City Council - Regular Meeting

Good evening everyone. Today is May 18, 2026. The time is now 6:45 and we will start our regular meeting agenda. Madame clerk, will you please call the role? Councelor Santelo here. Present. Councelor Martin present. Present. Councelor Perez present. Present. Councelor Brown present. Present. Councelor Govan. Present. Present. Councelor Walsh. Present. Councelor Hurst.

Present. Councelor Davila.

It's not working. I don't know why. Just say it. Present. Councelor Fenton I think I did it. Sorry, I hit something. You can say present now. Present. Present. Councelor Fenton present. Present. Councelor Delgado. Present. Present. Councelor Click Bruce. Present. Present. Councelor Edwards. Present. Present. Councelor Whitfield. Present. Will counselors and their guests please stand for a moment of silence. Thank you. Will you please remain standing for the pledge of allegiance?

I pledge of allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

Thank you. Are there any reports of committee today? Councelor Govan, followed by Councelor Martin. Thank you, Madame President. The fiscal um committee met on May 15th. We had um Attorney Sheay and Karen Lee in the room and Council Davila was virtual and we reviewed the latest revision of the resolution, the community impact resolution for the new courthouse, the Springfield Regional Justice Center. and we're moving forward with taking a vote on it at the next um possible meeting. Thank you, Madam President.

On Councelor Martin.

Uh thank you, Madam President. Um so on May 14th, I had a public safety meeting um in regards to the distribution of the Shannon Grant and their recipients. Um I was joined by councelor Hurst virtually. I was joined by council counselor Dava virtually. I was joined by Lavar Click or counselor click Bruce virtually and I was joined by yourself uh virtually. Um I heard from a variety of different uh recipients um such as the YWCA here project, the Salvation Army, the Boys and Girls Club of Springfield, the YMCA Y AIM program, Dunar Community Center, Give Music Inc., the New North Citizens Council, the Central City Boxing Program, the Criminal Justice Organization of Hampton County, MLK Family Services, and Families Against Violence. Um, it was very, very informative. We got to hear a lot of what they plan to use uh for the grants or what they plan to do with their programs to help combat um youth and uh gang related violence um here in the city of Springfield. It's distributed uh through the Springfield Police Department. So, I commend them for their work as well. Like to thank all them, all the recipients for showing up. And I also like to thank our um council staff, Sean Young. Stayed for quite a long meeting. He was there for two hours. He's got a young family. Um and a couple times during the meeting, I had him run and grab me a couple things. So, I you know, I really really appreciate that. Sean's a good man. And I uh appreciate all those who showed up and the recipients. So, thank you.

Thank you, Councelor Martin. It was quite the long meeting. Any other reports of committee? Seeing none, madame clerk, will you please call the role on reports of committee? On acceptance, councelor Santanella. Yes. Yes. Councelor Martin. Yes. Yes. Councelor Perez. Yes. Yes. Councelor Brown. Yes. Yes. Councelor Govan. Yes. Yes. Councelor Walsh. Yes. Yes. Councelor Hurst. Yes. Yes. Yes. Councelor Davila. Yes. Yes. Councelor Fenton. Yes. Yes. Councelor Delgado. Yes. Yes. Councelor Click Bruce. Yes. Yes. Councelor Edwards. Yes. Yes. Councelor Whitfield.

Yes. Item approved. Madam clerk, please call the first item on the agenda. The first item is a petition for Eversource 90 Cherokee Drive. Please state your name and address for the record. Good evening, counselors. Chris Signnoli, 89 Bennington Street, Springfield. Um, first petition in front of you tonight is for Cherokee Drive. It is for the installation from Eversource Electric to install a new pole to provide additional service to Freeman School. Um, for clarification, uh, um, Mr. Signoli, are all of the one, two, and three items basically the same?

Yes. Um, without objection, can we hear about all of the items and then we will um do a roll call. I hear no objections. No objections.

Thank you. Um item number two is also for the installation of a pole um on Oak Hollow Road. The installation of the pole is to service power for a sewage pump station that is actually owned by the town of East Long Meadow. And the third item is to install new poles, three new poles on Orlando Street. Um the issue that they have is the uh existing electric is fed through the backyards. Uh they need to move it to the front yard and increase the power. So they are looking to install three new poles on Orlando Street so all of those properties can then be served from the front versus being served from the backyards.

Thank you counselors. Any questions on items one, two, or three? Councelor Click Bruce. Hey Chris, can you just uh Thank you, council. Madam President, Chris, can you just say the first one again, please? What it was for? Installation of a new pole for increased electric service to Freeman School. Thank you. Any other questions from councils? Madame Clerk, can you please call the item roll on items on items one through three? Councelor Santino. Yes. Yes. Councelor Martin. Yes. Yes. Councelor Perez. Yes. Yes. Councelor Brown. Yes. Yes. Councelor Govan. Yes. Yes. Councelor Walsh.

Yes. Yes. Councelor Hurst. Yes. Yes. Councelor Davila. Yes. Yes. Councelor Fenton. Yes. Yes. Councelor Delgado. Yes. Yes. Councelor Click Bruce. Yes. Yes. Councelor Edwards. Yes. Yes. Councelor Whitfield. Yes. The items are approved. Madame clerk, please call the next item on the agenda. Item four is a 30 minute loading zone for Stockbridge Street.

Good evening, counselors. The petition in front of you for Stockbridge Street as part of the construction that's going to be going on for the Macaffrey project as well as the construction of all of the roadway work that's going to surround Stockbridge, Willow Cross, uh, and the construction of a new parking garage. Uh the area on Stockbridge Street needs to be cleared from parking meters. And what we are trying to do through the uh economic development department is to install um loading zones in that area for the businesses as well as being a able to access all of the properties. The loading zone, the other um area there is for access for parents for the community music school. So essentially eliminating the on street parking uh during the course of the construction periods.

Councelor Brown,

I want to thank you Chris for all your work. Um my concern was um when we did construction work downtown in front of uh the taste of vegan what what uh there was a a young black man. He owns a vegan spot right there. They had dumpsters in front of his um his facilities for a long time. I had to give you a call about that um because he lost business as far as the placement of those dumpsters. Um he has a great restaurant idea concept where he got vegan all kinds of vegan dishes and it hurt him. So, I'm just want to make sure with some of these uh projects when we're doing them that we're not so intrusive with the community and the actual business owners. If you can do that for me.

Absolutely. In this area isn't in front of any particular business. Basically, the on street parking is just on street parking for anybody visiting the general area. There isn't an exact business right in front any of them. Okay. Thank you, Chris, and thank you for your work. Thank you, Madam President. Thank you, Councelor Brown. Councelor Walsh. Thank you, Madam President. Chris, could I get a status on what for the community music school for parking? Are they losing their parking or do they still have access?

Better question for Pete Garvey. But as part of the whole project there, they are going to be temporar temporarily as part of the project being provided parking and then as part of the full construction will be provided parking. Um, I'm not sure if it's in the garage itself, but the area there during construction is actually going to be down Cross Street and post construction will be at the garage. Okay. Thank you. So, yeah, we we actually built them a parking lot. I'm sorry, not on Cross Street, on Park Street, I believe it is. Yes. And people have on both sides have been meeting to settle this. Yes. Yes. Okay. Thank you.

