This is a lightly edited transcript of the Chelsea City Council meeting of Monday, November 2, 2026, made from the Chelsea Community Cable livestream. Speech recognition software produced the text and separated the voices; we then labeled speakers from context and from the clerk’s roll calls, corrected names and misheard words using the council packet, and marked passages we could not make out as [unclear]. Otherwise the words are as spoken, including false starts. Remarks we could not attribute with confidence are marked “Unidentified speaker.” Council President Roberto Jimenez-Rivera chaired, with Vice President Norieliz DeJesus in the chair at times. Timestamps count from the start of the livestream; the meeting begins about 10 minutes in. For anything you plan to quote or rely on, check the video.
Our reports on this meeting: the solar discount, the city manager’s contract and everything else.
Agenda: Opening and roll call · Public hearing and vote: Downtown Broadway eminent domain · Public speaking and minutes · Appointments: Zoning Board of Appeals and Conservation Commission · Community Preservation Committee appointment (taken out of order) · FY2027 tax rate · Parking: observations and next steps · Prior-year bills · Home Depot donation to the fire department · Housing rehabilitation programs · Chelsea Pa'Lante master plan hearing · $11,000 youth coaching grant · 70% local preference for affordable housing lotteries · Firefighter breathing equipment grant match · Construction vehicles parked overnight · Justice Assistance Grant · $500,000 from Mass General Hospital · Win Waste donation · City manager contract renewal · Leo Robinson donation · Traffic and Parking Commission · Low-income solar discount (three orders) · Ways and Means: Chelsea Square events, bills, parking lot, 260 Marginal Street · Tax orders and senior tax freeze petition · New business: rodents, Broadway street sweeping, council rules · Late order: rodent abatement program · Public announcements and adjournment
Opening and roll call
[0:09:45] Council President Jimenez-Rivera: Please rise for the Pledge of Allegiance. I. Welcome everybody to city council meeting. If I could have the clerk call the roll of the members.
[0:10:14] Clerk: Councillor Taylor.
[0:10:15] Councillor Taylor: Here.
[0:10:16] Clerk: Councillor Recupero.
[0:10:17] Councillor Recupero: Here.
[0:10:17] Clerk: Councillor Jimenez-Rivera.
[0:10:19] Council President Jimenez-Rivera: Present.
[0:10:19] Clerk: Councillor Hines.
[0:10:20] Councillor Hines: Here.
[0:10:21] Clerk: Councillor Tanairi Garcia. Councillor Teshe?
[0:10:24] Councillor Teshe: Here.
[0:10:25] Clerk: Councillor Kelly. Garcia.
[0:10:26] Councillor Kelly Garcia: Present.
[0:10:27] Clerk: Councillor Santagate.
[0:10:28] Councillor Santagate: Present.
[0:10:29] Clerk: Councillor DeJesus?
[0:10:30] Councillor DeJesus: Present.
[0:10:30] Clerk: Councillor Brown.
[0:10:31] Councillor Brown: Here.
[0:10:32] Clerk: And Councillor Robinson?
[0:10:33] Councillor Robinson: Here.
[0:10:34] Clerk: Ten members present. We have a quorum. Mr. President.
[0:10:36] Council President Jimenez-Rivera: Thank you, Mr. Clerk. And Councillor Garcia. Garcia. Dealing with some health issues. Our thoughts are with her. [unclear] And also I'll just note for folks in the audience that we have a sign up sheet. If you would like to speak during public comment, please sign up. And with that we will open for memoriams and celebratory resolutions. Any folks who would like to highlight any of our recently deceased community members. All right. Seeing none, we will move on to a public hearing on the order of taking by eminent domain for the downtown Broadway roadway reconstruction project. Mr. Clerk. Oh, so we will open the public hearing. We don't have anybody signed up for that. All right, so I will now close the public hearing on the order. Oh, and so now we'll move on to the order itself and actually just want to have the city manager go up to explain the changes that are on the order.
Public hearing and vote: Downtown Broadway eminent domain
[0:11:51] City Manager Fidel Maltez: Thank you so much, Council president. So KP Law is the law firm that has been helping us with the staking. As you know, this is required for the Mass DOT project that is going to take place next year. It's called orders of taking. But essentially it's a negotiated easement of either temporary or permanent nature. KP Law ran the properties through the registry of deed and the registry of deed flagged a few minor, minor, minor changes. In front of you is a red line and a clean version of the changes. What you will notice is that it's only on the attachments, so not on the order itself. And what it is doing is simply adding additional details on each property to make sure that there's no confusion. One example, for instance, is that one property at 251 to 265 Broadway. They are adding the docket number where the property is listed. All of the additions are simply clarifying which properties we are speaking to and will make it easier when we go register these easements at the registry.
[0:13:26] Council President Jimenez-Rivera: All right, Any discussion or motion on the item?
[0:13:36] Unidentified speaker: Motion to accept and file the communication of the city manager.
