attorney or CAFO. Did we receive those? Yes, we did.

Thank you. Yeah, the city attorneys have sent information regarding to this item.

All right. Motion to approve. I entertain a motion now. Motion to approve. There's a motion to approve. Properly second. No, we call the vote. I just opened up your opinion into it. Out of order, by the way. Well, that's why I'm asking. Yeah. All right. Now we have a motion to approve. Based on the recommendation that the CAFO sent and based on the information that the city attorney sends, councilor, is there any questions in regard to this matter? This is a 20-year contract.

All right, can you provide us a little more details before we take a vote?

Councilor, any questions? Just to give some contents, before we were going to have a 20 years contract and a 15% discount that math-wise ended up being about $12 million. This is a little different. This is only about $11 million, a little over $11 million on savings on a 20-year contract, correct? Correct. Any questions, councillors? I hear none. All those in favor, please say aye. Aye. Any nays? Ayes have it. Thank you.

Can I get a motion to untable item 274, 26, councillors? There's a motion to untable that item, which is the request for zoning change on 46 Windrush Ave. Properly second. Discussion? I hear none. All those in favor, please. This is to take out of table. All those in favor, please say aye. Aye. The ayes have it. And now we have Akin. What is the underlying motion? I think it's to approve.

Well counselors all entertain a motion at this point. I believe there was a motion to approve but I mean we can entertain a motion. I'd like to make a motion that we disapprove of this item, reject this item.

can a second set discussion discussion personal plan very simple uh... we all have it i would you know it's late well i just need your attention now for just a few minutes we all have at our desk requested this council or regarding whether or not this location is fought zoning the technical turn is preferential zoning that's that's the legal term and we did receive the opinion from the City Attorney. Do you mind reading it for the record? Sure. I've been asked, this is from the City Council, from the City Attorney, dated today. I've been asked to review this request for a zoning change to see

No, no, no, no problem. I just want to make sure like we stated clear. The city attorney didn't say that it was unlawful. The city attorney, that's your opinion. And then the city attorney says that, yes, it is a spot zoning. So if you say that it's unlawful, can you provide... Sure.

So a case law in the Commonwealth, and I think we've got other land use kind of planners here that are more involved. can say that things are tossed out or at the court levels are, judgments are that if you have a parcel like this that is called preferential zoning, it is unlawful. So it's not a criminal act, just unlawful. It's, we shouldn't be doing that. There are laws against this by case law. Don't ask me, I'm not the city attorney here. I'm not gonna be able to give you the case law and the matters, but there is a treasure trove of case law that talks about in great detail what spot and

Yes, I agree that he said that. I mean, I just wanna make sure, like, you know, for the people up there, that the city did not say that it was unlawful, but he said that it was in the spa zone for sure. We have the applicant here. Just out of fairness, I would like to, if they have any questions, the motion that we have here is to deny the item.

Not a question that comes to a plan or to the city of Cheney was around if it is in a spot zoning or preferential zoning that was not anything related to whether or not that affect the area correct.

That was a simple question to the city attorney. Yes.

That's all it was. It was whether or not it's a spot zoning change or a preferential zoning change. Excuse me. So that was the question, and the city attorney has responded and says that, yes, it is a spot zoning change, which could be considered as a preferential zone change. And based on different cases that it was, that it has been in court lately, as bason could be considered unlawful as per the discussion. I'm not saying that, but I mean, that's part of the discussion. Just to be fair on the discussion, yes.

Well, it's a specific zoning that can be changed if you're changing the entire area to that specific spot or to that location, perhaps not one particular. And the question was brought up whether or not independently of the zoning that it was proposed, Supposed to be changed to the question was was asked whether or not and this is an spot zoning change or preferential zoning That's that was the question around

Yeah, when referred to the city council, we deal with the zoning change. And under the recommendation of the different departments that deal with it. And ultimately, the final approval of the zoning change fall into the city council, but we are not experts on what is what specific zone. We follow the recommendation of the different departments, and we definitely, if it is recommended by the different departments, we agree and sometimes disagree. At this point, the motion that is in front of us is not to approve the preferential zoning that has been presented.

