Public Utilities and Public Works Committee - Regular Meeting

Good evening, everybody. I'm councilor Jesse Klingen. This is the public utility public works committee of the Summerhall City Council. And before we get started, I just must read this blurb that enables us to hold this meeting remotely. So with the pursuant to chapter two of the acts of 2025, this meeting of a city council committee will be conducted via remote participation. We will post an audio recording, audio video recording, transcript, or other comprehensive record of these proceedings as soon as possible after the meeting on the City Of Snorville website and local cable access government channels. This evening, we have clerk Delaney. I don't think we've ever held and had a meeting together. Do you want me to refer you as clerk and your last name? Or

Honestly, whatever you want. My last name is really long. So madam clerk is perfectly fine.

What's your

what is your last name?

It is Fisher Cascio.

Okay. Clerk Fisher Cascio.

Have a mouthful.

If you could call roll call for us, please?

Yes. This is roll call. Councilor Scott.

Present.

Councilor McLaughlin.

Here. Councilor Klingen?

Present.

Alright. With three present, have quorum.

Okay. First order of business is the approval of the minutes of the public utility public works meeting of March 10. We'll place that on we'll lay it on the table for approval at the end. The second item is we're gonna skip for now because staff member direct parks director Luisa Oliveira is joining us in just a bit. So that'll bring us to number three.

Now we have a pretty light agenda. There's only a few things in the box, some of which are some housekeeping. Councilor McLaughlin had some items related to 165 Broadway that we sort of addressed, but I wanted to make sure that we you know, before we take any action that we are satisfied. We'll get to those items shortly. So item number three is that the commissioner of public works removed the unused switch box on the sidewalk at 533535 Medford Street.

That was put in by councilor Saeed. That is in Magoon Square. And we have with us commissioner Jill Latham of the Department of Public Works to speak on this item. Go ahead and take it away, commissioner.

Well, good good evening, committee members. Jill Latham, with your DPW. This storage container actually needs to stay. We do storage in that container, and it has, a service pipe that we need access to. So that needs to say the arts council is looking at options to maybe paint this storage container, but we put storage in there to go holiday lighting and, like I said, it has a service pack that we need to access. So it has to remain, but director Greg Jenkins is looking into painting that that container box.

Okay. So this is something that's action. I I had assumed that we were gonna hear that this was a utility company's equipment and that we couldn't move it. I I'm almost curious just to look at it. I I hear your answer and I know, you know, that's that's what it is, but I'm just curious.

I don't think I've looked at it. So this is a because I think my assumption was that consult site was asking to get this removed because I thought it was, like, right at the corner. Right at the corner of where Broadway meets. Or no. That'd be no.

It'd be further down. Okay. Well, you know what? I will let council say it now that I'm gonna work complete this, that the city intends on keeping this piece of equipment to use for storage, you said, holiday lights and and different things, and that you need it to stay there. Is that correct? Okay.

Oh, yes. Yes. Yes. That's correct.

Okay. Excellent. So we will work to complete that. I'm clerk, and we will jump to so I think that's all for

Actually, can I can I ask you a quick question on that chair?

Yeah. Sure can.

So there's two switch boxes up there on the on the corner.

I was trying to look.

There's it looks like there's one in front of the smoke shop and one in front of the real estate office right up at the corner.

And and then on the other side, on

the Broadway facing, it looks like there might be one as well. So, Wyndham does have a utility meter on it. Is that

the access that y'all need to preserve, commissioner,

through the chair?

Through the chair. I said, look. I sent my crew down to take a look at this area, this location. And twice they told me that this is a this particular box is what they need for storage with holiday lighting and a service pipe that we have access to. But I can definitely get more details on that. But they're doing that that is needed and that director Jenkins was looking into being a.

Yep. No. That's that's fine. I also see the two switch boxes on the

over other side over by the CVS that do have arts council, work on them. So,

yeah, I was just kinda curious, especially seeing that one,

utility meter on one of them. So, thank you, mister Chair. Guess the mystery deepens. We'll we'll keep digging around.