[0:13:39] Council President Jimenez-Rivera: I believe this is the order. So we need a motion to adopt the GOT motion To adopt the order as amended. All right, all right. We have a motion to amend the order as amended. Is there. Sorry, Councillor Brown, did you need a second? No. All right, all right. Any discussion? Seeing none. All those in favor say aye. All those again say nay. Oh, sorry. We need a roll call vote on the adoption. Never mind. We're going to go to a roll vote on the adoption. Thank you, Clerk.
[0:14:20] Clerk: Motion before you. Order introduced by the council president providing an order of eminent domain, taking of easements of property for the downtown Broadway reconstruction project as amended. Yes. Vote to approve. Councillor Taylor.
[0:14:35] Councillor Taylor: Yes.
[0:14:36] Clerk: Yes. Councillor Recupero. Yes. Councillor Jimenez-Rivera.
[0:14:39] Council President Jimenez-Rivera: Yes.
[0:14:39] Clerk: Councillor Hines. Yes. Councillor Tanairi Garcia is absent. Councillor Teshe.
[0:14:43] Councillor Teshe: Yes.
[0:14:44] Clerk: Councillor Kelly Garcia. Yes. Councillor Santagate.
[0:14:47] Councillor Santagate: Yes.
[0:14:47] Clerk: Councillor DeJesus.
[0:14:48] Councillor DeJesus: Yes.
[0:14:49] Clerk: Councillor Brown.
[0:14:50] Councillor Brown: Yes.
[0:14:50] Clerk: And councillor Robinson.
[0:14:52] Councillor Robinson: Yes.
[0:14:52] Clerk: With 10 members in favor of zero opposed, one member absent. Order taking as amended. Approved.
Public speaking and minutes
[0:14:59] Council President Jimenez-Rivera: Thank you, Mr. Clerk. With that, we close the public hearing portion of the meeting and we move on to public speaking. Do we have. There are no speakers signed up. Great. Sorry. Not great, just great. Moving on to the next item. We will now close the public speaking portion of the meeting. I always appreciate when we have folks coming up, so no worries. [unclear] It's going to be a fun night. With that, we move on to approval of the minutes. We have the minutes of the October 19th regular meeting. Is there a motion
[0:15:36] Unidentified speaker: accept and file the minutes under unanimous consent.
[0:15:40] Council President Jimenez-Rivera: All right. Seeing no objections, so moved. Minutes approved. Now we move on to communications from the city manager. Mr. Clerk,
Appointments: Zoning Board of Appeals and Conservation Commission
[0:15:47] Clerk: your first communication from the city manager requesting approval of appointments to a boards and commissions. Their council is pursuant to Section 4-2 of the Charter of the city of Chelsea. I am writing to recommend the following individuals to a boards and commissions in the city for appointment to the Zoning board of appeals, Mr. Brian Hatleberg for a new three year term and appointment of the Conservation Commission. Mr. Jordan Hakes of Chelsea for a new three year term. I respectfully request your approval of these appointments. I have attached resumes for new appointees.
[0:16:17] Council President Jimenez-Rivera: There are a motion move to a second reading. All right, so we have a motion to move to a second reading. See councillor Brown, did you have something. Okay. All right, let's see. No objections. So move any. And. Were you one of these folks? Just wanted. Are you one of the. Are you. Are you Jordan or you're. You're on the other. He's on the other boat. Okay. Sorry I forgot your name for a second. I just wanted to make sure to give you the opportunity to say hello. All right, moving on. And actually we have. We have somebody who's going to be approved today. Would anybody like to make a motion to move it out of order so that we can get the C. Brown
[0:16:58] Councillor Brown: make a motion that we move that confirm of the board member today for us now so we can. He's here. We got a long stuff, a lot of stuff to do so might be able to get
[0:17:11] Unidentified speaker: it out the way.
[0:17:12] Council President Jimenez-Rivera: Thank you Councillor. Seeing no objections to the motion. We'll take that item out of order now. That's for preservation. We'll. We'll read the order now that will. This is it's
Community Preservation Committee appointment (taken out of order)
[0:17:25] Clerk: moving agenda. Item 26cm 137 from second readings out of order. Communication received from the city manager being read for the second time. Requesting approval of appointment to community Preservation committee. Dear Councillors, pursuant to Section 4-2 of the Charter of the city of Chelsea. I am writing to recommend the following individual to a boards and commissions in the city for appointment to the community preservation committee. Mr. Jay Adams of Chelsea for a new three year term. I respectfully request your approval of this appointment.
[0:17:53] Council President Jimenez-Rivera: And Mr. Adams is here. Thank you for joining us today. Is there a motion on the item? Councillor Brown,
[0:18:05] Councillor Brown: Mr. President. Make a motion that we adopt under roll call vote if there's no objection.
[0:18:10] Council President Jimenez-Rivera: Okay. See no objections. Moving to a roll call vote.
[0:18:16] Clerk: Roll call vote requested. Yes. Vote to confirm appointment. Councillor Taylor.
[0:18:20] Council President Jimenez-Rivera: Yes.
[0:18:21] Clerk: Councillor Recupero.
[0:18:22] Councillor Recupero: Yes.
[0:18:23] Clerk: Councillor Jimenez-Rivera.
[0:18:24] Council President Jimenez-Rivera: Yes.
