Malden City Council 09/22/2026

Right now in academics, but next week

Okay, it's 7.05 and the council will come to order. All rise and salute the flag. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands one nation under God. Visible, Liberty and Justice for All. Please remain standing for a moment of silence in honor of our veterans service members and those who have given the ultimate sacrifice At this time, I will give the floor to Councilor Condon for an additional moment of silence.

Thank you, Council President. To a deep sadness that we share the passing of Dr. John Trondosi, a lifelong resident of Malden born in 1942 in the Edgeworth neighborhood. John graduated from Malden Catholic 1960 went on to build a remarkable 44-year career as a chemistry professor at Curry College, where he also served as chairman of the science division for 16 years. John devoted his life to learning, teaching and community service. He was widely known for his extensive knowledge of Malden's history and was an invaluable resource for local families, especially in the Italian-American families of Edgeworth.

His commitment to preserving and celebrating Malden's heritage has left a lasting impact in our community. Since 1980, John served the library, the Malden Public Library as trustee and became the president in 2010 As Chair of the Library's Art Committee, he played a vital role in curating and expanding the library's art collection. He also held leadership positions with both the Malden Historical Commission and the Maldon Historical Society. Generously giving time, expertise and passion for many years. John's dedication to civic life stems from a profound belief in the common good.

In a past interview, John shared Anything I do, I do for the whole community, the whole city, not for individual interests. His unwavering commitment and generous spirit will be deeply missed. Thank you.

Thank you. A moment of silence for Dr. Tremendozzi. Thank you, at this time the Clerk will now call the roll.

Sica is not with us this evening. Councilor Simonelli, Taylor, Winslow Council President Linehan, here.

Okay thank you very much now under the provisions of the open meeting law for those of you in attendance please be informed that UMA Urban Media Arts will be recording this evening's meeting, so be aware that there will be audio and video recordings of tonight's meeting. Is anyone else present in the chamber who is recording in addition to Uma? Please make yourself visible at this time. Okay, thank you. Seeing none we'll move on to our first order of business. First order of Business is guest citizens achievement and announcements.

Representatives from the Hispanic community will appear before the council for a reading of a proclamation kicking off Hispanic Heritage Month.

You may come to the podium, thank you so much for being with us tonight.

Hi, my name is Isabelle Sosa. I'm a student involved in Catholic and I'm in freshman year.

Welcome.

Hi, I'm Olivia Pereira. I'm a student at Malden Catholic and I'm in ninth grade.

Good evening. My name is Amanda Citadin. I am a sophomore at Maldon Catholic High School.

Hello, my name is Mariel Nicholas. I go to Malden Catholic High School and I'm in 10th grade.

Hello, My name is Kelsing Choden and I am a senior at Malden

My name is Wilson Chen and I am a junior at Malden High School.

Hello, my name is Anna Boyd. I'm a junior in Malden high school

Hello, my name's Xichao Chen and I'm a junior at Malden High School.

Hello, My name is Francis Chung. I am a junior of Malden high school

Hello, my name is Yifeng Chen. I'm a junior at Malden High School.

Hi, my names Ziva Price. I go to the Volk and I am a junior.

Okay great. Okay, thank you. So thank you so much. I just want to say a couple of words before you move on. You can get a little bit closer together so it doesn't take too long to walk up to that mic but you know your order and I just wanted to thank you all for coming what we did was We wanted to really bring light to the different cultures in Malden. We're such a diverse community, so with the Hispanic Heritage Month going from September 15th through October 15th We really learned a lot. We wanted to celebrate that, but not just like we wanted to make sure that we included everyone and that we learn from each other because that's how we're going to move forward in this world So I really appreciate all the questions that you've all had, and we've had lots of great conversations. And thank you so much for coming. Now we're going to go into reading the proclamation. So they all know their order. Go right ahead, Isabelle. Start it off.

All right. Whereas, National Hispanic Heritage Month began in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week under President Lyndon Johnson and was expanded by President Ronald Reagan in 1988 to cover a 30-day period starting on September 15th and ending on October 15th.

Whereas Hispanic Heritage Month was enacted into law on August 17, 1988 to recognize and celebrate the rich histories, cultures, traditions and contributions of Hispanic and Latino slash Latinx communities

and whereas September 15th marks the independence anniversaries of Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua followed by the Independence Days of Mexico, Chile, Belize in Spain.

Whereas, Malden has a growing Latin American community and indigenous nations that may not fit neatly into the term Hispanic. We recognize both Hispanic and broader Latin American cultures such as Brazil, Guyana, Jamaica Haiti, and Puerto Rico, and more.

Whereas Hispanic, Latino and Afro-Latino Americans are essential in a growing part of the United States population. Representing approximately one in five Americans and contributing to the nation's culture, civic and economic strength

Whereas Malden is strengthened by its diversity and the contributions of Hispanic and Latino slash Latinx residents, families, workers, educators union organizers artists entrepreneurs community leaders and public servants help make our city a welcoming environment place to live

whereas the City of Malden is committed to promoting inclusion, equity, respect and understanding among all residents while honoring the many cultures and traditions that compromise our community.

Oh sorry did your light go off? Yeah, that was me. That's okay.

Now therefore be it proclaimed that the City of Malden Massachusetts do hereby recognize and proclaim September 15th through October 15th as Hispanic Heritage Month in the city of Malden. Thank you so much. So thank you so, I'm not sure if folks have anything, they have any questions or want to say. Otherwise like we talked about there's some goodies. We would like to get a picture sorry first and then we'll break. and you all are free to go home. Oh, there we go.

Okay great, well I see one light from Councilor Simonelli. You have the floor.

There you, Council President. Sorry, Councilor Condon, I did say I wasn't speaking tonight but Yeah, we did talk about this. Councilor Taylor. I promise I will not speak for the rest of the night after this, but...

Believe it when I see it.

Yes, it is. Well, where I'm a graduate of Malden High. and my daughter was a graduate from the vocational school. And now I'm the raspy voice that you hear in the gym today at Malden Catholic, and probably don't recognize me with this tie on. And I just want to commend you all for coming up here tonight and sticking to the culture and the heritage of the Spanish population in this community, and every population for that matter. But for tonight is for the Spanish and I want to thank Gladys Rodgers who's out there today because I know she has been a big proponent for years now on the Spanish Heritage Month. And, I wanna thank Councilor Hayes too for bringing you guys up here tonight It can't be really easy. I'm sure you guys got other better things to do than look at our potato faces up here on this council, so I just want to say thank you. and I appreciate you guys coming up here at Urga, you too as well.

I know you work with these children on a daily basis So again, I just want to say thank you for coming up here. And it's brave of you to do that. And you guys have great futures ahead of you. So thank you very much. Sorry, Paul.

Thank you. Thank You, Councillor Simonelli Alright, should we take a quick recess and take a photo? Thank you.

Y'all

He asked me to take the picture. Okay, everybody's got a squeeze in. Bennett, and Daniel. Some people are going to take this. I think some people need to go to the next step. Okay, maybe some on the second step because I can't...

The Shorties, yeah. I don't know who this is.

Smith.

We're watching you. I tried.

That's a problem.

Where'd everybody go? How did we lose so many people? There's food. We're back in order. Next item is public comment. We do not have anybody signed up this evening for public comment Okay, so we can skip public comment next item is our consent agenda This evening's consent agenda consists of meeting minutes to be approved as well as two petitions that we will be referring to the License Committee. Does anybody have a desire to remove any of these items from the consent agenda for the purpose of further discussion? Okay, hearing none, seeing none. Do I have a motion to approve the consent agenda? On a motion by Councilor LeLong, seconded by Councilors Winslow. All in favor? Any opposed? Okay, the agenda is approved next order of business.

Paper 382-26, Mayoral Appointment. Michelle Ferguson, 43 Boston Street, Malden as a full member of the Planning Board said term to commence upon confirmation by the City Council and to expire March 1st, 2031.

Okay, Councilor Crowe. Since this is really a new appointment although Michelle in May of 2025 was appointed to the planning board as an associate member, but it is our practice usually to bring in the new appointments. It's technically a new appointment so I'm gonna refer that to committee.

Okay, so that's a motion to refer to personnel and appointments? Yes. Okay, second bid. I heard Councilor Taylor. All in favor? Oh we need a roll call wait no we only need a real call to confirm my I'm sorry all in favor aye any opposed Okay, that is referred to Personnel and Appointments. Next order of business.

Paper 383-26 Mayoral Reappointment Lisa Picardi of 18 Phillips Street Malden as a member of the Disability Commission said term to commence upon confirmation by the City Council and to expire Crowe.

Thank you, Madam President. Again as I just said that usually on the reappointments Michelle has been appointed to disabilities commission for a little bit she's done um a lot of work so We've just approved them on the floor, so I make a motion that we approve Lisa's appointment to the Disabilities Commission.

Okay, on a motion by Councillor Crowe, seconded by Councillor Simonelli? All in favor? I'm sorry, I did it backwards both times. I'm just warming up tonight, I'll get it. All right, we'll do a roll call vote. You've put me off my game. Stay quiet and we'll be fine. Councilor Colón Hayes?

Condon, Crowe, Luong, McDonald, O'Malley, Simonelli, Taylor, Winslow. Council President Linehan. Yes. Okay, so that confirmation has been passed. Okay next order of business One second

McDonald.

Yeah, just as a point of order I you know Councilor Winslow feel free to disagree but I would just think you could expect these papers we might choose to refer these two committee we might be able to just kind of read them and Discuss them together and take a vote on that. On the six papers? Yes.

A couple of them do kind of go hand in hand, and I can read them together for discussion.

Then we can discuss them and outline what they are and then just kind of... That is absolutely fine with me.