Well, yeah. So thanks for helping me get stalled. Because like I said, I'm having some technical issues, but, yeah, I see what you're talking about. There are two identical boxes right next to each other on that side of the street. That is the side she's the counselor's referring to. Interesting that there's two boxes, but she only mentions one. So I'm gonna have to follow-up with her, and I'll see what she wants to do about putting in something else or get you know, making sure that we're all on the same page as far as which box it is. Are you looking at it, commissioner? Do you see it on your computer? The two the two different boxes?

Sure. I cannot.

Yeah. It's on street view. It's just like 5533 Medford Street. Okay. But I won't spend any more time on it for now. Alright. So we'll work complete this. Thank you, commissioner. I don't I I mean, this may come back up as another order once we get clarification from from the counselor. Okay.

So we work we'll complete that one. I'll have counselor Syed submit something more specific or, you know, get a little more detail, figure out exactly which one she's talking about. Alright. So let's zoom to item number four, which was from councilors on Bayon Wilson. That the director of constituent services submit in writing the protocol for proper handling of down wires.

So we did have a memo sent to us today that is attached to the agenda outlining the I'm not gonna read the whole thing, but it is attached. It basically just goes over the protocols of a down wire. Obviously, each wire is owned by utility services for customers. The city does not have jurisdiction systematically to replace. But if there's a concern of a down wire or low hanging wire creating a a hazard, city staff s sorry.

Some of fire department responds to all down wire reports, whether those calls are made directly to SFD fire alarm, 911, or 311. When a call is made to 311, staff will connect the caller with SFD fire alarm line. Some of our department has their own system for tracking calls, so the request on the 311 side is closed. So they will they'll investigate a reported wire, verify if it's electrical or communications. If electrical, Eversource is notified to respond since there is only one electrical provider in the city.

When necessary, some will find a prominent will notify inspection services. So, you know, when when call centers and bots and and and Wilson put this in, you kinda fell on that same category that I have brought up before as far as down wires. I think this memo speaks to the way the order is in, like, what is the protocol for dealing with the down wire. I think, you know, it it clearly states, like, call you know, report it to either 311, 911, or or some of the fire department. I sort of had a different like, when I was trying to have this addressed in a way that made more sense as far as constituent services go, I kinda I was looking at this order and thought it was a spin off of that.

But again, this sort of describes what you should do. But what I had been discussing before was the fact that if you report a wire down to 311 in the past, like, peep people have said to me, at least one instance, I don't wanna exaggerate, said that their three one one is closed and said, call the utility company. So that was, like, the impetus for me being, well, is there you know, I understand that, you know, there's a the the the cable companies, these contractors, they do, you know, whatever. Sometimes the sloppy work done, there's wires hanging that aren't live and they're just cable wires, but people are concerned and all that. We have not figured out a way to thread that needle although and quite frankly, I'm not sure how how widespread of an issue it is.

So, you know, if it comes up again, you know. But but this seems to be more speaking just to handling of a down wire. And I think it's always best practice to reach out, you know, to to report it to some of our department or or 311 or or 911. Obviously, if it's a if it appears to be a live wire, then 911 and Sunwell Fire Department would be the best. So any questions on this from colleagues?

Any comments? You know, we we have that memo that'll be on file. I'll let the counselors know that this has been addressed in the memo. Do we have any okay. Alright. So then we're gonna go ahead and work complete this item as well. And then, liaison Hutter, is director Olivier in attendance yet? Or

Mister Chirby, I do not see her yet on. I'm trying to reach her to see if she's having some trouble joining and hope to get that resolved. If not, I'm happy to share the information I know and No

problem. We can we have two other items that we can we can discuss. These are the ones that I was mentioning about Council McLaughlin had put in regarding the 165 Broadway. So that's I'll take them up together, 5 and 6. That's order 25Dash0089 and order 25Dash0088 that the Americans with Disabilities Act coordinate for the Americans with Disabilities Act coordinator, sorry, provide an estimate cost for upgrading 165 for ADA compliance and then also by councilor McLaughlin that the administration prioritize 165 Broadway for Americans with Disability Act compliance to ensure full use of youth related activities in the building.