[0:18:25] Clerk: Councillor Hines. Yes. Councillor Tanairi Garcia is absent. Councillor Teshe.
[0:18:29] Councillor Teshe: Yes.
[0:18:29] Clerk: Councillor Kelly Garcia.
[0:18:31] Councillor Kelly Garcia: Yes.
[0:18:31] Clerk: Councillor Santagate. Yes. Councillor DeJesus?
[0:18:34] Councillor DeJesus: Yes.
[0:18:34] Clerk: Councillor Brown?
[0:18:35] Councillor Brown: Yes.
[0:18:35] Clerk: And Councillor Robinson.
FY2027 tax rate
[0:18:37] Councillor Robinson: Yes.
[0:18:37] Clerk: Ten members in favor, zero opposed, one absent. Appointment confirmed.
[0:18:42] Council President Jimenez-Rivera: Thank you for your service. All righty. We now return to the regular order. Moving on to the fiscal year 27 tax rate.
[0:19:01] Clerk: Communication received from the City manager. Dear Councillors,. I'm writing to formally submit our presentation from the October 27, 2026 Subcommittee on our annual tax rate. We appreciate the city Council's thoughtful approach to our annual tax rate setting process. We formally request that the City council take the two votes required prior to the setting of the tax rate. We request the city Council hold a public hearing at your meeting on November 16, 2026 followed by a vote. This will allow our team to meet all procedural deadlines ahead of sending tax bills by December 31, 2026. The first required vote is the setting of the residential exemption pursuant in Mass. General Law Chapter 59, Section 5C. We are recommending that we maintain a 35% exemption, the maximum amount allowed by statute. This will provide the fullest possible tax free benefit to owner of occupied properties. The second required vote under Mass. General Law, chapter 40, section 56 is for the city council to determine the percentage of the total tax levy that should be borne by each class of real property and personal property. The city has historically voted by virtue of adopting a minimum residential factor that results in a 175% shift to transfer to commercial and industrial properties the maximum amount of the tax levy allowed by law. We recommend the same this year that a 175% shift is adopted along with 35% residential exemption.
[0:20:21] Council President Jimenez-Rivera: Councillor Brown.
[0:20:22] Councillor Brown: Thank you Mr. President. Accept and file. Also to schedule a meeting before our next November 16th meeting so we can have the public hearing. We've been in. We've already been in discussion, so we've already had a meeting with Mr. Sullivan. But it's still good to have the public weigh in any information whether it be a public hearing at a public hearing or sending some interest comments which they may have and then we can take it up later.
[0:20:56] Council President Jimenez-Rivera: Thank you. Thank you, councillor. Seeing no objections to the motion so moved we have. We will be sending this to schedule the public hearing. Yeah, we're. Yeah, that has already been scheduled. Yeah.
[0:21:15] Clerk: The orders themselves are coming up under committee reports. The committee reports already this public hearing guarded the schedule.
[0:21:28] Council President Jimenez-Rivera: Sorry, what was the question? Councillor? Is the public coming to the public hearing? I. I don't know. I certainly expect that they will. Councillor, please turn on your mic, please.
[0:21:43] Councillor Brown: So, no, for clarification, we're stating that we had a public meeting. We. We had some conversation with Mr. Sullivan and his staff, but we still open it up for the public. If we have. When we schedule this meeting and they can come and give testimony.
[0:22:00] Council President Jimenez-Rivera: Yes, we had a subcommittee for the council and then we have the public hearing for the public. Yeah, I know. I'm just making sure. All right, thank you, Councillor. Moving on to the next item,
Parking: observations and next steps
[0:22:14] Clerk: next communication received from the city manager DEA Councillors, we have held four community meetings discussing a potential change to our zoning regulations. To be clear, Chelsea is not eliminating parking. We are modernizing our zoning to allow the right amount of parking for each development. Today, zoning establishes parking requirements that developers must meet regardless of the specific project, its location, residence or the actual demand for parking lot. With our proposal, developers would have greater flexibility to determine how much parking makes sense for a particular project based on market demand, location costs and the needs of future residents. The proposal is also clear that new Developments will not get residential parking permits. Requiring more parking than projects need increases construction costs, consumes valuable land and makes housing harder to build. More flexibility can help unlock housing which is needed. We know the developers will still build parking and residents can still choose to live in homes with parking. We are not requiring developers to build less parking. We are removing a universal minimum so the appropriate amount can be determined for each project. During our meetings, we've heard clearly that many households rely upon cars and on street parking is already in high demand. Residents worry that new development could add competition for curbside spaces. This is why we believe that not allowing new developments to opt into the residential parking permit program is a necessary part of the zoning change. Many residents have asked us to address on street parking issues regardless of the zoning change. We know the changes to our current parking. Mr.
[0:23:44] Unidentified speaker: President, Councillor, I move to waive the rest of the. I
[0:23:48] Councillor Taylor: object. I just, this is too important to be, it needs to be read for the public. I'm
[0:23:54] Unidentified speaker: sorry, you, I, I would just say do allow a Councillor to finish speaking before you.