So the first two papers coming together, paper 384-26 order that the Malden City Council pursuant to the authority granted under Massachusetts general law chapter 44 section 53F and one half hereby adopts the local option to establish a solid waste enterprise fund beginning with the fiscal year 2028 for the purpose of separately accounting for the revenues, expenditures, assets, liabilities and retained earnings associated with the City's Solid Waste Management Program. And in accompanying paper 385-26, be it ordained by the Malden City Council that the Code of the City of Malden Title III Revenue and Finance is hereby amended by adding 3.05 solid waste enterprise fund.

I can just introduce this Winslow.

The other ones kind of have to do with other funds, so maybe we just do one type at a time?

Yeah, let's do a type at the time. That's good. Councilor Winslaw.

Yeah I know in the past as we talked about our deficit related, our solid waste funding that one of the things we called on as a council is to consider setting up solid waste enterprise fund. And my understanding is at some point we did actually have and there was a decision to go away from that because the revenues were less than our costs so it didn't really make sense to set that up. But as we are looking at, and we'll talk about Funds that are getting established. There's just a thought this maybe we're going to take a different approach to our finances to make clear that so, this is just a paper you know we have to under state law we have You know, adopt the option. So that's kind of the first thing. So I think we do have to vote on the order, right? Right, we have to adopt the order first.

Do we think we should vote on that and then refer the second paper or should we just do... Well, if the order doesn't pass, you have nothing to refer really, so...

Okay, all right. So we need a motion to adopt the order first?

So I guess the first thing I would do is make a motion establish that.

Okay, so on a motion by Councillor Winslow seconded by Councillor Simonelli to adopt the order yes we can absolutely have discussion did you want to speak to this councillor McDonald or did you wanna okay Councillor O'Malley of the floor

Well, first I'd like to be added as a co-sponsor to both papers 384 and 385. Okay. I have no...I mean, I'm willing to adopt the order on the floor. I don't think that we necessarily have to do that to refer and have the discussion. But yeah, I'm willing to do it. I support it. And I want to be a co-sponsor but if there's someone here who has hesitations for that know that you can refer these things to committee. but if I had reservations, I'd wanna know I have that option. So yeah thank you.

Yeah so I think the thought is that we would adopt the order and then refer the ordinance to maybe a joint finance and was an Ordinance Committee So we just want to do the order first though, right?

I mean, I would agree with Councilor O'Malley. If anybody does have hesitation and wants further discussion on it, you could refer them both together. But if 384 completely dies, you don't really need 385, I guess is what I was trying to say, but understood.

Are you all set, Councilor O'Malley? Okay. So we have a motion on the floor to adopt the order. We do not need a roll call. All in favor? Aye. Any opposed? Okay, so that is the order as adopted.

And soon then I make a motion that we refer 385-26 to a joint finance rules and ordinance committee.

Okay, on a motion by... Yes, I'm so sorry, Councilor McDonald. Let me put on your light.

Just super briefly, I just want to remind folks who might be watching this that we actually did vote on a resolution to do this that Councilor Winslow had sponsored, I think two years ago now? and that when we talk about the deficit, but the trash deficit, the solid waste deficit. What we mean is that the money that we collect from the blue bags and the trash tags is not even half of what frankly below market costs on trash. And so to be able to get a clearer handle on that, this allows us to put those pieces together in a way we can report on consistently and the public can see and discuss how far we're willing to have those things go apart because right now, we're projecting about 1.2 million in revenue for trash pickup this year and we're projected to spend 3.9 million so that's a big gap So that's why I just wanted to recap that we had talked about this. I thank Councilor Winslow for his leadership in getting us to this point.

This series of papers are all ones that the administration has helped us put forward and that those of us in specific roles are carrying as part of that. But I would also like to be added as a co-sponsor to both papers.

Okay, thank you, Councilor McDonald. You want to speak to the paper or you wanna be added I've got that. Okay, anybody else wishing to speak before we vote on the motion? Okay seeing none we have a motion by Councillor Winslow seconded by Councillor O'Malley a joint meeting of the Finance and Rules and Ordinance Committees. All in favor? Aye. Any opposed? Okay, that matter is referred.

So the next three go together. Paper 386-26 order that the Malden City Council, pursuant to the authority granted under Massachusetts General Law Chapter 40 Section 5B hereby adopts a local option to establish a general purpose stabilization fund. Paper 387-26, order that the Malden City Council pursuant to the authority granted under Massachusetts General Law Chapter 40 Section 5B hereby adopts the local option to establish a short term capital needs special purpose stabilization fund. and Paper 388-26, be it ordained by the Malden City Council that the Code of the City of Malden Title III Revenue and Finance is hereby amended by adding 3.10 Reserve and Stabilization Fund Framework. Okay, thank you.

Did you want to speak to these? I do. No, I was just going for purposes of how we need to do this so the two that we need adopt the order or have the option to adopt both orders and then could refer to either rules in ordinance or I could again, refer it to joint finance and roles in ordinance for discussion. And at that, I'll give you the floor. Okay, Councilor McDonald?

Yeah thank you. Let me just state the big picture and then I'll give you my perspective on the referrals and the adoptions. The big picture, similar to the previous two papers we just discussed this is about creating more transparency in how our funds are used in a structural way. And one of the things that we heard consistently when we were talking with the public about the budget needs of the city, and many of these forums about the tax override what is the use of all these quote cash reserves that are labeled as free cash? Because that's the term we get from the state. And so, what we then had to communicate was there were actually multiple purposes for this. There's your basic operating cash reserve this is also what we use for capital projects. This is also, what we used as a rainy day fund and all those things are in the same account and it's hard to pull them apart to just see what is there. So this is another place where the state creates a framework that we can opt into

and while we didn't do a resolution about this, I don't think there was a lot of general consensus in the finance committee that this is worth exploring. So I would be, I'm personally comfortable adopting the order to create the fund and then referring just like the other paper 388.26 to a joint rules and ordinance and finance committee so everybody can be in that meeting and speak and have a vote on this in committee to talk about what that would look like. And this is a little different where we're managing money, we're dividing up an existing reserve rather than kind of looking at money coming in and going out every year like you do with an enterprise fund but how that gets used and the rules around that, and the expectations, and what we think we need. That's really important conversation so I look forward to that. So that would be my recommendation.

Okay thank you Councilor McDonald. And just before I take the other lights, just for clarity. So there's two orders one is four a general purpose stabilization fund, the other is for short-term capital needs stabilization fund. The final paper that we're considering is to create this framework and for counselors that have a computer with them or who are inclined to prepare before take it up in committee. If you look at the paper that has the framework, that has most text in it that explains more in depth about this strategy of what we'd be doing here In addition to that, I think we'd be looking to as a next step look to create a debt use policy paper. That would be kind of what would follow from this to get into a little bit more or to expand on what Councilor McDonald had started to speak about in terms when you bond for things, when you don't bond for thing and use it out of existing funds. Just the strategy behind that and how we have that decision model of when we make those different decisions.

So I will take Councilor O'Malley next.

I would like to be added as a co-sponsor of these papers. And then, I just wanted to clarify, I think this is really good that we're putting these things aside because then they won't have to be reappropriated every year and they can kind of grow and just to understand, I think for the public basically we'd be taking money from our free cash savings account and putting them into these different specialized accounts. Is that the general understanding?

That's correct. And they also have a higher vote threshold for us to spend from them, so free cash is majority for us the spend. I'm looking at Dan to confirm that that's true. My understanding is that we need a two-thirds majority for the council to do spending from stabilization funds. So it's increased transparency of what you intend to use it for, and it's a higher threshold for us to actually enact what we're going to spend it on. Do you want to come to the podium, Jan? Thank you so much.

You're welcome. So, pretty much on point the general stabilization fund would require a full two-thirds versus the special stabilization or specific stabilization would require simple majority The idea being that the specific stabilization is for our specific purpose. And you've already agreed that's what your intent is or only require a majority to be able spend money out of that, but the general fund or the general purpose stabilization would be similar Spending from the free cash.

So, yeah, fully in support definitely want to be added as a co-sponsor and I think it helps provide that stability so that you know one council or one administration can't spend all the money and leave the city in a financial mess for the next council or administration. So I think it's really a great move that we're taking this up by camera organization, not camera The fact that this is being worked on between the Council and the Mayor, and it will provide that long-term stability I think is really great. Thank you.

Great. Thank You, Councillor O'Malley.

Yes, thank you. I am also in full support of this paper. I think the transparency part really hit home. Chatter out in the public about free cash. So another thing that wasn't mentioned, but I think it would make our free cash look more like not believable, but it would be more accurate to where we're spending our money and I'm looking forward to hearing about the details in committee because I'm thinking we could do this with lots of other funds.

So, I think this is a great idea. Thank you so much. Thank You Councillor Colón Hayes. Councillor Winslow?

Yeah, no. I would like to be added as a co-sponsor to these as well and I think the timing is good because generally free cash would be certified in the next few months and have these funds available so that we can allocate that money and put that aside. And one of the things I often say is like, one of things at your household you might be able to do is put some expenses on a credit card or a home equity loan for a little bit while maybe you're expecting some income. We as a city, come June 30th every year we have to have a balanced budget and we have for next year, thinking it's balanced. And at the end of the year we have to show that we did not spend more than we took in except sort of related to snow. So this is setting that up We don't have a credit card or home equity line that we can tap in emergencies. We have to set that money aside, and that's the confusion when we hold back something called free cash.

We are in fact really just making sure We have the reserves we need to deal with emergencies that come up. So I think this is a sensible strategy for the city, and so I am very supportive of this so give the public a clear perspective on what we need to do and then have practices on making sure that we are thoughtful in how we spend these reserves, and make sure where you have Winslow.

