Everett City Council 10-26-2026

All right, this is City Council Committee on Government Operations, Public Safety and Public Service. This is Monday, October 26th, 2026, and we're at 530 p.m. I have Councilor Garcia.

Present.

Councilor Capone. Present And Councilor Pietrantonio. Present We have three members present, we do have a quorum

to the flag of the United States and to the Republic. One nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty

All right. We have one piece of business on the agenda, and this is a resolution by Council's Martins, Alcy Jobin, and Marchese. This is a resolution to make a portion of the recovered APA funds be dedicated to small businesses that did not previously get a chance to apply for assistance.

Can we please invite Monica Lamboy up to speak?

Second. Good evening, everybody.

I'm Monica Lamboy, the Chief Development Officer for the City of Everett. Thank you for bringing up this Two would close very rapidly and I had been wanting to sort of share what we've been working on with the council.

But, trying to get the slides up. Magic.

So I will be very quick so just to give you a little bit of background and the timelines that the projects when operating under Projects by Type and the Status, and then focusing in on the Small Business Assistance Program which was What the topic is and next steps. So by way of background, the ARPA program was started in fiscal year 2021 as a COVID relief for the COVID relief funding and the city received 33.3 million approximately in a state grant. Then between 2022 and 2023, an additional 13.9 million in revenue loss was added and those are the funds that have been operating. There was a requirement by the state, by this federal government that all funds had to be obligated by December 31st of 2024. And the city of Everett at that time elected effectively 25

projects to be encumbered by that time nothing can be added no projects can be and this is the reality of where we are today. All payments must be made by December 31st of this year, which means a check has to be cut through our financial system no later than 1159 on December 31st. Overall, this is I tried to categorize the overall projects so administrative funding is for city staff and for the consultant COVID response were dollars directly spent on masks or some other items, some of the remote learning. for schools. For senior meals, that program continued for quite some time until August. We spent over $4 million on senior meals. Job training for students over multiple years just over 2 million.

City facilities and infrastructure, housing assistance. And then what are called subrecipients which are non-profits that received portions of funds for different purposes. And economic recovery assistance. So to look at some of the larger ones, I just wanted to break them down because they're larger categories. So under city facilities, the city invested over $5 million in the Ferry Street Water and Streetscape Project, 880,000 into Woodland Park. The acquisition of Devon School, 9.9 million. and then this is more where I came in because I'm coming in at the end, funding for 548 Broadway, the former Everett High School. The project was originally for the roof of the building But we've been able to do more. So the building has a new roof that was started in summer of 25 and completed We've also completed hazardous materials remediation

Three new HVAC units, heating, venting and AC units are going to be installed before December 31st. And we are accomplishing a very detailed building assessment looking at the electrical, the fire systems everything for the building that would help when we are moving forward with the future use all of that detail assessment is going to be tremendously helpful. then at 888 Broadway which is former Pope John the initial commitment was only $28,000 for a assessment of the building since I've been working on the project we've increased that We're working on the hazardous materials remediation that should be done momentarily. We will have 100% design For a roof for the building, for both components of the building it is in dire need of a new roof.

And for that building we'll also have a very detailed building assessment to get an understanding of what would need to be done prior to occupancy for future use. Under housing assistance, there were a couple iterations of the city's Housing Assistance Program Action for Boston was working between 2022 and 2024 invested about $600,000 to renters. and the City of Everett staff, the planning staff took on in the very end of fiscal 25 and through all through fiscal 26 took on the rental and mortgage assistance program, and I'm really proud of what they've been able to accomplish because they have provided over $1.44 million dollars to renters in need of assistance and to mortgage assistance. and they're still going.

Separate and apart from that, the program allocated funds to an array of housing providers, service providers, Cambridge Health Alliance, Housing Families, La Comunidad, LUMA, and the Malden-Walden Warming Center to the tune of just over $2 million. Other subrecipients. So one of the initiatives was public health initiatives for 4.3 million. These are some of the groups, the Cambridge Health Alliance, Elliott Center Joint Committee for Children's Health, For Kids Only, et cetera. Education and child care for kids only, housing families, and others. And then food assistance, CHA Elliott Center, La Perle and the Food Drive. And the Everett Youth Initiative Council I believe this started at a million dollars but they were not able to successfully identify students that would be eligible for the funding

and the Elliott Center's been managing this, and we think they're gonna hit about $100,000. just a little bit on the sub recipients so there are so many different groups involved in this and they are all having different spending patterns you'll see on the later slide that All of the sub-recipients had to end their programs by September 30th, so now we're in the process of identifying how much did they actually spend or if there's other monies that come back to the program. Now specifically on economic recovery assistance. My findings from talking to the consultants is that the program design started in February of 2024, but they were not able to issue an application until April of 25.

The categories of assistance were COVID related economic loss, reimbursement for COVID expenses, technical assistance and counseling, and business startup and expansion. Significant data was required by the applicants including invoices for reimbursement, multiple years of taxes for economic loss and outreach was through public meetings website social media. All in all, 48 applicants were received. 42 were awarded so only six were not awarded due to incomplete data, not being in a census tract that was eligible not being an eligible type of use. And the administration at the time wanted to maximize benefit to the most people and so they, allocated fixed amount of awards around $17,800 for anybody that could identify at least that much.

And then there were a small number who could not identify $17 800 of loss or expenses So next steps right now, I mentioned the contract period ended September 30th. Our consulting team is reviewing all the financial records if the The nonprofit group did not spend all of their award, then we'll have to pull back the grant dollars, allocate them to another project. If they fail to spend the 50% cash advance that they were given, they're going to need reimburse the city for the amount of unexpended balance. And as mentioned, all spending has to be finalized by December 31st. Now to the specific Question.

I wish that I could say that we could do another round of economic recovery, but in talking to the consultants and looking at the timelines there's just not the capability to do that We're trying to make sure every dollar is used to the benefit of Everett. And so proceeding with the projects that are already in the pipeline, which are already very complicated hoping to get everything done by December 31st. So at this time we cannot expand the economic recovery.

Councilor Capone?