[0:24:02] Council President Jimenez-Rivera: He couldn't. Then back to the motion. No,
[0:24:03] Unidentified speaker: no, because I, I, I, I did not finish making my objection. It's sort of divine for you to object. Just do it respectfully. Okay,
[0:24:12] Council President Jimenez-Rivera: thank you. All right. Did you have something else that you wanted to finish saying? All right, we have an objection. We'll continue reading the item.
[0:24:22] Clerk: Many residents have asked us to address on street parking issues regardless of the zoning change. We know that changes to our current parking program are necessary to address residents concerns. Several ideas have come up. Number one, creating more resident parking only all day streets, especially in areas where people outside of Chelsea come to access public transit or employment opportunities. Number two, completing a utilization analysis for on street parking spots to identify areas that might be underused where parking can be available for residents. Number three, limit the number of parking permits issued to single units. We have heard concerns that some apartments have many vehicles registered and are not using their fair share of parking. And number four, looking at changes to street sweeping on Broadway to make it easier for residents to use on street parking overnight. The idea of limiting the number of parking permits per unit is intriguing. Although it might be a difficult change for our residents. We have asked our parking vendor to map our current parking permit database. The map is attached for your reference. We saw that some on streets have a tremendous number of parking permits compared to the number of on street parking spots. In fact, one street had 30 on street parking spots and 147 parking permits issued over the next few Weeks, we will be looking into each of these concerns in depth. We will present options to the City Council and the Traffic and Parking Commission for possible changes. Thank you for your support.
[0:25:44] Council President Jimenez-Rivera: Is there a motion, Councillor Taylor?
[0:25:49] Councillor Taylor: Accept and file the communication under unanimous consent. Would like to say a word on it.
[0:25:55] Council President Jimenez-Rivera: You may go ahead.
[0:25:59] Councillor Taylor: So I'll only say this, that I think it's really important. I've tried to bring this issue to the forefront and there's been resistance to deal with this, to this subject. It's important that we deal with the parking in general. There is a. There's a separate problem and it relates to what the city wants to do to eliminate the parking requirements. Because if we don't deal with the other parking first, we're going to be locked in to the current parking. You know, no parking between midnight and five. And that's going to make other difficulties elsewhere. So I would seriously suggest to the city that we move on parking reform before we act on the zoning changes or parking requirements for zoning. So just so everybody understands that, I think that it's super important that we deal with the parking problems. I mean, people that don't work or live in Chelsea should not be parking in Chelsea. End of story. Thank you.
[0:27:22] Vice President DeJesus: I have Pesci. And then. You. Sure, go ahead.
[0:27:32] Unidentified speaker: Sorry, Councillor. I promise I'll be brief. I agree with Councillor Taylor. I think before we go and making. We're making a lot of big changes right now. We already made a change to housing inclusionary zoning in our city, and now we're making a change to parking. Not only are we making it easier for developers to build, already we took one big regulation down, and now we're going to take another one down. I think before we do that, I agree with Councillor Taylor that we must really take a look at what's going on at the moment and try to really understand. Because I know from. Not only from firsthand, but also from my own neighbors that parking is a problem in our city where we have some, you know, some of our own neighbors coming home at 9, 10pm not being able to find, you know, any place to park it. It's a horrible problem to be dealing with when you only have five hours to sleep so you can get to your second job. So I agree. I don't think that we should be taking on this issue at this moment. Thank you.
[0:28:33] Vice President DeJesus: And then
[0:28:37] Councillor Recupero: I only have a simple thing. Yes, we want to change everything. Yes. But the people that live here matter, too. Here's an example. We changed the parking. They can't Get a president sticker per se. But what happens during the day? They can still park. So you have to think about that. You could park during the day. So you have a building that has 30 units and you got 30 visitors. So they take out 30 spots. So during the day, it's okay during the night, but during the day you have to think of the people that live in the neighborhood during the day. So that is an important part of this. So it should be studied even more because we want to make life better for the people that live here, not worse. Thank you.
[0:29:25] Unidentified speaker: I could be confused here, but I feel like some of this conversation is kind of missing the mark. My understanding is that this is to address the same parking issues that you guys are speaking to currently. And if I'm in and if I'm off, I'm off. But in fact, you know, it. Retail, one street at 30 on street parking spots for 147 parking permits issued. That's not speaking to new develop. That's not speaking. That's not speaking to new buildings. That's speaking to what's happening right now. And a lack of regulation we have currently with our residential parking system. And many residences or municipalities have some sort of regulation requirement. So to my fellow Councillor who, you know, I experience that I hate having to circle the block to look for a parking spot. I'd rather hit the park anywhere lights and leave my car in the middle of the road because of how frustrating that experience is. But it's because we don't have anything that regulates how many vehicles any one person or amount of people can have. In speaking to the city manager, he found one unit with seven residential parking permits. That's a lot. So we do have to come up with something. And it's a conversation that's going to be a battle I do foresee because parking is a huge issue here. But the conversation does have to start the same way. We're having a charter review because the charter needs to be reviewed a certain. After a certain amount of years, our zoning is a bit outdated. And that process should start along with us trying to get development so that we're not chasing our tail on either.