Okay, that's okay. So seeing no other lights I'm looking for a motion to adopt the first order which is the general purpose stabilization fund Okay, on a motion by Councilor McDonald seconded by Councilors Simonelli. All in favor? Aye. Any opposed? Okay that order is adopted Do we have a motion for the Short-Term Capital Needs Special Purpose Stabilization Fund? We're looking for a vote to adopt the order. Motion by Councillor Simonelli, seconded by Councillor Colón Hayes. All in favor? Aye. Any opposed? Okay, the order is adopted. Next we'd be looking for a motion to refer, I heard, to a joint finance and rules in ordinance. Okay? Motion by Councilor O'Malley, seconded by Councilors Winslow. All in favor? Aye. Any opposed? that is referred. Thank you all very much.

Next order of business.

Two more papers together, paper 389-26 order that the Malden City Council pursuant to the authority granted under Massachusetts General Law Chapter 40, hereby ratifies the Public Works Commission's 2008 adoption of the local options of sections 42A through 42F as they pertain to water sewer collection, abatement appeal and liens. In conjunction with said sections a record of certificate of acceptance shall be filed at the Middlesex South Registry of Deeds in certified copies of the recorded certificate shall be issued to the treasurer collector, Department of Public Works Water Division and any other relevant city departments. And also we have paper 390-26. Be it ordained by the Malden City Council that the Code of the City of Malden 11.20.030A water bills, annual inspection of premises is hereby amended by striking at least once each year and replaced with monthly.

Okay, I'll go to Councilor Winslow for the first paper.

Yeah so again similar to well I think what this is or is just doing is The Public Works Commission has been following the practices by state law, but we may not as a council have officially adopted those. So this is just taking that step so that we are consistent with state law. But these are practices that have been ongoing for a long time, so we're just making sure we're making our Council has to accept that law not the Public Works Commission so it's just we're making sure that these collection practices by us adopting them are are official. And I mean, I guess we should also in making this order that any actions since 2008, we acknowledge as a city council, we affirm those actions for whatever consistent with our intent so

So I would just recommend that we adopt this order and affirm the actions of our city since 2008 as consistent with the law.

Okay, I see a light from Councilor O'Malley. You have the floor?

I would likely like to be added as a co-sponsor but I feel like I need to understand this more before voting on it. It sounds a little complicated and you're asking us to ratify like almost 20 years of things.

So I personally would- I will withdraw that part then if that's gonna be enough. Yeah, no, no.

I mean, I would be willing to do that. I just wanna understand it more so I probably would be at it as a co-sponsor, probably would do everything you're asking but I just think that, I personally have to do my due diligence to understand what is being asked and I don't fully grasp it based on this paragraph.

I might ask Dan to come back to the podium.

My only concern is that it does say ratify in the order, so I want to make sure that we're clear on what we're doing. Dan do you mind coming back just to explain?

Well, do what I can. Thank you. So this is both 389 and 390 are really to clean up some of the things that the clerk and I have found that may have not been recorded or in the past. In 2008, the Department of Public Works, in conjunction with the City Council adopted to go from annual bills... I'm sorry, from quarterly to monthly. Part of that was the adoption of 42 through 42 . The Secretary of State does not have a section where all adopted orders are recorded. Unfortunately, only certain ones are listed there like if you adopt Mills tax or marijuana excise, some of those things. So this is a matter of us being able to record it because it was not recorded at the Registry of Deeds which is where this needs to be recorded so this vote is to, this order is to

allow us to update our orders and then appropriately record it because it has not been done in 2008. It's really a cleanup item, and then the 390 related to that is just to make it clear to our constituents, there's been conversations in the past about should we go to quarterly billing. If you look at the ordinances if your a constituent and you read it you say well you're only billing once a year even though it says at least Annually, that's just to make it clean and clear as for what we actually do on a month which is on a monthly basis I don't know if that helps clarify Yes of course

So when you say recorded at the registry of deeds, normally you're recording a deed at the Registry of Deeds. Are you saying they have a separate registry for things that cities and towns have accepted?

Yes, there's a section called certificates and you will record the certificate. So typically if you have an adoption of something like an excise tax or the marijuana excise tax, for example. You file that with the Secretary of State and then the Clerk would file that secretary state and they keep that record and it's available to search for everybody. A lot of the other orders don't get, or a lot of other adoptions are not kept by the Secretary of State on some sort of public platform. These ones in particular are recorded at the Registry of Deeds through a certificate. a number of other certificates that you would file. I can't speak to any one specifically because I haven't had to deal with that, but we found that we had not recorded that and this is to your point close to 20 years and it's a matter of just trying to clean up what we found.

Okay.

Thank you.

Are you all set, Councilor O'Malley? Okay. I'll go to Councilor Winslow.

Yeah and just another further context if everybody remembers back in the 1990s, MWRA was formed. The cleanup of the Boston Harbor was happening. Back then, Malden water bills were quarterly because of the cost of paying for all the work at Deer Island and all that, our rates went up. And the decision of the city was to make it a little less having this shocking bill go from $50 and so forth. So that's kind of what I guess eventually happened in 2008, but prior to that time water bills were quarterly because of the increase in rates caused by, you know, the cleanup of the Boston Harbor. The decision was to make it a little easier for people to handle those bills as a monthly bill

rather than getting the surprise, oh I gotta come up with all of a sudden a bill I don't budget well. So that's really what happened and I guess somehow that paperwork didn't get to the right spot. And sometimes the other thing that happens is, If there's state laws we've adopted, sometimes they're even in our ordinances. So I don't know if this is the type of thing we did that but I can understand somehow this paperwork didn't happen so that really is just trying to clean up some technical you know, issues that came up and so that's really what it is. It's this is all really just getting our paperwork in order going forward. So that's Okay. Thanks, Dan, for bringing this forward.

Thank you, Councillor Winslow. Councillor McDonald?

Yeah, thank you. I just wanted to clarify Councilor Winsow in your explanation of this, you said ratified the prior decisions. I don't read that in this order I just hear that we ratified the fact that they did adopt it because the law says that that ratification authority is the city councils or the town meetings. So, I don't understand this paper as passing any particular judgment on prior decisions of the Public Works Commission, as much as having it be clear that we intend that all those decisions were in fact valid. Am I understanding that correctly, or is there additional language that's needed compared to this order? One second.

Go ahead, Councilor Winslow.

Yeah, sometimes what happens when and action is taken by maybe your agents as a client, and you're a corporation. And then it comes to the board to approve that sometimes you affirm that as a way so I don't know if legal office wants to sign but that was kind of my suggestion, if we are trying to- Were you suggesting amending the order? I was suggesting that. I don't think we have to do that, I didn't want to complicate that but there is a way that sometimes when someone who has agency for an organization sign something or commit something that a board then has to approve, you kind of affirm that action after the fact. That is allowable. That's a legal action you can do. We don't have to do that tonight. I didn't want to complicate it but

It's just, again, another little tidying up the things you might do as a council to say that basically we accept this is what the city was doing since 2008 whatever that was, we accept it. Usually it's not 20 years of stuff so I can understand Councilor O'Malley's concerns I don't think it needs to be referred to committee or whatever so and maybe even think of adopting have to rush it if Councillor O'Malley wants to take another week to look into it or whatever.

Okay, I do see Councillor O'malley's light on so I'm going to go back one more time, Councillor O'Malley.

Yeah and I think Councillor McDowell kind of in questioning what was going on helped So it sounds like the Public Works Commission did a thing that maybe they didn't have the authority to do, and it should've been done by the City Council. And that's why we're doing this now because I know for instance if the Board of Health can do certain stuff without our, like they did the smoke-free generation. They didn't need to come to us and so figuring out where and when certain commissions can do what? So yeah I mean I probably fully support this. Out of respect for all of the colleagues here, we're being asked to do something. But I don't think we all fully grasp what we're actually doing. But if that's what we are doing is basically saying hey this happened and we're trying to correct it great I just think it would be helpful to not have this conversation on the floor like this, but more when we have a public works, public properties committee.

This probably would be a good place to have that conversation. But again, I'm not going to hold it up because it's already happening now for 18 years. But I think better explaining what we're doing and what is the reasoning behind it, I think you tried to do that but it wasn't quite clear that this had to be adopted by the city council

I appreciate Dan stepping up. I should have asked for that to begin with so it was a little more clear he brought this to the council and so my name is attached to it but I appreciate having that explanation and taking the work make sure we have your T's crossed and the D's odd, that's really what it's just making. Because sometimes it comes up as an issue when you're trying to collect money or you go to the registry People don't pay their water bill. It becomes a lien on their property, and it may come up as a court issue. So it's just making sure that some savvy lawyer says oh I don't have to pay this bill because the City Council never talked of that law so It's just making the collections job that much more clear and not having this whole set of collections suddenly called into question. So it's just trying to clear up any legal issue as and particularly future stuff. The money that we've collected is what we collected, but...

So there's two things that we need to do. We needed a motion to adopt this order which will then effectuate this being recorded at the registry, correct Dan? and then subsequent to that, we need to actually vote on the change to our ordinances that will simply reflect the fact that we already collect monthly water bills. Is that okay? Is everybody comfortable? I understand not everybody might support it, but is everybody comfortable with what we have to do? Okay. Do I have a motion to adopt the first order? I'll make that motion. Okay. Councilor Winslow made that motion to Seconded by Councilor Colón Hayes. All in favor?

Aye.

Any opposed? Okay, so that order is adopted.

So then I make a motion to enroll The ordinance, would that change to replace at least once a year or two with monthly? So paper 399. I make a motion to enroll. I don't think it needs to be referred over again, so I think it's just a technical correction.