We can definitely refer to... for you to have a specific meeting with the planning department so they can explain to you what is the difference between the two. We cannot entertain the other item due to the fact that it is not within our discussion at this point. If we entertain both of them, we can establish the difference between both of them. But at this point, we are just looking to discuss around this bus zoning change that is being proposed. Also, it is important to, one of the distinctions could be that that's an overlay area, not necessarily a bus zoning change.

You're asking us to potentially table this matter and ask for the different attorneys to meet? I think that it will be up to the council to entertain that motion. Madam Clerk.

No, but I mean, it could be that we can table and then wait for the next meeting until they have more information and satisfy the applicant. That's not an unfair ask.

But it will be up to the council members to have a motion to table. If it is any councilors that will entertain this motion, on top of the other motion, that will be in order.

There's a motion to table. Second. Can't hear a second. Properly second. No discussion on the table matters. All those in favor, please say aye. Any nays? No. Madam Clerk, please call the roll.

How about yes? Motion carries. So I'll see you on, let's shoot for this item for November 17th, so we can have, you guys can have enough time to discuss. Thank you. Okay. So now let's go back to any other, I mean, I don't see anybody else.

Public hearings. Councilors, we have a couple of public hearings and the first public hearing will be resident parking for item 125, 101-25, 322-25, 367-25, 368-25, 381-25, 389-25, 405-25, 406-25, 442-25, 472-25, 494-25, 255-26, 256, 26, 257, 26, 284, 26, and 285, 26. Madam Clerk, please pay the notice for all those items.

Public hearing is now open. Anybody from the public that wishes to speak? There is none for hearing is now close.

Counselors are we can entertain in the middle motions for each one of them or take it as a block motion take it as a block motion motion to approve of 7PM to 7AM can we highlight that on a on a on the time.

So there is a motion to approve all those as a block, and the timeframe will be from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. There is a, can I hear a second? Second, thank you. Discussion.

Discussion, I'm sorry, councilors, as I'm just joining you guys. The 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. IT WAS FOR THE WHOLE BLOCK, OR IS THERE ANY SPECIFIC ITEMS? I'M SO SORRY.

NO, FOR THE WHOLE BLOCK. FOR THE WHOLE BLOCK, YEAH. WHAT THE DPW IS BEING RECOMMENDED IS TO BE, THE RESIDENT PARKING IS TO BE UNIFORM. ALSO, WE ALLOW, IN THOSE AREAS, WE ALLOW BUSINESS THROUGHOUT THE DAY TO BE ABLE TO PARK, WHILE MOST OF OUR RESIDENTS NEED PARKING WHEN THEY GET HOME. in the afternoon. So that's that's what the recommended time and we want to go uniform with the with the signs that we already have in place in the other night. So we have rent in place in this neighborhood.

All right. Um, any other questions, counselors? I hear none. All those in favor, please say aye. Aye. Any nays? The ayes have it. Uh, Madame Claire, handicap parking. Item 302.26, handicap parking at 66 Elm Street. Item 303.26, handicap parking at 36 Highland Ave. Item 306.26, handicap parking at 83 Warren Street. Item 380, 26, remove handicap parking from 65 Union Street. Item 381, 26, remove handicap parking on 32 Warren Street. Item 382, 26, remove handicap parking on 124 Tremont Street. Madam Clerk, please read the notice.

Can I get a motion to waive the preamble? Properly second discussion, I hear none. All those in favor, please say aye. Aye. Any nays? You got to put the mic down. Aye. Aye. Aye. All right. Aye. Madam Clerk, please read the notice.

THE PUBLIC HEARING IS NOW OPEN. ANYBODY FROM THE PUBLIC THAT WISHES TO SPEAK? PUBLIC HEARING IS NOW CLOSED.

There is a motion to approve it as a block, or approve it individually? Okay, there is a motion to approve it as a block, the handicap approval, and the removal as well. Properly second discussion. I hear none. All those in favor, please say aye. Aye. Any nays? Ayes have it. A child care parking. All those not clear, please read the notice for item 33826, child care parking on 63 Boswell Street.