I know you said that you're still trying to figure out how much money is left. Do you have any idea how much money, like you said it's done but is there a possibility that there would be money left that maybe down the road something else could be done or because it ends in December? Unfortunately, it ends in December and that's the end of the grant. So what happens to the money? It disappears if it's not spent?

So right now the building-related projects, I've tried to key up enough building related projects that are more or less under our management and control. to fingers crossed expend the full balance that comes back.

Okay, thank you. Councilor Pietrantonio?

Do you have any other slides? That was real quick and fast. You don't have that in paper form, do you?

I do. I have all the slides in paper, and I also have a list of the economic recipients as well.

Do you want me to call them with you?

Another quick question, Monica. What was the average type of business that applied for the opera assistant? Was it like a restaurant? Was it healthcare? Was it construction? What are the types of businesses that suffered during the pandemic? I'm just curious to know.

So there were five nonprofits that were able to document either expenditure or harm. Arts for Everett, the Joint Committee for Children's Health Care, the MAPS, Mass Alliance of Portuguese Speakers. Centro Comunitario Scalabrini, and the Sieg Segal Society of Boston. Other than that everyone else looks predominantly to be a small business Everett Furniture Discount, Coffee in a Box Corporation, Brazilian Bakery Corp. So these are names that I think if you look at this list you'll see Reyes Market Vera Moreno, Incorporated. So I don't know all of the businesses in Everett but what I'm seeing are predominantly the small ones that were able to complete their applications and to get some funding.

If someone accepted opera money, did you have to claim it on your taxes? What were the parameters of accepting the money?

I would like to research that and get back to you. believe that it's not taxable because it's trying to make you whole from a loss.

But let me look at that and put that in writing for you. Thank you if I may from the chair so essentially we aren't able to dedicate anymore do any new anything that hasn't already applied unfortunately we cannot at this time thank you what final question

It's not a final. I might have a couple questions.

I mean, it says all new projects can't be added post 2024. Correct. So all the projects have been, money's been given out and all that.

So all of the, yes at that time there were individual contracts written for each of those projects in specific dollar amounts.

So why are we here?

There is the ability to move among projects so that if dollars were not spent in category A, you could move them to B and still fulfill the requirements of the law. At this point, we need to know that we're actually going to be able to accomplish the goal.

So if someone gets $10,000 and they don't spend it Do we give them the whole 10 and if they don't spend it, they give it back to us by December of 2026? How do we track that?

That is how our consultant is really valuable in this effort. So for all of the nonprofits that received a contract, They received a 50% award in cash in advance. Sometimes there's startup costs, you may need to hire somebody to implement the program, et cetera. So they have been tracking on a monthly basis all of the spending for each of those individual groups that got subgrants from the City of Everett. And they are going through right now, it ended on September 30th but payroll takes a couple weeks to process, they have to get their invoices so they're now sending in their final reports and all the documentation. So, the consultant's gonna review that in the next couple of weeks and let us know this group spent 100%, This group spent 82%, whatever it might be.

And this is the same consultant that the previous administration had?

It's a nationally known accounting firm, yes.

I mean, it's a shame. It looks like the city got a lot of money.

This was before your time.

I would say we've been able to accomplish a lot of benefit to our infrastructure, to our buildings. To really set them up for the future. I know that two buildings old Everett High School and Former Pope John are important assets that the city has. We've been able to do a lot of improvements and fixing and analysis without tapping into any kind of general fund dollars to do that, and I think the community collectively will benefit.

I mean, I fully agree that these buildings needed it. But I thought the ABBA funds were for COVID-related losses. Am I wrong in saying that?

It's not exclusively for that. And if you think about it, there are people who are doing the construction work. There are architects who are getting projects so it's stimulating the economy Locally and more broadly, by each of these dollars it's now revolving back out to whoever is under contract with us to do the work.

It sounds like that's a good answer, but I still think that doesn't satisfy why the city took so much money. My opinion, I mean, I probably voted for some of this stuff. Probably right? I probably vote it. I don't think I voted for the Devon School. I think I was here then but and how do we Let's get back to the old, I know John, we got a 6 o'clock meeting. I know you got one at 630. I'm going to make it short and sweet. So we allocated $9 million in change for the new roof and then out of the nine million we went to HVAC units, building assessments. Did we vote on that? I don't recall. I recall voting on X amount of dollars for the roof, but I don�t recall voting any additional funding, any additional work to that building from the ABBA funds.

Again, it was here before your time.

I do believe that the ARPA is an administratively managed program out of the executive office. So that might be why you didn't hear all of that. Initially 10 million was allocated for the roof but it was only around 6 million, so that gave an opportunity to still make greater improvements to the building.

And I wish there was a little more small businesses that got more money, but it's more than I thought. Some of this is laughable, to be honest with you. The recipients who got some of this money and the numbers, it's laughable to me why some of these people got all this money which this was all, I'm sure you understand this. The administration they dictated who got this money or was it the consultants that dictated how much?

So the administration worked with the consultants to establish the process and the documentation required, and the outreach. And then when the applications came in the consultant reviewed everyone for eligibility and appropriateness for the funding, and 42 of the 48 were determined to be eligible. And then my understanding was that administration decided to sort of divide the pot evenly across them in order to maximize the number of businesses or nonprofits that benefited. That's why you'll see the same number again and again.

Yeah, I see that 17,800 is like a number that they're all... So if I have a business, my business has two employees. Michelle Capone's business has 20 employees. We're going to get the same amount of money? Evenly. Does that make sense?

That was the decision at the time. Everyone would have had to document at least that amount of expense or COVID recovery impact. So all of them hit that threshold, they got that number. That's why there's a couple that are lower because they were only able to document a lower number but that was the determination made at the time.

So they would have had to show the consultants that they lost X amount of dollars. And that's how they would receive the lucky number of $17,865.97. Is there any money left?

There are still dollars that are to be expended. I think we have everything under contract at this moment.

Everyone said, there's no more money to give out to anybody. The only money you're talking about is that if people don't spend it they have to return it. Is that what you're telling me?

So the biggest single remaining project are the HVAC That contract is going through the signature process and that's going to use up any remaining balance that we have in the program.