So yeah. So motion to enrol 390-26 Any discussion or second? Seconded by Councilor Taylor. All in favor? Aye. Oh, sorry I forgot my bad.

Council Colón Hayes? Yes. Council Condon? Yes Council Crowe? Yes Yes. McDonald, O'Malley, Simonelli, Taylor, Winslow, President Linehan. I thought maybe we might want to ordain tonight but let's take a couple weeks and

Ordain it two weeks from now if there's any more questions come up. That sounds fine. Okay, thank you, Councilor Winslow.

You don't have to go home.

Unfortunately, we have two or three more pages. Next order of business. Okay, so the next

Four papers of finance papers. There's one that kind of stands alone and then there is a mayoral memo that accompanies the other three. So why don't we do paper 391 first, and then I'll read the mayor's memo? Is that OK? That's a TMC. Yeah, I think that sounds fine. Let's do that. All right, so Paper 391-26, order that the sum of 200 $66,174.60 is appropriated from the TNC surcharge municipal distribution account to cover the following expenses and those are listed in the body of the paper which I can bring up Okay, great. Not necessary? We're gonna refer it. Okay thank you. Okay, Councilor McDonald.

Yes so this paper needs to be referred to the Finance Committee and this is the annual funding we get from rideshares. There's a little surcharge if you, I guess pick up or drop off in Malden This is true for all municipalities, and so we use this for specific projects. So we'll get to hear from our city engineer about what's the plan to use the money this year? And so yes, this is a little more generous than sometimes it's been in the past. Look forward to hearing about that and make a motion to refer to the Finance Committee.

Second. Okay, any discussion? Seeing none, on a motion by Councilor McDonald seconded by Councillor Winslow to refer to Finance. All in favor? Aye. Any opposed? That is referred to Finance Okay so we'll take up the... Let's read the papers and then the memo

So paper 392-26 order that the sum of $400,000 is transferred from human resource group insurance miscellaneous to the Malden Public School Department. Paper 393-26 Order that $1,292,045 of the funds that remain available from the adopted appropriation order authorized by paper 139 series of 2023 relative to the Roosevelt Park Revitalization Project be repurposed to pay costs of the Malden River Works project. Paper 394-26, order. that $938,174.50 of the funds from the adopted appropriation order authorized by paper 140 series of 2023 relative to the Roosevelt Park revitalization project

of which are no longer needed to complete the project for which it was borrowed, be transferred to pay costs of the Malden River Works Project in accordance with the provisions of MGL Chapter 44 Subsection 20. and then the memo that came down from Mayor Christensen's office today reads as follows regarding information on papers 392, 393 and 394. I submit this memo to provide additional information regarding three docketed items on this week's agenda. I hope this will assist the Finance Committee in its discussion. First, I have sent down a transfer request for $400,000 from the health insurance account to the Malden Public Schools. Each year by the end of September we complete an analysis of our compliance with net school spending for the most recently completed fiscal year for FY2026, that calculation indicates a shortfall of approximately $400,000.

It is our goal each year to budget to the net school spending requirement but with significant variations in insurance and transportation costs year by year, we will likely be in a situation where we have a makeup payment after the actuals are calculated. We are at that point for fiscal year 26 and I am recommending we make the transfer now from the budgeted health insurance account. Next, there are two items related to the funding needed to complete the Malden River Works project. As you know this project has been funded entirely through grants and outside funds to date and the team has done amazing work securing funds as costs have increased We have now reached a point, however, where the funding to complete the vertical construction components is insufficient and requires an additional source of funds. Anyone who has visited the site can see substantial improvements not only with the new park but also throughout the DPW yard and surrounding area.

As a result, it is appropriate that the city share some of the cost even if our goal was to avoid doing so I am therefore recommending that we reappropriate funds remaining from the canceled Roosevelt project. To be clear, these funds are not part of the funding for the currently planned work at Roosevelt Park. Reappropriating them is the most prudent option as compared to initiating a new borrowing or drawing from reserves. I anticipate that in committee you will invite the relevant city staff with expertise in these areas McDonald, and I'm confident they will be able to answer any additional questions you may have. Thank you in advance for your consideration.

Okay thank you. Councilor McDonald for the papers.

Yeah so just you know last things first we are going I'm gonna recommend make a motion that we refer these to the Finance Committee for further discussion of course as the mayor requests and that these are papers who that regardless of my position, my personal opinion about them they're under my name because I'm the finance chair. So just to be clear about all of those things as usual, I just wanted to make a couple of quick points Thank you, folks. Since this touches on a couple of issues that have been attracted a fair amount of public attention and fairly so the first is that on this net school spending I just want to say very briefly calculation saying, this is how much you have to spend on your schools. And most cities and towns and districts spend more than that. Malden is every year just trying and we have a calculation that we do. We may remember that last year there was an error in that calculation in the report that we sent to the state, so while we didn't have any actual liability or nobody changed hands it was concerning

I do want to note, we discussed this in a finance committee meeting not that long ago. And we also received a memo that was distributed to the council from the CFO about process changes to make sure that error doesn't happen again in calculating this obligation to the city. So I'm sure we will talk about that report and the process there and many more. 26 paper is repurposing funds that were appropriated from cash and the 394-26 paper is reappropriating funds that had been bonded. And Dan, am I correct that this money had already in fact been bonded? Right.

Bonded money in particular, once we bond it, we have to spend it because if we don't spend bonded money can affect our ability to do future borrowing. So it's really important that we find an appropriate or comparable kind of project that is being bonded, if we don't need it for its original purpose. I'm going to ask that we just get a quick update in that committee meeting as well about the cost and status of the Roosevelt Park project which has started if you've been down there, you can see they've been doing some site prep work. The last I heard is they're trying to make sure that the contaminated soil has a place to go which nobody's like yeah, I really want that contaminated soil so I think that's the latest and greatest in that, but we'll make sure that we get an update of that as well. And I think those are the things that I had so we will probably try to do this is as promptly as possible because I know these are these are urgent issues.

So I'll make a motion to refer to the Finance Committee if there's other things that folks wanna ask at this point or make sure that we have the chance to discuss in finance, please let me know or just feel free to email Chuck or Maria as you need

Okay, great. I have one light for discussion, Councilor Winslow.

Yeah, I think we should also be able to give an update on what's going on with the boathouse and salt shed as well. So, great, thanks.

So are you wanting to refer these as a batch or do you want to take them up one by one? Okay, on a motion.

Are we happy to second them all as a badge?

Yep, does that sound good? Okay. On a motion by Councillor McDonald, seconded by Councillor Crowe to refer to finance. All in favor? Aye. Any opposed? Okay, those papers are referred.

Paper 395-26, be it ordained by the Malden City Council that the Code of the City of Malden 2.16.150A Transportation Commission established, is hereby amended by adding or their designee after the words Chief of Police.

Okay thank you so this one's under my name this actually comes down from the chief this is a little bit of housekeeping As you probably all recall, we had made the charter change last year that puts this back in our ordinances. The makeup of the former traffic commission now called the Transportation Commission this would really just allow the chief to designate in this case, Lieutenant in charge of the traffic division to represent them on this commission as really the content expert. The person most versed dealing with this issue day to day, to go to those meetings every month. And so this would be changing the ordinance to make that possible which is in fact the reason we took it out of the charter and put this back into ordinance so we can make tweaks to the Transportation Commission. This is a small change but feels really good because it's the first time that we've done anything new to the Transportation Commission since we set it up. So like I said, just a small housekeeping change. I do see one light so I'll take Councilor Winslow.

Yeah, I know. I did talk to the chief today. He actually sent this up to Council President Linehan and he did explain that we have both the traffic captain lieutenant that really going to be dedicated to working with the Transportation Commission and, you know he just would like to be able to rely on their expertise and leadership on this so that is good. And the fact I think the Transportation Commission is about to schedule its first meeting There is a little bit, it would be good to actually have this in effect as quickly as possible so that that Transportation Commission could be ready and to start up on its first meeting as intended. So I would make a motion that we... I don't think this needs to go to committee, and I would make a recommendation that we enroll it tonight and maybe even consider ordaining it tonight by suspending rules. But let's enroll it first, so thank you.

Okay. So on a motion, any further discussion? Motion by Councillor Winslow seconded by Councillor Taylor to enroll. We need a roll call for that.

Oh, it wasn't? Okay.

Understood okay no problem so we can do a voice vote for that all in favor aye any opposed Okay, so that is enrolled. Did you want to?

So I make a motion that we suspend council rules to be able to enroll and ordain in the same council meeting.

Okay. Taylor to suspend the rules for the purposes of ordaining within the same meeting. We need a roll call for that, correct?

Council Colón Hayes? Yes. Council Condon? No. Council Crowe? McDonald, O'Malley, Simonelli is not present. Councilor Taylor? Winslow, Council President Linehan. Yes. Okay so the rules have been suspended.

Okay the rules had been suspended do we have a motion to ordain? On a motion by Councillor Winslaw seconded by Councillor Colón Hayes We'll call the roll.

Hayes, Condon, Crowe, Linehan, McDonald, O'Malley, Sica, Simonelli, Taylor, Winslow, Council President Linehan.

Yes. Okay that has been ordained thank you everyone I look forward to finding out when their first meeting is gonna be exciting next order of business

paper 396-26 be it ordained by the Malden City Council that the code of the city of Malden 6.08.070F licensing of marijuana establishments is hereby amended by adding without first obtaining approval from the Cannabis Licensing and Enforcement Commission to the end of the section.