Thank you, Council Walsh. Any other council press

Chris? How would it affect the parking for the people that live in that building development across the street? Because I know that's been an issue. Um, and are you relocating any other parking? I know it's hard to park in downtown, but specifically in that area, you know. So, um, could you give me an update? uh the area where the parking garage is going to be built and again Pete Arvey knows this a little more than I do. That area where all that parking is, the economic department of economic development department is in the process of relocating all of those tenant I'm going to use the word tenants who are using those parking lots into other areas immediately um uh in that area during construction. Um, as councelor Walsh asked, community music school is being moved down to Park Street and then there is also um uh another parking lot that they're being moved to. So, we are uh physically getting into I don't want to use the word contracts, but we're getting into agreements with all of the businesses that park into those lots where they're going to be during construction.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Thank you, Council Perez. Any others? All right, we're going to try something new. For the first time in five years, councelor Finn told me that we have everyone here today. Thank you, Council Martin. I think it might be some of your pressure, but um we can do a voice vote where everyone who's in favor can say I and those who are opposed can say nay and we don't have to do a roll call vote. So, we're going to give that a try on this item if you all don't mind. All right, madame clerk, do the voice vote.

Counselors, all in favor? I thank you. Any opposed? All right. Item approved. Um, thank you, Councelor Finton. Madame President, why the change? I mean, we used to do it that way. Um I I think because when we went virtual um during co you can only do it if everyone's present and so I just wanted to give it a try since I was made aware of it. Didn't know about it but I like it. I think it's I think it's terrific.

I think so too. And so we have another small items. Um, we want to thank the two donations to the Springfield Library and the library cash donations, but they are under our threshold. And so, we can do the same voice vote again on those two items, five and six. Madame clerk, you can call the items and then you can call the voice vote. Counselors, items five and six are the Springfield City Library donation in the amount of $22 and the FY26 library cash donation in the amount of $53.80. Um, all in favor of accepting the grants, I I Anyone opposed?

Thank you.

Try it on my mic. All in favor say I. I. Any opposed? Eyes have it. Please call the next item. The next item is an FY25 police bills of prior year in the amount of $10,51.36. Good evening, counselors. Uh there's three invoices. Please state your name and address for the record.

Sorry. Uh Kathy Bono, Okalo Road, Springfield. Uh in front of you are three prior year bills from the police department that didn't get paid. They slipped through the cracks, so to speak. and I need council approval to pay these prior year bills with current year funds. Any questions from counselors? Seeing no questions, we're going to try that again. Madame clerk, will you please do a voice vote? Counselors, all in favor of passage. I All anyone opposed?

I like it. Item approved. All right. I don't know about this one. We're going to go around. Um, madame clerk, please call the next item on the agenda. Item eight is an FY25 free cash to snow and ice in the amount of $1.8 million.

Good evening, counselors. Chris Signoli, DPW director. Um we are looking to come in front of the council tonight to cover the costs um for deficit spending for the uh past snow season. Our budget for snow and ice removal in the city is $1.591 million and this year we were up at 3.392 uh a difference of 1.8 million. The three major items are overtime for employees which was about $70,000 over budget. contractors um approximately $1 million and salt at $500,000. Uh so those three items basically created the deficit uh that we are looking to have covered through free cash for this year.

Any questions or comments from council? All right, we're going to do a roll call on this one. Madam clerk, please call the role. on approval. Councelor Santanelo. Yes. Yes. Councelor Martin. Yes. Yes. Councelor Perez. Yes. Yes. Councelor Brown. Yes. Yes. Councelor Govan. Yes. Yes. Councelor Walsh. Yes. Yes. Councelor Hurst. Yes. Yes. Councelor Davila. Yes. Yes. Councelor Fenton. Yes. Yes. Councelor Delgado. Yes. Yes. Councelor Click Bruce. Yes. Yes. Councelor Edwards. Yes. Yes. Councelor Whitfield. Yes.

Item approved. Madame clerk, please call the next item on the agenda. The next item is an order granting permanent utility easement to Northstar or NStar Eversource at 120 Ashland Avenue.

Uh good evening. Uh my name is John Carrian, Springfield Facilities Management, 233 Allen Street. Uh I'm here tonight to present to you or to request approval on two on an easement. Uh there's actually two ements, items number nine and number 10. Uh but speaking of item number nine, uh the an easement for Eversource at the Alfred Glickman Elementary School on 120 Ashlin AV. Uh the goal of this easement is to support uh HVAC work uh to install air conditioning at that building uh which we are attempting to accomplish over this coming summer break. Uh the easement is necessary for electrical equipment uh for Eversource to install new transformation uh and conductors uh to this building.

Any questions from counselors? Councelor Brown, I don't have a question. I'm just asking through the chair. Um, seeing that it's both the same thing, are we able to vote on or do we have to vote separately on it? Without objection. Um, can we hear item number 10 as well and vote on both items together? Please proceed with number 10.

Uh, yes, Madam President. Item number 10 uh is the same type scope. Uh we have an ongoing HVAC project uh this summer at the Frank Freriedman Elementary School at 90 Cherokee Drive. Uh this easement would allow Eversource to install uh transformation equipment conductors onto school city property uh and allow us to complete that project and install air conditioning at that building. Councelor Govan.

Thank you, Madame President. Um Mr. Carrian. So, installing I love the idea of installing air conditioners at the schools. Um because tomorrow schools close early because of the heat. Um is this going to be happening for more of the schools or so? There is a very very aggressive push for air conditioning. uh in the last four to five years, largely in part due to the esser money, we've closed the gap on air conditioning at at schools at at a rate that I I don't think you'll find any district in the state, possibly even the country that's closed the gap that fast.

Uh so we're moving very very aggressively. There are plans in motion on a number of other schools. We're going after grants, any source of funding we can find. Funding being the operative challenge at this point. They're getting harder. The buildings that are left are much, much larger. So, you know, we're working with the MSBA, Capital Asset Construction. I can tell you that we're moving very, very aggressively and we'll continue to until we have all our buildings on air conditioned. Excellent. Now, do you know if the new schools that are being built, will those include air conditioning?

I I I that would be a fantastic question, Peter Garvey, but I I I haven't seen a new bu a new school building constructed without it. In my experience, I I can't imagine that they won't. Brightwood Lincoln and Deberry Deberry Swan both have u fantastic air conditioning systems. Good. Thank you. Thank you, Madam President. Thank you, councelor Govon. Any other questions from counselors? Seeing none, madam clerk, please call the role on items 9 and 10. On approval, councelor Santanelo. Yes. Yes. Councelor Martin. Yes. Councelor Perez. Yes. Yes. Councelor Brown. Yes. Yes. Councelor Govan. Yes. Yes. Councelor Walsh.

Yes. Yes. Councelor Hurst. Yes. Yes. Councelor Davila. Yes. Yes. Councelor Fenton. Yes. Yes. Councelor Delgado. Yes. Yes. Councelor Click Bruce. Yes. Yes. Councelor Edwards. Yes. Yes. Councelor Whitfield. Yes. Item items approved. Madame Clerk, please call the next item on the agenda.