And that's for the old high school?

Yes, and so we can get rid of that temporary boiler that's been parked there for a couple years.

And did you say we put a new roof on Pope John?

No, we will have the 100% design plans and specifications ready to go when funding is available to do the roof.

Okay, so we just had an architect or something, a consultant firm go in there and see what we needed to be done and how much work had to be

Also the environmental remediation, the hazmat remediation for them.

Oh they took out the asbestos yeah that's right okay

I was going to say, I just think it's surprising that in a community the size of Everett and all of the businesses here only 48 people applied for the opera money of 48 business entities. That's just amazing that nobody else applied. Was it a really stringent process to apply for this money?

I can only say looking at the forms because i wasn't here during the time there was quite a bit of data so for example if you wanted to show economic harm there were multiple years of tax returns that had to be submitted There were multiple documents that had to be submitted to show you are eligible for the funding.

Thank You One more question. So the money that comes back, will the people that didn't get any money, will you look up their application and see if they're still looking for cash or we won't do that?

The ones that were not eligible, we're not eligible for reasons so they are not eligible now. They weren't eligible at that time.

But what if someone got the application in late? Pardon? If someone got their application in lake, that still wouldn't make them eligible.

No one was denied for time, so they actually in the... I just got a write-up that they gave extra time for people who were missing documents or whatever to be able to submit.

Not to cut you off, we heard that story multiple times for the previous administration. So where is the money? If we get money back, where does that money go? Back to the government?

If we don't spend every dollar, which we're trying to do, it would go back to the federal government. Yes.

So if Michelle Capone's business sends us money back are we going to put new windows in at the high school?

I'm doing everything I can to spend all the money to benefit the local community.

So, to me that sounds like it's possible.

I have multiple contingency plans. You need legal help? Have wonderful legal help.

All right, thank you.

If there are no further questions, I would entertain a motion to excuse our guests.

Thank you.

All right, so our recommendation here would be to motion to refer back to sponsor.

Yeah, because we're not voting on this.

We're not passing this.

Just more information. I'll make a motion to refer it back to Sponsor.

Announce second.

and with that I would entertain a motion to adjourn. Oh wait, we get the vote on it. All in favor? Aye. Opposed? You guys have it now. Motion to adjourned. I'll make a motion

All right, this is the City Council Committee of Ways and Means. This is Monday October 26th 2026 we're at 6 p.m Petrettonio, Rogers, Nguyen. We have three members present. We do have a quorum. We don't need to salute the flag because we already did it. We had one piece of business on the agenda This is the order of my counsel Stephanie Smith. We have to salute her the flag. This is an order of my counsel Stephanie Smith as president. Not a requested authorization to borrow $2,057,100 from the Massachusetts Water Resource Authority through its local water system assistance program for the 2026 Water Main Replacement Project.

Ladies, it's your pleasure.

Motion to invite Omar.

Second I have a second Good evening

Rogers. Thank you, Mr. Chair. So if you want to just give us some context I think before There's any questions still on the floor?

Sure. This is a request that we're putting forward to borrow a little over $2 million through the MWRA Local Water System Assistance Program. This is a 0% interest borrowing, at a borrowing that would have to payback within 10 years and the money is going towards a bunch of water repairs that my colleague Mr. Lariviere would be more than happy to describe in detail

Yes.

Good evening, yes we have a few streets that we need to do and You were asked if I can give you a breakdown of how do we come to that amount. And I gave this document... It's a construction estimate, and we get to that estimate by looking at the quantities that are in the project. like the Lentia pipe, the fittings, the hydrants, the valves. And that's determined from the design and using unit price estimates based on recent bid results reflect around the community surrounding areas. And

The only thing that's missing, this says 1.9 but it's not including the details because we could play the police details out of this funding too which come up to be around 62 62,300 which brings up to $2,057,100.

And I imagine that this involves digging up the streets in order to replace a lot of the pipes underground. Do we have a plan that we've coordinated to ensure Our street paving is in coordination with this because I know a few years ago when Everett we experienced Elm Street, Ferry Street being dug up multiple times in order to access the pipes after They were newly paved, so I'm just wondering if we're being considerate about the timeline of those projects and how they overlap.

Well in the project is permanent paving. So you will see a trench with laterals that that service the homes and businesses or whatever. But there's a permanent patch sometime down the road if the city wants to do curb-to-curb, they can do that but putting in the new water main we kind of I have areas where I'm in those streets especially around the Maplewood area that consistently have breaks. Maplewood would be one of them that we're trying to get off my books.

That's all for me, thank you.

If I may from the chair, how many actual streets we would be doing with this 1.9?

Well, we were doing Maplewood, Chute Street, we're doing a portion of Chute Maplewood, Evelyn Road. We took off of Evelyn road because I did some research and that portion goes on the Revere Beach Parkway going from Evelyn Road to Dickens County Road. That was already done, so I took that out So that will leave, that funding I would put into another street where I have a problem. I would just ask Tatum and Howard who is our consultant to... Just put a design in and put that street under these prices.

So we're doing one and a half streets?

You're doing portion of...

Portion of Chute. We know Maplewood because the last year, we were doing that.

You're going Maplewood. Since we're going up Chute Street, we're passing Russell Place. I want to talk about our new water main up there because it's a two-inch cast iron. that fills a lot. So while we're there, that will be in addition I have a problem over by Duncan Road. The nursing home has a problem and any leftover funding, I'd like to throw that up there.

The nursing home comes off Duncan Road, not Elm Street?

Both. But the fire suppression that's on the Duncan Road side isn't getting adequate pressure flow. So there's a pod 10 inch main and the rest of six, which is probably heavily tuberculated.

Okay, so are we coordinating these with the gas company too? So if the gas has to do any work, are we trying to pull them in too? Hey listen, we're banging the street up. You might as well jump in and bang it up with us before we do it over.

I don't know that. That's something for engineering. I'm just making sure the water gets done. Engineering, I will talk to them and see if gas has already been done. I don�t know. Chute Street I know the gas has been done. Maplewood, I know that the gas had been done

Omar, can we make sure that the gas company, if they're going to want to replace the gas line, they can work the same streets we're working? Is that possible? Can we find out that? Absolutely. I'll coordinate with DPW, the DPW director. It makes sense. We're going to go right down the middle of the street. Now this has nothing to do with delayed services either. That's a whole different program.