So in the past, what we were presented with, there is a there was and I forget what year it is what year it was. So then the overall plan for the building for 165 Broadway, it included ADA upgrades, elevator, and other enhancements somewhere in the tune around $6,000,000. Like, I don't wanna, well, speak for the city, but I think at the at this time, they said that it's not in they don't have plans to do that enact that whole entire project. So I know myself, obviously, councilor McLaughlin said, well, okay. Fine.

But, like, how much to just can we nail this down to just how much for an elevator? And I think it was also said at that time that the just the elevator, it would still trigger these other enhancements and upgrades that'll put it at the price tag out of the realm of doability for now. If you could correct any of that, please, on Hutter to the best of your memory or anything to add just to kinda kick things off. I know that I just saw at the Teen Empowerment Peace Conference that the director the current director, Aliyah, mentioned that, you know and the mayor was there and, you know, the mayor got up and did her part afterwards. But but, you know, that that this is a priority.

So, for them, obviously, for the for the team empowerment folks. So I I just I didn't know if, there was anything new to add or any, you know, anything that at all.

Thanks, mister chair. That's a good summary of what we've discussed thus far in the committee. There is no significant update other than, you know, as we continue to look at the capital investment plan because of the large dollar amount that, ADA compliance at this building would trigger. That's the avenue for figuring out how this would be funded in the city. Unfortunately, I don't have any information to share this evening on the CIP process, which is still underway, or sort of the plans and when that will be released. And at that time, we can talk further about the building and where it lies within that plan.

Mhmm. Okay. So there was one question that I had this evening or or actually, I was gonna sponsor. I did speak to Aliyah, this the director of team empowerment this afternoon, and she had mentioned that she had reached out. Had been some communication regarding CPA funding. Is there actually, I'll sponsor her to speak if she wants to. Aliyah, if you're I see you're in the audience. If you wanna just clerk, if you could just allow the director, Tina Parment, Aliyah Yuan, to to speak.

Hi. Can you hear me?

Yeah. We can hear you.

Okay. It looks like I can't put my video on, but I was Yeah. So there there was a brief email that was sent out from someone representing the CPA funds. It was sent to our director of development earlier this year, and they just said that they were looking into whether or not their funds could be used. And so I haven't heard anything back from them, but am, of course, curious what what can be done because, ultimately, we're funded by the city of Somerville Health and Human Services, and part of that contract is to host events that are available to the public.

But we can't use our building if we can't invite people into the space and have it count towards those grant numbers. So it it creates a little bit of of a difficulty in being able to perform the duties of of our own contract with the city.

Mhmm.

Yeah. No. Thank you for repeating that. Council McLaughlin has been very clear on on this issue as to, well, the fact that you guys can't have events in that space. It is an interesting thing. Like, I don't know, you know, I like, I I when I was saying earlier, as far as CPA goes, I mean, this building is historic. Is it not? Anybody in you know? So I mean, because it would satisfy that historic aspect of the the funds that we need to use. Because, know, I know other other buckets, you know, can be a lot of there's a lot of competing interests and stuff, but all of this wouldn't really fall into the hearts anyways.

But, I mean, like, it would definitely fall under historic. So that process is happening now, liaison, Hunter. Like, is there would it be something that team empowerment would have well, it's a city building. So how what would that look like in terms of applying for CPA funds? And is that something that we can get an answer to not now, but at some point?

Yeah. Thank you, mister Trevor, for that question. I do know that there the CPA is currently soliciting applications for folks who are interested in the CPA funds. I don't know the details of that process or how this particular building you know, if the city who would be the applicant in that case? So I can get clarification from our CPC count coordinator on how that process goes and if there are any action steps that team empowerment or the city have to take to pursue that avenue. Thank you.