Okay, Councillor Colón Hayes for the paper. Thank you. Okay, thank you. So I'm sure y'all remember back when we had a conversation with DMS Trinity about we don't have a process to transfer licenses so Mr. Hogan reached out and we talked this change really is suggesting to come up with a process, which is not unheard about in businesses. Businesses sell businesses all the time so we definitely need one and they had met with The Cleck already they're sort of waiting on us to make it okay that the ordinance prevents the transfer and without that ability to transfer, the special permit is effectively meaningless. So the language will change, will allow the clerk to approve such a transfer and leaves it up to the clerk define what that process would look like. We did talk about that extensively

in the beginning of this summer. Nelson was, I do not see him here but Nelson was going to be here to speak more to this paper but I did speak with him today and I spoke with Ron Hogan, and this is something that they suggested that would make their life easier. So we could either pass it on the floor or refer it to ordinance.

Okay. Thank you, Councilor Colón Hayes. I have first off Councilor O'Malley.

Yeah, I appreciate this. If I remember correctly, this is one of the reasons why I voted against the transfer of the special permit. We hadn't really gone through fixing this first and I had wanted it to really go to Clerk first for vetting before we did that. So, I appreciate Councilor Colón Hayes for helping us make this correction. Thank you.

Thank You, Councillor O'Malley.

Yeah, I know in that special permitting review we did make that was a concern. And I appreciate this being advanced and I am supportive of doing this to clarify this. the Liquor Licensing Board, this is a type of thing that happens all the time there. So now it's been four or five years or longer since we have adopted the Ordinance, I think this is a sensible thing. We know what the universe is and on the council doesn't necessarily need to get involved in that level of detail on the collectively has that expertise and focus in what they do. So I think this is a sensible thing to do, so I'm supportive and happy to make a motion to enroll tonight. Thanks, great.

Okay, so we have a motion by Councilor Winslow to enroll. Do you want to second that? Okay, seconded by Councillor Colón Hayes. All in favor? Aye. Any opposed? Oh, I'm so sorry, Councilor O'Malley. I didn't see your light.

Thank you. But I just wanted to does everyone know what is the full sentence says now? I just wasn't sure if people wanted to know what the sentence said. So it's now it would say a marijuana establishment shall have no ability to transfer a license to a new operator without first obtaining approval from the Cannabis Licensing and Enforcement Commission. So my vote is yes.

Okay, thank you. Colón Hayes. You still have your light on? Oh, I'm sorry. No, that's okay. Just want to make sure you're all set. Did you want to take any other action on that? Can we call an official vote? All in favor? Oh, I thought we did. I'm sorry.

I think we got interrupted but I just want to get it on the record that...

Okay so on a motion by Councillor Winslow seconded by Councillor Colón Hayes to enroll all in favor aye thank you okay that is enrolled no thank you Do you want to take any further action on it? Okay. So, on a motion by Councilor Colón Hayes to suspend the rules for the purposes of ordaining, do we have a second to that?

Second.

Okay, seconded by Councilor Winslow. We will call the roll.

Winslow, Council President Linehan.

Yes. Okay so the rules have been suspended. Okay the rules Have been suspended do we have a motion to ordain? Thank You councillor McDonald On a motion by Councillor McDonald, seconded by Councillor Colón Hayes to ordain this paper we will call the roll.

Taylor, Councilor Winslow, Council President Linehan.

Yes okay that has been ordained great next order of business

Okay, thank you. Hold on just a second. Yeah, take your time. Thank you. Paper 397-26 Resolved that it is the sense of the Malden City Council that the State of Massachusetts must protect and strengthen the MassSave program in clean energy grants. MassSave provides financial incentives to direct directly to residents to make their homes and businesses more energy efficient in shift to clean energy usage. In 2024, Malden residents received $5.7 million through MassSave and generated at least 600 Megawatt hours and energy savings. Grants from MassSave have funded critical city staff capacity to reach our diverse community so that every resident can participate. Malden has also received multiple

Green Community Grants to support energy efficiency projects funded by alternative compliance payment option for utilities to meet their clean energy targets. Mass save incentives and state grants are critical for Malden's Climate Action Plan to reduce emissions and make our homes more resilient in this environmental justice community. Since the majority of our buildings are older, we can only meet our climate action targets by retrofitting our buildings without Mass Save incentives, these improvements will be out of reach for thousands of residents especially our most vulnerable neighbors including many renters and lower income residents. City level initiatives are also frequently grant funded and cannot continue without this support. However, MassSave and other clean energy grant programs have recently been targeted for cuts by the Massachusetts legislature as the House and Senate Conference Committee negotiates final energy affordability legislation

We urge Malden's delegation to reject the $1 billion reduction to mass save funding proposed in the House version and restore any cuts to green communities grant funding. To reduce utility bills, the state should focus on capping utility overhead administrative expenses reducing utility performance bonuses and phasing out expensive gas line construction and unnecessary replacement. Cuts to Mass Save and Green Community Grants would have a disastrous effect on our community increasing long-term utility costs and climate risks for our residents. MassSave in particular must not only be protected but further strengthened by making it easier for our most vulnerable residents to access MassSave incentives, We call on our legislators to protect and strengthen the MassA program in the green communities grants essential supports from the state for gateway cities like Malden. Okay, thank you. Councilor McDonald?

So I think a lot of the specifics here are laid out, but I just want to give some context for this resolution and why I wanted to get it on the docket. And if you already know kind of what's happening with the Mass Save program then a little bit redundant, but it's a really great program that Massachusetts has that not all states have. And it's been absolutely essential in helping people get the heating oil out of their homes or switch from gas to electric. This is a big way a lot of people get air conditioning, so when we're talking about what it costs to make your home more energy resilient this is a program that can help fund a lot the program has gone through a lot of changes and gets reauthorized periodically. We have finally gotten to a massive program that really focuses on communities like ours, and the benefits aren't primarily just going to wealthy communities. This is the time that the Massachusetts legislature

and trying to figure out what to do about utility bills targeted these programs for cuts, right when they are most able to benefit communities like Malden. And as the resolution says that's literally millions of dollars out of the pocket of our residents potentially The other piece to this that I want to note, the alternative compliance payments and just explain a little bit what that is. Our climate targets at the state say you have to use a certain amount of renewable energy in like the energy that you, the electricity you get in your bill. So renewable energy has to be wind, solar right? If you're the utility or the power provider and you can't find that you have to pay this alternative compliance payment to get up to the percentage that they say. That money then gets used to fund grants in places like Malden and since 2017 when Malden got its screen communities designation we've received, I just looked this up

about 1.4 million to the city in grants, to do all kinds of upgrades to our schools and our buildings to make them more energy efficient. So that's like the full cycle there. The reason this is a little less specific about the grants they just cut the payments, like the funding to the grants. They didn't actually even bother to cut the grants This is actually even worse than it looks because Malden also uses funding from MassSave to support one of our housing outreach specialists who works for us, is another example of us using grant funding to really do the work that needs to get done without burdening our taxpayers in Malden. because MassSave and these grants are authorized in a cycle, if these cuts actually proceed they come out of the remaining part of the cycle. And like most of the money's been spent it would basically be turning off these programs for communities like Malden and that's just very, very difficult to recover from.

When you're talking about trying to get the whole economy that can create jobs for electricians and tradespeople and companies that are starting in our communities get these projects done. If you are pulling the incentives up and down, they can't build their businesses we can't prepare people for jobs it's a huge problem so this is something that I think is getting more and more attention. I want Malden to be a leader in calling this out, I want other communities to do the same. Some of our representatives did vote for this cut, to be clear. I think after some public outcry, the Senate version restored a lot of that. I'm less sure what's happening with the green communities grants because there are a couple stages difference. So right now is the time to make a vote like this because the conference committee report hasn't been completed yet and I think our voice here can help make a difference, and I hope it encourages other communities to do the same. Last thing I just want to note is this isn't my idea. Actually, this came from our Climate Action Sustainability Commission. They met with the Sierra Club

their Massachusetts director who kind of talked through what these things are, what's going on at the state level. And they wrote a letter of support for maintaining and protecting these programs. And so this resolution is based off of work that our Climate Act and Sustainability Commission is doing, and calling our legislators to do. So we can work better together and follow their lead on this. And I would... would boldly ask if we could get a unanimous vote about this. I think that helps as well, so hope to have your support on this resolution. Thank you so much.

Great, thank you Councilor McDonald. Councilor O'Malley?

I would like to be added as a co-sponsor And I want to thank our Climate Action Committee for putting this forward. You know, I think it's really concerning that so many people that we have supported in the legislature are scapegoating Mass Save MassSave is not the reason why our utility bills are going through the roof. Utility companies right now are making record profits off of our rate payers and it's really not fair but I think the reason why is so important. The gas company, the electrical company have not been doing any maintenance or barely any maintenance for a century and that deferred maintenance has caught up to them that's why there have been explosions in the Merrimack Valley, we have explosions on Main Street and Malden. It's really been out of control and the systems are failing and so now they have to spend millions, billions of dollars fixing these broken infrastructure.

And rather than it coming out of their profits the Department of Public Utilities because it's a privilege to operate a public utility in Massachusetts approves these rate increases, allowing the gas companies and the electrical companies to make record profits. It's not fair. If you mismanage your business sometimes you have to operate in the red Our gas and electric companies have been mismanaged. And there's another thing here about the time value of money. So if they had been doing preventative maintenance for the last century, a dollar 100 years ago gets you a lot more than $1 today. So we are paying through the nose to fix stuff. And had they been doing that over the last 100 years, we wouldn't be in this situation. And the reason why I'm saying that is it's not MassSave that's causing these bills. It's the fact that they weren't doing their job and so I do appreciate this, I fully support it. And I think mass save should be saved because it's how we get more efficient in saving money as rate payers.

They might not save money cause they have to pay into it but our residents sure do and the fact that, you know, our state legislators are throwing it under the bus is just not fair. So thank you.

