values that the city has and it will do nothing but increase the tax revenue here and I think that the council should look favorably upon caros MOS with the experience that he's had here with the role model that he has for our children and with the type of tax revenue and development that he will bring to this city so if the city chooses not to select a candidate like Carlos Matos other communities will swipe him right up it's not often that we have people like this that come and can offer the value with their rule with their roots in this community that reflect each and every member of this community and I think that it's time that we make sure that we make colos MOS uh our appointment for community and development director thank you all right thank you the next person we have the next person we have is Tom Mayers good evening and my name is Tom Meyers and I reside at 550 Hail Street here in the city and I just want to take a moment and focus on I think what is a a fundamental difference between an appointed school committee and an elected body and that is the issue of trust and trust is fundamental in any human relationship you know Eric Ericson in healthy personality it was a piece he wrote in 1950 for the president of the United States on what was required in order to create healthy human beings and he indicated that trust that you have in yourself and trust you have in others is the most critical element and when in fact you look at having an appointed committee what are you doing but you're really denying trust trust in whom Trust in the CI citizens of this city and that could not be more inauthentic by having people elected they are accountable to the citizens the citizens of the city are capable of making choices in their own interest for themselves for their family for their schools they don't need somebody else to tell them who to elect or having an appointed committee that doesn't allow them to even have that opportunity to vote and so I urge you to trust the citizens who elected you and to uh have an elected school committee thank you very much for your time yeah the next person we have is wessi hello um my name is Wes I am a resident of Lawrence I live at 202b Bailey Street um I come again again on behalf of my students um and I just want to say um uh Domingo Morel wrote a book called takeover that writes extensively about receivership and he mentions that one of the easiest ways for communities of color especially black and Latino communities to gain political power is through an elected school committee so if we want our young people to be counselors if we want them to be Mayors if we want them to be judges sheriffs even the coroner they practice by running for school committee if they can't run for school committee they will not be able to run a campaign they won't be able to have political power so when we make the school committee majority appointed we take away more than just representation we take away so much power from our communities for generations to come thank you thank you and the next person we have on the agend on the list is Mary Guerero hello Mary Guerrero 149 Abbott Street um I'm I'm happy to be here right tonight because I'm really interested in this I feel like if the mayor can appoint uh a a school committee he can um the mayor whoever it be can have a conflict of interest because you're running the budget of the city and then you're you have your hands in the budget of the school system it's two different systems um if the mayor wants to have a um majority appointed board even the people who are elected will become rubber stamps because they won't really be able to have any say if the majority are already run by the mayor of the city so I disagree with this um I feel personally this is just my opinion that under receivership we lost a lot of communication with our community the community was neglected during the receivership and now that the receivership is leaving we need to to reconnect to our community not make it even worse and there are examples of Mayor run city um School Board committees around the country and they've proven that they don't work like one in Chicago talk about the lack of um input from the community and talks about how the control is limits the public input and accountability the board has been unre responsive to public opposition to policies so I mean is that what we want for our City of Lawrence that we have an appointed board that doesn't even respond to the citizens of the city I don't think so all right uh thank you the next person we have is Patricia Fame my name is p Flynn and I live at 106 Woodland Street and I teach param school I I am born here in Lawrence and educated in Lawrence and I've been teaching here most of my life I taught at Head Start for 20 years and I've been in Lawrence Public Schools for almost 15 I'm um probably very upset with what is going on with our system right now um um I have other citizens that are with Lawrence too I believe that we should be in democracy and I believe that we elected you as our officials and I believe that the school committee should be elected officials as well um I believe that um this actually is teacher appreciation day today and by showing that all of us are here it's making a really big impact I know I'm sorry but means like a really big deal to us and there's so many of us out there um I've given a lot of my life here I've learned Spanish like pretty fluently working in the community giving back here I just think that you know everybody should really take into account that there's even white people that we accept our culture everything there's Hispanic people there's African-American people there's everybody here there's a a big culture there's big appreciations there's differences there's everything but we all have to come together and everybody has to work together we elect a Jew we can elect our school committee everybody can work together and we can make Lawrence great again and people can stop talking about us we can be great we can make our community great we can make everything great again like and be proud and not be embarrassed so I hope I covered everything and I hope that we can all just get back on the same page again and be back to normal all right uh thank you so much the next person we have is Heather Silva hi I'm Heather Silva a resident at 26 Wedgewood Drive um I'll say very clearly right away I strongly disagree with the home rule petition brought forth by the mayor's office to amend the composition of the Lawrence school committee I believe that the Lawrence school committee should remain a fully elected Body by the citizens of Lawrence it is our Democratic right to elect our local leaders ERS as a resident of this city a former Lawrence Public Schools teacher and a current teacher at the greater Lawrence technical school it was so important to me that I got to cast my vote for our glts school committee that meant a lot and it should be no different for the Lawrence Public Schools school committee the bodies that run our community schools should be accountable to and elected only by the community not appointed by anyone to whom they might feel greater loyalty or accountability appointed positions can be greeding breeding grounds for potential corruption and conflicts of interest and our students deserve better I also strongly believe that any conversations regarding a change in the composition of the school committee are frankly premature until local control is returned to our community right now we should be focused only on a hopeful end of receivership and on developing a thorough plan to transition out of it receivership has disenfranchised our our community and it is time for us to focus on revitalizing it we should not be entertaining any new ways to further consolidate power and further disregard Community voice then and only then if any changes are going to be made to our governance structure it should be made in full collaboration with our elected school committee from the very start not being brought in later as an afterthought or trying to make things work to play catchup our school committee are elected by us and they deserve to represent us and our voice thank you thank you the next person we have is Ashley Brito Ashley Brito please on name and address for the record please name and address for the record please asley bro and I live in 156 Exchange Street thank you Council good even evening my name is Ashi Vito and I come here as a representative of my gen citizen class in Lawrence High School gen citizen is a 10th grade project in which each class decides a problem in the community and finds way to solve it our class issue being School receivership our policy goal is advocating towards keeping the elected School Board I've been a student at Lawrence Public Schools for four years and as a student I've seen how School receivership has affected not only students but teachers I see every day how how School receivership has motivated many students and how many much and how much being heard as the community matters especially something as important as our community's education students have been un motivated because of the these new policies that have been implemented towards those parents and teachers should be able to have a voice about what happens at the schools as well as being informed about what will happen in the schools although some may argue that lawen citizens are not capable of being in charge of the schools there's no one more capable of knowing what's wrong and how to fix it than the citizens thank you for the opportunity to speak today on the issue as important as this once again I would like to say that keeping our school board is an important point for our City's democracy thank you thank you next person next person is Kimber [Applause] lito come on guys like come on guys those are the rules please Kimber libero please Kimber Lio Beth Canton Beth Canton name address for the record please good evening members of the council my name is Kimberly Barry and I'm the proud president president of the Lawrence teachers union almost 1,400 members strong tonight I stand again before you to urge you to stand up for democracy in our schools and to vote to keep our elected school committee Lauren students parents Educators and residents know best how to provide our students with the tools they need to thrive it's up to each of you to ensure the citizens of Lawrence regain their rights I strongly urge you to vote against converting the existing fully elected school committee to a majority appointed School Board as that would just unjustly continue