Councilors, public hearing is now open. Anybody from the public that wishes to speak? Public hearing is now closed. Councilors, what's the motion? Motion to approve. There's a motion to approve. Properly second discussion. I hear none. All those in favor, please say aye. Aye. Any nays? The ayes have it. Stop sign, item 37426, creation of four-way stop sign. At the intersection of Bruce and Corner Street. And also stop sign, item 37526, stop sign at Sunrise Street, corner of Highland. Madam Clerk, please read the notice.

All right, motion. Public hearing is now open. Anybody from the public that wishes to speak? Public hearing is now closed. Counselors, what's the motion? A motion to approve of the block properly seconded. One of them, item 374.26 is a four-way stop sign. The other one is a two-way stop sign located at Sunray Street.

Yeah, we're adding a secondary set of stop signs, a four-way stop sign. The other one perhaps, Sunrise Street, you have none. Discussion? I hear none. All those in favor, please say aye. Aye. The ayes have it. Go on top of the agenda. Councillors, can I get a motion to approve minutes from 9-15-2026? So moved. Second. There's a motion to approve the minutes. Properly seconded discussion. I hear none. All those in favor, please say aye. Aye. The ayes have it. Let's go straight to committee reports. Let's go straight to communications from Mayor, city officials, and city of Cheney. We got an upd

Councilor, any questions in regard to this item? It is an update that was requested. Maybe they'll start working, which is good.

Yes, that's the most important that they start working. Awesome. So they want to try to swing it before snow starts. I don't think so, but... So that is the updated that we have on the market part because a lot of people are asking me on that regard. So I'm so glad that they are so responding. Also, Mr. Brad from Groundwork, also he's saying practically the same thing that you already read it. Yeah. Okay.

I'll entertain a motion to withdraw on this item. Motion to withdraw. Second. There's a motion to withdraw. Properly second discussion. I hear none. All those in favor, please say aye. Aye. Aye. Any nays? The ayes have it. Housing Committee, there is no report. I mean, our Budget and Finance Committee, we're done. Housing Committee, there is no report. Ordinance Committee, Madam Chair, Vice President Levy. Item 277.26, Handicap Parking, 37 Bennington Street.

That's, I don't... Item 2-77-20C is a handicap parking at 37 Bennington Street. I will send it to the full council to withdraw, and I make it as a formal recommendation.

Second. There's a motion in front of us. Properly second discussion. I hear none. All those in favor, please say aye. Aye. The ayes have it. Item 236 and also item 366. Can I take it as a block for withdrawal?

There is a motion to withdraw those two. Properly second. Also, the withdrawal was subject to send correspondence to the applicant as of why we withdraw it. So, Madam Clerk, please make sure that that happens. There is a motion in front of us. Properly second discussion. I hear none. All those in favor, please say aye. Aye. Any nays? The ayes have it. Item 335.26.

Item 33526 is a handicap parking at 50 C Greenwood Street was sent to the full council to order a public hearing and I do as a formal motion. Second.

There's a motion in front of us. Properly second to order a public hearing. All those in favor please say aye.

Item 364.26 is a handicap parking at 4 Faymont Street. I was sent to the full council to order a public hearing, and I do as a formal recommendation.

There is a motion in front of us to order a public hearing. Properly second discussion. I hear none. All those in favor, please say aye. Any nays? The ayes have it. Item 378.26.

Item 378.26, Handicap Parking 192, Union Street. I will send it to the full council to order a public hearing and make a formal motion.

There is a motion in front of us, properly seconded. Discussion? I hear none. This is to order a public hearing. All those in favor, please say aye. Aye. The ayes have it. Item 417.

Item 4-17-26 is the Instar 1-J-O poll on Martin Street, Brooklyn Street, and the poll number 8-46-30-50, and reference number 3-1-3-5-8-9-6-3 was sent to the full council to order a public hearing. I make this a formal motion.

Second. There is a motion in front of us. Properly second discussion. I hear none. All those in favor, please say aye. There is a personal committee. There is no more report. Public safety and emergency management. There is no report. Committee of the whole. Item 40426, Madam Vice President Levy.