Thank you, Councilor O'Malley. Councilor Winslow?

Yeah, no. Thank you for the Climate Action Committee and Councilor McDonald to putting this forward. Yeah, very that's a good point, Councilor O'Malley. I mean, I also think of We've been talking about taking climate action and I view this as sort of through the lens of what we've started to do in terms of our lead pipes. We knew 2,500 or more homes needed have lead pipe replacements coming up with a program where we can actually intervene directly so that we can remove that. That's really some of this in terms of particularly oil, it sounds crazy to me We have people putting in new oil boilers at this point in time. So the mass save money gives us and that Gateway Communities can now have this, but to have the money taken away just at the most critical point. And we need resources so that we as a city can assist. I mean, just today I was hearing

Heating oil is basically the same chemical composition as diesel fuel. Diesel fuel's the most expensive fuel out there right now, and it's not going to go down So what used to be a couple bucks for oil, the price of heating oil has gone up 75% over the last couple years versus 11% and so on. and electrification is that alternative. A lot of times where oil is still there, it's because we don't have a gas line there or can't get one there so this is a great program. We need to make sure it's funded and can benefit

Malden residents, and yet we have to pay the bills so that we can help our residents save money and also advance our climate action goals. Thank you.

Thank You Councillor Winslow Okay, seeing no other lights do we have a motion to pass the resolve? Did you want to talk again?

Oh sorry. Oh okay.

All right, on a motion by Councillor LeWong seconded by Councillor Crowe. All in favor? Aye. Any opposed? Okay the resolve has passed. I said any opposed nobody's opposed. Yeah, so that's unanimous like you wanted. Great, congratulations!

Paper 398-26 whereas the city of Malden currently has long-standing ordinances that one, prohibit motorized scooters, motorized bicycles and any other motorized vehicle not otherwise regulated by law from being operated on any public way park playground school ground City Cemetery or property under the control of the city of Malden. And two, limits to use of motorized devices on multi-use trails such as the Northern Strand Trail to Class 1 and Class 2 electric bicycles and electric scooters with a top speed of 15 miles per hour or less. Whereas the City of Malden lacks specific ordinances or traffic rules regulating use of bicycles and powered micro-mobility devices on sidewalks, whereas the Massachusetts General Court and Governor's Office have been working on legislation that will create a new framework to regulate micromobility devices based on top speed in other factors.

and whereas the increased number, speed and weight of powered micro mobility devices pose greater risk of injury to both users and non-users alike. And whereas the lack of rules education and training programs for motorized micro mobility result in dangerous operator behaviors such as ignoring basic traffic rules, failing to yield to vulnerable users such as walkers and regular bicyclists. Speeding and Popping Wheelies, particularly among younger operators who have not taken any motor vehicle licensing courses. Therefore the City Council resolves to work in conjunction with the following partners on community outreach Helpful to draft ordinances, rules, policies and education programs to ensure the safe and responsible use of micromobility devices.

the newly formed Transportation Commission to develop draft rules and ordinances for micro-mobility devices in Malden consistent with the anticipated state legislation on micro mobility devices. Two, the Malden School Committee and Public Facilities Department on policies and practices related to the types of micromobility devices that may be allowed on school property. And how to safely and securely store them. Malden Police, Fire and School Committee as well as regional and local organizations to develop education in safety programs to ensure safe operation charging and storage of micro mobility devices. Be it further resolved that Any such ordinances, policies and practices shall ensure that wheelchairs, power wheelchair mobility scooters or other personal mobility devices which are used by individuals with disabilities are not restricted by any ordinances, policies or practices pertaining to the regulation of motorized vehicles.

Okay, thank you.

Who wants to speak to this first? Councilor LeLong? Okay, you have the floor. Oh, if I put your mic on. You should be good now.

In speaking to Councilor Winslow, this is a long time coming. And I think and I know that Councilor Taylor and I met on this a year ago and we really couldn't do much with it because of the way our current state law writes. So we're hoping what happens with the new legislation that's due to pass from the governor, we're hopin' that that's gonna open our hands a little bit a meaningful conversation in a working group that is going to be able to address these issues because eventually somebody's gonna get hurt and someone's gonna got killed. And I wanted to add on here as a community partner, I know we say organizations, but I think the community in general needs to be able to have a point where they can also voice their opinion and what they're looking for.

and I also would be really excited to work on this with the Malden School Committee as they set policy. They should set what happens at their schools, so I look forward Winslow.

I know every one of us on the council is experiencing something related to

and many more. Thank you. and don't even have regular pedals. So there's a lot of concerns, and then I think just even sitting in the Finance Committee watching the sidewalk out front of City Hall here seeing a whole bunch of things go by some on the street, some on a sidewalk. We just know viscerally and from our constituents we need to get out ahead of this. And I've been sort of treading water waiting for the state legislation to get passed. I did go to the hearing, you know one of the things at that the hearing at the State House on this was you know, doctors from Children's Hospital and Mass General came.

These were emergency room doctors saying that how much in the past few years that literally types of injuries have like tripled for these kind of devices The worst thing because of their speed is that they're seeing young kids getting injuries you might see a motorcycle cyclist get. And so, really, they were not solicited. They came out on their own volition and there's been opinion. they're really seeing that the lack of good policy and education, and restriction on use of these devices is a big health issue for our young people. So to get out in front... The legislature has included this in the economic development bill. I believe that's passed the House and the Senate, it's in conference committee. So it's getting queued up so sometime probably by the end of year state legislation will happen there was a Microbility Committee.

If anybody's more interested, on Monday night the Mall and Safe Streets is actually having Chris Carter who led that effort with the state of developing the guidelines that are now being active, so he will be at Malden Safe Street 630 at Bay State Commons just across from the church and VB school. So we're starting to put things together but it's a type of thing we need We lack some rules that relate to these. One of the things I see is with Bike To The Sea, the whole focus a lot of times is bike safety and working a long time with Councilor Crowe on bike safety affairs for bicycles there's been this thing of approaches to safety and these new devices, there's no really constituency or industry group or advocacy group that is working to train people who use them or even in motorcycles.

You have to get a motorcycle, you have to trained on that. These are untrained people are getting hold of these devices thinking they're like bicycles, but they are more like motorcycles. And that's just dangerous. So there is a multifaceted thing we have to do here and so that's why I put in Resolve and we had the new Transportation Commission I did talk to Chief Gatcombe today. He's already working with the traffic officers to do some preparation and that type of thing. Tufts was down at the YMCA, they actually have a flyer done at the there's partners we need to bring together and I think like a working group. But this is just the first thing to say, I think the encouraging thing is we actually have some things on the book that can take some enforcement actions now for the most egregious actions that we see out there We need to be more refined because with the cost of motor vehicles, $50,000 or more for a car. The price of gasoline.

Younger people and younger adults, it's just they're making these choices because it's a practical thing to be an Uber driver or get to school or a job. So we have to be subtle in how we regulate. We need to make sure that people who make this option have the knowledge about what they're buying, can use that safely and that we then also work to make our streets safe enough, that right street layout is for the right devices. So it's a very multi-faceted thing this is just like in the 1940s when motor vehicles, cars became popular. We're having to redo the mix and we have to rethink this. This is a change that's gonna ripple out through the community and that's why you put it out there Thank you.

Luong, working on this and look forward to whatever thing. I think we got to reach out to the mayor's office and strategize a little bit about how a working group might work and just make it work but it's something that's A lot of communities are facing up to, and it's going to be something that we just need to lead here. It's an issue that's out there. Thank you.

Okay. Thank You Councillor Winslow.

Yes, thank you. I don't want to belabor this. Everybody has said similar things but I do wanna thank the sponsors for bringing this up because yes, you're right. This has been a huge conversation out in the community and it is gonna be a lot of work so I really appreciate you know, taking a hold of this rather than waiting for the legislator and just legislation and just getting ahead of it. I think sometimes I feel like I've said this too much tonight but I would love to be sponsored on this too because I think if he sends a message that it's really important, you know, that we all stand behind it. So I'd love to be a sponsor on this and again thank you. Love the last clause obviously that this does not affect anyone with like mobility issues stuff so thank you for putting that in there very clear okay thank you

Thank you, Councilor Colón Hayes. Councilor McDonald?

Yes. Echoing I would love to be added as a co-sponsor. Thank you for getting a working group going that seems like totally the right approach. I just wanted to emphasize I really hope that we continue to bring this from the place that you landed, Councilor Winslow which is about care and choice for the community. sometimes the conversations we have are, or that I've had folks talk to me about feels like these devices are an annoyance. And I don't think I mean, they can be annoying but that's not the full story. This is actually a problem we want to have which people are making more transportation choices that align with their budgets. They're trying to do things that don't just contribute to more traffic on the roads. But safety is absolutely real as someone married to a case manager at rehab hospitals. This point about the injuries people are getting is really scary, and I'm really glad that the school committee is part of the outreach here because I know some school committee members

are all ways to do better education in schools about this, in addition to the policies about that. So just working along... All of that is great. I just wanted to make that point about care and choice as being at the heart of what we're trying to do rather than scolding people McDonald, and I think that's the approach that we've got here with a working group. So thank you very much.

Thank you, Councilor McDonald.

I agree safety is paramount, and we are going to have some major issues if we don't get this. We watched the same things go by finance, and some of them had a license plate still going down the sidewalk. So that's a concern. I just had some mechanics sort of question now, because it just says in conjunction with the community and I know community partners you said the community as a partner and then it's a working group. It doesn't really say that, so who is going to be sort of appointing this working group? Just to make sure we do have diverse voices in opinions on this because that's some things always hold us up. It's one side or the other, and it's really contentious in not coming together. I do think that police have been working on it. I know school committee members, and that's been in a lot of other communities

really taking this up on their school property, and the Transportation Commission. So just to make sure that we kind of know some of the mechanics of does someone have to apply? I know this is only a resolve, but is it the mayor's going to be putting this working group together? Is the council going to put in this work group together so we kind of have some idea of when someone calls me and asks me what's that all about.