Now when you do a new water main, the services, if they're led, they go all the way in.

Correct. But what I'm saying, with us doing the water main, if we come to... If it's a copper service, we're not touching it. Correct?

You're replacing the whole thing. When you do a new water main project, even if there's crop or it could be three-quarter, everything is one inch. Everything gets brand new with a brand new shut off in the sidewalk. And if it's lit in the property, that gets done under this contract.

Okay, so let me just step back. So we get the lead service program out. The lead service right now, we're going from the main right into the house.

Are we going from the curb stop? We're doing both. Some locations just have to go from the sidewalk in.

Yeah, but I just don't want to repeat the work.

We're not going to repeat no work.

Okay we're not gonna repeat the word now you know if if the contract goes in and does the service and then we come in and we change the main we're We're going to just take it off the call. Services in there were good because it's got to be a one-inch, correct? Yeah. Okay. We're putting one-inch services in. Yep. So you said we're doing hydrants, all new hydrants. All new valves, gate valves, the whole nine yards. We changing the whole thing? And this money that we're getting from MWRA, interest-free 10 years? What's that going to cost us? What's the payment? Monthly, yearly? Yearly, about $200,000. A little over $200K. How much?

A little more than that. Little over $200,000.

So about $205,000? Okay my concern is now with the 200 we got other stuff coming down the pike are we going to be able to afford that too? We know we've got some big projects coming up.

Are we going to be okay with this? We're utilizing our retained earnings in order to do that so we can focus on our water and sewer system. Yes. Because the $200,000 doesn't come out of the...

The Water Fund, does it? That's our intent. So the Water Fund could fund this $200 grand? Correct. Okay, so it's not going to come out of the general fund in my city budget? Am I saying that right?

That's not our intent. No, our intent is to use the water and sewer retained earnings. The Enterprise Fund.

All right, I got no further questions

Thank you. I just wanted to clarify what the timeline for phase one is, if it's intended to be finished by the end of the year?

We would be hoping to do this in the spring.

No further questions?

Motion for a favorable recommendation to the full body. Excuse the guests first. Motion to excuse our guests with a customary thanks.

Thank you.

And then motion for favorable recommendation to the full body? Second.

I hear a second. Second. All in favor?

Aye.

Aye.

Is anyone opposed? Here, no one opposed. Meeting to adjourn. Second.

All in favor? Aye. Thank you.

All right, the City Council's Committee on Legislative Affairs and Elections. Monday, October 26th, 2026. We're at 6.30 p.m. I have Councilor Marchese. Present. I have Councillor Martins. Present Councilor DiPierro. Present And Councilor Rogers. Here We have one member present, we do not have to stand. We already saluted the flag. So we have one piece of business. And this is the order of my counsel, Stephanie Smith as president. Not a request for the approval of the appointment of the following individuals as members of Everett Redevelopment Authority Kristen Barrows, two years. Rebecca Edmondson-Carrone, three years. Barry Erickson, four years. John Lopes, one year.

Do we have any questions? We have the resumes. DiPierro.

Thank you Mr. Chairman, this was sort of a formality as we hadn't received the resumes at our last meeting I've had a chance to review them I do think that these individuals coming from different backgrounds will come together to make a pretty nice board that will work together and really look at what needs to be done towards the redevelopment of certain areas in this community moving forward. And I am ready to vote favorably. Thank you.

Anthony. Rogers.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Just to echo Councilor DiPierro, I fully support these appointments and I have had the pleasure of actually knowing and working with some of these folks and individuals in different capacities. So it's actually extremely refreshing to be able to vouch for each of these individuals for this role, and I really look forward to what they will accomplish on the board. Thank you.

Anyone? Councilman, anybody?

I second the motion.

Was a motion made? Motion made and seconded for favorable action. All in favor? Aye. Opposed? What's that? You guys have it, obviously.

Motion to adjourn.

Motion made and seconded to adjourned. All in favor? Aye. Opposed?

Good evening. Today is Monday, October 26th at 7 p.m. Will the clerk please call the roll?

Councilor Capone.

Present.

Councilor DiPierro. Present Councilor Garcia.

Present

Martins, present, Councilor Nguyen, present. Councilor Pietrantonio, present Councilor Rogers, here. Council President Smith, present and councilor Alcee Jabouin 11 members present.

We do have a quorum, please stand and salute the flag. Will the clerk please read item number one?

Item number one is a petition offered by Councilor Stephanie Smith as president. A petition from National Grid requesting permission to provide permanent overhead to underground service at 11 Langdon Street, Everett, Mass. Petitioner is in the audience.

I would motion to invite the petitioner. Second.

Motion made and seconded to invite The petitioner before us all is in favor? Opposed, the ayes have it. Good evening. If you could just state your name for the record.

Good evening Madam President, Councilmembers. Jose Luis is already at 170 Medford Street in Malden so we're requesting to install conduit from an existing pole on Jacobs Place to the private property The parcels at 11 Langdon Street so we can provide a new service for EV chargers. This is a customer driven project and is part of the multi-unit dwelling EV charging program. Thank you

Is there any questions? Councilor Hanlon.

The project you're doing comes from the street, what is it like 12 feet off the sidewalk?

Yeah, so where the poll is. I think it's kind of the very last poll at the end.

Okay, no, I'm not too concerned about that because you guys do pretty good. But what I'm concerned about from the point where it goes into the person's property That's a long stretch. It is. No, 37 feet? I wouldn't say 37. I would say it's only 15 feet. How old? No, yours. But from where they start, from your connection to their house is how far?

So from on the public, from the poll to their private property is 15 feet. And then from the private property to the EV chargers, I don't know where exactly they want to put them but they're going to keep them inside that parking lot

Yeah, well, they're going to do their own electricity. Who checks that? Is it the city of Everett that checks it? So we're only petitioning for the portion of public... They're gonna hook up to your electricity and run it to their house. That's a long, long... It's longer than its room. You know, and so that's what I'm worried about. Who checks out? That's underground too. So who checks that?