Yeah. As I had said earlier in the day that, you know, that one of the concerns is I don't know that there's that large of a bucket of money, so it would have to end up being some sort of multiphase thing and, you who knows how long that could trial. But anything on this from colleagues? I'm not in a hurry to move on. I just because I'm happy to do but but councilor McLaughlin, do you wanna with this new CPA question lingering, do you wanna keep these in committee, or

how do you want?

Well, I'll start with asking some questions.

Oh, yeah. Yeah. Oh, sorry. Didn't see your hand. Go ahead.

You have Sorry. Thank you, chair. So so I did speak to liaison Hunter earlier. I actually believe she said the total number for renovating this entire building will be $15,000,000, not 9, which is a hefty sum. So I understand it's not something to just easily say we're gonna do this. But now we're having a conversation about potential CPA funds and the elevator and the cost of the elevator compared to everything else. And it makes me wonder, you know, one, is the CPA actual an actual avenue that we're exploring? But can we do an elevator first and then do the rest of the building? Is that even an option?

Through you, mister chair, my understanding, again, not my area of expertise, but that certain in improvements on a building trigger the requirement for additional improvements on a building for ADA accessibility and the investment of, the funds necessary to add the elevator triggers the necessity for some other, accessibility, improvements, but just the elevator in itself, like the building mechanicals would need to be upgraded to support the elevator, which obviously can have a hefty price tag as well. So some of the other, pieces that were necessary to functionally add the elevator, add to the ticket price. And you're right that the CPA dollars, I think, overall per year, the CPA has I forget what the number will be this year, but, you know, a couple million dollars, for all the projects within the CPA, and there are buckets, or sort of percentages of funds that have to go to different kinds of projects throughout the city. So I don't believe it would be a source for the full funding for any of that kind of cost. But if there are parts of that process, potentially, that could be, funded by CPA dollars.

Again, I don't know what the current conversations are. I'm happy to look into that and get back to the committee on, you know, what the conversation is about CPA dollars and 165 Broadway. But that would be the it would have to be a portion of a project or a you know, perhaps it's for, like, the mechanicals. I'm I'm not quite sure how if that would of the mechanics would have to be very thoughtful and creative and how that would, add to the need to address this issue in the building.

Okay. Talk

about it.

Through your chair. So I guess my another question I'd have, if you don't mind, I have a series of questions, and then I'll just, seed the floor for because they're all connected. Who is a part of this conversation? Like, who's having the conversation about how to make this happen or how to or not to

make it happen?

Through the chair? I'm not sure I understand the question, but I don't you don't have specific folks in the city, who I can name. But is is the intention to know, like, which departments are looking at this or if team empowerment's included, what, can you just share a little bit more of what you're hoping to learn?

Yeah. So the chair

Couple comments. Just couple

of comments. Just just for the origins of building. I think what happened is, the team empowerment folks emailed the CPA. Aliyah can straighten this out. And that's the they got a response back saying they were looking into it. I mean, looking into it is looking into I mean, who who knows what actually ended up happening with that, if anything. You know? That's why I'm saying if it's a priority, hopefully, they would have heard back by now. But I believe that's the initiation. Correct, Aliyah?

That's that's okay, Chad, because that's not what I'm referring to. What I'm referring to is an overall conversation about this building and where it lies and the list of priorities. So liaison, how to mentioned I think the phrase was it being a part of the conversation. So what I'm getting at is who should I be having a conversation with? Because I would like to close this item out.

I don't wanna come back. I don't wanna keep this in committee and months from now have the same conversation. But if I can talk to someone directly, I assume it'd be Rich Raish or somebody involved in the capital investment plans. Like, my questions are, you know, where is this on the list of priorities? Is there an actual conversation about just doing an elevator and then figuring things out? Is that even possible to begin with? You know, where what is ahead of the this on the capital investment plan? And then I have other questions related to that. But I feel like somebody from who is a part of that plan should be a part of this conversation. Well, I should at least be able to talk to them.