[0:31:19] Council President Jimenez-Rivera: Yeah, I think each and every one of us can think of a person in the city where they have, let's say, two adults in the house and three cars or four cars or three adults and four cars or five cars. Right. And those people are possibly taking up spaces that, you know, people who are two adults, one car could be using. Right. So I think it's about figuring Out. What can we do to make sure that the parking that we do have in the city is allocated in a way that makes sense for the people at large. Right. Rather than just, you know, those who can get to the parking spot first? With that, I think one of the things that I really appreciate about the communication is that there are four proposals there that I think are very worth discussing. I'm not saying that they're the only proposals, but I think it would actually be better for us to move this to conference committee to discuss the options that have been proposed to us in this communication as well as any other that anybody wants to mention. So I would, I would like to motion for this to go to the conference committee if. Yeah,
[0:32:28] Unidentified speaker: I second the motion.
[0:32:31] Vice President DeJesus: All right. Seeing all. Judge, you already spoke. There's a motion on the ground.
[0:32:37] Unidentified speaker: Yeah, I, I just wanted to also connect the whole, like
[0:32:42] Vice President DeJesus: there's a motion. So that closes the discussion and moves it to. It's okay. All right, moving on.
[0:32:53] Clerk: I would note that the motion to accept and file was already made, but
[0:32:59] Council President Jimenez-Rivera: it was. My understanding is that motion was made under unanimous consent needs to be approved before that. Right. So we open for discussion. Prior to the motion being accepted
[0:33:11] Clerk: from my hearing, it was a motion to accept and file, and there were no objections made.
[0:33:18] Council President Jimenez-Rivera: Point of, Point of order, Councillor. Councillor. Right. I mean, I, I, we open for discussion, and so now we're having discussion on the motion that was made. So
[0:33:32] Vice President DeJesus: are you still asking the clerk for clarify?
[0:33:34] Council President Jimenez-Rivera: I am asking the clerk for clarification.
[0:33:37] Clerk: It is the discretion of the chair.
[0:33:40] Vice President DeJesus: Okay. So I, I will proceed with allowing Lis. Lisa share her comments because she has not spoken. And then any other discussion around this, we will have that meeting posted and we can continue to discuss this. The city manager has also been doing many community meetings on this, so there's lots to be spoken about. Lisa, and then we can move on to the next order.
[0:34:01] Councillor Santagate: Yes, my comment was the connection that we really saw during the COVID pandemic in terms of overcrowding. And so I think that this, modifying some of this in terms of perhaps limiting the number of permits that anyone edifice could receive would also really have the byproduct of addressing some overcrowding issues that we know are quite dangerous in the city. So I just, I was thinking of that as I was thinking of someone having so many permits. That's got to be a lot of people living in a place that perhaps is dangerous to have so many people living. So.
[0:34:46] Vice President DeJesus: Okay, thank you, Councillor. Moving on to the next item.
Prior-year bills
[0:34:58] Clerk: Next item under communications from the City Manager. Communication requesting approval for departments to pay prior year expense. Dear Councillors, I am writing to request approval of the public works department to make a payment on a prior year expense using their FY27 budget. From time to time, municipal agencies are unable to affect two way payments to a vendor in the year that the goods or services are provided. When such instances occur, the City Council must authorize the payments from the procurement year's department budget for the prior year obligation. The above mentioned department have provided invoice copies as well as a memorandum or email explaining the circumstances of each expenditure which are attached for your review. In addition, I have attached a copy of the recommended order
[0:35:41] Council President Jimenez-Rivera: for a motion Council Brown
[0:35:42] Councillor Brown: make a motion to move it to Ways and Means.
[0:35:46] Council President Jimenez-Rivera: Accept and file. So this is the communication. So we have to accept and file communication.
[0:35:53] Clerk: The order before you introduced by Councillor DeJesus order that in accordance with Mass. General Law Chapter 44, Section 64 budget management procedures were by cost incurred in FY26, were not paid and are owed to vendors and to meet this obligation, funds are required from the current year FY27 budget. As noted, the Chelsea City Council authorizes following.
[0:36:13] Unidentified speaker: I'd like the motion to waive the rest of the reading and move this through Ways and Means. Let's help me.
[0:36:19] Council President Jimenez-Rivera: All right. All those in favor say aye. Nays here. Opposed say nay. The ayes have it so moved. Moving to wise means.
Home Depot donation to the fire department
[0:36:30] Clerk: Next. Communication received from the City Manager regarding Home Depot donation to Chelsea Fire Department. The accounts were pursuant in Mass General Law Chapter 44, Section 53A1/2. I am writing the request that the City Council formally approve a donation of building materials with a value of $2,243.17 from Home Depot to the Chelsea Fire Department for the construction of a training maze at the Mill Hill Station. Public Works has agreed to handle the
[0:36:56] Unidentified speaker: chairman. I'd like to move to waive the rest of the reading and accept and file the communication under unanimous consent.
[0:37:04] Council President Jimenez-Rivera: All those in favor say I. Those again say N. Eyes have it so moved.
