Remarks by Marc Laplante
101 remarks on the record, newest first · Page 3 of 5
“I have a follow-up question specifically The allegations deal with COVID monies and the allegations are improper access and spending. Those are the allegations. Was the council at all involved in the money going through the council, city involved at all with respect to those kinds of the PPP and the other COVID monies? The city was not involved at all.”
“And so that was between, not the city, but between the federal agency that administered the funds and the applicants of which we were not a part of that. Is that the understanding? That is correct. Thank you.”
“I was going to make him. I'm not sure if with this automatically go away after we finish or there's any emotion. It would just go away. Right. Thanks.”
“I would. I would. So the purpose of getting this as an unfavorable is that it would still be in the committee right now and that was the only motion that could get it to the full council. So I thought the full council was the place where we could actually have a discussion about this matter. It's more complicated than I'm going to be able to describe here in a brief moment. However, having said that, I would suggest that this is something that we probably should adopt. We should pass. The way that we got here, we can cast aspersions. We can say it was... And I think the administration admits…”
“If the vote, this is a motion. To deny. Motion was unfavorable, I believe. Unfavorable recommendation.”
“I recall very distinctly that the motion was sent up with an unfavorable recommendation out of the committee.”
“Is that the motion? That was not what came out of the committee. Is that the motion right now before it's motion to deny?”
“Different than what the committee motion was, but right now this is a motion to deny. Just so we're clear.”
“It's written right on the piece of paper accurately. That was the motion. Just so we're clear.”
“It makes it a lot cleaner. I'll be very candid with everyone here that motion to deny makes it a lot... It's cut and dry, now I get it, right? So if the motion fails to deny that, does that mean it's approved?”
“Discussion real quick. I just want to call everybody's attention that there is I'm gonna vote yes on the table in it for a second. But there is a city attorney's opinion that's been provided to us just so we're aware that the conversation goes to the next round. That's it.”
“We just voted on that yes, so it was was our motion now.”
“Any other councillors? Seeing no other councillors, I'll call the question on there.”
“ANY OTHER COUNSELORS? SEE NONE. I'LL CALL ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE. AYE. OPPOSED NO. ROLL CALL VOTE, PLEASE.”
“It's still open to public hearing? Yes. Okay, I'll wait.”
“Okay, I thought you wanted to say something.”
“Thank you. So, Chief, I happen through you. I happen to believe that based on what you've been saying, that this is a position that is a needed position. It's a position that would provide some assistance to you. But I just want you to know that I know this is a nuance, and it won't be lost on you when I say this. I'll be voting for the position, not the person. So it's the duties that that position is required to administer is what I'll be voting for. Less important to me is the individual, no offense to that individual, that's doing a good job and all that, because that position's gonna be…”
“Motion to approve. Motion to approve. Second.”
“Do we have clearance on that date? I don't see the, do we have that?”
“Right, do we have something that says that we do have something? Okay. Was that one of the emails that was sent today?”
“Okay. And the most important, is that the right date on there?”
“Discussion. Yeah, so this is, I'm a bit more of a stickler when things are in my district. So if this wasn't in my district, like whatever, but it's in my district. So I don't know much about whether the organization, I don't, when I hear music and cultural fest sometimes, I'm not sure if folks are showing up and understand what I call the Del Rosario rule, which is, you know, keep it to a dull roar, be mindful of other people in the area. And they were about to pass something, and I'm not sure the message got to them. So I'm not gonna be supporting this only because they're not here tonight.…”
“So there is no- Council Chair, would the sponsor be willing to withdraw the motion for a moment for one point that I can make? Sure, Robin? Would the sponsor of the motion withdraw for one moment so I can make a comment on this?”
“Withdrawn momentarily. Yeah. One of the things that was mentioned is that from some of the supporters of this was to, there may be a need to go into executive session, so I wanted to make sure that this item had something on the clause that said executive session anticipated.”
“So I can make a motion that we approve this and I would also like to make as part of the motion. because of the timing that we did in the earlier one that we order a public hearing for the second meeting in October. That's 90 days. And I'll have more discussion if that's the motion. So I'll have more discussion on it if given a chance.”