the pattern of State takeover this would give the mayor the power to appoint his own school committee some Lae members are already appointed by the mayor two appointed education boards and Lawrence take us even further away from the process of democracy for our students and our families it would strip parents caregivers and our entire community of avoid in how our schools are run Lawrence residents have just as much of a right to local democracy as our wealthy neighbors we have just as much local knowledge and commitment to improve our schools I urge you to support an elected school committee so that when State receivership ends Lawrence voters will have the right to democracy just like every other community in the Commonwealth and they have been denied for too long I hope I can count on you thank you with that said the public uh participation is now closed uh the a this name has been submitted to the record the we go on top of the agenda the next item we have is public hearings uh item 27 24th which is lower Street section uh to be uh designated for Police Department parking uh Madame CLA please read the not for the record notice is hereby given that the Laurence city council will hold the public hearing on Tuesday May 7th at 7 o'clock p.m. in the council chambers 200 Common Street Lawrence Mass pursuant to chapter 2 of the acts of 2023 in accordance with the recently revised city council rule 2 this meeting will be hybrid allowing particip participation both in person and remotely to accommodate any parti spent with health considerations that prevents them from participating in person to receive access codes for remote participation please contact the city clerk at eileen. Bernal cityof lawrence.com or 978 620 3230 the meeting may be viewed on Facebook and YouTube the purpose of said hearing is to gather testimony information and public input concerning the proposed amendment to the revised ordinances of the City of Lawrence to be further amended by adding the following new subparagraphs to section 10. 36355 of the municipal code Police Department parking to be inserted in the proper alphabetical order LEL Street South Side from a point 20 feet west of Asbury Street to a point 420 ft west of L street that should say Asbury Street 420 ft west of Asbury Street to be designated police Personnel parking only l Street North Side from a point 20 ft west of Asbury Street to a point 420 ft west of Asbury Street to be designated police Personnel parking only persons wishing to be heard shall be afforded the opportunity councilor public hearing is now open anybody from the public that wishes to speak on item 2724 good evening honorable members Mal 53 Chester Street it is very important in as a city as a proud immigrant City that we have the best police department and police officers we design a specific area for the parking of the police officers that increase the safety and comfort for our police officers that dedicate their life you know for serving our citizen this create a situation that police officers while serving our citizen to create the best community and environment for our citizen they have a Safety and Security for their cars being parked in special Elite place as other cities around our Commonwealth they doing that the police officers are entitled to have a parking of their own so we the citizens support such an ordinance we support such a designation for the parking of a great police offices they call while serving our community thank you anybody else from the public that would choose to speak with that said uh probably okay uh name is Richard Russell 34 cross street the only question I have about this is is there going to be Provisions for the public to park there if they have business in the police station I mean you've taken the whole length of uh lwell Street for names re hiding back towards the fire station uh is there going to be something if I have to go down there to file a complaint or get information am I going to be able to park or am I going to have to uh will I be at the mercy of the meter maids just questions anybody from the public that would choose to speak on item 20 7724 all right with that said public hearing is now close councilors was the motion motion to approve discussion a motion to there is a motion to approve uh properly second discussion council plan thank you very much Mr President to the to the the sponsor um I think what the previous City councelor said actually makes some sense uh with respect to parking in especially in the future once the new police station gets built I'm presuming that the old police station is going to be demolished although I'm not sure of that but I would think so would that then be a place for parking and would we then need to continue with this uh additional restrictions on the street council president that's my question through you to the to the sponsor um and then maybe if the answer is yes maybe we have a sunset clause on this until such time that the new that the building is demolished and parking is placed there thank you from you on okay from my understanding this is just for the period of construction um I like you councelor I don't particularly know if that building is going to be demolished or not um I don't know if anyone else knows but at least from my understanding this is for the period of construction and yes it is also for people that need to conduct business in the police department um other than that that's all the information I have at the moment right coun sure I would like to offer a friendly amendment that um should counc Lan quick question to you uh do you have any details uh when they went to the committee so no that this actually came up just because of councelor Russell making the comment during the public comment period And I just thought that was interesting and I thought that after listening to what the counselor had to say that that it made some sense that maybe that we shouldn't be so restrictive in perpetuity but rather we we we Sunset it so that was a point that councelor Russell made tonight that I didn't that the committee did not consider so I thought that was fantastic about to make a friendly amendment that friendly Amendment would be if if the if the sponsor would accept it would be to um to have this restriction go through as presented uh and that it be lifted or expire should there be parking uh where the current police station is so the the your moment so the the friendly Amendment will be once the police police the all Police Department got demolished if they park there and then the Restriction will be everybody want to be able to park on law stream we return it to public parking for anyone who wishes a park there correct right there that's that's a friendly accept it uh okay there's a friendly amendment being accepted councelor Council Rosario thank you to you um council president they're about 10 or 12 spots inside the parking on the police station for people to go and conduct business uh they are inside the actual station so they about 10 spots right now if I'm not miscounting three three in in this corner so they have about they have about 8 to 10 spots inside once you go into the loop say eight yeah eight or 10 spots in there now I mean do do we need more than that that's that's that would be the question do we need more than that of people to go and conduct business on an everyday basis uh every time that I've been in the police station there's about three or four cars parked out there um I I don't think there's an office where it's conduct business on an every day but I don't think people watch visited as much as we think uh the police station unless they're going to baild somebody out or anything else but right now as current right now they have 8 to 10 spots inside that it's not even on lowest street it's inside when you get into the police station they have like eight to 10 spots in there and it's and it's clearly marked for people that going to conduct business in the police station so there is a friendly amendment being accepted any other councelors councilor president councelor Lon uh can we keep in mind that there businesses uh and on Lower Street uh do they know that this is taking place or can we include them how are they going to do business on that section canone that is a yeah there's a business right in the corner right across from the from the um gas station all right that is uh that is is a suggestion uh by well this not it's a comment from counil lozon about local businesses um uh according to what I hear is that they already they also have parking spots available for them within their business is that enough Madame cons you want to go back and then come back to the discussion no I'm I'm okay Council pres in I have the map of that area pulled up currently on my phone the business that councel lzone there are two businesses that Council lozon referring to which is King Lobster restaurant and five stars Express Transportation which both have parking lots for their businesses according to what I see on Google Maps currently yeah um So currently we have about 10 spots for uh for people to conduct business 8 to 10 spot to people to conduct business at the police station in case that those spot get filled so are they people going to be able to park without getting ticket on low Street in case I'm going to be assuming yes cuz it's in within the jurisdiction of the police department but to um uh strengthen um councelor the Rosario's comments I have been at the police department at different hours of the day and also early night um just stopping by and I too have never seen that the visitor parking lot full with cars and no with zero available parking I think that um just to help the discussion within the within the within counselors I think that you know it will be beneficial that like if if it is conducting business at the police department in case I haven't se a field but I mean it could be anything that you know people can might be able to park there for a period of time like let's say 30 minutes perhaps any other comments or questions counselors with that said I'll call the questions all those in favor with the amendment please say I I I um any NOS the I haveit all right next public hearing that we have is item 16124 which is the uh review and approve of the annual uh application of to hop for the Community Development uh block grant cbgs and the for the estimate amount of 1,500 500 51,6 622 and the H Grant in the estimate for the amount of 944 $75 uh Susan Finn uh send the send this item to the uh city council with that said uh CLA cler please uh read the notice for the