But that the the answer to your question, counsel, is we're driving this conversation. I don't think it's a priority. I don't think anybody's talking about anything. What I wanna know is if we could get a real breakdown of cost. I know that they said if we ask them because they have that $15,000,000 plan, we ask them, how about just the elevator? And the quick answer we got was that, well, it will trigger other things to have to happen. We didn't get an actual dollar figure of how much would it be to just try to address the elevate the, you know, the elevator and and some other stuff without doing the entire plan. So that's kinda where this whole other aspect of CPA came in or, you know, other avenues of a of a more affordable route.

Through the chair, happy to provide some additional information here. On the estimation for elevator only, I think one of the things we shared when this item was first, discussed in committee is partly, you know, it would cost money to do that analysis. And what we're what we're referring to at this time is the analysis done in 2021, which does have the the documents, I think, I sent after the February meeting before the March meeting of this committee, was the full breakdown, and you can see line items. But, again, as a non a non construction expert, it's a little hard. You could see, like, there's the actual cost of elevator shaft, but then, of course, you need to make sure that mechanicals are updated and then, you know, moving their space in the building for that elevator to exist, etcetera, etcetera.

So there are other parts in that breakdown that would also need to be included, for an elevator to be functional within the building. But providing a further assessment, would cost additional dollars. And if we are you know, so that is sort of what we're going off as our best estimation at this point. I'll also add, to the question from, councilor McLaughlin about, you know, where the conversation is happening. I can say, yes.

We are talking about this this building and how it fits into the capital investment plan. Those conversations, you know, I'm not able to I don't have the all the details on those conversations and how that plan is sorting out all of the priorities throughout the city. There's obviously many high investments across the city that we would like to do, and we have limited resources. So figuring out how we you know, prioritize those is the conversation. I don't have an answer to, like, what are the, you know, projects that would come before this or where this falls within the c p CIP.

But I hope I will continue to I have asked staff, I mean, just before this meeting if there has been an update and that there isn't, you know, confirmed information on that at this time. We are, you know, continuing to in response to all of the changing finances of the city, make plans on the capital investment plan. Yes. Please let me know if there's information I did not respond to in the questions that were just asked.

So you tried that. And I understand. I I spoke earlier and asked about the capital investment plan, and I did not expect the answer today, but I would like to know. And I I'm reminded of, the current mayor former council of Ballantyne who very often ask for the outline of the capital investment plan to see what our priorities are and what, money is needed to get this done. So and I do know there's a lot of buildings in the city that need help. This is just the one in my neighborhood that happens to be the only, staffed youth center in the city that I would like to see, be fully used. So I see council Scott's had his hand raised for a while. I have more questions, but I'll stop for now and circle back on other ish, other questions.

I'll start. Go ahead. Floor is yours.

Alright. Thanks. You know, I don't I don't have a lot of follow-up questions here other than just the comment that this is a very familiar conversation. I, you know, I applaud and support my colleague in Ward One's effort to get attention on this particular problem. I'm I'm reminded with this conversation with CPA that, you know, this council voted to take the property at 217 Summerville Ave, a great many years ago, and that even that was a a haul to get the the mayor's office at the time to do it.

But actually getting the park built on that site linguished for quite a while until CPA funds were used as kind of a kickstarter just to get the initial design soft cost done. So, you know, if that's an opportunity, if that's something that we can get a CPA application in and, push the CPA to do, I mean, it it's a workaround, and I can understand why the folks at team empowerment will wanna do that. But, ultimately, I do believe this is a, CIP and prioritization question, and I just applaud the good counselor for, working so hard at it. So

Counselor McLaughlin, back to you.

Yes. Thank you. So I guess a few other questions that I have already asked too, but I just want people in public to know I'm asking these questions. Is there is a city owned lot on Cross Street East right around the corner from from this building. It was an abandoned building that's been demolished, and it's a city project.

It's a city lot that the city will eventually develop. I'm wondering and, if the answers if there's no answers today, that's fine. But I would like to know, where that project is, in the line of the capital investment plan. Is that is rebuild is building a new building there ahead of repairing the old building? If so, can we get team services in there? And just so that's one question. I'll I'll stop with that. It was where are we at on the Cross Street East project, the known as the General Insulation Building.