[0:37:10] Clerk: Relevant communication received from Councillor DeJesus. Order that pursuant in Mass. General Law Chapter 44, Section 53A1/2, the Chelsea City Council hereby accepts a donation of discounted building materials, value $2,243.17 from Home Depot to the Chelsea Fire Department to support the construction of the maze for the department's training efforts.
[0:37:31] Council President Jimenez-Rivera: As
[0:37:31] Unidentified speaker: m present. Move this to Ways and Means.
[0:37:35] Council President Jimenez-Rivera: All those in favor say aye. Against a name. Eyes have it so moved.
Housing rehabilitation programs
[0:37:45] Clerk: Next communication received Responding to Council Order 2669 status update on Housing Rehabilitation Program Dear Councillors, I'm writing in response to Council Order 2669 requesting a status update on programs that provide funds to homeowners to prepare their homes. Below is a summary of all programs offered by the city and the status Workforce Rehabilitation Funds the city has supported six rehabilitation projects benefiting 25 housing units through workforce rehabilitation funds totaling costs of $214,035.50. An additional $26,200 was spent on Community Development Block Grant Program Administration and Construction Management Services. All beneficiaries had annual incomes that fell between 60% to 100% of AMI. These funds have addressed building code violations, fire hazards, deteriorated building systems and water infiltration through the following projects in 202315 units at $6,676 for sewer replacement servicing, 11 units subject to deed riders and four market rate units. The city also spent $26,200 on contracted program Administration and Construction Management Services to oversee the CDBG program at the time. 20241 property 2 units totaling $88,809.50 for window replacement new air filtration systems, roofing, doors, flooring, drywall, carpentry, a hot water heater, plumbing and electrical work. 20251 property of 2 units $6,550 in local funds rehabilitation supplemented by CDBG funding to address building code violations involving conversion of a one family home to a two family home and required stair modifications. 20263 properties 6 units totaling $112,000 broken down as follows 1 property 2 units $39,750 for a new roof replacement of windows and masonry repairs to brick building. 1 property 2 units $34,030 Replacement of the property's electrical system after inspection identified as a fire hazard. Also covered code violations. The project is nearing completion and no additional change orders are anticipated. 1 property 2 units $38,220 spent to date for new roofing, siding and replacement windows to address water infiltration, rotted roofing and siding and deteriorated windows. An additional $10,000 is anticipated for replacement of the heating system identified during inspection as a fire hazard. The current fund balance is $59,764 and the city anticipates allocating an additional $10,000 towards the heating system replacement and using the remaining 49,764 to assist one additional property, the housing Rehab program. CDBG The City is awaiting its 2026 award letter from the Executive Office of Housing and livable Communities which will grant the city access to $140,517 to rehabilitate homes within the city. The program is likely to serve upwards of four units. Additionally, in our 2024 award, an infrastructure program funded by CDBG came in under budget. We executed a budget amendment to move $295,765 to support the lead hazard reduction program which satisfied our matching requirement for this program and further enhanced our ability to abate lead and restore healthy homes. The lead abatement Healthy homes program, which is divided into two sub programs with lead hazard control being the primary. Those who identify,
[0:41:20] Councillor Recupero: accept and file the communication. If there's not unanimous. If there's no objection to make the speed limit.
[0:41:27] Council President Jimenez-Rivera: Yeah, waive the rest of the reading. Right. We have a motion to waive the rest of the reading and accept on filing the communication under suspension. Councillor, seeing no objections
[0:41:37] Councillor Recupero: to the chair. Can I ask the city manager a question? Sure. Is this the program that was started before? It's not the hot program. This is the other program that Mr. [unclear] said there was no funds and no money for it. Is this the same program that Mr. Ambrosino applied before or is this a new program?
[0:42:06] City Manager Fidel Maltez: This is a new program. The lead abatement program is $2.2 million that we got from the feds last year. And it's a brand new program that is going to provide up to $19,000 per unit to remove lead inside of of homes. So that's a brand new program. All of the other ones, councillor, are new programs that are funded through cdbg, which is federal money.
[0:42:35] Councillor Recupero: Okay, so here's the question. I
[0:42:36] Unidentified speaker: have the program that was to help people that are not under the system through the federal system to help a regular homeowner, which was enacted before, which people are still waiting, is that going to be brought back or is that going to be eliminated? So it means that the people that are not under assistance and own homes cannot get the program was when we initially did it was to help homeowners that don't qualify
[0:43:04] Councillor Recupero: under HUD standards. So this is the same thing from hud. It's not the program that was there before. So my question when I sent the order was is that program going to be eligible to the people again or is it going to be taken away? You've given us a new program which is not the original program that it was started. This is completely different. The program
[0:43:25] Vice President DeJesus: that I asked the last time to Mr. [unclear] was a simple one. Homeowners, they do not have hot
[0:43:31] Councillor Recupero: tenants. Because
[0:43:32] Unidentified speaker: you have to have a HUD tenant to get hot money. If you do not have one, that means disqualifies you. So that's why that program was enacted, to help the homeowners that don't fall under height.