record I sorry councelors we're going to take another document while we find this public hearing uh notice uh we go into committee report Council of plant do are you ready for the ordinance committee we can take a few items from there um if there's no objection document number 17122 the ordinance committee met and sent this item to the full Council uh to What republic hearing that's adding the planning director's position under the planning and development department and to make that in the form of a motion there is a motion to order a public hearing properly second discussion I hear none all those in favor please say I the eyes have it um Mr chair from the ordinance committee item 21023 yeah this is an ordinance committee met on this item this is a resolution in support of the Lawrence Public Schools Financial audit by the state auditor uh this uh the ordinance committee sent this up with a three to one vote with a favorable recommendation and make that in the form of a motion there is a motion uh on the table properly second discussion this is to audit the uh the Lawrence Public Schools any discussion councelors discussion I Hear No so at this point I call the questions for this to happen the mayor need to approve it as well as far as I understand that's correct it's it's a the clerk can answer more definitively but this is a resolution like we sent any resolutions it has it has no it has no binding I got you yeah all right uh this is a resolution an official opinion of the city of lens in regard to U getting the public uh the L Public School uh uh outed uh with that said no discussions councelor I call the question Sol those in favor please say I I any NOS uh roll call please councelor Reyes yes councel Reyes I'm sorry hold on yes um council marmel is noted as absent Council Santiago yes Council Del Rosario yes Council Luzon yes Council llant no counil Levy yes Council vice president fonte yes council president Rodriguez and the the president vote on the affirmative um item 163 B24 uh Mr chair from the uh from the ordinance committee Mr Mr President what was the final vote on that resolution uh the count was 711 seven affirmative one no and one absent uh document number one 163 B24 uh the ordinance committee mad send this up with a fable recommendation this to public hearing this is a Lawrence High School Civics education creating of an ordinance this is a traffic flow at the high school um I make that in the form of motion and I will have discussion there is a a motion on the table to send this item to order a public hearing probably second discussion to order public hearing uh there is no discussion disc yeah discussion so very quickly um council president you came to the ordinance Comm thank you you came to the ordinance committee and you suggested that had we not received all of the information that you would have sent this back down to the ordinance committee um we received well one thing officially that's from the engineers's office who had no problems with it I also I have not seen from the police department but I did get a phone call from the police department and they uh told me that they were in support of it as well so as far as I'm concerned I can't speak for my colleagues but I can can only speak for myself um I'll be supporting The Ordering of the public hearing thank you uh thank you Mr uh Mr Council plant for for your input uh as far as I understand they met with the chief with the police department and that U and that U and this and and the senior officers I believe uh from the police department and uh I open the floor for you for you to uh express your experience on this project at the police department and how they um move on the on this um so hello good afternoon um my name is Chantel Mado and I'm gonna be talking about um the chief well we met and the chief so we presented our slides to the chief of police and he very much liked it we explained to him that we did our measures around Crawford Street and Paris Road from the width to the length all the way down to see um what like what would be the good measures and everything um he did suggest for the time to be 2 hours from 700 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. and then in the afternoon from 2: to 4: and we also con offic con helped you he gave us those things to measure we ALS we also talked to we also talked to officer cono and he gave us um a measuring device to calculate how many inches each Street is from the length to the width so that we could divide Paris Road into three-way um when they get down to the high school so one so one side could be one side could be um where students and teachers are going to Park to go into the parking lot and then one for the buses and one for drop off and pickup all right uh any question to the students from the Civic project of the lawrens High School Mr President I got just a a request for the the proponents and the sponsor of this that they submit that if they wouldn't mind to the council I want to make sure that what we adopt matches the agreements and what the advice was by the police department during that conversation and if we had that in time for the next whenever the public hearing is uh we can match to make sure that there that whatever is written that we either amend it or adopt it as is thank you Mr President no problem we were any other questions from the councilors this is to a public hearings anything that you would the Civic project would like to add I just wanted to say that we were under the impression that the engineer would be here today um but they did meet with the engineer as well as the police chief day I believe they were here I believe they were here they were here they send they send information to the city council as they usually do usually they don't come over they send those the information on the report and the the report um is in the affirmative y um councelors any questions on regard to uh the Civic project in regard to the traffic issues around the laen high school council president Council infan Council of Vice President infan thank you through you council president I just have a quick comment I did follow up with the police department when I found out that you guys were going to visit and they spoke very highly about you guys and your presentation so you should be very proud in making a difference in your city so congratulations for that thank you any other comments or questions from the counselors this is to order our public hearing all right uh Madame Clair do you um could we U make sure that we have this public hearing published for the next meeting yes for the 21st for the 21st all right councelors at this time I call the questions all and Fa please say I I any notse the I have it thank you thank you all right item one uh 21224 uh Mr chair from the uh ordinance committee ordinance committee met on this item which is the disclosure of a conflict by a city employee Maria Alexander howerin committee sent this up the with the full council with a fable recommendation and that's the motion second there is a motion on the table properly second discussion any discussions at this time I call the questions all those in favor please say I I there any knows the eyes have it um uh Mr Mr Sher from the ordinance committee item 21424 install on the ground I'm looking it up so document 21420 24 to install an underground a conduit on Medford Street near Rockford Street the ordinance committee sent us up to the full council with a recommendation to order a public hearing and make that in the form of a motion motion on the table properly second discussion all Us in favor please say I I the eyes have it I to 162 24 Mr shair from the ordinance committee ordinance committee met on 21624 which is the annual community resource Fair September 7th 2024 in the campaign own common this was sent up to the full council with a favorable recommendation and to make that in by the way a rain date of 9:14 20124 which was cleared by the recreation department and to make that in the form of a motion there is a motion on the table properly second discussion I Hear n so this time I call the questions all those in favor please say I I there I have it item 2824 ordance committee met on this item which is a three days of worship August 23rd 24th 25th uh 2024 at O'Neal Park uh this was amended at the ordinance committee was moved from the camping new and commment so I make uh so the the committee reports to send this up to the full councel with fa recommendation and I make that in the form of a motion there is a motion um there is a motion on the table properly the second discussion the applicant I guess they're here so they will they wish us to speak hi address for the record please y Mora Martinez um I live in Nashville 47b CWA road but the church that we Pastor isan is 360 Mar Street here in Lawrence and yes we just we're here for the event the 3 days of worship um for August 23rd 24th and 25th from 2: to 8:00 p.m. it was originally in O'Neal Park and we do have the email that was a confirmation that it was moved now to the I don't know how to say comp common Park um so that's why we're here um it's a worship it's a three days of worship to bring the word of God and to listen to music and just Unite with the community and show share love and prayers and um that's why we're here all right councelors any questions in regard to uh this item or the changes of this item at this time U uh I call the questions all Us in fav please say I I have it I 21924 Mr shair from the ordinance committee thank you thank you the orang committee met on this item which is a Hoops for Christ basketball tournament on May 25th 2024 at the oconnell basketball court this will sent up to the full council with table recommendation and make that in the form of a motion motion on the table properly second discussion I he none at this time make all the questions all those in favor please say I I the I have it uh we're going back to the top of the agenda on public hearings we have uh public hearing 11624 which is the review and approval of the anual application to hop for the Community Development block grant cbgs and for the estimate amount of 1,551 th622 and home grams for the estimate amount of 9447 u Madame Clair please uh read the ERS for the record council president uh Mr Vice President infant thank you I make a motion to wave the Preamble there's a motion to we the pr council president I don't agree with that second I'll take well well thank you very much I retract my statement thank you uh there's a motion on the table properly second discussion I hear no discussion this time I call the