The wire inspector.

He has to sign off on that.

Who checked it? The The electrical, my inspector. So we verify the location.

I find no fault with yours, but I'm kind of concerned that the electric company is not following up on that to make sure it gets to the person's house correctly

Yeah, so actually this is for EV chargers. So we're not making a connection to the building They're just gonna put a meter in the parking lot and it's only going to serve the EV charters for that parking lot

Who in the city of Everett would have a responsibility for that too? Part of the effort, part of Everet.

So the electrical contractor is hired to do this work and they have to follow NEC code and be compliant with all regulations. And once their work is completed, They have to call in a municipal inspection to the city, and the inspector has to sign off on that service before we energize.

I'll check that, but I might talk about it. Maybe not, but okay. Thank you. You're welcome.

Pietrantonio.

Is this a residential or commercial property? It's a pretty big building. I think the building is owned by United Properties, so there are people living in there. And they're putting EV charges for cars? Correct. How many of you? I think they have four charging stations.

Okay. One question, and I'll talk to you later about something else. Thank you. No further questions.

Any further questions? Motion to excuse with a customary thanks. Second. Motion made and seconded to excuse the petitioner with a customer thanks. All those in favor? Aye. Opposed? The ayes have it. Madam President, I motion to open the public hearing. Second. Motion made and seconded to open a public hearing, all those in favor? Aye. Opposed, you guys have it. I'm gonna ask three times is anyone in favor of this petition? Is anyone in favor of this petition? The portion of the hearing is now closed. I'm going to ask three times, is anyone opposed Is anyone opposed to this petition? That portion of the hearing is now closed.

Motion for a favorable action? We need to close the public hearing.

Motion to close, public hearing? Second. Motion made and seconded to close a public hearing all is in favor? Aye. Opposed? The ayes have it motion for favorable action roll call vote.

Councilor Alston-Jabouin Capone, DiPierro, Garcia, Hanlon, Marchese, Martins, Nguyen, Rogers, and President Smith. Nine yeas, one nay Madam President.

Nine yays, one nays, the petition has passed. Motion to open public participation? Second. No one has signed in on the sign-in sheet. Is there anyone that wants to talk in public participation?

Okay. Motion to close public participation. Second.

Motion made and seconded to close Public Participation. All those in favor? Aye. Opposed, the ayes have it.

Madam President I motion to take item 11 out of order. Second!

Motion made in seconding to take Item Number 11 out-of-order. All is in favor. Close the eyes have it. Will the clerk please read item number 11 Item number 11

is an order offered by Councillor Stephanie Smith as president, in order requesting approval of the appointment of the following individuals as members of the Everett Redevelopment Authority. Christian Barrows two years, Rebecca Edmondson-Curum three years, Barry Erickson four years and Jaro Lopes one year. This was in committee this evening and I believe it had a favorable recommendation.

Move to accept the committee report and for favorable action.

Second.

I just want to let the public know that these individuals were up at the committee hearing right before this. These are in committee, yep.

Yep, all right. Roll call for Councilor DiPierro? Yes. Councilor Garcia?

Yes!

Councilor Hanlon? Yes Councilor Marchese? Yes Martins, Ween, Pietrantonio, Rogers, Smith. That being nine yeas zero nays.

Congratulations to the new members of the Everett Redevelopment Authority. Clerk, please read item number two.

Item number two is an order offered by Councilor Stephanie Smith as president. An order requesting approval of the appointment of Wendy Post as a member of the Board of Library Trustees for a term of three years.

Madam President, I motion to suspend Rule 20.

Motion made in seconded to suspend Rule 20. All in favor?

Aye.

Opposed? The ayes have it. We did receive this resume, so I would motion for favorable action. Second. Motion made and seconded for favorable actions. I'd just like to note that Ms. Post is in the audience today.

DiPierro. Garcia, Hanlon, Marchese, Martins, Nguyen, Pietrantonio, Rogers, Smith and Alcindor Boyd. The 10 yays, zero nays, Madam President.

10 yas, zero nas. Congratulations, Ms. Post.

Smith. Item number three is an order offered by councilor that the city hereby accept and authorizes the expenditure of a municipal vulnerability grant for $345,752 from the Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs DePaving, underutilized sites and street segments in environmental justice communities and converting them into biodiverse green spaces composed of native plants to support at-risk pollinators and improve climate resiliency using nature-based solutions.

Favorable action. Motion made and seconded for favorable action, roll call vote. This is a grant.

On the motion, can we be provided with a copy of where this will be taking place? Where it'll be expended and where these pollinators will be installed so we get the information

That would be part of the request that we send to the administration to provide us where we're going to get this biodiverse green spaces composed of native plants.

You're welcome

Alcy Jabouin.

Yes.

Councilor DiPierro? Yes. Hanlon, Marchese, Martins, Nguyen, Rogers, Smith and Capone. Ten yays, zero nays Madam President.

We have accepted the grant.

Item number four Yeah. Councilor, item number four is an order offered by Councillor Stephanie Smith as president in order that the city hereby accepts and authorizes the expenditure of a Seaport Economic Council grant and the amount of $250 from the Executive Office of Economic Development for the initial phase of research and study of unmapped and or private stormwater outfalls along the Mystic River waterfront and preliminary design intent. intended to establish a modern and compliant stormwater collection and discharge system for the area below Beecham Street, which is crucial to redevelopment in this area.

Favorable action. Second. Motion made and seconded for favorable action on the grant. Clerk, please call the roll.

Councilor Alcide-Jabouin. Capone, Clerk, DiPierro, Garcia, Marchese, Martins, Matewsky, Nguyen, Rogers, Smith, Van Campen, Item number five is an order offered by Councilor Stephanie Smith as president. An order that the city hereby accepts and authorizes the expenditure of a MassWorks grant in the amount of $1 million from the Executive Office of Economic Development for the Lower Broadway Phase II Robin Street Preconstruction including design, permitting and engineering.

Favorable action. Second. Motion made and seconded for favorable action for acceptance of this grant. Will the clerk please call the roll?