Long, do you want to answer that?

Sure. So I've actually already gotten some questions. Residents versus having an official organization have already put their selves forward and said that they would like to be part of it. And so I think one, you know, I don't know do we want to put in an ad hoc committee? Do we want to make it a working group? To your question, I'm new to this. So I'm all for suggestions but I'm just really concerned that if we do nothing it's only going to get worse. And I, you know, to Councilor McDonald's point, I don't want to hinder somebody from having that's their only mode of transportation but on the other hand if they're you know, going more than 30 miles an hour and they're under 16 with no helmet. What do we, what do we do with that? So I look to council president to recommend.

It's an open question because it is just a resolve. It doesn't actually say that we'll start a working group, and I think to Councilor Crowe's point there are a lot of like the police are already working on a lot are already working with the police. I'm sure the school committee is grappling with it. I know I can speak to some of the principals I've talked to from just seeing different policies in place at the schools. It is kind of a grab bag of different policies and I think that's why the school committee is trying to get their arms around it feels to me like maybe we should take it up as it's written now and then get together with the mayor's office and see if that's something that we want to collaborate on and then come back and see if maybe we could, it feels to me like we have a couple different paths. It could be a council ad hoc, it could be something that the mayor's office appoints as Yeah, or the Transportation Commission could take up. I mean again that's a new group that's got to elect officers set a new meeting schedule They have new members they're onboarding.

That feels like a lot to put on them, and we've also put the permit parking overhaul on them right out of the gate. So it does feel like maybe there's a lot of conversation that we still need to have but if the resolve is the sense of the council that this is becoming an issue so critical that we can't ignore it any longer, that is what's before us I think in this paper. I'd love to hear other perspectives on that but I think we could pass it as its written and then continue to talk about how we gather that community input or if it's our desire, to create a committee. We could do it ourselves or we could work with the mayor's office to create an advisory committee. That's sometimes a faster path than having the council do it O'Malley was next.

Thank you. So yeah, whether it is an ad hoc committee or a working group I think one of the things we learned from the Youth Council is it doesn't matter what you call it, it's still a public body that has to comply with the open meeting law. So I think it's really important that when we set this up, we make sure that we have diverse groups represented and that we are making sure that the public has the ability and opportunity to attend these But yeah, fully in support and just wanted to make sure that we knew that going into it. Thank you Great point.

Thank You councillor O'Malley Councillor Winslow for the second time Yeah I mean you know a couple of things you know one of the things I didn't want to get too specific because really the things that crystallize the action in my mind is when the state legislation passes. And even then there's some things that, that the state might have to act so on and also I mean I think it is you know the Transportation Committee does have generally the jurisdiction and particularly to rules on the roads and sidewalks. So, I mean, I think it might be good to have a working group amongst the departments to make sure there's coordination. I think ultimately in terms of adopting rules. I mean, I think I envision that would fall to the Transportation Commission and on school grounds obviously that would be something that would's fall to you know, the School Committee so but it becomes

This is a broader issue than just some rules because I see the challenges if people opt for these devices, if they don't know how to use them properly and that. it doesn't really do. So I think maybe ultimately a working group and I think we have to have that discussion with the mayor but like some of it, I just wanted to make sure that the community is assured We actually have some things in place right now that we have rules that do regulate these things, right now if we need it. And then ultimately we have you know, we have a path forward and I think a working group probably but it is that point of ultimately the traffic to the Transportation Commission what public processes. They are a public body things are there They may meet it on a different night.

They have a little bit more capacity with the transportation planner and other things, so that was some of the hope to maybe have the Transportation Commission at least take up. So I think we do have to process it a little I think it's good to plant the flag and then get the conversation going, and just figure out. We had Complete Streets come, and there was a complete streets committee that was a working group, and I think that was really under the mayor with a counselor on it. and that was a very good process. But I mean, you know, one of the things we might think of as having working with the Transportation Commission and our own community engagement committee to have some more public facing things even before something goes to the Transportation Commission. So that's some of the choices, so we can... Let's get the resolution Chew on it a little bit and then figure out.

But I think having something a little more broad than just a Transportation Commission meeting, if that's not- I think that makes sense.

And as you're talking, I'm thinking there are other stakeholder groups like a huge group that utilizes some of these devices is our youth, whether or not that's formally legal as the law is written now. That's a group we need to engage with I think also a lot of communities around us have rules around charging of devices. and so forth. Thank you very much. come back around when we know what we're dealing with, with the state level legislation and take it up at that point. So do we have a motion to pass the resolve? Okay, so on a motion by Councilor Winslow seconded by Councillor Colón Hayes.

All in favor? Aye. Any opposed? Seeing none that resolve has passed.

Next order of business? Paper. 263-26, be it ordained by the Malden City Council that the Code of the City of Malden Title 12 is hereby amended by the following regarding residential kitchens as outlined in the body of this paper. This was already enrolled. We're looking to ordain this evening.

Okay, do we have anybody looking to make a motion to ordained? Okay, we have a motion on the floor. I do have a light from Councilor Winslow.

Okay, yeah. At this point I mean, I know there are other pieces like action by the Board of Health. And I know this was not on the Board health agenda this month. Personally, I'm in favor of the overall concept but I will just be abstaining tonight from any decision on this because I feel like we need the Board of Health to actually make this real and I don't want to send a message out to the community that this is ready to go yet. without the Board of Health Action. So that's just how I plan to vote tonight, thank you.

I do have a couple of lights before we take up the motion on the floor. Did you make that motion, Councilor Crowe?

O'Malley.

My point of order is that because this is a zoning amendment, if it fails then cannot be brought up again for two years I believe or we know this was voted favorably so there's some rule about, there's something actually because the planning board actually recommended this correct? So maybe it's not the two year rule but there might be like a six month rule where if it fails you can't bring it up again. I think we want to make sure that we have our eight votes to pass this because if it does not pass, then it's not great. And there's two people missing tonight so I did some quick math. It's not clear maybe

Okay, I understand what you're saying, Councilor O'Malley. So my question about tabling would be reminding folks that we did amend it How do we word that? That it would go into effect on January.

Yes, it won't take effect until January 1st in order to give the Board of Health time to put their regulations in order.

Okay, because I remember we discussed tabling it last time and decided not to do that but then of course that does put it back on our docket this week. Councilor DeLong did you want to speak to that? I saw you putting your light... No, I do.

So here's my thoughts. We've talked about each part of this, and the only part we're waiting on truly is the Board of Health regulations, but we still have to adopt. Legally speaking, we have to adapt the Massachusetts state regulations for cottage kitchens. It's only if the Malden Board of Health wants to add to that So that means labeling, that means it has to be a business. That means it can only be non-perishables. There's usually a list in there if you go by the mess. You know, there has to legal business There's all those regulations that have to happen. We have to adopt those, to be able to do this.

I'm gonna take, we have just one other councilor waiting to speak too. I'm going to take Councilor Taylor.

I guess my feeling is if we ordain this tonight and send it, bigger message to the Board of Health that we are all in support of this. And like Councilor Luong said, the bare minimum is that they adopt the state guidelines they can just add additional. So it's going to go forward regardless, just what the guidelines are that's what we're kind of waiting for from the Board of Health. So I would hope that we can get this on the Board of Health's agenda as soon as possible and move this forward. as soon as we can. I know we have a few people waiting, but you know it would be nice to start seeing some more progress on this.

So if we table it tonight just for points of process, we table it tonight. I am also not here in two weeks so we're going to be in the same boat being down a person and you have until November 10th okay

No one made it to the table.

Not as of yet, no. So there is no rush to approve this right now because you do have some time before the deadline.

But Councilor O'Malley is correct that we need... Sorry, do you want to...

I don't know for sure, but I'm in favor of it. And I think that maybe this side of the table might be in favor and we might just make the eight. Just putting out there.

It has six sponsors. That's very close.

Well, we do have a motion on the floor with a second. We do not have a Motion on the Floor for tabling motion at this point.

Okay, I still have one more light. I'm going to take Councilor McDonald and then we can take up the motion.

I just want to, yeah. I think we should go ahead and pass you know take the vote tonight. I mean we can do it and I just wanted to ask part of the conversation last time was about health inspector capacity and has anyone heard from the Building Commissioner about, I mean who's the Director of Inspectional Services? About those issues. Part of why we delayed it was to give them a chance to come up with a plan and figure that out. We're still not even putting these things into place until January 1 presumably, it's not like their inspection is January 2 or whatever but has anyone heard any other update on that issue? Okay. Well I feel like nothing It's like a deadline sometimes, so I'm in favor of moving this forward. And then we can resolve other issues as they come up when they come out.

OK, let's thank you, Council McDonald. Let's call the question. We had a motion by Councillor LeWong seconded by Councillor Taylor to ordain the paper. So let's call the roll.

Councilor Colón Hayes? Yes. Yes. Council Condon? Yes, yes. Council Crowe? Yes Yes. Counsel Luong? Yes Counsel McDonald? Yes Yes. Councilor Taylor? Yes. Yes, Council Winslow?

I abstain.

Council President Linehan?

Yes Okay so that is eight votes Okay, so we have achieved the eight votes to ordain. Thank you for sticking with us this whole time. It only took two hours. Okay, next item.

All right, next order of business. Paper 399-26 Committee Report the Standing Committee on License to whom was referred papers 354 through 360 series of 2026 having considered the same Make the following report. Committee recommends these petitions out favorably to the full council.