Item 11 is an amendment to number two to order of taking for the X project. Good evening, councilors. Chris Signoli, DPW director. Um, the modification that we are looking for is one of the properties that was granted an easement um and where we are reimbursing them. The ownership of the lot has changed. So therefore, the original order needs to be changed in order to have the new owner of the property at 390 Sumar Avenue changed to the correct owner. Any questions, comments from counselors? Councelor Walsh. What? Uh,

yeah. Thank you, Chris. What is that property? It's a residential It's a residential property. I think it's a two family.

The new owners have to agree to the taking. Yes, it's already been agreed to. They just need to be in order for them to get the check, it has to be made out to them. So the the change in property happened before the construction started when before we sent out the checks. So when the checks got sent out, the existing owner can't do anything with the owner that was previous can't do anything with it. So it has to go to the new owner. Councelor Dava. Thank you, Madam President. Uh Chris, how much how much are we taking at that? Uh it's a construction easement of 600 square ft.

Okay. And and that's going to be for the u expansion of the sidewalk or the street. It's for the work on the sidewalk and work that we're doing because it's on the corner. I can't remember what street it's on the corner of. But the work that we're doing on both of the side streets, it's a temporary construction easement on their property. Okay. It's actually a corner of Sumner and Kang Terrace. Yes. Okay. Uh All right. Thank you, Chris. Thank you. Any other questions from counselors? Seeing none, madam clerk, please call the role on approval. Councelor Santanelo. Yes. Yes. Councelor Martin. Yes. Yes. Councelor Perez. Yes. Yes. Councelor Brown. Yes. Yes. Councelor Govan. Yes. Yes. Councelor Walsh. Yes. Yes. Councelor Hurst.

Yes. Yes. Councelor Davila. Yes. Yes. Councelor Fenton. Yes. Yes, councelor Delgado. Yes. Yes. Councelor Click Bruce. Yes. Yes. Councelor Edwards. Yes. Yes. Councelor Whitfield. Yes. Item approved. Madam clerk, please. Thank you, counselor. Thank you, Chris. Madame President, put a vote for me. Sure. Uh, at your discretion, Madame President, I was wondering uh before we take item 12, if we can take item 14 out of order. Without objection, take item 14 out of order. Sure. Um, madame clerk, please call item 14.

Item 14 is a discontinuence of Cloverdale Street. Who's here to speak? Cloverdale. Good evening, counselors. Chris Signoli, DPW director. Um, approximately a month ago, uh, this item came before the council. Uh, it was tabled. We had a subcommittee meeting, uh, a couple three weeks ago. uh the parties were present and what I would like to do now is I'd like to turn it over to attorney David Bartley uh who uh him and the Abutters uh had the meetings together and he has the proper information for the council.

Okay, Madam President, councilors, good evening. I'll be very brief. Uh thank you for your time and attention to this matter. Very important. Uh my clients are so appreciative to even have this matter considered. We did take this up together with the breakthrough worship organization 133 Longill. It could not have worked out any better. So they're they're me two of their members are here with us tonight and they're of the opinion that the property once it's deed to one side to the mosque, one side to break the worship, the part to break the worship, they're going to grant a easement to the mosque. So they're perfectly in line with all this. I I they're they're here if you have any questions, but I think they just kind of want to hang back. Um, and uh, so we're we're very confident this is this is uh, another hurdle that we can get through and we look forward to uh, telling you more about this as time goes on. If you have any questions, I'm happy to answer them. Thank you,

Councelor Dava.

Uh, thank you, Madame President. U, Madame President, I myself uh, and councelor U. Fenton and we went down a couple weeks ago and we tour the facility the area and indeed as I mentioned before at the beginning of this my apologies this is a good project uh at least for my part as a board counselors all my questions have been sat satisfactoryily answered. I am pleased that the mosque and the church have been able to talk with each other and that they have come to a happy uh conclusion. Uh this is a great project, one that is really going to improve that area. Uh the mosque has stated they're going to be opening up the conference center and the basketball court in that area. And so I think this is nothing um nothing but great. Um it a good project and I'm in full support of it. Thank you.

Thank you, Council Dava. Councelor Brown, I just had a quick uh question. If the the attorney If you can just identify yourself, what's your name? Yeah, my name's uh Dave Bartley. I'm from Holio, Mass. Thank you, Dave. Thank you. Thank you, Council Brown. Any other questions or comments? Councelor Hurst. Who Who is the owner again? Who is the owner or who is the one that is making the request? The the petitioner is my client, Council Hurst, B to Salam, Inc., their mosque at based on 148 Fort Pleasant. Are they here? Uh yes, two two of the members are here. Mr. Hurst,

um can they come up to the podium quickly? Uh yeah, my my name is Zahed Faruki. I am the member of the Majid Batam which is located at 148 Fort Pleasant.

Okay. So, so I'm not 100% sure uh if it was you uh or if it was um someone else from the mosque who may have purchased uh the the land where I'm assuming that you all are going to develop and create a new mosque. Uh I am supportive of the mosque. I'm supportive of what it is that you're doing. Uh but I just felt compelled as I heard from one of my constituents whose property you all purchased a few years back. And so he was an individual uh who was going to um high school uh at the high school of commerce. Um, and he said and texted me when you all were here and he said that that you all knocked on his door. Um, and you told him and his mother that they would have to move out in 60 days. Uh, mom said she couldn't cuz it was right in the winter. So, she said it was hard to find a place. Um, and so then once the 60 days passed, the eviction papers came demanding my mom show up to court. uh they had bought the house in November and then began telling us this toward the end of the of December. And so I I I say all this to say while I am going to support this uh this story was touching um and when we think about individuals who are looking to expand in any area or any business, we want to make sure that they are good neighbors. Um, and so I'm hopeful that you'll take into account this story uh as you move forward. You probably uh if it wasn't you or if it was you, you probably may not remember. Um, but this his mom just got his eviction her eviction sealed uh as a result of what occurred probably 3 weeks ago. First, if I may

disrespectfully u the parcels that were purchased by the mosque were unimproved vacant parcels. There was no eviction. There were no properties that were empty vacant parcels. So, I'll happily speak with you at another time about this matter, that particular matter, but my clients relative to this project purchased nothing with improved properties on it. Nothing. They're empty vacant parcels. So, no one was evicted. Thank you.

So, so I appreciate it. Um and and next time I'll next time I'll uh I'll give you leave to speak. Um again, may maybe this is the wrong property. Maybe the individual didn't buy any of the houses in conjunction with the mosque that he's going to buy. That that could be possible. I just find it hard to believe that a constituent would reach out to me uh with what it is that they said. I I don't I don't know you. I don't have anything against you. If it wasn't you, then then my apologies. Uh but I did receive this from a young man who's in college right now. And so it was so touching to him that he felt a need to reach out to me. Uh so if it was you um maybe it wasn't uh just know that moving forward we would appreciate that you all be good neighbors to those around you.

You got you got it. I would like the owner to respond to what councelor her said please. Um are you familiar with what he is um talking about?

So uh my name is Alan. I'm also a board member. Uh the mosque hasn't purchased any residential property at all whatsoever. There might be some confusion somewhere with someone but the our organization does not own any residential property whatsoever. We have only purchased vacant lots. Even apart from this project, the other land that we per purchased is also vacant lot. So there might be a little bit of I I'm not sure what happened, but uh this is obviously very serious. we, you know, have something like this and yeah, but the MA does not own any residential units whatsoever. Thank you for the clarification.