[0:43:45] Councillor Recupero: Because sometimes you have to have, like I just said, a HUD tenant. If you're not under hud, you can't help regular homeowners. That program was designated to help regular homeowners within our city. So why shouldn't. That program. It was there. There's people waiting on it. I know there's people on that list. There's many people waiting on that list. That program was there for five years. And in five years, I only have two people. So that was why I put that on. I want to know exactly, is that program coming back or is it eliminated altogether? You set this. But this here has nothing to do with the regular program that was enacted before. The question is a simple one. Is that program disappearing? So I can tell the people that are waiting on the waiting list that the program is gone. Does the city get away with it? Or is the city going to bring that back?
[0:44:33] City Manager Fidel Maltez: I will look into a councillor.
[0:44:37] Councillor Recupero: Thank you. Because this is not the order that I asked for. This is a completely different audit that has nothing to do with what I asked. This is like saying, yes, we have a program, but you can't use it, so what good is it? It's no good to the average homeowner of our city. It's good to the people that are under the HUD system. That's what you got to explain to the public. Does the public understand what that means? I'm trying to tell them what that means. This program is not for you. If you own a home, it's for people that own homes that have HUD tenant. Otherwise, you cannot use it. And the program that was there before, you could have used. That's why that program was enacted. It was done for that purpose, to help homeowners that do not meet the hard. Thank you.
[0:45:23] Council President Jimenez-Rivera: Thank you, Councillor. All right, seeing no others, moving on to the next item,
Chelsea Pa'Lante master plan hearing
[0:45:31] Clerk: next communication received on the City manager requesting public hearing for Chelsea master plan. Dear Councillors, I am writing to request for the City Council schedule a public hearing and vote on the adoption of the Chelsea Pa'Lante. Chelsea's first master plan in more than 50 years. The process began with a request from the City Council two years ago. I want to thank you for your leadership, engagement and commitment to helping shape Chelsea's future. The City Council began an important Conversation about the community we are today and the community we aspire to become in the future. On October 27, 2026, the Planning Board voted to formally adopt Chelsea Pa'Lante. This was a big step towards establishing a shared vision for the future of our city. I am grateful to the planning board, our residents, community organizations, businesses, staff, and all those who contributed their time, ideas and perspectives through the process. Chelsea Pa'Lante is more than a planning document. It is a roadmap for the next 15 years. A framework to guide decisions about housing, economic development, transportation, infrastructure, open space, and the quality of life of our residents. It reflects the priorities and aspirations of our community.
[0:46:37] Council President Jimenez-Rivera: Councillor Taylor,
[0:46:40] Councillor Taylor: I'd ask to to waive the rest of the reading and accept and file the communication.
[0:46:52] Council President Jimenez-Rivera: All those in favor say aye, and you again say nay. The ayes have it so moved.
[0:46:58] Clerk: Order before you introduced by the council president. Order that the Chelsea city council schedule and hold a public hearing to consider the adoption of Chelsea Pa'Lante, the city's first master plan in more than 50 years, following the planning board's formal vote to adopt the plan on October 27th.
[0:47:15] Council President Jimenez-Rivera: Sure. See no objections. We'll go public hearing. Motion to a public hearing. If you're in favor, say ii. All this again say nay. The eyes have it so moved to scandal. The public hearing.
[0:47:37] Clerk: Next. Communication received from the city manager requesting
[0:47:40] Council President Jimenez-Rivera: approval. Hang on. Sorry, mics were on. Go. Go ahead, Clerk.
$11,000 youth coaching grant
[0:47:46] Clerk: Communication received from the city manager requesting approval of national National Recreation and Park association coaching pipeline grant. Dear Councillors, pursuant to General Law Chapter 44, Section 53A1/2, I am ready to request that the city council formally approve the acceptance of a grant of $11,000 from the national recreation and park association to support the Department of recreation and Cultural affairs coaching pipeline initiative. This funding will help the city recruit, train and retain youth sports coaches with an emphasis on increasing opportunities for women, bilingual residents and local high school students. The initiative will provide coaching education.
[0:48:22] Council President Jimenez-Rivera: Taylor
[0:48:24] Councillor Taylor: president asked to waive the rest of the reading and accept and file the communication under unanimous consent.
[0:48:29] Council President Jimenez-Rivera: Those in favor say I again say nay. The eyes have it so moved.
[0:48:36] Clerk: Relevant order introduced by Councillor DeJesus. Order that pursuant to Mass. General Law Chapter 44A, Section 53A1/2. In Part 4, Section 1 07C of the Administrative code of the City of Chelsea, the Chelsea City council hereby accepts a grant award of $11,000 to the Department of Recreation and cultural affairs from the national recreation and Park Association.
[0:48:57] Council President Jimenez-Rivera: Our motion, Councillor Taylor.
[0:49:01] Councillor Taylor: Move. Move to adopt by roll call vote.
[0:49:10] Council President Jimenez-Rivera: This does not have to go to Ways and Means. So we can accept it now. So any objection? Any? Sorry. We have a motion to roll call vote. Any discussion on the item? All right. Seeing none, we'll move for a roll call vote.
