Remarks by Jeovanny A. Rodriguez
291 remarks on the record, newest first · Page 9 of 12
“Thank you. All these names are going to be submitted for the record. Now we continue with the discussion for the fiscal year 2027 budget, the municipal budget for the City of Lawrence. Councillors, we have received information from from the Mayor of the City of Lawrence, Brian Edepena. And now we're going to expand that opportunity for the administration to present the different amendments for the fiscal year 2027. So if you mind.”
“Councilors, at this point we have received the amendment that it was asked and I get a motion for the purpose of discussion for the fiscal year 2027.”
“So there is a motion for the purpose of discussion. Been seconded by Councillor Reyes.”
“Chancellor, any other questions? Any other comments? All right. We are going to get ready to vote on this item. Before we get ready to vote, even though we have a motion for the purpose of discussion, we need to tweak that motion a little bit into three different motions, if not four. The first motion that I'm looking for is a motion to approve the fiscal year 2027 budget for the finance department. And also for the inspection services, those two together, Councillor Rosario is going to step out for potential conflict of interest.”
“There's a motion in front of us, properly second.”
“Yeah, and once we get to the general budget, we're going to bring this up to make sure people understand it. But I just don't want to confuse them with the two other votes that we've taken. Any questions, councillors, on this motion that we have in front of us? OK, I hear none. Madame Claire, please go the roll.”
“Yes, motion carries. So now I would like to get a motion. So now I'm looking for a motion to approve the fiscal year 2027 portion of the budget for the water and sewer department.”
“The motion has been made properly. Second. Miguel have a step out for the potential, because of a potential conflict of interest. Any discussions on this matter? I hear no, Madame Clerk, please call the roll.”
“Yes. Motion carries. So now I'm going to entertain a motion for the reminding of the fiscal year of 2027 budget, which is everything but those three that we just mentioned. So can I get an amendment on the original motion, on the underlying motion?”
“So this motion is for fiscal year 2027 budget. Everything else but the three departments that we just bought, which is the water and soil department, the inspection services, and also the finance department. Any discussions on this? Before we continue, it is important to recognize what Councillor LeBlanc just said a few minutes ago. It was seconded by Councillor Levy.”
“That was second by me. Oh, yes. Okay, I didn't hear it. So the $594,794 for the transportation issues for the Lawrence Folger School has been allocated with the cuts that it was presented by the administration and the Mayor, Brian Edepena, and the amendment was just discussed. So the issues that was brought up to, Everybody's attention here at the council all the powers that came here Thank you for showing up and presenting that issue. That was take care of hopefully the cherry cheat for the Senate budget that we take as a base is Accurate so we don't have to come back again with the same…”
“Before you go, Jason, I just want to say thank you for your military services.”
“A lot of people don't recognize that because you're young.”
“I just want to take one last opportunity to, I appreciate the hard work of the committee. I'm part of that committee and also every department that we're here. They were here on time. They were here available to respond to any questions. There were a lot of them that were willing to provide a lot of information and that is all the departments that still need to work a little bit around that's always happened but the good thing about it is that we hear all of you and all of us we serve the city of Lawrence on different capacity and when we serve a community that is so much in need it's a…”
“Yes. Morning cares. Congratulations. Mayor, you have the floor.”
“Motion to adjourn. There's a motion to adjourn. All those in favor, please say aye. Aye.”
“So Elijan, Good evening and welcome to the special meeting of the Lawrence City Council. Today is Monday, June 15, 2026. Pursuant to Chapter 20 of the Act of 2022, this meeting will be hybrid, allowing participation both in person at the city council chambers as well as remotely. We have two links that was provided to anybody that requested for the Zoom meetings. This meeting is also being transmitted live through the YouTube Lawrence City Council page as well as the Facebook Lawrence City Council page. Madam Clerk, Rocco.”
“Present. Please join me for a moment of silence. Now join me for the Pledge of Allegiance.”
“Now we are going to open public participation. The rules for public participation are as follows. You're gonna have two and a half minutes to speak. At the two-minute mark, you're gonna hear a beep or an indication that you still have 30 seconds to go. Please refer to this council as a whole. The first person that we have on the list is H. Malik. Name and address for the record, please.”
“The next person that we have is Mayor Ortiz. Name among others for the record.”
“Thank you, Councillor Ortiz. The next person that we have is Mercedes Hernandez. Name and address for the record, please.”
“Thank you. The next person that we have is Nicole Spring. Name and address for the record, please.”
“Thank you. The next person that we have is Jaylee Perez. Name and address for the record, please.”
“All right, the next person is Angel Dominguez.”
“Thank you. The next person that we have is John Regal. Hold for the end, please. Hold.”