questions all and Fa please say I I there I have it uh Madame cler the purpose of the hearing is to gather testim information and public input concerning the proposed annual action plan for fiscal year 2025 for the City of Lawrence Mass as follows the Community Development block grant cdbg in the estimated amount of 1,551 622 and home Grant in the estimated amount of $944,000 the copy of the proposed FY 2025 HUD annual action plan and proposed budgets referenced herein may be examined viewed and copied at the office of Planning and Development 360 marac Street entrance K unit 270 Lawrence Mass and at the office of the city clerk sorry 200 200 Common Street Lawrence Mass during normal business hours Monday Wednesday and Thursday 8:30 to 4:30 Tuesdays 8:30 to 7 and Fridays 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. documents are also available on the city's website at www.cityoflawrence.com persons wishing to be heard shall be afforded the opportunity Council uh public hearing is now um open anybody from the public that wishes to speak for the record good evening council is suin I work in the Community Development Department I reside at six Rockwood Lane when I appeared before budget and finance we only had estimated um Grant allocations today HUD announced the actual allocation so I'd like to review the budget using the actual numbers that we will be um providing to HUD on cdbg we are receiving 1,620 794 this is a five councilors the numbers that she's referencing is on a loose piece of paper that should be each each of your places it looks like this so if you so you have to follow what she's speaking of right you right behind that last one right behind that you have it yeah just just keep on going for the record okay um so this is a 5% increase over the funding we received for FY 24 for home funds we are receiving $83,200 decrease over what we received in FY 24 the cdbg budget breaks down as follows under Park improvements $450,000 infrastructure improvements $300,000 homeless housing assistant match $10,000 cdbg homeowner Rehabilitation $273,100 477 administrative subject to the 20% cap is $324,500 under the home Grant we have the chto project set aside which is a 15% statutory requirement $14,560 Housing Development projects $637,000 per administrative cap of $83,200 to the record thank you all right uh public hearing is still open anybody from the public that wishes to speak at this time public hearing is now closed councelors was the motion motion to approve there is a motion to approve properly second discussion discussion Council of plan thank you council president um this earlier today I received a communication from a constituent of mine that I like to read into the record Lewis robl at 183 Avid Street good evening City Council Members item 16124 regarding the cdbg Grant I would like to suggest that part of the funds be used for fixing the issue of flooding in the city one area of interest is Market Street with Parker under the bridge on item 271 uh that's it for that one so um I just want to make sure it's part of the record that that a constituent has asked that there be some money set aside uh for that I'm sure there's a good reason as to why it can or can't be so thank you council president um councelor um I would respectfully request if you send me a copy of that my pleasure we'll do councelors any other questions am I missing any any other documentation I think that we're missing something here uh usually we have 10% of the cbgs funds uh going to the community uh nonprofit organizations from the city and I don't see the document do you guys have that we did not run an an RFP process this year so uh is that a requirement no it's not required to it's not required no well so far that's what I thought always that it was a requirement so we have no matching from uh for for the different organizations uh throughout the city all right councelors any questions concerns or comments on this item are hear none so at this point I call the questions all those in favor please say I I the eyes have it any NOS I would like to vote present on this roll call please councelor Levy yes councilor llant yes councelor Lon yes Council Del Rosario yes councelor Santiago no councelor mammal is noted as absent Council Ares yes Council vice president Infante yes council president Rodriguez present all right motion carries uh next item thank you uh next item on the agenda is I never call the for re and you want to call it all right let's call the RO call again because it was a a little misplaced there um councilor Levy pres and councilor Rees yes this is the Pres I'm I'm calling the RO for that you that you he yes is there is there roll calls for roll calls for that uh for that uh Council Lan and Council Levy I did not count you when I called the role earlier in the evening so councilor Rees you were here and I apologize that's my mistake um Council Levy has noted that she's present councilor lone pres thank you thank you both my apologies all right councilors we going on top of the agenda communication from the mayor City officials that is nonone committee report we're going to the budget and finance committee Madame chair vice president Infante from the Bo and finance committee thank you item 383 b23 thank you council president item 383 b-23 the appropriation transfer in the amount of 450,000 among City departments um from the arpa free cash allocations funds allocated under document number 411 b-22 um the committee recommended to withdraw this item and I make that as a formal motion there is a motion there is a motion to withdraw properly second discussion Madame Clair um just looking at the document from my um notes I had the document back in November of 2023 as a $450,000 allocation I had it split at that time that 150,000 was going to planning and development and 300,000 was going to the police department for PSN I don't know p and NS um I have a vote back in November that we approved the um 150,000 to Planning and Development already so I just want to are we like the 383a already took off $150,000 of this so what's left it was a 300 that was going to police so there's only 300 to under this document there's 300,000 because we already withraw so we're withdrawing just the 300 because the other one was already approved that just B okay that just be all right just to we clear U Item B of 103 U uh it of 283b is just the 300,000 that we will join any questions or concern or comments on this item president uh Madame vice president inant thank you quick um just quickly we did have a Financial Manager Su with us that day and she did state that the reason that they're looking to withdraw this is because the item um that amount is no longer needed all right is Su think still here thank you we have clarification for for um the clerk so so it is the just the $300,000 we need to withdraw that is correct just 300,000 yeah originally counselors that was um appropriated for the neighborhood safety initiative uh to the police department so that portion of the funds is going to be withdraw any questions or comments at this time I call the questions all those in favor please say I I there eyes it item 423 um Madame vice president Infante thank you item 40023 the appropriation transfer in the amount of $2,235 th000 among City departments um via the araf freecash allocations funds allocated under DOC number 411 b-22 uh this item is also recommended by the committee for withdraw to with to be withdraw and I make that as a formal Mo motion there is a motion on the table properly second to withdraw item which Madame Madame V this means that this one is going to go back to the general fund or to the Free Cash correct it's no longer needed y all right uh properly second any questions or comments at this point I call the question Sol and pleas say there I have it all right uh president at this point I I ask that councelor lzone recuses herself for for the for the next items item so those are the items that are a committee we need to pull it off committee council president and counselors through you council president um there is a mistake on on the agenda item 76 a-24 resolution amending and reeding the reimbursement requirement for the creating of thriving Lawrence Grant award EES in the amount of $400,000 to the feder Inc um actually should not be on the agenda because we did not have um Quorum for the second time so I asked um council president that we consider pulling this out of committee because this is the third time we have spoken about it in the budget and finance committee and all three times I did not have Quorum but we this is fully discussed so this Point counselors I entertain a motion to suspend the rules to pull this item uh uh 76a 24th as well as 76b 24th uh pull it off committee uh to be discussed uh at this level there is an item there is a motion on the table to pull it of committee properly second to suspend the RO to pull off committee properly second discussion Mel plan thank you very much um this vote actually uh is a little troubling uh just because I was here that evening and the vote was actually descended up to the full Council and um and so that that's what happened that evening um point of clarification point of clarification thank you so we did um so on it was I was under the impression that we could take the vote um because the council president was there to make a quorum um so we did I passed a g to the vice president I mean the vice chair of the committee um a few days later the City attorney did contact me and told me that that motion was not allowed so this item was to remain at the um budget and finance committee level which is why it should not be um it it shouldn't have been in the agenda for tonight's meeting oh it should be on the agenda as an old business as an old business wasn't cop on sure so I also ADV of the floor council president give me give me one second just to clarify from this um the intent of the uh of the item being on the on the budget and finance committee uh met the qu the qualification of of publishing it for the purpose of the uh of removing it out of committee but if there is any uh any other any other um objection to it uh we entertain any any any objection just to be fair to the process Council L thank you so the council vice president did a reference a a communication from City attorney um and I just think I think that the wise thing to do is what this Council vice president is suggesting that according to the City attorney that's what should be due to cure it but it also is important that we all understand the ground rules of when the council president is the