Madam President, I don't think it's necessary to go into it. If it wasn't you, then it wasn't you. Uh, not a big deal. Um, I just again I was astounded that the individual was watching the meeting. Um, and must have done some level of research in order to reach out to me. Uh, I did not do any further research because it wasn't relevant in terms of my vote. I think you all are going to do good work. Uh, and I think what it is that you're going to do in the community is well worth it. Uh, so it it it really is for you to take it as you move forward. If it was you, um, then take it into consideration. If it wasn't, then it's water under the bridge. And I don't think we need to discuss it any further. Madam President,

thank you, Councelor Hurst. Thank you, gentlemen. Council Gavan, did you have your hand raised? Oh, okay. Councelor Walsh. Thank you, Madam President. Um, Councelor Dav and I took a look at the property and the proposal last week and and there are houses on Cloverdale Street. So, what happens to them? And there were obviously people living there. There was a young family that we saw outside. I don't remember. Were there one or two? There's one house currently now when you come off of Edgeland onto Cloverdale Street, I believe there is one resident, one residence

that is built in there. They're staying there fine because that section of Cloverdale is not being discontinued. So, they have complete access to their property and nothing happens to their property at all. Okay. Thank you, Council Dougler.

Thank you, Madam President. So just for clarification purposes, uh, councelor Walsh and director signal are correct. The portion of Cloverdale Street that is going to, uh, be discontinued. There's nothing there. The mosque has already done a lot of work. They have do a little clean up on the pro on the location. As I understood the plans themselves, they're going to be uh, removing part of a mount or a hill that is there so they can place the mosque. They are technically it's one house on Cloverdale Street. The other two phase edge land. So the portion that is going to be discontinued is the paper street. The one that is paved is going to remain there as I understood it from uh director signni. And so there will be no displacement. Uh the house is uh there's nobody there. Thank you madame uh president.

Thank you councelor Dava. Any other questions or comments from counselors? Seeing none, madam clerk, please call the role on approval. Councelor Santanella. Yes. Yes. Councelor Martin. Yes. Yes. Councelor Perez. Yes. Yes. Councelor Brown. Yes. Yes. Councelor Govan. Yes. Yes. Councelor Walsh. Yes. Yes. Councelor Hurst. Yes. Yes. Councelor Davila. Yes. Yes. Councelor Fenton. Yes. Yes. Councelor Delgado. Yes. Yes. Councelor Click Bruce. Yes. Yes. Councelor Edwards. Yes. Yes. Councelor Whitfield.

Yes. Item approved. Madame clerk, please call the next item on the agenda. The next item is inerson attendance at city council meetings resolution.

Thank you, madame clerk. And I will turn it over to councelor Martin who is bringing the um resolution forward. I want to start by reiterating a point that was just made by President Whitfield a few moments ago. This is the first time in five years this entire body has convened in person. Serving on the city council is an honor and a privilege. We put our names on the ballot and we knew the responsibilities of the job when we did that. Those responsibilities should include showing up in person for the people. The public wants it. The public, they pay our salaries. They shouldn't expect anything less. For almost two years now, city employees, they've been expected to come into work in person every day. But there's a double standard for politicians. We get to use Zoom whenever we like. That's a double standard. and I reject it entirely. I understand co it was necessary. This was a necessary tool but times have changed and the people want their counselors here. They want them present. It's the right thing to do. So that's why I filed this resolution and I hope you my colleagues will support me in doing so this evening. Thank you madam president. Thank you, councelor. Councelor Brown, followed by councelor Gov.

I guess I'll stand up too to be more impactful. Well, first I would want to say who is the head of our uh health and human service? Yes, Madam President. Commissioner Helen And and who as far as a body don't we have a chair who chairs it? Councelor Santinelo.

Okay. So when it comes to the state, I know Helen is very responsible and understands that it's very important to listen to what the state recommends. Number one, I'm sure no one talked to Helen. If someone has a major concern, why wouldn't we talk to an individual who deals with CO, who saved our city, the hero of our city, never was spoken to? I I know she wouldn't agree with it because she is going to follow state guidelines. Number two, okay, when it comes about I look at John Vis a hero. He just got back from the war. What he understands that it's more responsibility maybe because it's new counselors or whatever. There's some of us who shows up to every single thing. I see a lot of you guys at every single thing. Being a city counselor is not showing up at 5 5:00 p.m. to vote on some parking permits. Okay. First, I would have to say give your cell phone number to the constituents cuz their biggest thing is they can't get a hold of us. So if you look at the city council office, if you look at our web page, the person who is petitioning it don't even have his cell phone. I work in the House of Representatives at Bud Williams office. Unfortunately, his son died from COVID. But our number right there, our local phone number, if you

Google it, it's my personal cell phone. So the seniors have been calling me. they call me and saying, "What is going on with this grandstanding?" I can assure you all I would have to do is go and ask the clerks because the constituents would have to call them and I'm sure they didn't get one phone call, maybe two. I doubt it because I call them eight times a day because I'm not at the I'm not doing law stuff or clerk stuff. And for an individual to get a pass when they first come in, they first come into city council and they're able to because of their schooling. We understand that life's an impact. They had we gave the same individual the ability where we changed the city council as a whole body for the that one individual. And then that same individual thinks that he should go against our our our our city council chair. I'm sure he didn't speak to him. And Helen Cotton, our health commissioner, who we know there's epidemics. It's dangerous. This is grandstanding and shame on it because there's a health epidemic going. So, number one, if you want to learn how to be a great city counselor, first check the people who got their cell phone numbers, who show up to the different events and aren't at their jobs at with suit and ties on. Our community is impacted by an epidemic and grandstanding is not needed. Shame on him. Shame on anybody who supported because I know what we've been through. Thank you, Madam President.

One moment. One moment. I'm just going to ask that we be respectful when we talk and address the city council president and not each other. I just want to ask that we do that. I know that this could be a touchy subject, but let's um show some respect, but that's okay. All right. Um one moment. I I'm going to get the people I'm going to get to people who haven't spoken first because that is the city council rules and I'm gonna I'm sorry. No, you don't. I'm sorry. I'm going to go by city council rules, which are we're going to hear from everybody who haven't spoken first and then I will circle back to you, councelor Martin. I don't think anybody's going to forget what he just said. Okay, so we'll circle back. Councelor Govon, followed by Councelor Perez.