Through the chair. Thank you for that question. I did get with staff earlier this afternoon to ask about this after our conversation and don't have, an answer to, you know, where the different properties lie in sort of order in the capital investment plan. So I don't have an answer on that question. But I do know that this is has been a part of the question. I, you know, I wasn't familiar with this property, but when I spoke with staff, they were like, absolutely. We know what we mean absolutely are thinking about this, property as well. So it is, in the conversation and, happy to connect with you as more information is available, counselor, on what the next steps are for figuring out what's happening on that property.

Alright. Thank you. I had another separate question is, could you tell me, through through the chair, how many new dollars are being spent this budget season on potential, locations for youth services in the city?

Through the chair. I don't have that number, but I'm happy to get that to you and follow-up after the meeting with the dollar amount for youth services. Is that correct?

Yes. So what I'm getting at is I know the mayor has made efforts to create youth centers in the city. Some have succeeded. Others, unfortunately, we lost, like the one at at the Edgeley Building. So I know it's a priority to for her to have youth centers, tea places for teens to congregate in particular.

And my whole point is this is a location that already exists that would just need some upgrades or would need maybe flexibility with their contract in order to have a functioning youth center in the neighborhood probably with the most teens. So I'm just curious this budget season where that money is being spent, if any, and, you know, and where where the locations will be and if we could potentially look at this location or a location in East Summerville for such services. So my last question for now is this contract team empowerment has with the city. So, ideally, my ideal situation would be to make this building ADA accessible so that people can use it of all walks of life. Barring that, consider knowing that will probably take years, is there any way or I'm wondering where it is in this contract and how flexible it can be to for the teen empowerment to use this building for public services and have it count towards their contract when the city is apparently saying that it any public meetings, public events in this building can't count towards their contract.

Is that clear? I I just maybe stumbled on that last part. Is there any room for flexibility with the teen empowerment contract so that they can hold public events in this building and not, not basically have it work against them?

Through the chair, I don't have answers on that question this evening, but we'll certainly flag that for staff and, make sure the conversation is had on what flexibility there is or other ways to increase the capacity of team empowerment to offer programming to our teams. Thank you.

Alright. Thank you. So final final question is, do you think we could get these answers by the June 12 council meeting? Because I would like to close this out. I don't wanna make people come back a third time for this conversation, but I do wanna make sure that we're doing our due diligence here.

Yeah. Yes. Through the chair counselor. I would be happy to get these answers to you as soon as possible and certainly before next Thursday.

Okay. Seeing that counselor clinging or chair clinging, I would mark this work complete. And, you know, if I feel like we're not getting anywhere, I can resubmit them in another way and, keep this conversation

going. Okay. Alright. So, Clerk, we will work complete both of those. I don't wanna get too far off the these orders here, but I was looking back at I was looking for that document about the breakdown of the cost of the the repairs, and I also came across that what you sent us later on how with the contract for team empowerment.

And it looks like it ends in June year, like, you know, it's your I wonder if upon drafting a new contract, you know, if that could be something that's addressed in the contract. You could just, you know, bring that back to the people who need to have that information, and I know that Illy is listening now. So something for people to think about. Okay. Well, we'll work we'll complete those. And that just there's one item left. Hold on one second, please. Is is director Aliyah, did you wanna standing before you before we we sign off?

No. Unless I think Stan Stanley Pollock is also online if he would like to, if that's possible.

Yeah. I mean, it's fine with me, if it's fine with my colleagues. It's a you know, just a brief I just figured before we move on from this, I know you you all have been in attendance. Okay. I see Stanley has been elevated. Mister Pollock, go ahead and Can

you hear me now?

We can hear you.

Yeah. But you can't see me. Oh, well. I do see you guys join as panelist.

Yeah. Go right ahead. Mister Pollock, I think you muted yourself. Oh, now we see you, but I think you there you go.

Alright. Anyway, yeah. Just so I appreciate the efforts that councilman, McLaughlin has been making on our behalf. I think this is, an investment, that, will pay off for the city and a real opportunity. So I hope we can take advantage of it.