acting mayor and according to the City attorney on this or any other matter U this is directed this was a comments regarding the council president who was acting mayor because as acting mayor your presence was just for Quorum at the Committees you actively participa in the discussion and at times seem to lead the discussions on the items discussed the mayor is not allowed to participate and direct a city council subcommittee this should be avoided in the future he also went on to talk about um about voting and and um and the fact the council Lan did recuse herself from that and so I think that what we're doing now will take take care of that um I will have the third point when we have the discussion at the full Council level because I do think um it's important that the council understand the city attorney's position thank you uh I was not included on that communication so I'm not aware of that but I'll I'll take I take the point as good as B council president you not receive this email from the city attorney I did not that's why I'm extremely upset but that's part of the process as well uh item uh 76b and 24 and it6 a 76a are the resolution to amend uh receding of of the reimbursement requirement for the creating driven Lance Grant aware of 400,000 as well as that uh uh of the $14 $50,000 uh going to the uh three different organizations that we just discussed counselors uh you wishes to remove uh to pull it off committee or you wish you to keep it at the committee level council president I make a motion there is a motion on the table and properly second um then the discussion is now it's been open uh any other comments or questions at this time councel Levy so we don't have we have it at the committee now we actually taking a vote to pull it off committee if the council decide council president uh this is in regard to pull it off committee or to respond to Ana Lev both well we're going to entertain the motion to pull it off committee first so can I can I respond to councelor Levy is she it's not in order because she just wanted it to send it back and the item is not here council president so it's not in order so at this time councilor I'll call the questions to pull it of committee we require six votes for this uh please say I I no no uh Roo please Roo please councel Levy no council llant no council Luzon has abstained Council Del Rosario no council Santiago yes council marel is noted as absent Council Aras yes Council vice president yes council president yes what's the count um three NOS four yeses and exstension and absence motion fail so that the items remind at the committee level uh itan 20424 Madame Shar from the from the B mad Madame vice president inant from The Bu and finance committee item 20424 payment of Prior year invoice in the amount of 468 thou 400 46800 with 50 cents for the United construction and Forestry LLC um was brought to us by the Airport Manager Francisco newa and the committee voted in favor and I make that as a formal motion there is a motion on the table to pay uh $468.00 uh can you hear a second second properly second discussions there is there is no discussion at this point I call the questions all those in favor please say I I the eyes have it item 20524 Madame um Vice chair bam vice president infant item 205- 24 the amendment Amendment to the non-union CL classification plan to add assistant Commissioner of Health cold services to grade d uh was brought to us and the committee sent this up as a favorable recommendation and I make that as a formal motion there is a motion on the table can hear a second councilors properly second discussion at this time I have no questions please say I the I have it Madame V infan item 20624 the authorization to expend Grant funds in the amount of 42,552 from the marimac valley renewal fund from the Attorney General's office was brought is being brought up as a favorable recommendation and I make that as a formal motion there is a motion on the table properly second discussion counselors I hear no discussion at this time I call the question all and all and please say I I there eyes have it item 20724 item 20724 the authorization to expend donated funds in the amount of $5,000 from the halfers a kicks Foundation is is being brought up as a favorable recommendation and I make that as a formal motion there is a motion on the table properly properly second discussions councilors no questions uh this time I call the question Sol please say I I the I have it item 20824 item 208 d24 the author the authorization to expend Grant funds in the amount of 22,000 from the library Initiative for teens and twins from the Boston Foundation is being brought up as a favorable recommendation and I make that as a formal motion there's a motion on the table properly second discussion discussion council plan uh we have three items from the library I just I listened to the discussion during the um during the budget and finance uh committee meeting and uh I was heartened to hear the support that the library is receiving this is an institution that needs some of the support from this Council and other elected officials and um I'm I'm heartened to hear that the way that the committee uh respond responded to not only to these three um items but also to the fact that uh we have other issues of great importance to make sure that our library becomes a vibrant full and functional part of our part of our City's Fabric and I want to applaud the committee for that support and I also support it thank you thank you Mr shair U thank you uh Mr Lan uh Council llan any other questions regard to this item any comments do you want to say something I would thank you all right uh you have the floor I will simple because I will respect your time thank you oh my time is your time um my name is Janella Brew I'm the director of Lawrence Public Library I want to thank you Mar plan for bringing such a precedent issue to the City of Lawrence H currently we're in our last Almost the second year of our waiver a lot of people do not know what that is I will have a formulated sheet here with my Administration team that's willing to pass that out to you I will leave that to discretion of not only you studying it it will also be available in a public notice at lawrence.org um before I start my name is Jan Lawrence Public Library I'm at 59 chulane methu uh I have my administrative team here because it's important for them part of the staff development oh gracias uh so I will slow down for this moment uh I will say one of the things that I think that is important and thank you Mark leans for sharing that is that currently our library is going onto their fourth year of the city waiver a lot of people have asked me what exactly is that I myself currently with the administration of today has realized what that is I cannot say this is the administration that we are currently facing which is currently mayor Brian depo's office and myself we encumbered this from previous administrators and so much so it goes back as almost two decades which we're talking about Michael Sullivan's Administration Willi antiguas Dan Rivera Kendra Vasquez and so on it is now my duty to make sure that we don't face the same circumstances so let me simplify what the desertification process is and why we do our due diligence to apply for Grants and donations constantly we do not get appropriated Le funded by the municipality this is not news to a lot of the council members that are here today who have run in previous administration this is just news to me and what I would like to do today is to offer Solutions and that's what we're doing in the middle of this we're actually applying currently for a lot of Grants one considering the Attorney General office Grant which is a up to a considerable amount of $1.5 million which will allow us to open the South Lawrence Branch it is important that I share that and thank you for the constituents of that um that area but I think it's important to realize we all face it traffic in the South Lawrence area is in precedent okay South Lawrence is an area that was attacked not only by what we have with the gas explosion but also an opportunity for the most of the biggest schools that are under receivership and most importantly we need a library there we have Lawrence Catholic Lawrence Catholic Academy which received over 30 million in revenues and Foundations and donations why not us we're an encumbrance of their property and we're willing to open again so what I'm doing with this is just to give give the city a quick synopsis of what is going to happen with our library if we do not stand up today and get ourselves out of the waiver and this is simple when you cross Parker stre and you look at the South Lawrence branch and you thought of what could be that will happen in our main branch in Lawrence if we do not act now and that is my answer to you there is a lot of pieces involved and I have a piece of document that will simplify the process for you today as our delegated and voted Council however it'll also be available on all social media platform and considering our website it is important to stand up now this is one of the last free Democratic space we have available all of you if not every one of you have considered the library as a resource center we are the number one nonprofit Democratic space that the city has encumbered and if we look at what has happened at the South armor Branch again something that was bestowed upon my Administration and myself we are looking for resolution and that comes with coming be before you today explaining to you the situation and finding a resolution I will not take more of your time but I ask you to dig deeper and you have places you can go we have the May Massachusetts Board of Library Consortium the state of Massachusetts and the Mary Mc valy Library Consortium and more importantly you have the Lawrence Public Library willing to answer these questions for you all right great thank you so much uh this time counselors uh what I will suggest is that we add uh for our next meeting an item to the agenda to uh probably be sent to the uh to the committee of the hall to further discuss uh this issue that we we facing in the future thank you sir but I would more than furthermore in order to move over or to move on with our proceedings I would like to move forward and improve the three grants that we have in front of you today including the donation yes that's what we're going to do all right counselors any any questions discussion on this item at this time councelors I'll call the questions all please say the I have it thank you thank you council president