Thank you, Madame President. Um, when I heard about this resolution, I knew that it was going to ruffle some feathers. Um, I did reach out to my state representative and asked him what the state mandate was and what he said is that the state gave us the option to opt out of having in-person meetings. Apparently, we opted out at some point. Um, so for 5 years, we've been meeting via Zoom and it's very convenient, right? You could be in bed in a meeting. um you can um you know take care of your granddaughter because that's what I did, right? My granddaughter had to go to school so I would be on Zoom. Um however, a lot of constituents have reached out to me and my constituents do have my cell phone number and have requested that we be in person because a lot of times what happens is um we can't read body language on Zoom, right? We can't see facial expressions sometimes on Zoom. As a social worker, mental health worker, we know that there's more than one way to communicate besides words, right? People have facial expressions. They have um attitudes that they could show with their body language. And I think it's only fair that our constituents are able to reach us and to see us here when we have our meetings. Um and that's the reason that I am supporting this resolution. I think it's time for us to be able to come in person. It was wonderful to do a voice vote, right? And we could do that more often. Um, you know, and I'm wondering if, you know, I know sometimes emergencies happen, things happen that we can't get here for whatever reason. Um, but I think doing as much as we can to try to get here is, I think, the least we could do, right? I know that um this this seat is

um a service, you know, we provide a service to our constituents. We work for our constituents. We don't work for each other. We don't work for, you know, the city. We work for our constituents who elected us to this body. Um and for that reason, I am going to support it. And I'm going to um continue to, you know, say that we should be here in person. I would love to be able to be on Zoom. sometimes if I need to be. Um, but if this body passes the vote to be in person, then that's what I would do. Thank you, Madam President. I just want to clarify, council Perez, this is a resolution. So, it's not a passage of being in person or not. That's a decision that I'm going to make um as the president for this year. So, I just wanted to clarify that it's a resolution. Councelor Perez.

Thank you, Madam Chair. I am concerned of the considerable amount of time and energy that is being devoted to internal disagreements rather than to pressing issues affecting our residents. As an elected official, we have an responsibility to work collaterally to advance the city interest rather than to use the media or the council as a pla platform for division. I respectively please urge that we focus and our will share obligation to serve the public effectively with respect to my health circumstance. There have been many occasion where in person attendant is not visible like a day like today I'm risking as an asthmatic and you know and it's no secret that the highest risk of asthma is in Springfield Massachusetts. However, this should not be interpreted as a failure to fulfill my duties as an elected official. Therefore, madame president, I thank you for your acknowledgment of our foremost priority must be to ensure that the city business continue efficiently and consistently. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you, Councelor Perez. And I just want to make sure you're okay. You all right now? No, I'm not. I'm not even supposed to be out here, but I did it. And you know what? For the fact

I'm going to put this on record. I had attendance zoom meeting while I'm in the emergency room being attended for my asthma. So, you know what? I take it very close to me and the families that out there that we didn't take in consideration putting this into committee and all this personal thing so I could be accountable after 47 years dedicated to the community of Springfield. I find it very disrespectful that we didn't pass this through committee so we could have talked this among each other. Even if it's a resolution, please please I urge to stop using vehicles like this one just to be fighting in a division like this one. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you, Council Perez, Councelor Santella, followed by Councelor Delgado.

Yeah, I'm I'm kind of surprised when I read this that there's so many flaws in this. One of them is we have to get permission from the council president if there's an illness or somebody's sick in the family. That is a violation of the HIPPA law. The public, you have to go to the public and the public has to hear this stuff that somebody in the family may have cancer or heart disease or asthma. This should have went to committee. It should be studied and then it should be changed or if it isn't changed it should be not passed because I have a serious problem with that. I'm in the insurance business. I know what the hippo laws are and this is absolutely a violation. Thank you.

Thank you councelor Santel Councelor Delgado.

Thank you madam president. Um, I'm sitting here listening to my colleagues and I'm somebody who when I got elected two years ago asked the same question about uh in person. I remember asking then President Fenton about it and I think you know I'm hearing my colleagues and I respect my colleagues opinions in terms of what the next steps are on this. But I I do want to flag that this is an important conversation to have because two years ago when I was, you know, when I first got elected, first started coming to these uh meetings, um the chamber was half empty half the time and there were certain times where we had votes that we could not take because whether it was technology failures and we had to push this on. So I'm, you know, in agreeance of of doing something to get better attendance. I don't necessarily think we need to make this I mean I know it's a resolution but I think we need to do a better job as a body and I think today again the fact that this is the first time in 5 years that we have all folks in here um you know we this is definitely a conversation starter I'm happy to continue having this conversation about it um in respect of my colleagues cuz I also know like I have things that happen I have kids and and you know my job takes me across the state so to me it's not about a mandatory but it's about being better and being present in in in our in our council body and I don't know what the attendance was before my getting on to the council I can only know what it was from 2024 on and I I think we need to do better

thank you councelor Delgado any other counselors want to speak councelor Edwards

thank you madam president well first of all I want to applaud Jerry for bringing this to the table and bring before us as a body. I too have heard from constituents. Um and in the 16 years that I've been on the city council, uh many of you, the older ones that have been here know that in approximately 10 11 years ago, I had an accident on July 13th, uh I'm sorry, August 13th, and I would did not reappear in the chamber until inauguration day in January 2nd or 3rd. So I was out for approximately 5 months. Um, I spent $300 for special braces that I went to the inauguration on crutches, but under my pants were braces that I specially bought without insurance so that I could be there to be sworn in. I say that to preference and state this. In the 16 years prior to this year that I've been on the city council, I've never missed a regular city council meeting. Nor have I ever missed a special hearings meeting, except for that period where I was recovering the 5 months that I was in a wheelchair. I understand how people are passionate about this issue. To me, this is not grandstanding. This is in response to our constituents who are tired of seeing a blank screen with just our name on it or the fact that in many cases it makes it difficult for the president who has enough of a problem trying to manage this group of 13 or 12 before her when they're in the room where she can actually see them. She has to watch the room, watch the podium, and watch the screen. Whether or not she agrees or thinks this is a good thing, it will be her discretion as it is, as she stated, it's a resolution, so it's not binding. But one of the things that we do, unlike our regular job, when we get a job, our paycheck is our motivation to show up. We get compensated, but that's not our motivation as city councilors, we took an oath to provide the services that

we're supposed to provide. And the thing is is I've hear lately a lot about how anybody can run for city council and how more people should be involved. I agree more people should get involved and I respect that anybody can run for city council, but let's make them people aware that if you're going to run and take the oath to serve the city of Springfield, one of the requirements is to show up and as far as it being a violation of HIPPA laws, it's not a violation of HIPPA laws. All where it's asking is to respectfully let the president know that you're not going to be there so that it can be made a part of the record that you're out for some reason whether it be medical whatever it doesn't have to be. Uh and you don't have to agree. You can not as you want but the point is is this is my feeling. So when I heard Jerry say this I had already heard and I agreed with him. I told him if he would help and if it was beneficial I would stand on as a sign on as a co-sponsor of this item. I still stand by that. I believe that it's not that big of an inconvenience. And if you're if it's that big of an inconvenience for you to be here when you should be here when you can be here, but if you're choosing not to be here, then you should not be running to be a city councelor. It's bad enough that we have people run for office and don't know what the difference between a regular meeting and a hearings meeting or what the city charter says or how the budget process works. But if they're popular enough and they can get elected and they're here, we respect their being here because they were put here not by us as ch in the chamber as a city councelor. I can't vote for any of the ward counselors in this room. I only have the privilege of voting for the ones that are at large. And the sanctity of the voting booth allows me to pick and choose which one of those I vote for. But if you're going to run for city council and if even if we don't change these rules because this isn't only a resolution, let the message go out for the next election that if you are out there listening to us and if you intend to run for city council, the expectation