Councilor Jabouin. Capone, DePierro, Garcia, Hanlon, Marchese, Martins, Nguyen, Rogers, Smith. Ten yays, zero nays Madam President. Stephanie Smith is President. In order that the city hereby accepts and authorizes the expenditure of a mass works grant in the amount of $450,000 from the Executive Office of Economic Development for the purpose through four pre-construction including design, permitting and engineering.

Favorable action. Seconded. Motion made and seconded for favorable action. Clerk please call the roll.

Councilor Alistair Jabouin. Capone, Clerk, DiPierro, Garcia, Marchese, Martins, Matewsky, Nguyen, Pietrantonio, Rogers, Smith Leveniers, Zerones.

Levenier, Zeronese, the grant has been accepted.

Item number seven is an order offered by Councilor Stephanie Smith as president in order that the city hereby accepts and authorizes the expenditure of the FY27 community block grant in the amount of $755,000. For the purpose of covering police overtime, land and marine-based overtime seasonal staffing for Marine Fireboat and Silver Line right-of-way procurement.

Favorable action. Second. Rogers, and President Smith. Yes.

Eleven years, zero needs, Madam President.

Eleven year, zero need. The grant has been accepted. Clerk please read item number eight.

Item number eight, there's an order offered by Councilor Stephanie Smith as president. An order that the Everett City Council hereby grants approval to appropriate $50,000 from the Capital Stabilization Fund to the Office of the City Solicitor for the purpose of funding litigation and professional Services, Count.

Motion to refer this to Committee on Ways and Means. Second.

Motion made and seconded to refer to the Committee on ways and means. All those in favor? Aye. Opposed? The ayes have it

Item number nine is a, excuse me. Item number is an order of my counsel Stephanie Smith as president in order that the City of Everett hereby approves to transfer $14,000 from the Office of Purchasing and Procurement's personal expenses to operating expenses in order to fund essential operational needs related to equipment furniture contracts and ongoing contract management.

Motion to refer this to the Committee on Ways and Means.

Second. Motion made and seconded to refer to the committee on ways and means, all those in favor? Aye. Opposed, the ayes have it.

Item number 10 is an order offered by Councillor Stephanie Smith as president. We are, excuse me, on the committee reports. 10 is in order requesting authorization to borrow $2,057,100 from the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority, MWRA. through its local water system assistance program for the 2026 Water Main Replacement Project. I know this was in committee, and I do not know what the committee reported out.

I believe the committee recorded favorable action on this item Is that correct, Councilor Pietrantonio? Ways and Means. Ways & Means, I think.

Waterman. Any Madam President on this item, I just want to thank them for providing the breakdown. We're establishing a new culture where we now get the breakdown of The amount that's being requested so we know what they're spending it on and I want to thank them for taking the time to provide that information. Councilor Pietrantonio?

And just so the public knows, this is an interest-free loan and will be paid out of the Water Enterprise Fund.

Great. Do you have action?

Councilor, I'll see Jabouin. I just... I mean, I've asked that question before. I think they're looking for an answer from me. I wanted to know what the city is doing on trying to get overdue water bills to help just with stuff like that so we don't have to borrow so much money. Thank you.

I think we can work with the legislative aid to get a response to your question.

Motion to accept the committee report in favorable action?

Second. On the motion, Councilor Pietrantonio?

on the overdue water bills from which I understand how it works. It goes on their mortgage. They put a lien on their marriage when the tax bill comes out, The mortgage company bills the homeowner so their monthly payment goes up And if they don't have a mortgage, the city will put a lien on it and take the house. And I think it's all public record. We can find out who owes what and how much is owed. We could find that out.

That still doesn't guarantee us getting a check in the mail.

We will follow up on that. But favorable action, clerk please call the roll.

Councilor Alcy Jabouin? No. Capone, No. Councilor DiPierro? Yes. Council Garcia? Yes Councilor Hanlon? Yes Councillor Marchese? No Councilor Martins? Yes, Councilor Nguyen? yes Councilor Pietrantonio? Yes council Rogers?

Yes Yes.

Eight yeas, three nays. You have approved the bonding.

We have passed the interest-free loan. Clerk please read item number 12.

Item 11 Item 12. Thank you. As on the unfinished business, it's offered by Councilor Stephanie Smith as president in order to establish a tax title payment agreement in the City of Everett.

I know we have the city solicitor for us to answer some questions. She wants to come before us. Motion to invite our city soliciter, Ms. Monson?

Second.

Motion made and seconded to invite the city's solicitor. All those in favor? Aye. Opposed? The ayes have it.

Good evening. I believe Councilor Marchese do you have questions?

I'll be in response tonight. Quick question. We have a couple of questions that we asked or they didn't come before us today. The first would be, what's the total amount that would prevent the city from entering into an agreement for a tax title payment?

Thank you for having me here. So the amount that, do you mean like a dollar threshold that would allow somebody... Is a dollar a percentage or what would it be? It's not really, and I spoke to Monica Ford about this a few weeks ago, it's not real who's our treasurer. It's Not really of financial threshold so to speak but she did sounds like we do in accounting at least once a year of any properties that owe on their taxes and then we start the tax title process. So as part of that process, if this ordinance were to pass it would be potentially engaging taxpayers to see if they wanted to enter into a

Tax Title Payment. And also, someone misses a current tax payment after signing a tax title payment what would happen?

So there would usually, because it's going to be a legal agreement, there will be a stipulation in there about... And that language has not been developed yet because this hasn't passed. But essentially the purpose of the agreement it would require compliance. So if somebody did miss a payment, there possibly could be a grace period where we can receive that payment a little bit late but if let's say somebody made it halfway through their tax title agreement and stopped Paying under the terms of that legally, that would be a breach of contract. So we would be able to most likely put it into foreclosure.

It's funny because the unpaid taxes could be a lot. It could be little depending on who has them, so you try to figure out if there is a timetable on it because obviously you can't put an amount to it because everybody could own A different amount, but if they missed two or three tax payments I imagine that would trigger something.

