Everett City Council Committee of Legislative Affairs and Elections Meeting Minutes
Meeting Date: Monday, September 22nd, 2025 Governing Body: Everett City Council Committee of Legislative Affairs and Elections Meeting Type: Committee Meeting Attendees: Council Van Campen, Council Marchese, Council Rogers, Council Martins (4 members present, constituting a quorum). Council Smith was noted to be arriving late.
Executive Summary: The Committee of Legislative Affairs and Elections met to discuss several key items. A significant discussion revolved around an order recommending the acceptance of Mass. General Law 59, Section 5-0, Good Landlord Law Tax Exemption, which aims to provide tax incentives to landlords renting below market rates. The committee also addressed the confirmation of three appointments to the Council and Agent positions and considered an amendment to City Council Rule 7.1-C regarding agenda item submission deadlines. Finally, an amendment to City Council Rule 20 was discussed, proposing that not all civil service appointment orders be automatically referred to committee. All items received a favorable recommendation for referral to the full City Council.
1. Order Recommending the Acceptance of Mass. General Law 59, Section 5-0, Good Landlord Law Tax Exemption
- Sponsors: Councilor Martins, Smith, Garcia, Van Campen, and Marchese.
- Discussion:
- Council President Martins explained that this is a two-step process. Step one, currently before the committee, is to opt-in to accept the statute, allowing the city to provide this tax incentive. Step two will involve defining affordability guidelines, landlord requirements, and documentation, in collaboration with planning and the assessor's office.
- Councilor Marchese expressed strong support, noting potential personal impact as a below-market landlord but emphasizing the importance of addressing the affordable housing crisis. He also highlighted the need to establish standards that ensure fair compensation for landlords while maintaining affordability.
- Council President Martins noted that Boston City Council unanimously passed the opt-in in February and is currently working on the details, providing a precedent for Everett's approach. She also welcomed public feedback on additional requirements, such as property maintenance standards.
- Councilor Rogers inquired about incentives for landlords renting to veterans. Council President Martins clarified that the city would define rental amounts and affordability percentages, and could potentially include veterans as part of those guidelines.
- Action: Motion made and seconded to refer the order with a favorable recommendation to the City Council.
- Vote: All in favor. (Outcome: Passed unanimously)
- Referral: To the City Council for the October 14th agenda.
2. Order to Not Approve the Appointment of Betty Martinelli to the Council and Agent for a Term of Two Years, Expiring September 1st, 2027
3. Order to Confirm the Appointment of Noreen Feeney to the Council and Agent for a Term of Two Years, Expiring September 1st, 2027
4. Order to Confirm the Appointment of Patricia Albano to the Council and Agent for a Term of Two Years, Expiring September 1st, 2027
- Discussion:
- A motion was made and seconded to take items 2, 3, and 4 collectively.
- No further discussion was held on the individual appointments.
- Action: Motion made and seconded for favorable action on these three appointments.
- Vote: All in favor. (Outcome: Passed unanimously)
- Referral: To the City Council for the evening's meeting.
5. Order Recommending the Consideration of Amendment to City Council Rule 7.1-C: Agenda Item Submission Deadline
- Sponsor: Council President Martins.
- Discussion:
- Council President Martins stated this item was added at the request of Council staff to adjust the agenda submission deadline, allowing more time for agenda preparation.
- Mr. Flood, representing Council staff, was invited to speak.
- Mr. Flood explained that the current deadline of 5 p.m. on Wednesdays (or the day before a holiday) often results in staff working late into the night to process items submitted just before the deadline. He cited instances of working past 10 p.m. for recent meetings.
- Proposed Change: The deadline for agenda item submission would be changed to Wednesday at 12:00 PM (noon).
- Mr. Flood clarified that while the goal is to receive items by noon, staff remains flexible and will work with individuals who communicate potential delays before the deadline. The agenda would typically still be released on Thursday, though early releases on Wednesday might occur in specific circumstances (e.g., staff commitments, printer issues, or anticipated events like snow).
- Councilor Rogers inquired about an ideal alternative if the noon deadline was debated. Mr. Flood stated that no later than 2 p.m. would be acceptable, but noon is preferred.
- Action: Motion made and seconded for favorable action.
- Vote: All in favor. (Outcome: Passed unanimously)
- Referral: To the City Council with a favorable recommendation.
6. Order Recommending the Consideration of Amendment to City Council Rule 20: Not All Civil Service Appointment Orders are Automatically Referred to Committee
- Sponsor: Council President Martins.
- Discussion:
- Council President Martins stated this suggestion came from the legislative consultant. She personally prefers all appointments to go to committee but acknowledged a technicality that Mr. Flood would explain.
- Mr. Flood explained that the current rule mandates all appointments go to committee, even non-controversial ones, creating unnecessary paperwork.
- Proposed Change: The amendment would remove the mandatory requirement to send all appointments to committee, allowing the body to decide by majority vote whether to refer an item.
- Mr. Flood clarified that certain baseline appointments, such as those to the Planning Board, Zoning Board of Appeals, License Commission, Board of Election Commissioners, Board of Assessors, and all department heads, as well as first-time paid appointments, would still automatically go to committee.
- The proposed change would eliminate the need to suspend the rule for non-controversial appointments.
- Action: Motion made and seconded to refer the item to the City Council with a favorable recommendation.
- Vote: All in favor. (Outcome: Passed unanimously)
- Referral: To the City Council with a favorable recommendation.
Adjournment:
- Action: Motion made and seconded to adjourn.
- Vote: All in favor. (Outcome: Passed unanimously)
- The meeting was adjourned.