item 220-24 the confirmation of appointment of Carlos Matos as director of Planning and Development um is bring brought up to the full council with a favorable recommendation and I make that a formal motion councilors we have a motion to uh uh that came out of committee which is to approve that um Mr Carlos Matos as the Director of the planning and development um Department properly second discussion discuss discussion discussion uh Madame vice president Infante thank you uh through you council president there there was an item um I actually don't have it with me but it was given to me by our confidential secretary uh right before the Personnel meeting uh it was a a a letter of support from in in for Carlos MOS from our state representative Estella Reyes um which I the discussions were very uh indepth so I actually forgot to mention this and read this at the Personnel committee level but it was delivered to our secretary and the secretary did uh presented to me before the meeting so I just wanted to make sure that's on the record all right uh councelors any other questions C thank you so I just have a couple of questions regarding process uh we have a lot of information in our packet um and I just I listen I had a chance to listen to the the Personnel committee discussion regarding uh this this question um and one of the questions that was not asked uh and I don't see it in our packet uh this was related to the 2.47 070 I'll repeat that again 2.47 and that is that when the application gets sent down to the council that with it is included the list of finalists I didn't hear a question asked regarding that and I was wondering has there been any substantive information or documentation that provides for us a list of finalists for the position council president sure um we have the CFO here in front of us he will be able to answer the there was only one finalist for the position was Carlos Matos and obviously well qualified so there were no other finalist that applied for this position thank you so let me let me just go to the next question which I think will tie in I think again if this was asked I missed it where exactly was the job application posted where if you were a job Seeker would you see the job application I believe we posted on the city's website I'm not sure if we posted it anywhere else I just know it was on the city's website so I just by our by our Charter excuse me by our ordinance not our Charter by our ordinance a full and complete um a copy of the contract sorry one more time a copy of the advertisement for said position with the dates of publication in the names of all Publications said advertisement appeared together with a description of any other postings of the position so my concern is if all we have done for a position as important as this is just posted on the city's website my question is is are we doing all that we can do to really try to attract the very first person this has nothing at all to do with um with councelor uh Carlos Matos uh it has everything to do with the process and making sure that the mayor or the or the Personnel committee um Personnel department has a incredibly rich and strong pool of candidates and that the selection would be difficult to make that's the goal because we have so many excellent and fantastic um applications um applicants and if I I I just finish my point here and I'll relinquish my my concern is that if we just posted on the city's website are we really doing all that we can to really try to to get some good candidates the the requirement is to post it for 10 days and uh it was posted for 10 days uh at the city website and and the and Personnel director I'm not saying anything was done unlawfully I mean if you want to really if you really want to do it precisely we need to get that sent down was that was it part of our packet yes the job description was part of your so the job and that was printed in the city's in the city's web page so technically that meant it but I I think that plan uh can iish finish my point let me let me clarify my point you you're talking through me right thank you I like not to be interrupted when I'm talking to you no because I I have the answer before we actually received the application we went through that section of the of the ordinance and I made sure that the city cler received all that information just like you asking fantastic but the point that I'm making persist which is this are we doing all that we can to try to get the best qualified C or get the best candidates we can for the city and if all that we're relying on is the web page of our city is that enough as a city official and as a city leader on an is on a position that is important a department heads position we're not this is a key critical position and again I've got no quarrel with with with u with with um with Carlos but I do want to make sure that we're getting a healthy V so that's my point and I just I'm not getting the sense that that's that's what's happened thank you well if I can explain problem Mr Excuse me Mr cff you might response thank you uh it was uh we did advertise on the website and often times when we when we don't get enough uh uh applicants we have to uh search other other methods to advertise or in this case we had a person who was very well qualified so we didn't go that extra step wasn't necessary in other words I would I would humbly I I respect I respect that I respect that response I think we I think as we represent individuals in our city I think when I say we I mean the people that I represent I think we expect and deserve a little bit more than oh we just we found one we're all said I think that we never know what's out there until we actually put out a a vibrant and full I hate to talk about the superintendent I hate to talk about the other things but but there's a there's a right there there is a way when you're really Earnest about really trying to find a really good candidate I don't mean you have to pull you don't need to have a consultant firm come in like they're doing for the superintendent I mean they're going way out there right that's another that's way out there I don't think we've got to do that but I do think that we need to post some of these positions in places where other planning directors would look uh what and I haven't been in the job market for a few years so I don't I don't know all the the various places that you could actually put a job there's places like indeed and other kind of uh places uh but there back in the day you would if you wanted to get somebody you would put something in MMA where every city official would look for something and I realize there's some backstories there regarding costs and that's real but I mean but that's an example of places that we would put things if we're really trying to bring the best qualified people uh into into our city into our city government thank you thank you counil plant any other councilors would like to ask questions in regard to this item president and Council Infante thank you just a a point um during during at the subcommittee level um C councelor Levy's motion to send it up with a favorable recommendation did come with with a clause and it was pending information uh received that there was a an ending of Mr mat's um consultant work with the city of with the City of Lawrence um before his transition to acting director and the City attorney did provide that information it's on everyone's table so there is a series of emails here that is documented and states the dates of when that was ended when um when the acting position um began and what I'm seeing here just briefly um these these communication started um the end of February so February 27th so we we do have that and I just just remembered about that Clause now so I want to make sure that that's covered all right uh that's been submitted for the record uh is that that's sorry council president Council of Vice pres so it could be on the record thank you to to Madam clerk for for pointing it out the contract the consultant work contract ended exactly on February 29th of 2024 all right it's been submitted for the record that the contract for Mr Matos and his uh agency was done with the City of Lawrence on February 29th and the start date of Carlos Matos acting employment is March 1st of 2024 all right uh it's that's been submitted to the records uh councilors any other questions uh to the uh to the for the process or perhaps to the candidates through you Cil president C uh in in the last meeting we uh uh we mentioned a reference letter uh and we also asked about his previous job so I just want to know if we got any of them cuz just for the record uh all the reference that Mr Matos is providing our city employees including major Brian depa and also now we have EST uh Estella Rees uh with another letter of support so I don't see nowhere a letter of references from a previous employee which is kind of a normal that was U that was requested through a vote or you was just part of the conversation it was part of the conversation coun president all right um all right councelors any other question councelor son do you have any other questions I guess that that information was we we don't have any um any other questions any other counselors before I go to the second round all right I go to the second round council plan thank you so I I think if we're we have to vote on this tonight if we don't vote on this tonight per our Charter I believe uh the Nomine automatically takes the position within 30 days and I think we're running closer to 30 days so we need to vote table this matter we need to vote table I'm so sorry council president was I point I may mean the conversation is through me I want to clarify a few things before you continue we can vote on the item before we table it it on the 10th it will be automatically appointment if we withdraw without prejudice that means that the administration can submit tomorrow again for to go back to committee so that's another options it's not just tabling denying it or approving it we have other things other other options I I so I just want to make sure that we're clear so when when when I have the floor and I'm making a comment because I'm talking directly with you out of courtesy wouldn't you want to let me finish my statement first and then if we're having a conversation you wouldn't interrupt me in a conversation I would not I would I would not interrupt you in a conversation no but um if the conversation is through the council president unfortunately no talking directly to you and through you to the rest and that's just a common courtesy um yes