Yeah, and so once we would enter, ideally the way it would work is we would into an agreement with somebody. They would have to put 10% down on what they owe which is the statutory minimum to be able to enter into these agreements they can be up to 10 years we've proposed five so essentially you know let's say years one two and three they pay and they stop paying that amount in years four and five that would be a breach of contract so then The agreement would most likely be null and void, and we'd be able to proceed as we normally did through the tax title process.

Your first payment would be 10% of the existing debt.

So, the second that you sign the agreement, you have to put the 10% down and then the next payment would like a fixed payment spread out over the course of however many years the agreement is? Over ten years. But the state statute requires that anyone who enters into these agreements has to put a minimum of 10% down.

Thank you.

Any further questions? Councilor Capone. Do you know how much is still outstanding in taxes in the city at this time?

So when I spoke to the treasurer a few weeks ago, she said it's somewhere between two and three million dollars. Thank you.

If I could... Sure, Council Member Casey, you can speak again. This doesn't make sense, Pete. At least we have a chance here. What percentage of that is residential and what else would be commercial on that $2 to $3 million?

So I don't have that answer for you, but I will find out.

Okay, thank you.

Martins. Thank you. Is there a time, and I think Councilor Marchese asked, but is there a number of years that they have? Because you have it now where they can make minimum payments, but can Without a final deadline while the other taxes are also piling up, how are we controlling that?

So do you mean if someone who is under an agreement or somebody who is not under an

So will the agreement, will everybody have a different number of years to break it down?

essentially, if someone wanted to pay everything in like year one or two they could. We're proposing five years as the maximum amount of time so that way we still can get a return in some sort of short period. The state law does allow allow Everett as a municipality to have that spread out over 10 years. That is a long period of time, legally there's nothing wrong with it we had just from a business perspective, the administration wanted to go with the five years.

What happens if they become delinquent on a new tax balance while going through this agreement? Will they have multiple tax agreements or...

So I think that's a great question, and it could be on a case-by-case basis. Let's say they haven't paid for the past year they enter into a payment agreement and then they don't pay on the next year. It is possible, but what I can see...I can see a situation where we might want to amend that existing agreement so it's just all one agreement. That probably would be the least confusing

Pasantonio.

Just so I understand, so a tax title payment for me to understand in the public if someone falls behind on their taxes you set up a payment plan?

Passing this ordinance would allow us to do that, yes. We cannot do that right now without accepting the state law and creating a statute of our own because we do have to develop a process for it which needs to be in the statute but essentially the easiest way to think about it is you know if you have to make a minimum payment on your credit card every month for example that's sort of the very similar structure that we would be setting up so that people could be able to keep their homes out of the actual tax title foreclosure process and so kills two birds with one stone, so to speak. They can keep their or go through the process of doing that. And we can also collect the revenue that we normally would not have gotten from the taxes so and it doesn't mean that somebody can't make a partial payment now, that is possible but The payment agreement, in my opinion from a legal perspective, provides surety on both sides that I think is helpful.

Do you have to have a hardship to set up this? You have to ever had ship case like I lost my job or a month I got laid off no And so... When the assessor does the assessment and tally is okay, every house has given X amount of dollars the city's going to pull in. Now we have people that don't pay their taxes. How do we make up that difference?

Can you ask me that in another way? I'm not sure I understand.

The assessor assesses everyone's property, they come up with a number. Five million dollars. Say there's a million dollars not paid, how do we make up that million dollars on the five million dollars? Because we're accounting that as in our bank account, we'll say.

Right. So I would need to confirm that with our assessor because I'm not a numbers gal myself, but I can get back to you on that. But I think your question really is are other taxpayers making up for the lost How was it made up?

How does the city make that up? Because we're counting that to pay our bills, right? Yep. I will get the answer to that question for you.

Okay.

and anyone. And if you sell your house, you have to make sure your water bill, your taxes that's all paid up before the city will let you sell you property correct?

So for the purposes of this agreement, you do have to be in good standing in order to enter into a tax title agreement. So if you're not up-to-date on your water bills and such that would prevent somebody from entering into an agreement so It is kind of a multifaceted approach where people, you know, they can't be outstanding on everything in order to get into a tax title agreement. They do need to be up to speed on their other bills as well.

So they have to be up on your water bill to get this tax title payment? So now if I'm not... If I'm on my taxes, do I have to pay it up on my water bill? So you can go on your water bill but not pay taxes, but you could pay tax and not go on

Yes, a lot of this is statutory so the state's already created this process for us to work in. I think the best way to look at it is that while People owing revenue might seem like the same thing. The taxes in particular are very important, and basically this is just giving us the ability to help people spread what they owe over a certain period of time. You know somebody can owe on their their water bill, but then they obviously can come and make a partial payment on their taxes. This is just kind of giving somebody a different benefit so that we're allowing them to pay over a longer period than they otherwise could right now because right now we don't have a mechanism for entering into these kind of agreements.

Talk about water bills, do we have a mechanism for water bills to be paid up?

I will get the answer to that question for you too.

Did you ask that question? Sorry about that, Councilor. Thank you.

Motion to excuse with a customary thanks. Second. Motion made and seconded to excuse the customary things. All those in favor?

Aye.

Opposed? The ayes have it. Thank You Miss Munson

Motion for favorable action. Second. Motion made and seconded for favorable actions. Clerk, please call the roll.

Councillor Allison-Jabouin?

Yes.

Councilor Capone?

Yes

DePierro, Council Garcia, Council Hanlon, Council Marchese, Council Martins. Wien, Councilor Pietrantonio, Council Rogers, and Council President Smith. 11 yeas, 0 nays, you have been enrolled.

11 yas, zero nays that ordinance has been enrolled clerk please read item number 13

Item number 13 is an ordinance offering Councilor Stephanie Smith as president. An ordinance proposing to remove the Youth Commission from Chapter 2 of the revised ordinances by rescinding Article 3, Division 11 of said chapter. Favorable action?

Second.

This was postponed.

It's never been to committee. This didn't go to committee because all it is taking the ordinance out, putting it in administrative code so there's no ordinance to revise it's just taking it out.

This portion, because the initial proposal was changed in the makeup of the commission.