I don't photo for twenty-six if it's possible to get them complain more charges he's a by I'm not that you certainly get it I'm sending appalling all people send it to the full time so if they were coming this in a make a formal motion there is a motion to I'll

No, that was a recommendation. Yeah. All right, councillors, we are getting an update.

Oh, I'm sorry, what's in there as a committee report? Can I make a formal motion?

There is a motion to accept the committee report properly. Can I hear a second? Second. Properly second discussion on the committee report. On the committee report, before we close it, I would like to get the update and potentially table this matter eventually. Madam Clerk, please read the update from the city attorney on this matter.

So this is the committee report. Councillors, any questions on the committee report? I hear none. All those in favor, please say aye. Aye. Any nays? The ayes have it. Councillors, I will entertain a motion to table this item. It's a motion to table. Properly second. All those in favor, please say aye. Any nays? The ayes have it. All business. We have item 165.36, Loading Zone at 66 Jackson Street, AF Cafe, Councilor Rosalit for this item. And we need to release from committee to order a public hearing. Councilors, to do that, we need a pull-up from committee and then be able to discuss it at this level. Can I get a motion?

Can I get a motion to release item 165.36 from committee?

There's a motion to do just that, properly second. Discussion? I hear. I was looking for the document number. I hear none. All those in favor please say aye. Aye. Any nays? The ayes have it. The item, we received information from the city attorney as of potentially revising this item and not necessarily recommended. I would suggest to send correspondence to the city attorney to this item.

SORRY. LET'S GO BACK. WE RECEIVED INFORMATION FROM THE CITY ENGINEER ADVISING THAT THERE IS NOT ENOUGH SPACE ON THIS LOCATION TO BE ABLE TO ACCOMMODATE A LOADING ZONE ON JACKSON STREET, EVEN THOUGH POTENTIALLY IT COULD BE IT COULD HAVE A POTENTIAL TO BE ACCOMMODATED AT HABER STREET, BECAUSE IT'S RIGHT AT THE CORNER. THAT'S WHAT IT NEEDS TO BE. SO I'LL RECOMMEND TO SEND CORRESPONDENTS TO THE CITY ENGINEER TO LOOK AT THIS AGAIN AND LOOK AT ANY OTHER ALTERNATIVE AS TO HOW THIS COULD BE ACCOMMODATED IF IT IS. SO CAN I HEAR A MOTION TO SEND CORRESPONDENTS TO THE CITY ENGINEER?

There's a motion to send correspondence to the city engineer. Can't hear a second. Properly second discussion on the matter. I hear none. All those in favor, please say aye. Aye. The ayes have it. Councilor Gonzalez, it is important to advise those people that apply for a loading zone that is not exclusive to the business, that is just anybody from around can use it, and this is not a permanent spot for them.

Through you, Council President, I had a conversation with the owner, and I explained exactly that.

Yeah, because sometimes they apply and then, oh, I have a free parking.

Properly second. Discussion? I hear none. All those in favor, please say aye. Aye. The ayes have it. Item 182.26. I think that it will be an order, so.

Yes, and now we need to, yes. Motion to order public hearing. Councillors, I'll entertain another motion. That could be an order to order a public hearing.

There's a motion to order public hearing, properly second discussion. I hear none. All those in favor please say aye. Aye. Any nays? The ayes have it. Thank you. Item 182.26, approval of bond authorization, $10 million, $149,973. From the APA administration buildings, Francisco Breña is here with us tonight. So, Madam Clerk, give us some context on this item.

That's the proper way. Ratify. All right, Councillors, at this time, I'll entertain a motion to order a public hearing on item 182.26. So moved. There's a motion in front of us to order a public hearing, properly second discussion. I hear none. All those in favor, please say aye.

The ayes have it. Thank you, Mr. Regnier. Thank you, Councillors. No problem. Councilors, can I get a motion to pull item 412.26 for the purpose of tabling at this level? Can I get a motion to pull item 412.26, which is the Lawrence Police Department flux safety cameras out of committee and be able to discuss this matter next meeting at this level? Can I get a, there is a motion in front of us, properly second discussion. Yes, Council of Mammo.