it's a common courtesy but I want to make sure that the counselors know the options you actually say that we cannot table if we table that mean means that we actually go it's been approved by the 10 or we have until the 10th in two days we can have an special meeting and continue the conversation those are the options that the counselor have it's not just what you are saying and my last Point council president I'm not denying the fact that you may be correct on this but just the courtesy to let me finish my thought and my sentence and then you could clarify and you could say Council the plant you're right up until here as a matter of fact you you're a little wrong on this and then clarify but to interrupt me in the middle it just takes away from the deliberation a little bit I think we're better than that all right in the meantime Council lant the conversation is through the president keep that in mind based on Section seven okay rule seven of the chadow of our own rules so you may continue I'm I'm well aware of the chart but I appreciate the reminder thank you um so I I don't know where with the the the charter I says has disposition I think those are the magic words we need to have a some sort of dis position on the matter if we withdraw that's a disposition on the matter this this language without prejudice if you can find the Lang that language in our rules without prejudice anywhere or even in your Roberts rules if you could find that anywhere I'd be curious to see it uh because I I don't think there's any legal standing to something that we do without prejudice it might make us feel good but I don't think there's any standing having said that your greater point I agree with I think that if we do withdraw it then that is a final disposition and I do my point that I'm taking the floor is I would encourage I I would like to either do a withdrawal or know whatever it takes and I would encourage um councelor Matos to again to apply to whatever I I don't want him to go away um because I do want him to be he clearly is a a candidate that's qualified but I do want to see I do want us to see who else is out there that has an interest in leading our city in this department thank you all right councelors we still the discussion here we have a item 2224 which is the confirmation of appointment of Carlos mat as the Director of Planning and Development uh anybody from the mayor's office that wish us to speak on this um is anybody would like to hear the the this Octavian spanner is online and um he brought would like to say something about it he just uh raised his hand C president U Mr as spanner yes council president good evening good evening councilors um I think uh on behalf of I'm speaking on behalf of the mayor this position as uh our cafo indicated has been properly posted um and uh personally um I have been working with caros and his work has been outstanding in regards to not only the help at OPD but also other works that are involved uh in the city his level of expertise is is not I won't say he would be the only person that would have it but right now it's an exceptional job that caros is doing uh professionally uh he has uh demonstrated uh very much his his capabilities and skills his knowledge of uh the work in terms of planning in terms of Economic Development and also Community Development and we trust and believe that he's the right candidate for uh to be uh holding this position app I don't know if you can still hear me do you need a council president not yet I no we don't need a motion on that we don't need a there is a there's a motion to approve Council vice president you have the floor I mean council president you have the floor yes I have a few questions to the to the applicants before they vot on this uh so uh we have uh one um one issue in regard to the appointment of of this position and is an item on exhibit uh B that is on regard to uh this specific position to move uh the office of planning and development director from Grade B to a grade uh to contract so councelors is important that we recognize that this is on table matters but the the intent is to discuss this in the future so um with that said I would not I want to ask the cand the candidate is the position that you applying is based on our ordinance is is a salary position they intend is to uh receive a salary or you are currently on their contract with the administration it's currently to receive a salary Mr President okay and the salary is a section uh Grade B as set by the the rubric that developed by the city and through the through the Colin Center I believe but I think that that question is more appropriate to Administration no I mean I'm assuming that you received an offer letter already no I have not okay all right yeah I I can I can just answer that he's he's on salary in accordance with the non class uh non-union classification plan all right and it what is the salary for that position the salary uh the salary range is one second salary range is 100,100 to 145 600 and the intent is to um actually have this position as a salary as of right now until things get changed yeah that's that's the current non-un CL non-un classification plan that's the salary we have a proposal uh which is tabled at the council to move that position to a a contract position all right that satisfy my my um my question and thank you Madame vice president just keep it any other um questions or comments um counselors seeing none guess well entertain a vote all those in favor Council Madam chair I'd like to make a motion that we withdraw this item there's a motion to withdraw item 222 d24 on the table is there a second the withraw the discussion on that so there's a second discussion council president yes question on the withdrawal to be clear um if we withdraw this item the the administration won't be able to bring it for the next year because we are withdrawing it if we withdraw without prejudice and then the administration will be able to uh bring it up uh I just want to make sure that the councilor knows about uh the difference I'd like to uh make this council president I mean Council llant I'd like to make this motion I'd like to make a motion that we withdraw but um amend um uh provide a provision uh within the motion that would allow Mr Matos to reapply for the position not having to wait the year you can reapply immediately medely so that's the motion we withdraw now and then allow him to to reapply should he desire to reapply the motion has been amended there is a second any further questions or comments second it's yes a second second no I didn't second oh there isn't a second my apologies can I have a second second motion has been seconded discussion seeing none um clerk can you do a roll can you do a a roll vote please this is to for withdraw this is to vote to withdraw councelor Levy no council plant yes Council Lan yes Council Del Rosario no councelor Santiago yes councelor marmel is noted as absent Council Reyes no council Infante no councilor Rodriguez no motion fails motion care motion fails do you want no you call the question okay at this point there is a motion um at the table to approve the appointment the the confirmation of appointment of Carlos Manos as director of of the office of Planning and Development there was a second is there any further discussions or questions Council ly yes uh thank you um Mar is um I have a question what is the differ to make like a disposition by Contra or just to keep it as an employee what is the what is going to be the difference Mr Ayo can you come up and answer this question please I didn't quite hear the contract of the the question but it was about a contract yeah what's the difference between yeah as an employee yeah if uh if and it's tabled at the council so it hasn't passed right now it's a salary and you know what the range is uh but if it if the council were to approve the amendment to the non-union classification plan it would The Proposal is to allow uh the positioned uh for OPD director to have a contract and moves it up into the uh the nonunion classification range with other positions that have contracts and and he would negotiate a a salary with the mayor and some contractual terms of employment with the mayor so instead of taking the that the salary that we are offering right now right now the salary is set the salary is already set but is become a contract it's going to be complete if the council allows that then it could be a contract would be uh it could be a different a different dollar amount in different terms oh yeah thank you so much you're welcome any other questions or comments councilor delario through you C thank you for the opportunity just an ad we've been throughout since we took o we've been battling the mayor with runs appointments or run hiring right now we have a fully qualified person and we nipping and picking everything they have to do with him uh due to the fact that some of us not me have a Personal Agenda and we need to drop that we have we have a a person that's totally qualified for this position totally qualified the best one of the best resume that we have seen throughout the year sitting here as a counil level and we have approved employees it has less of the qualification that he has it's people that be named in this Administration with less qualification that he has he's out here he was out there doing the job and the resume is talk by itself he has the resume for it why we need picking why we need to go elsewhere when he's already here providing the service with a full full resume to talk for himself you so we just need to stop that now we have a qualified person in front of us fully qualified to do the job why are we keep nitpicking on a resume of of of of anything so let's move on and let's vote for it thank you Cil councelor Del Rosario okay at this point um I'm assuming they might be no so uh Madam clerk can you call the RO for a vote councelor Reyes yes the vote the motion at hand is to approve the the confirmation of Carlos MOS as the Director of the office of Planning and Development um Madam clerk councilor Rey is voting in the affirmative I have Council ml noted as absent councelor Santiago no councel Del Rosario yes Council Lon no council llant no council Levy yes Council vice president infon yes council president Rodriguez yes carries yes and the motion carries thank you councelors I look forward to working with you thank you uh congratulations uh Mr Matos so now we going to Old business I mean I have a confusion with old business but let's discuss this to send it to committee because I uh old business item for uh 37224 which