And I guess the other thing I would just say that there you know, we might wanna look into a stair stair lift if that might be possible, which could be cheaper, which would give us access to the building. And, yeah, I I appreciate the recognition of the value of this effort, and it it's it's significant. The building's been around as a center for something like thirty five years. So, you know, I hope we can take advantage of it, and I'll I'll help in any way I can.

Well, thank you for that, and thank you for the work you do, both of you. And Yeah. Sure councilor McLaughlin will follow-up if there's any breaking news.

I do have one another question actually for mister Pollock, council Klingon. I am curious, Stan. So this standard about having public events in the, 165 Broadway, has that and you've been around longer than everyone here on this is has that always been a standard for teen empowerment, or was that a recent development?

It's recent. It's just this really, it's a I I think maybe in the last couple years, maybe. But, I mean, we've we've we're working in that building. I've been working in that building off and on for thirty five years or whatever. It's been ridiculously long time. We've done events there many times, but it may be that the ADA compliance is just higher consciousness than it had been in the past. I'm not sure how consistently that that, criteria has been applied, but, it's it's recent.

Okay. So there I'm glad I was able to ask that. Sorry to put you on the spot.

That's alright.

But it this is kinda what I'm getting at is, again, I understand I understand what I'm asking for, which is to spend $15,000,000 to renovate a ancient building so that people can get to the 2nd Floor. And I still making that ask because in eve one, it just needs to be done. We're required to do it. But I do know that it's gonna take a long time, and it's gonna cost a lot of money. In the interim, I don't understand why we're going to have hold a a an organization that's paid for by the city of that's providing space by the city of Somerville for Somerville youth and holding them to this rigorous standard, that we ourselves cannot meet.

So I would say in the interim, while we wait for the perfect world for this building to get renovated and for it to be accessible to everyone, I don't understand why we can't be flexible with the interpretation of a public event within a city public building. And if we can't if we're really gonna hold them to this high standard, we should be providing a location for them to host these events that we're requiring them to hold.

Yeah. Well, I I would just was through the chair. You know, the standard should be consistent across the board, not just for team empowerment. That's for sure. So if there's flexibility in other venues for for the city, then they hopefully could be some arrangements made for within the context of our contract.

And there's all kinds of things we could be doing. So that would definitely increase the level of youth services in the city without increasing the cost. So it would just make the money that the city is investing a whole lot more efficiently used if we could use that space in a more dynamic way. And yeah. So if those if those arrangements could be made, that would be great.

Okay.

So

Yeah. No. I think, miss Frog, I think it's like you said. I think that it's just much more we're trying to be much more cognizant about ADA compliance and, you know, any meetings I have or anything that has to do with the city, like, city meeting has to be held in a building that's, you know, in a space that's compliant. So, hopefully, we can figure out a solution here. I get it. You wanna have the events in your home. That's like your home. And and it would be ideal if if, you know, it could be it'd be much more fun and and and such. Okay.

So councilor McLaughlin, we're gonna you you wanna work complete these. Right? And you're gonna follow-up? Okay? Alright. Thank you for coming this evening. Mhmm. Miss Ewan and miss Pollack, we appreciate your your input on the conversation, and we will be in touch.

Thanks.

Alright. So, clerk, we're gonna work complete both of those. And now do we have director Oliveira here?

Mister chair, unfortunately, there has been an unexpected conflict that's come up, so the director won't be able to join us this evening. I'm happy to share the information that I have and get any questions and then bring us back to the director. And if this committee wishes to keep in committee for a future conversation, absolutely understand. And

Alright. Well me

know how you'd like to proceed.

Sure. Let me just stop by reading the order into the record. It's item number two, which is order 25Dash0744 by councilor McLaughlin that the commissioner of public works increased the lighting at Chucky Harris Park along the fence abutting the properties on Minnesota Avenue. Councilor McLaughlin, if you wanna set this up or you wanna just send it to have No. I can

I'd love to hear an update from the liaison, and, depending on what that update is, I'll have questions.

