The most significant portion of the meeting involved the ad hoc committee for the home rule petition related to the Lawrence School Committee. Led by City Council President Jeovanny A. Rodriguez, the committee discussed merging proposals from Councilor Ana Levy and Vice Chair Jonathan Guzman of the School Committee. The primary contention revolved around whether the School Committee had formally voted on the language of these proposals and the mayor’s role in the process.

Senior Advisor to Mayor Brian A. DePena, Octavian Spanner, sought clarification on whether the mayor had been informed about the May 1st meeting. Spanner pointed out an email that did not list the mayor. Vice Chair Guzman confirmed that the School Committee had submitted and adopted the language for the petition on May 1st, emphasizing the need for procedural compliance.

Councilor Levy presented her proposal for a hybrid School Committee with six elected members and appointed individuals representing Lawrence’s diverse demographics. She argued that previous proposals to abolish the elected School Committee undermined democratic processes. The discussion touched on the city charter’s stipulations, particularly who assumes the chairperson’s role in the mayor’s absence. Concerns were raised about allowing the mayor to appoint a representative with voting power, which some argued could centralize too much authority in the mayor’s hands.

This debate was further enriched by discussions on the qualifications and backgrounds of School Committee members. Some participants stressed the importance of expertise in financial matters, given the school budget’s size, while others defended the democratic nature of elected positions, asserting that elected members are qualified by virtue of their election.

As the meeting progressed, Vice Chair Guzman advocated for adopting the School Committee’s language over Councilor Levy’s home rule petition. He criticized the mayor’s proposal, arguing it could undermine the elected School Committee’s power by granting a non-voting student representative oversight over policies and budgets. Guzman called for further dialogue and legal clarification to ensure the proposals’ implications were fully understood.

Another focal point of the meeting was the potential naming of an athletic complex after David Ortiz. Council members debated the symbolic and practical implications of this honor. Some emphasized the positive influence Ortiz could have on local youth, while others questioned his connection to Lawrence and sought assurances of his involvement in the community.

A council member expressed a desire to establish a partnership with Ortiz and his foundation, which focuses on healthcare. Others highlighted the importance of recognizing figures who have a direct connection to the community, stressing that naming a facility after someone should be meaningful and beneficial for the city.

The debate included references to previous naming practices, with council members noting the importance of maintaining consistency and integrity in these decisions. The discussion concluded with a motion to approve the naming of the athletic complex after Ortiz, though some members remained cautious, emphasizing the need for clear expectations and tangible benefits for the community.

Public participation also featured prominently in the meeting. Residents expressed gratitude toward the local police and fire departments for their service, with particular thanks given for their support during National Night Out. Concerns were raised about the renaming of Mark Devin Field to David Ortiz Athletic Complex, with a call for more information about Mark Devin’s historical significance before making a decision.

Additionally, the council addressed the budget and finance committee’s report on a $250,000 grant for the “Safe Streets and Roads for All” initiative from the U.S. Department of Transportation. The grant aims to create a comprehensive action plan to identify high-injury networks and propose necessary infrastructure improvements, positioning Lawrence for future implementation grants.

The meeting also covered the approval of a five-year contract between the Lawrence Police Department and Aon Enterprises to upgrade the department’s iCloud system, addressing storage needs and data ownership. The council discussed the collaboration between the police department and the IT department on this matter.