is the solar BPA uh unleash contract with the uh solid electric for five City properties and three school and two cities uh buildings uh that's going to be sent to to the budget and finance committee um with that now we going to um um we have these two items these two it um this one you I just talked about if you was going to take off the table you thought you might want to take off the table tonight that's the classification have sent a lot of documentation on this 1204 sound like they going to have to take off table but I think's gone Here sign yeah right we have we have I from the table matters we have item 12124 which is the appropriation transfer of 450,000 am from Alpa free cash allocation Susan are you ready to speak about on this no okay so now we going to all business if there is anything that from the uh from the table matters that Council wishes to remove from the from table matters council president Council uh vice president inan sorry forgot it all right U any consors that wishes uh to remove something from the table matters all right that is known so we're going to new business uh item 12124 which is the Evangelical and Community event at the common uh at the compan on Comm May May 18 and May 21st 2024 they had asked to uh they they were asking uh us counselors to REM uh to take this as an emergency since the date um of May 18 is going to be U uh fairly quick that we're not going to have U enough time so councelors I entertain a motion to consider this as an emergency uh due to the date too close to the next uh to this meeting councelor can I hear a motion motion to as an as an emergency second a properly second discussion councelors discussion uh for the uh for what purpose of the emergency for the benefit of the community convenience of public convenience of the public all right uh council plan oh thanks thanks so um do we know before we even go through any of this do we even know that the common the campign is available did all they did all the so I through you Mr President maybe the clerk can give us an update before I take a vote on this tonight where are we on this process what have they done what's missing they did file the application through citizen serve as is required they had met with recreation department and they actually met with the licensing department also one of the is a two week event or a two-part event they're going to do the same community activities twice but the first time they're doing it is this May 18th date which you will not have your next meeting by May 18th so at least with regard to the May 18th portion but they prefer the whole thing just to be done they were asking if you could take it as an emergency so thank you Mr President through to the to the clerk so one of the things that I if we do this and we we will we're we're we're very accomodating we always say yes right so we're going to say yes to this um I guess what I would like to do is when we do say yes to this group what we don't do is that we don't keep track every year of the special times that we do it what I don't want to do is come again next year when they know they need to get here at at least six weeks before something like that so that it goes to the process properly two months is ideal maybe we can put some sort of I hate to say this and put more burden on the clerk but some sort of Tickler that says you've already gotten the pass don't do it again please if you're going to do this apply earlier so right that's something I would ask all right no problem thank you Council Council plant uh any other questions and regard to this at this time I call a question to declare this is an emergency all Us in favor please say I I any NOS the I have it councelor what's the motion for item 12124 approve there's a motion to approve properly second discussion I hear no questions at this point I call the questions all those in favor please say I I the eyes have it any nose the eyes have it um all right we going back to the new business I item 22 uh 22224 which is the request of uh Harker and ping license for Mass safe U Assessment program this is going to be to the ordinance commit this is going to be going to the ordinance committee item 23 24 June 19 Art Award awareness festival at the companion common uh June 22 2024 this is going to the ordinance committee item 22424 which is the the installation of one J Paul on West Street and near Holland Court this is going to the ordinance committee item 22524 which is a resolution honoring Dev U laret uh tangai for 20 years of uh rededication of uh Ballfield event this is going to the ordinance committee I item 22624 which is the handicap parking of 129 129 bronfield Street uh this this is going U this is going to be referring to the ordinance committee item 22724 the authorization to fill enforcement proc uh uh prosecutor positions uh in inspectional service uh bacon for more than six month this is going to uh the ordinance committee item 22824 which is the handicap parking for 57 Sergeant Street this is going to the ordinance committee item 22925 for transfer of capital revenue of 1,243 9910 this is going to go to the buet and finance committee item 2324 the authorization to um authorization to compliance with the with the m uh with ma Clear Water art uh art project this is going to the budget and finance committee item 23124 Lawrence Police Superior Union collective bargaining agreement transfer approval of for the amount of 540 uh 40,000 this is going to the budget and finance committee item uh 2 2322 24 Park no parking and lantom score uh this is going to the ordinance committee itan two uh 3324 no parking on Blackmore core this is going to the ordinance committee item 2342 24 request and handling ping license uh for sale of flowers this is going to the ordinance committee uh item 2352 23524 there a stop sign on Osgo Street uh on Bailey Street and this is going to the ordinance committee item 23624 home R petition establishing a creditable service for police and fire this is going to the ordinance committee item 23424 the request for loading zone uh at Hall and Berkeley Street this is going to the ordinance committee uh item 23824 uh uh 3K walk and cookout at the oconer park on June 1st 2024 uh this is going to the ordinance committee it on 23924 approval amendment of uh to the district agreement for the greatest lawence technical school including the April uh April H uh hungers this is going to the ordinance committee item 24024 the uh the appointment of uh Caris Garcia as second assistant of the City attorney this is going to the personal committee item 24124 the appointment of Pascal Ruiz as a director of U inspection or Services uh this is this is have to be added to the agenda uh and six vote is required so we need to declare this is an emergency to add it to the agenda and therefore submitted to uh for a committee reference councelors at this time I entertain a motion to declare this as an emergency item 24124 the appointment of Pascal Ruiz as the Director of inspection of services can I hear a motion to um declare this is an emergency so move there is a motion on the table uh for what purpose for the purpose of serve the community for the purpose of that uh serving the Community uh properly second discussion uh at this time I call the Rock call uh councelor amadan clerk councelor Levy yes Council plant yes Council Luzon yes Council Del Rosario yes Council Santiago yes council mamal is noted as absent Council Rees yes Council vice president fonte yes council president Rodriguez yes at this time we have it on the agenda item 24124 which is the appointment of aqual r as the Director of Inspection Services this is going to be referred to the personal committee councilors uh now we go to subcommittee for next week uh ordinance Tuesday night 7 o'cl Tuesday at 7 personal Monday at at 7:00 p.m. Monday at 7 um and then we have housing housing I said um who's the vice chair for housing the vice chair all right uh we're going to we we're going to entertain uh that meeting on Wednesday at 7 Finance that's Budget on finance uh they have a lot of items so I'll say you say Monday Tuesday Wednesday already taken so Thursday so Thursday at 7 and U councel marmal might be able to change it uh to early during during one of those meetings or perhaps um 5:30 or 6 on Wednesday so it's going to be up to her in the meantime we're going to we're going to just say that on Thursday at 7:00 p.m. for housing uh bu on finance Wednesday at 7 Wednesday at 7 all right we have Monday Tuesday um uh Monday Tuesday Wednesday and Thursday at 7 p.m. different committees councilors any other um yes uh any other uh questions or announcements at this time councilors we have uh the we the councilor have been invited uh to a SAT for Saturday May 11 at uh 10:00 a.m. uh to uh noon time to actually have it tour to uh to the to the real Trail uh for that project that we're going to be discussing eastment and so far so on and many takings so counselors if you are wish if you wish to uh go this is going to be on Saturday at uh Saturday May 11 at 10:00 a.m. uh from 10: to uh to to 12 in the morning uh we just want to make sure that everybody knows that also Al yes announcement uh please can you send the information like a through a message and sometime we should send it to our secretary to Teresa so kind you know just to inv do you mind send it to Teresa and to everybody point of clarification uh yes uh through you council president um Francisco cillo did send a calendar invite to all the city councilors so it should be pending on your calendar if you have not accepted it yet it will still show up so please look at your calendar for Saturday May your city council calendar and approve or deny the invitation all right no problem so we have that announcement also as another announcement we have we have uh on the uh UB committee for the uh that is going to be discussing the two different uh the two different uh option the two different U proposal we have for the school committee and section five of the city CH amendments we have have uh we have received information from uh school committee Mariano that she's going to be focusing uh on the search uh of the superintendent and she's not going to be able to serve on that committee therefore we have assigned U uh attorney Edwards Edwards uh to be part of the committee she's here online with us and uh I would like to make that announcement for that H committee uh councilors any other questions or any that would like to um U be discussed to tonight motion to adjourn second there is a motion to adjourn properly second all in fav please say I the I have it