Being that this was tabled at the public safety committee because it it wasn't a it we haven't finished our business money when it came to this doesn't have to be sent back to committee or could we still even though it's right now under all business are we able to still address it under.

If a bullet from committee know if we just leave it there, yes, do you are you planning on having a meeting related to this item soon this item soon.

We'll draw the motion. So this item going back to the Public Safety and Emergency Management Committee. Any Table Matters, Councillors, that want to address? All right, go straight to new business. Item 43426, Payment of Prior Invoice, $30,316.80. Raleigh, Hardin, Parkinson, Keston. This is going to be sent to the Budget and Finance Committee. Item 435.56, fiscal year 2027, property tax classification. A public hearing is anticipated for this matter. Do you want to order it now?

We don't have time. We need to order the public hearing now. for a specific day of November, last second meeting usually.

Okay, perfect. No, and then, are you sure? Yep, yep. Okay, no problem. This item will be going to the Budget and Finance Committee. Item 436.26, authorization to expand $280 from the project 19580 established to pursue mass general law, C40, section 22G, to support deaf and hard of hearing awareness in the city of Lawrence. This item will be going to the Boylan Finance Committee. Is the amount correct?

All right. Item 43726, appointment of Elvis Lora to the Lawrence Cultural Council. That's going to personal committee. Item 43826, resolution formally naming the Lawrence Police Department community room to be the Lieutenant Charles Sandon community room. So that's going to... ORDINANCE COMMITTEE. ORDINANCE COMMITTEE. ORDINANCE COMMITTEE. ORDINANCE COMMITTEE. ORDINANCE COMMITTEE. ORDINANCE COMMITTEE. Item 442, 26, mechanical parking at 108, 110 Wachusett Ordinance Committee. Item 443, 26, in Tola J. O'Paul on Lowell Street and near Oxford Street. That's going to Ordinance Committee. Item 444,

I would like to ask the members of that Ordinance Committee to say they want it on Tuesday, they want it Wednesday, because that never they come out with the same.

7 p.m. Tuesday. Okay. Budget and Finance and Personal Committee.

I'm going to have to schedule it for Wednesday. I have a prior commitment on Thursday. Wednesday. So Wednesday at 6.30, personnel budget on Wednesday at 7, but most likely the vice chairs will have to chair those two meetings. The vice chair of each committee. You're going to be online? I'm in class, but I have something. I have a prior commitment Thursday that I can't schedule.

So this is personal? Okay, so personal on Wednesday? Wednesday, yeah.

You good for Wednesday? Okay. Okay. Safety. Public safety.

Public safety. It could be Monday, it could be Tuesday early, or it could be Thursday. for does thursday work for members of police i'm sorry hold on i'm sorry i i got my thursdays mixed up my commitment is this thursday not next thursday so okay wednesday you can do thursday no i mean wednesday you can you'll be able to do the meetings no i have class on wednesday so it could be thursday at 6 30 personnel and thursday next thursday um 7 p.m budget and finance so you do both

Thursday. Can you do Thursday for those two meetings?

Public safety, I'm going to have to then take Wednesday.

Hold on, because we have a special situation.

And what time they end? 6.30. 6.30? So, okay, 6.30 we can begin. Okay. Public safety could be done at 6.30 or 7.00 on Wednesday. Oh, so 6.30 is fine. 6.30, public safety. If there is any change, just communicate with Teresa and the clerk, and we go from there. Yep, councilors. Motion to withdraw. No, no, no, not yet. Councilors. Motion to withdraw. Councilors, next meeting, next meeting which is scheduled to be, excuse me one second, on the 4th, scheduled to be on the 3rd, So we're going to have it on the 4th due to the fact that we're going to have elections on that day. So the next meeting w

Okay. Councillors, I'll entertain a motion.

Please. Vice President Levy, I will follow your lead.

Yes, I would like to ask to member of the council to have a moment of silence in the name of the mother of the past city council, Oneida Aquino, who passed away last week. Please.

All right. If there is anything else, Madam Chair, if there is anything else that we need to take care of? No? Okay. I entertain a motion to adjourn. So, can I hear a second? Second. Properly second discussion. I hear none. All those in favor, please say aye. Aye. Aye. Thank you, councillors.