Okay, on a motion by Councillor Condon, seconded by Councillor Taylor to receive their report. All in favor? Aye. The report is received.

Paper 354-26, Extended Hours, Lagarde LLC, DBA, Big Daddy Doggy Daycare. Located at 10 Maplewood Street hours seven days a week 24 hours a day this is a new petition Paper 355-26, Livery Company, Kudas Premium Limo, located at 244 Kennedy Drive, Apartment 103. One vehicle new. Paper 356-26 Livery Driver Kutukwaj, Chair of 244 Kennedy Drive, Apartment 103. This is a new petition. Paper 357-26, Livery Company, AK Luxury Transport LLC located at 252 Kennedy Drive apartment 612 one vehicle new. Paper 358-26 petition livery driver Aboukar Kobali of 252 Kennedy Drive, Apartment 612 Malden New.

Paper 359-26 Outdoor Parking Melrose Storage Facility LLC located at 235 Washington Street 72 spaces new. Paper 360-26, Outdoor Parking 3C Realty Trust located at 54 Winter Street, Malden for 22 spaces renewal.

Okay, Councilor Condon for the committee.

Thank you, Madam President. I ask the Clerk to take all these licenses at once. We had a meeting last week. We met with our compliance people and we went over each license They had no problems with any of these people here, and I would recommend that we grant them their licenses.

Okay, on a motion by Councillor Colón Hayes seconded by Councillor Condon to grant these licenses all in favor. Aye. Any opposed? Those licenses are granted.

Congratulations. Paper 400-26, Committee Report. The Standing Committee on Personnel and Appointments to Homeless Referred Papers 361 and 362 Series of 2026 having considered the same make the following report. Committee recommends these appointments out favorably to the full council.

Okay, on a motion by Councillor Crowe, seconded by Councillor Luong to receive their report. All in favor? Aye. Their report is received.

Paper 361-26, Mayoral Appointment. Julianne King of 29 Sterling Street, Malden as a member of the Council on Aging said term to commence upon confirmation by the City Council and to expire June 12th, 2029. Okay, Councilor Crowe for the paper.

Thank you, Madam President. We met last week and we met with Julianne. She's been resident of Malden for 22 years She has a 30-year career working with the Cambridge Senior Center on their food services manager, so she really has some expertise in working from our elder community in a senior center setting. And so she has applied, she actually applied to this before and she was not chosen. So I was really glad to see that her and the next person When another position opened up since they did show some interest, we'll reach back out to when they say you're going to keep your resume on file. They really mean it. So she's really excited to be able to support our senior center not just the on the Council of Aging, but really support the Senior Center in all their endeavors. So the committee had a lovely conversation and we made a motion to approve her appointment. Make that motion?

Okay. On a motion by Councillor Crowe, seconded by Councillor Condon. Is this your constituent? Okay. We need a roll call to confirm.

Council Colón Hayes. Yes. Council Condon? Yes. Yes. Councilor LaWong? Yes. Councillor McDonald? Yes Taylor, Councilor Winslow, Council President Linehan. Yes. Okay that confirmation is complete. Okay she has confirmed. Paper 362-26 Mayoral Appointment Arvin Timelsina, 8 Ingleside Avenue, Malden as a member of the Commission on Climate Action and Sustainability said term to commence upon confirmation by the City Council and to expire July 20th, 2020.

Okay, Councillor Crowe for the paper.

Again, we met with Arben yesterday and they really talked about their background as a data scientist. This is a little new to Arben. I don't know how to say the last name. without butchering it, Tomasina.

I may also not know how to say the last name.

But he was really very interested and enthusiastic about some of work that the commission has been doing McDonald had asked some of the questions around some of things in sustainability that they were working on. And he, again, had applied before and was not selected really was still interested in the position and enthusiastic about the working groups. And talked a lot about the importance of reliable public transportation, and the suggestion of using technology as solutions. So he will bring a new fresh ideas I think to this committee, and we made a motion to approve his appointment with that motion.

Great, so on a motion by Councilor Crowe seconded by Councillor Winslow or is this yours? Okay. President Linehan.

Okay, that is also confirmed.

Okay, he is confirmed. Next order of business? That is your docket. Okay the docket is clear. Would anybody like personal privilege? Councilor Luong was first.

Yes, so actually did you want to... I should resort to Councilor Taylor for us on the update.

Don't resort to Councillor Taylor.

Scavenger Hunt, October 17th will benefit the Zonta Club of Malden We're hoping everybody puts teams in. We need volunteers, so if you're not one to want to be running around the city trying to find our clues we could certainly use your help Maintain your location. Let either one of us know. Thank you.

Okay, thank you, Councilor Luong. Councilor Winslow?

Yeah, just a reminder for Salemwood families this Friday at the Salem Wood for the K-4 parents, there is a K-14 bingo to raise some money for the PTO. So check in with your teacher that's 6 to 730 at the K to 4 cafe there so... Then, as I mentioned on next Monday the 28th at Bay State Common that Malden Safe Streets is hosting Chris Carter who was the head of the state Mobility Commission, Micromobility Commission who can talk more about that. So I encourage people as we talk about that issue, that's a great person to talk on Sunday, October 4th at 1 o'clock from 1 to 4 there is the grand opening of the Riverworks Park. So Councilor Crowe will be helping to host that

Great work there and exciting to see all that work come to fruition. I took a sneak preview, actually what's amazing to me it's much bigger space than you might think so it's a really nice Nice space and really come out and get a perspective of that. Thank you, Craig.

Okay, thank you, Councilor Winslow. Councilor Taylor?

I kind of feel like we should do personal privilege at the beginning so we get all the fun stuff out first. There we go. In addition to our scavenger hunt, Zonta is coordinating with the library this Thursday night as a tribute to Dolly Parton. We'll be watching 9-5 and we'll be collecting period products for donation to the warming center So it is free. There will be snacks and, you know, it'll be nice to get together on what I'm now referring to as Dolly Eve and honor her. and then the Haunted Woods are coming back on October 24th. If you're interested in volunteering, we'll be meeting at St. Paul's at 6 PM this Sunday night

If you are not able to make it, please just reach out, shoot an email and we'll find some way to plug you in. There's plenty of need for volunteers at the Haunted Woods and we will be excited to see everybody on October 24th

Taylor, do you know for the movie night donations are there any particular products that are most in need?

Really any products. I think having a good having multiple different kinds of things where it is such a personal choice as to what makes you most comfortable, I think is best. So please feel free to bring anything we do ask that they're new New, fully packaged. So but it's all helpful the warming center did mention that was like the one thing they end up going out and spending money on because it is something I you know I don't know that I've really put a lot of thought into that before. And so, I think doing, you know having that... Yeah.

Okay, good to know. So thank you. Thank you. Councilor McDonald?

I will see you at the Malden River Works opening You're interested, community members. Before then is Malden's Public Safety Day at Linden Park hosted by our fire department and police in public safety. And so that is 11 to 1. is always a popular event. So I'm not really the host and usually Councilor Sica, I think makes this particular announcement but she's not here today wanting to make sure that the word got out. Thank you.

I think we have a knock on the door.

They've reminded me, it's on my calendar, of helmets on October 4th so you know, I'll be there. and the YWCA Malden is having their annual bowling event on Friday, October 16th. We're always looking for teams. It's really a great... A lot of businesses put teams in it's a great way to connect with other businesses that are going on in the city, and we've made some connections that businesses have worked together. It's a great team building opportunity for people to support a local community that will be around for 100 years in 2027. and October 25th, we're calling all trunks. So we'll be hosting the annual trunk a treat. I have not gotten to the time. I got to kind of work with another event that's taking place that day close to the bike path.

So I want to make sure that we coordinate appropriately, but it will happen on Canal Street starting at Medford Street and hopefully all the way down to the Bike Kitchen That'll be great. So reach out to me for either one of those events if you want to put a team in, if you wanna put a trunk in or find a way to support. Thank you so much.

Awesome, thank you Councilor Crowe. Councilor Colón Hayes?

Thank you very much. Yes, I'm just going to second or third the RiverWorks project. I can't believe that it's finally gonna be open. It's gonna be tremendous and for anyone who's listening still, I'm glad that the papers that we talked about in finance. I saw a couple of members in the audience that were on the Malden River Works project to make sure that there'll be deeper discussions in there regarding funding that was shifted from Roosevelt Park to the Malden River Works project. They just wanna make sure they are in full support of, we're all in support of each other here so but I also wanted to mention that the special event at the library tomorrow actually, September 23rd, Global to Local Girls and Education in Afghanistan. It's the story of a Malden family

So please join them to learn more about cultural and meaningful conversations as this is part of Welcoming Week with Malden Reads and the Malden Library. I just want to make sure I'm not leaving anyone out here.

Yeah, so that's it.

Hope to see you there.

Thank you. Great, thank you, Councilor Colón Hayes. From the chair I just wanted to give one more reminder that on October 3rd Malden Cosplay Celebration is happening again. That's from 10 to 5 on City Hall Plaza and various other locations downtown, but that would be the place to meet up if you want to be part of it. And then I believe also that day there's going to be tours of the new public art installations downtown starting at 430 area under the T, like right at Summer and Pleasant Street where the new murals are. So a couple of really cool things to check out that first weekend in October. Obviously there's tons of great stuff going on but just wanted to get a couple more things to highlight our gaming district and our public art. So seeing no other lights, do we have a motion to adjourn? Okay on a motion by Councilor O'Malley seconded by Councillor Taylor all in favor? Aye. We are adjourned at 9 0 5. Thank you everyone.

My guess was nine tonight. Pretty good.