Liaison Hunter?

Yes. Thank you, mister chair. From the conversation I had with staff, the, you know, the idea is, fine. They're thinking about what you know, logistically what needs to happen and investigating what, sort of electrical hookups exist in the park or if there are other options like a solar powered light that could operate differently if if not plugged into, sort of the electrical lines. So looking into options available, did note that, you know, when previous conversations with this park, there's been a desire to not have lights, in that area.

So, you know, wanna make sure that any future conversation about adding the lights, you know, folks in the area are, you know, involved in that and know that, like, they want this, and we wanna make sure we get a light that doesn't cause, you know, unintended consequences. So happy to hear more from, questions from this committee or from the word counselor, on any other context, and happy to share that with staff as well.

Yes. Thank you. So, yes, it is very accurate to say that people did not want light add that much lighting in this park before, but I did have a community meeting with residents who I believe it's blank on my state streets, but the, Minnesota Ave, I believe, which is right behind Cross Street East. The people in the that strip of houses who would be most impacted by lighting are now requesting that we do have lighting for safety purposes, because there's a real dark spot in the back side of the park, which would have bought these properties. So I feel like I I asked them I told them, you know, people didn't want this before.

Are you certain that you want it now? They insisted yes. So I brought this request forward. So I do believe that because there is some lighting back there, we should be able to add more lighting and just to lighten up a dark corner of the of the park is what I'm asking for.

Yeah. And the interesting part about like, people get nervous when they hear lights, you know, but then if you think about the way we're lighting up the the the youth soccer fields and how the light spill is just at a minimum. But furthermore, like, a park that was, I think, done after that one, which is Kremen Playground, which they have, like, nice built in accent lighting that doesn't disturb the neighbors but keeps it keeps it well lit at night. That might have been what was gonna end up there, you know, but people definitely have a tendency to be freaked out about lights thinking it's gonna be shining in their window. Yeah. I hear you. I mean, it sounds like if there's lights over there, they should be able to to tap in.

And if I could add to each other, maybe a solution might be motion detector lights so that the lights would go on if somebody was there at a certain time of night, which would serve the dual purpose of making sure that there's visibility, but also not having to be a constant presence in the neighborhood.

It's true. Thank you. Glad to have those questions. I'll bring that back to staff, and continue the conversation. Thank you.

Thank you, miss Hunter. And I think that'll that's everything.

So, Clint, I was there. If I could say too, if I could get a response by the next full council meeting as well, I'd be happy to mock this work complete, and then we can keep it keep it going.

So you're saying don't work completed till you

get that or work completed right now? I'll mark a work complete on well, if if the liaison could is it possible to get this answered by next Thursday or at least

an update? Is it the next meeting this Thursday or am I crazy? Next Thursday.

I yeah. Through the chat, I can certainly give an update. I don't wanna, speak on behalf of staff if they're able to commit to when that would be installed or have an answer on those things, but certainly can continue share this information back and, make sure that you're in in the conversation about what additional questions staff have or what that timeline would look like.

Okay. That works for me. Maybe if you could pass along to, miss Olivera or she could give me a call, we can just address all this because I don't wanna make her have to come to this meeting again if we don't have to.

Okay. That's all I got. Alright. Well, that's all any of us have, I guess. That'll actually clean out the box for now. So get your get your items ready for the next meeting. Give us something to do. Alright. Clerk, that's everything. Right? You have all of the dis dispositions for each of those items. Any questions?

Nope. You're all set. Thank you.

Alright. So then with that, counselor Scott moves to adjourn. I'm sorry. Yeah. So this will be on approval of the minutes from the March 10 meeting on all of the work completed items and adjournment. Clerk, if you could please call the roll.

Yep. This is roll call. Councilor Scott.

Yes.

Councilor McLaughlin?

Yes.

Chair Klingen?

Yes.

Alright. That is three votes in favor, meaning we are adjourned. The minutes are approved, and the other items have been marked were complete.

Alright. Great. Alright. Good night, everybody. Thank you. See you.