from a large portion of those who are not elected officials is that you show up if you have a medical condition. Nobody's saying that if you're sick and you got COVID or you're not feeling well, you should have to come to the chamber. What we're just saying is is be respectful and recognize that the expectation is that you should be here. It's a travesty and what a sad and what a sad commentary that this is the first time in 5 years that we've all been in the room at one time as an elected body. the state. I my understanding is is that we are operating on a temporary law or change of state law that allows for us to do this meeting in the way we have been with the zoom. When that expires, we will go revert back to whatever the state requires. And I believe that the state requires that the president of city council has to be in chamber in order for the meeting to convene and if not the vice president but whoever is leading the meeting has to be here. I believe that by state law that special committee meetings are have to have the chair of the committee in chamber so everybody else can be on zoom. So the thing is is whatever system that we're operating under now is still temporary. It was put in place because of the co thing but co is not going anywhere. Our city employees are showing up. People are showing up in their private sector jobs. And the difference, as I said earlier, or what I really want to emphasize is the fact in the private sector, you show up because you have a paycheck. We show up because we got an oath to be here. So, doesn't have to pass. Just like I've always said to many of you in the chamber, these votes don't have to be unanimous. Vote your conscience. If you don't want to show up, if you feel like it's an statement that you need to make to say that you won't be here, I did it. I did it at 52 Sumar at a candidates forum

last election cycle when some of the people in the audience asked some of the same people in this room who are duly elected if we would pledge to be here for his public speakout. I was the only person on that stage who said no. I said I've been on the council at that time I said 16 years. I've had the same cell phone number. Anybody who has a problem with trash that calls 311 is most likely going to be referred to call Melvin Edwards on his cell phone because he's president of keep Springfield beautiful. I said the thing is so I'm not pledging to be there to have people for the public speak. I'll be there when it's convenient for me to be there but I will pledge to be God willing at all of the city council regular meetings and I'll be at the special meetings when I need to. As you notice, I don't go to a lot of the committee meetings. That's my own personal preference. I don't need to hear the same thing said three times. And you know that whatever you say in the back room at the committee meeting is going to get said again two, three times once we get to the chamber and the committee of the whole. When the cameras come on and it's time to put on the show, that's when people are going to have to speak on things that we all understand that we know. And I just feel like that I don't necessarily need to hear the same thing repeated over and over again. That's my personal preference. And I my voters or the people who have elected me all these years, if they don't like the way I do what I do, if they don't want me here anymore, they will elect somebody else. I respect that. It is a privilege to be here. It's an honor to serve. And I'm thankful this for this privilege and this honor to be here. And as long as God gives me health and I can be here, I will be here. And if I'm not here, then it's because I can't. And I have a legitimate reason that I am not necessarily needing to give exact details or specific details to the president to why I can't be here, but I can do be respectful of the process to

share with her that I can't be here. And I'm begging for the patience of my colleagues in appreciation that I if I could be here, I would. Thank you. Thank you, Councelor Edwards. One moment. Is there anyone who haven't speak that wish to speak on the topic? Councelor Walsh.

Uh thank you, Madame President. And it's obvious to me there's different points of view uh on this issue. I mean, I think there's value in being here in person. Personally, I came for the budget and then the meeting followed. I think that might be part of the attendance tonight. But at the same time, I think there are very valid reasons when people can't be here in person. And I don't think it has anything to do with being disrespectful. I think it's life. Life happens. There are circumstances people can't be here. And with the option that you have with Zoom, with Zoom, if you can't be here, you can still do your major obligation and vote, which might not be an option if you eliminated Zoom meetings. I think it's a tool. I think it's great technology and I don't think we should take that option away for people. So, I thought I heard suggestions to send this to committee. I'm not clear if there's a motion on the floor.

There has not been a motion made um um but you can make a motion. I'll make a motion to send it to committee. Motion made by councelor Walsh to send this resolution to committee and seconded by councelor Santanelo. Any discussion on on the motion? Um, councelor Walsh, if you concluded your remarks, I do want to give councelor Davilla the opportunity to speak. Only if he agrees with me, the floor is yours. What do you say, councelor Dav? You have the floor.

No, no pressure. No pressure. Um, I I do. Um so madame president I I will speak regarding to the motion to send to committee. Uh to be honest with you Madame President uh if I may I'm only going to speak over for the only person that I can that is myself. All of you some people in the audience watching at home know that I have a injury and I still managed to make it here. Sometimes I drag myself in limping with my cane, but I come in. That's just me. I also realize, as councelor Wall said, there is life that happens. I get it. And I do think that people should be here. I want to make that very clear. With that being said, madame president, uh there are some things here that concerns me uh that I would like to speak more in details in the committee meet in the committee. For example, Madame President, uh point number four, the rules review talks about upon adoption of this resolution that it should be inserted into the into the uh council rules. As far as I know, the only way that you can change the council rules is with a vote. Also, it talks about this order shall shall take effect upon adoption. Again, talking about an order. So, is this a resolution? Is this an order? And I hate to be picky, but the devil's in the details, but I don't want people to think that I do support people should be here. period. But those two items

concern me point number four and number five. And uh for that reason and that reason uh alone uh I would uh support going to committee. Thank you madame president. Thank you councelor Davilla. Um we are on the motion count on the motion. on the motion.

Yes, on the motion. But one moment. I said that I will circle back to councelor Martin after everybody else spoke. So, is there anybody who hasn't spoken that would like to speak? Okay. So, I'm going to go to councelor Martin and then to councelor Brown. And I do have some comments I want to make. So I am going to turn it over to councelor Delgado after councelor Brown make my points and um we'll dissolve of the motion. So point of order. Is this on the motion to committee or to committee? Yes, this is on the motion. Okay. Because I have comments from prior to that motion. Could I still make those? Yes, you still may.

Thank you. So, first I want to also thank councelor Edwards, Vice President Delgado, and councelor Golvan for putting their names to this resolution and coming very putting their names to it and then speaking out um in favor of this as well as my other colleagues, but really putting your name to it uh says a lot says a lot about your character and my eyes. So, I do appreciate that. And I also want to say councelor Brown, it's really good to see you. Almost forgot what you uh look like. Point of order. Councelor, point of order. Now, you can't hold on. May I speak on a point of order? No. Yes, you can speak on your point of order.

Yes, I can speak on a point of order. Is it proper to now circle back and we now just made a a motion to send it committee? He's still speaking on the motion. I know, but he was speaking on something that in regards to addressing something he felt me that I said. I understand council. Now we sent this to committee. We're voting on the committee. So what if he So by now naming my name, it's now wouldn't I have the right to say, "Hey, let me say something." Okay, we're going to stop the now let me say something. We are not council for it.

We are not in kindergarten. We are all adults. We are elected officials. We are not going to do this back and forth thing right now. On the point of order, let me let me finish. On the point of order, what we're going to do is not address anyone except the president of the city council. If anyone else says anyone else's name, I'm going to not call on you on this resolution for the duration of the vote. Let's be adults here. We don't have to do this back and forth tit for tat, okay? Let's not do that. I've done it before. So, I'm going to use myself as an example. I've done it before and I was I was reprimanded by councelor Walsh to not do it again. And so, I'm not trying to reprimand anybody or embarrass anybody, but let's get through this. We don't have to agree like councelor Edwards said, we can agree to disagree and move this thing along because I'm pretty sure we want to move on.