Yes, this one is on our desk and it says that The section 2-31A5 is hereby repealed and deleted. Any affected subsequent subsections are resequenced appropriately, and it just says like deleted. So it's just taking the ordinance out, and We can take it to committee if you want, but it's literally just deleting the ordinance.

I thought I saw the initial communication from the mayor and there was a whole language about how the membership will be decided differently now. But what we're voting on today is just what's in front of us.

Not in this one. This is just a rescindion.

And then similar to the other boards and commissions, they'll be handled in the administrative code. This one was... for some reason done differently, that there was an ordinance about it.

Thank you.

Motion made and seconded for favorable action. Clerk please call the roll. Alistair Jabouin.

Yes.

Councilor Capone?

Yes.

Councillor DiPierro? Yes Councilor Garcia, Councillor Hanlon Marchese, Councilor Martins, Wien, Pietrantonio, Rogers, Smith, Teniers-Zerones, you have enrolled the

Removal. We're now moving to new business.

Number 14 on the new business, Madam President, is a resolution by Councilor Michael Marchese. A resolution requesting location markers along the northern strand to support public safety in the City of Everett.

Councilor Marchese

Bob, I guess at the last meeting someone had mentioned that someone fell off a bike or something happened over an emergency and there was nothing really of market to say where to come. Market one, market two, market three. I think maybe it's good to have an identifying marker there. So the case of emergency, you see a near mark of 14 or near... Drug Place, whatever. But I think it should have a mark. Some stakes numbers or whatever just to provide safety. I second the referral to Public Works.

Motion made and seconded to refer to public works. I don't know if you want to refer it to transportation as well, because I think Mr. Monti maintains the trail. All those in favor? Aye.

Opposed? The ayes have it. Clerk, please read item number 15.

Item number 15, Madam President, is a resolution offered by Councilor Peter Pietrantonio. A resolution requesting that the City's Human Resources Director appear at the next regular meeting of the City Council to answer questions about sick banks available to the City of Everett employees.

Do we have any correspondence from the Director?

We have not received any correspondence after I believe you spoke with her a few weeks ago.

Can we send another invitation out? To appear from our next meeting?

Absolutely.

And to answer my questions that I emailed to her?

Absolutely, we will work with the legislative aid and have her send out another invite to our human resources director. to answer the list of questions. Thank you, Mr. President Should be seconded to refer to the legislative aid, to invite the human resources director to appear at the next meeting with the answer to Councilor Pietrantonio's questions. All those in favor?

Aye.

Opposed? The ayes have it.

Item number 16, Madam President, is a resolution offered by Councilor Holly Garcia. A resolution requesting that the... Mayor Robert Van Campen, Chairman of the Board of Commissioners David Ela and newly appointed Everett Housing Authority Director James Holt appear at the next regular meeting of the City Council to provide an update on the Everett housing authority.

Garcia. Thank you, Madam President. I was asked to add some co-sponsors but I'll open this up with the entire council like to be added as a cosponsor?

Motion made and seconded to amend to add the entire city council. All those in favor? Aye. Opposed, the ayes have it.

And yes this is pretty straightforward here we have some new faces and it'd just be nice to have them up to speak about their plans now that they're rolling so I would motion to postpone this to our next regular meeting.

Motion made and seconded to postponing to our next regular meeting and invite the commissioners and director. All those in favor? Opposed, the ayes have it. Clerk please read item number 17.

This evening is 17, Madam President. It is an order offered by Councilors Stephanie Martins, Michael Marchese and Councilor Gerlien, Alcy Jabouin in petition for a special law enacted relative to the linkage fee revolving fund in the City of Everett.

Martins. Thank you, Madam President so the purpose of this whole petition is to amend our existing linkage fee rules I have the original and many more. This is closing a loophole where the funds go into this account, collected by Supervision of the mayor and we're amending it to say with approval of the council because historically the funds come in they go out And we don't even know how they're being spent not only that but the ordinance under section 18 says that annually all On or before July 1st, the Mayor shall file a report with the City Council regarding the administration of the fund and the report should include the current balance, any money deposited in the expenditures. We've never received it. I have requested to receive this information on October 5th from the new administration.

Tonight, I'm hoping to send the homework petition. And I believe that Madam President had a question as to how it gets to the legislature so we can ask Ms. Munson, but I would like to ask for your support so we can change this rule so going forward linkage fee funds will be only expended with also the approval of the council so we know everything that's coming out So I move for favorable action unless anyone has any further questions. Sorry, one second. I would like to also amend to add Councilor Nguyen or if anyone else would like So fable action as amended to add the entire council.

All right, first we'll vote on the amendment all those in favor of adding the entire City Council Opposed? It has been amended. Favorable action as amended.

Roll call vote.

Yes.

Yes, Councilor Capone?

Yes.

Councilor DiPierro? Yes Councilor Gessie? Yes

Yes. Yes.

11 yeas, 0 nays Madam President.

11 Yeas, Zero Nays the item has been favorable actions of the administration. Ms. Bunsen, if you can just let us know when it gets to the state level would be appreciated and I believe before we adjourn

And I'd like to thank the city solicitor for her support working through this ordinance. Thank you.

Thank You very much and before we adjourn, the City Clerk has some items for us

Just briefly, early voting is still going on so I want to let the residents know early voting Is gonna continue for the next three days Tuesday and Wednesday here at City Hall in the Caverin room from 8 a.m To 5 p.m. On Thursday from 8 am to 7 30 pm and our election for state of Massachusetts and for our state and federal delegation will be next Tuesday from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m at your polling location if you don't know where you vote please call either the elections office or you can look at the state of State, Mass State website or the City of Everett website and you'll be able to find your location on where you vote, where your polling location is. So thank you very much.

I'd also like to wish the residents a happy and safe Halloween. The annual party is at the Recreation Center on Friday, I mean on Saturday it's 3 2 30 to 5 I believe it is, and in Office 5530. So hope to see you all at the Recreation Center on Saturday.

Motion to adjourn?

Second. Motion made and seconded to adjourned. All in favor? Opposed? You guys have it. Make sure you stop it.