Point of order. Yes. on the point of order. Um by allowing uh now by making that statement for it to be in effect um if my colleague now wishes to speak on the matter other than the actual call to committee it would be now in regards to my comments. So I would think that we I would think just to be fair we would go he can't address I can't address him you can't address me now he wants to be able to address me. I don't believe I believe we have uh we have a motion on the floor that we already had seconded.

Okay. Thank you, Councelor Brown. I'm going to make the decision as the president on the motion to let councelor Martin speak. Councelor Martin, please speak on the motion and refrain from anything else or I will stop you from addressing the motion. Is that clear? Very loud and clear. Okay. Thank you, Councelor Martin. Um, I lost my train of thought. Um, so I I do want to address some of the points that were made priv uh previously. Only if it's on the motion, you are either going to agree or disagree to send the motion to committee and you can say why you agree to send it to committee or you can say why you disagreed to send it to committee. So, as long as you frame it that way.

Uh, point of I thought I had I had asked if if I can go back and make those previous comments. Yes. But we're on the motion right now. So, I'm going to um go back and say that we're going to talk on the motion. All right. So, I'll talk on the motion.

So, no, we should not send this to committee because it's not about a disagreement. It's not about division. It's about respect for our constituents. I disagree with the state guidelines. I disagree with the governor. We should be here. Springfield has the opportunity to lead on this issue and to be a leader and to be here for the people. So again, it's not about division. Not trying to ruin anybody's day. I'm trying to do what's right for the people who pay our bills, and that is the public. I've heard it throughout W 7. I've heard it throughout the city of Springfield. And I understand we all have responsibilities. We all have personal lives. I lost my father this year. I could not be here. I understand. But for God's sake, if you think your other responsibilities prevent you from being in here for other people, for the constituents, then why is your run in the first place?

Okay, councelor Councelor Hurst has not spoken. I'm turning the floor over to him.

So, I too um think this should be sent to committee. It's clear that there are a lot of things that need to be worked out. Uh when I was running for mayor and then even this past time when I ran for city council, uh knocked on a number of doors throughout the city, I didn't want hear being present in the chambers as being a high priority for residents. Taxes, yes. Utilities, yes. Public safety, yes. Counselors being in attendance in person, I just I just didn't hear it. Um, but I guess, you know, I'd love to know what the in-person attendance rate is for the council this year. Um, I'm assuming that councelor Martin, you may know

it's 93%.

So, the in-person attendance, not not the attendance overall, but I mean the inperson attendance because when I look at the resolution, we want people to be in person. So, I I I'll save you from answering that, Council Martin. Um the inperson rate for the council was 88%. In person and so you had maybe one counselor on average little over by percentage points um attended virtually on average every single meeting this year. out of 10 meetings and 13 city councilors, there were only 16 times a counselor attended virtually. And when you really dig deep into the numbers, 13 out of those 16 remote appearances were by three counselors. If you eliminate those 13 remote appearances by those three counselors, then the council attendance rate in person, including this meeting, is at 97%. But when you look at the three counselors who make up the 13 remote appearances, you have a senior, you have a woman, and you have a person of color. And I know folks are asking, well, well, why is that relevant? Well, if you take away virtual participation, the people that are going to be disproportionately impacted

are the same individuals who I previously mentioned. And those same individuals are seniors, are females who may be the only people at home with kids, um, or males for that matter who may be the only person at home with kids. those with disabilities may be discouraged from even running for city council if we're so strict with these rules. Um, you know, I think about the single mother or father that for whatever reason, uh, maybe it's because they want to be a role model for their kids, wants to be engaged in government, but because of these ownorous rules that we ought to be getting away from and not be so rigid, they will not be able to run for office. I I think about the senior who may struggle at night.

I know that.

No, but I but but I'm being very serious. I mean, I think about the senior who may struggle at night in the wintertime um and who may not feel comfortable uh coming to city hall chambers. If you're telling me that they can't be just as engaged and just as about the business of the city council from a screen, I just I I I just I can't believe that. I mean, you talk about individuals with disabilities, uh, who who might want to run for office, but again, because of these rules that we ought to be getting away from that are so restrictive and non-inclusive, um, they won't be able to run. Uh, and I I think about the young person who may be taking care of an aging parent, right? Maybe it doesn't fit the uh the the exceptions that councelor Martin has put on this resolution. It might not fit into that little box, but they are legitimate reasons. And so long as they can still be present, so long as they can still be engaged, so long as they can still vote, I just don't see why it is that we're trying to regulate it. on top of the fact that based off of the numbers, it doesn't appear to be an issue. Uh, and you know, we're talking about and everybody's up in up in arms about things like the Voting Rights Act and making sure folks have access. Well, what are we doing here as a body if we're not making it so everybody has access? At some point in time, we have to stop taking steps backwards, embrace the technology, get it right, and move forward so that everybody can be included in government. Thank you, Madam

President. Thank you, Councelor Hurst. I'm going to take a moment and step down because I have some comments that I want to make and I'm going to give myself the chance and opportunity to do so. And so I'm gonna ask Vice President Delgado to come here. And Vice President Delgado, if you have nothing else you want to say, you need to dispose of this um item because that is the real city council rule. I'm not supposed to return after I speak.

All right. Who's next?

I'm next. me. So, I just want to first say thank everybody for the health healthy conversation and I want to thank councelor Martin for listening to his constituency um as they asked to move us back in person because it's honestly what he's heard. Honestly, what I've heard is none of it. I'm going to agree with councelor Hurst on this one. I heard it one time in Forest Park by one person and that was it at a Forest Park meeting. I've never heard this issue before now and I think I heard it from Juan Lator. I think those are the two people I've ever heard it from ever. So I think that we can have healthy discussions around these things. So I really appreciate councelor Walsh, councelor Santelis and this committee. I do agree with it. I'm just going to tell you a couple of reasons why payment and salary. I keep hearing about payment and salary. This is a stipen. I could not feed my family with an aging mother that I take care of on the stipen that we receive. While I'm appreciative of it, while I'm appreciative of it, a lot of the stipen that I receive goes right back out to the community. Showing up, showing up does not mean showing up in this room. There are counselors that the community could not name you by name because you don't show up in the community. So showing up comes in many different fashions and forms. It's not just being around this table where how many people we got left in here? Six, seven people are here. Who who are we? Everybody else is watching us virtually. And guess what? When we're virtual, they can still see us on the screen or our names. Some of us, like Councelor Walsh, will will um turn the camera on. Some of us don't. Okay, we could be sick. Anything could

be wrong. I had four kids that I was taken care of when my attendance rate as foster mom at when my attendance rate wasn't great. The reason I couldn't come in person is because not me, I wasn't sick. But out of four kids, if one gets sick is a trickle effect and you have to take care of each and every one of them. And so sometimes we have to understand that just because your life circumstances one way other people's is not. Then I'm trying to accommodate everybody. I heard St. Patrick's Day is a holiday. I changed the meeting schedule so we didn't interrupt that week. Black History Month, changed the meeting schedule so we didn't interrupt that week. Easter Monday, change the meeting schedule so we didn't interrupt that day. School vacations, changed the meeting schedule so parents can be with their families during that vacation. And I also changed the schedule for a law school student that asked me to do so, and that was you, Councelor Martin. In addition, there are viruses going around out here. There's a new one. It begins with a H. Can't remember the name of it. I know it begins with an H. What is it? H.

Okay. H. You guys know what I'm talking about when I said the H virus, right? We don't know what that effect is going to have on all of us. So, if any of you are sick, please stay home. Please stay home. You don't have to call me and tell me anything. Stay home because you're sick. But guess what? Even when you're sick, you're present. Know why? Because we have technology. This is a 21st century. And I love what councelor her said about access and opportunities. Because that's the word world that I work in, equity and inclusion. We have people with disabilities like councelor Davala but worse but may want to be a city counselor and we would limit them running because we need them here in this chamber for what we need to be in this chamber looking at each other getting mad like I just seen that happen between two counselors here is that what we need I don't think so I also buried my father during co and if it wasn't for virtual I wouldn't have been here I wouldn't have been able to vote vote, we might have not made a quorum because he was in North Carolina. So, I had to constantly fly back and forth from here to North Carolina to take care of my father. And I was still here and I was still able to show up and be present and vote my conscience. And it didn't require me for being here in person. And it didn't mean because if my father needed some water or something and I had to get up to do it that I wasn't paying attention. It means real life situations happen. And showing up does not mean we have to be in the city council chambers. I run a successful organization. It's a statewide organization. If I had to show up to every meeting that we have statewide, I would never be home. But guess what? We have technology that allows me to be in Boston or to be in

Worcester or to be in any part of the state to successfully run this business. that has given me the opportunity to build my generational wealth that I can't build with a salary in Springfield, even if I added the city council stipen to help us and my family grow and succeed and build wealth that we traditionally have been left out of historically. I don't want that anymore. I want anybody who wants to be a city counselor and just because they can't show up because they might be a single mother or their parent is ill or whatever the circumstances to be able to be a city counselor and join all of these wonderful people around the table at being a great success for the city of Springfield. And so I will end my comments by saying I support this going to committee. Thank you. Thank you, Madam President. Um, you had a lot of hands here. Has

I'm point of order. I was called by name by the previous two speakers if that counts for anything. All right. Thank you, Councelor Martin. Uh, councelor Brown. Thank

we I was calling on councelor Brown. I didn't hear the previous thing before. Thank you, Mr. Vice President. Um

I would like to say yes. It's is if we look at the for the for the media and everyone of constituents out there if we say and this is on what you're saying. Um I've been here longer than 5 years. So yeah, this is uh we might say 5 years all of us here and one thing I want to commend you. I want to commend counselor Whitfield. I want to commend councelor Hurst because we understand certain things that go on. So when you talk about 5 years I've seen councelor Whitfield we've all experienced where we can't have a quorum because people have not been here. So her by her being futuristic in her thinking, she has literally changed changed everything to make sure that we could be more futuristic like counselor her says. So I commend my council president because she has made um movements for for everyone. Okay. So in 5 years we might not have um if we couldn't if you look today some of us came late during even these things right here. So imagine if we came late we couldn't vote on it. So some of us who talk about there's some of us who came late today and missed the budget presentation and if they weren't if if if they were going to be late they would be able to go on Zoom. Why not go on Zoom? Why not have the comic courtesy to go on Zoom, but to miss people who are sitting here speaking of the budget? They're speaking about the budget. I'm going to walk in here late and not go on Zoom, but then start speaking about attendance in the last 5 years. We wouldn't even have a quorum. We would not have a quorum. I've experienced it. So, I do um I do wish to send this to committee. I want to thank councelor uh

Walsh and councelor Brian Santelo because there's two things that are true. Number one, Brian Santelo, he's our chair of health and human resource. All of us are picked to be chairs and we specialize in what we do. I can't be health and human service. I can't be maintenance and development. I have my chair. So, it's common practice. If we have an issue, I would now say talk to that committee chair because that what we that's what we that's what we why we get picked our chairs and also I would want Helen Colton to be able to be at that meeting because like I said when I look at the states um there's their stuff coming down the line and I can assure you some of my colleagues are incorrect when it comes to that HIPPO law stuff. Okay. Is a very fine line with that stuff. And if you guys want to risk that, go ahead. But you I didn't I'm going to tell you that it is it is a problem. So I do think we got to send it to committee and it would be irresponsible for me to sit there and and not because of health issues and legal issues. Thank you.

Thank you, counselor. Um, I'm gonna give it back to Jerry on the point of order, but is there anybody else that has not spoken on this, so I'm gonna give it to Lavar first. Uh, thank you. Uh, councelor Clipper, excuse me. Thank you, Vice President Delgado. Um, I would like to, uh, make a motion to move the question. Second. All right. We have a motion to move the question by councelor Click Bruce, seconded by Councelor Edwards. Any discussion? No, it's no discussion. You just call the role. All right. Can we call the role on this? Councelor Santelo. Absolutely. Yes. Yes. Councelor Martin. No. I was called out twice. I want to speak.

No. Councelor Perez. Yes. Yes. Councelor Brown. Yes. Yes. Councelor Govan. Yes. Yes. Councelor Walsh. Yes. Yes. Councelor Hurst. Yes. Yes. Councelor Davila. Yes. Yes. Yes. Councelor Fenton. No. No. Councelor Delgado. Sorry. Councelor Whitfield. Yes. Yes. Councelor Click Bruce. Yes. Yes. Councelor Edwards. No. No. Councelor Delgado. Yes. Yes. Motion passes. Excuse me. The uh that passes. All right. Can we get back to on the motion to committee? On the motion to committee. Yes. Councelor Santelo. Yes.

Yes. Councelor Martin, no. I was still called out twice. I'd still like to speak. No. Councelor Perez, yes. Yes. Councelor Brown, yes. Yes. Councelor Govan, no. No. Councelor Walsh. Yes. Yes. Councelor Hurst.

Your mic. Oh, I'm sorry. Yes. Yes. Councelor Davila. Yes. Yes. Councelor Fenton. No. No. Councelor Whitfield. Yes. Yes. Councelor Delgado, I mean councelor Click Bruce. Yes. Yes. Councelor Edwards. No. No. Councelor Delgado. Yes. Motion passes. Do we have any other items on the agenda? The remaining items are under unfinished business and haven't been brought forth. All right, I'm going to take it down. Welcome.

Uh, point of information, I think there have been some changes in the budget schedule. All right.

Great job, Councelor Delgado. Um, just to let you know, tomorrow was supposed to be the budget schedule. It's been changed to Wednesday, same time at 5:00. Um, so hopefully you all can make it. And a couple of the departments did have to move. I'm not sure which ones, but um, I think that Daisy and Sean has the list and I will have them send that out to the counselors. Councelor Davilla, I just knew everybody was I'm sorry, Madame President. I just couldn't hear what you just said.

Oh, I'm sorry. Um I was just saying that the um hearings for the budget changed from tomorrow to Wednesday at 5:00 and I believe some of the departments that were scheduled for Tuesday that's going to be heard on Wednesday also changed but Sean and Daisy will or Daisy will send that out to all of us. Okay. Thank you. So see you all Wednesday. Meeting adjourned. Thank you to the people in the back that stayed the whole time.