[0:49:22] Clerk: Roll call vote requested. Yes. Vote to approve the order and accept the bre. Consolor Taylor?
[0:49:28] Councillor Taylor: Yes.
[0:49:28] Clerk: Councillor Recupero? Yes. Councillor Jimenez-Rivera?
[0:49:31] Council President Jimenez-Rivera: Yes.
[0:49:32] Clerk: Councillor Hines?
[0:49:33] Councillor Hines: Yes.
[0:49:33] Clerk: Councillor Tanairi Garcia? Absent. Councillor Teshe?
[0:49:36] Councillor Teshe: Yes.
[0:49:36] Clerk: Councillor Kelly Garcia?
[0:49:38] Councillor Kelly Garcia: Yes.
[0:49:38] Clerk: Councillor Santagate?
[0:49:39] Vice President DeJesus: Yes. Councillor DeJesus? Yes.
[0:49:41] Clerk: Councillor Brown? Is that Councillor Robinson?
[0:49:45] Councillor Robinson: Yes.
[0:49:46] Clerk: Nine members in favor, zero opposed, two absent. Order approved. So moved. Next, communication received from the City Manager responding to Council Order 2668 implementing local preference for lotteries Dear Councillors, I am writing through in response to Council Order 2668 of the City Develop a centralized way to create a 70% preference for Chelsea residents in our inclusionary zoning program. We are working closely with the Chelsea Housing Authority to establish a centralized, city wide waitlisting application process for inclusionary zoning units. The partnership builds on the working relationship between the city and the Housing Authority and offers a proactive, practical, cost effective solution to concerns we have heard from developers and residents. Under the current system, developers are responsible for administering their inclusionary units even when a project reduces
70% local preference for affordable housing lotteries
[0:50:38] Unidentified speaker: present. I'd ask to waive the rest of the reading and accept and file the communication under unanimous consent. I object to the motion. I want the communication to be read.
[0:50:51] Council President Jimenez-Rivera: Okay, so object.
[0:50:55] Clerk: Even when a project produces just one affordable unit, a developer may need to hire a lottery agent, prepare a marketing plan and conduct extensive advertising. We have heard that these administrative costs can exceed $20,000 for a single unit. These expenses are an unnecessary burden, particularly for smaller developments and undermine our dual goals of housing production and affordability. The centralized system will address these concerns by streamlining the process and reducing administrative work. Rather than requiring every development to create its own application and lottery process, we will establish a consistent city wide system that makes it easier for developers to meet their obligations and help us meet LC's housing goals. This partnership will make the process significantly easier for residents today. Residents seeking to inclusion every unit may have to monitor multiple ads, submit applications to separate lotteries, and provide similar documentation repeatedly. A centralized waitlist will create a single, more accessible point of entry, reducing confusion and making it easier for residents to pursue affordable housing opportunities as they
[0:51:57] Council President Jimenez-Rivera: yes, but I saw you wait and yeah, I know, I know, I know. Sorry, I thought you were waving me to stop the reading clip.
[0:52:04] Clerk: The Chelsea Housing Authority is the right partner to lead this effort. Chelsea Housing brings tremendous experience administering affordable housing programs, managing applicant processes, and connecting residents with housing opportunities. It is also a trusted institution in our community. We can build upon existing expertise rather than creating an entirely new administrative structure. We have already met with the Chelsea Housing Authority and discussed an approach that would include a 70% preference for Chelsea residents consistent with applicable state and federal law. This ensures that Chelsea residents have access to affordable housing opportunities in our own community. This initiative reflects the balanced approach we have sought to take with inclusionary zoning. By listening to residents, engaging with developers, and working collaboratively with our partners, we can improve the program in ways that reduce unnecessary costs, simplify administration, and build more housing. I look forward to getting this work started as we move toward implementation. This will deliver a more effective and resident friendly process for our entire community. Thank you for your support, Housing Authority and discussed an approach that would include a 70% preference for Chelsea residents. Consistent with applicable state and federal law. This ensures that Chelsea residents have access to affordable housing opportunities in our own community. This initiative reflects the balanced approach we have sought to take with inclusionary zoning. By listening to residents, engaging with developers, and working collaboratively with our partners, we can improve the program in ways that reduce unnecessary costs, simplify administration and build more housing. I look forward to getting this work started as we move toward implementation. This will deliver a more effective and resident family process for our entire community. Thank you for your support.
[0:53:07] Council President Jimenez-Rivera: Councillor Recupero,
[0:53:09] Councillor Recupero: file the communication. There's no objection. Like to speak on it.
[0:53:12] Council President Jimenez-Rivera: You may speak on it. Seeing no objection. So
[0:53:15] Councillor Recupero: this is very well and done. But there's something that's missing out of this mechanism. How do you know these people actually live in Chelsea? They could just say that the address is Chelsea and don't live here at all. So is there a mechanism that you're going to put to make sure that the people that put for these lotteries actually live in Chelsea? Is there going to be a limit? What is the amount of time that you have to live within Chelsea to qualify for these programs? Because that is very important. You should put that mechanism in play. Because if you don't, I can move to Chelsea tomorrow and win the lottery. And I never lived in Chelsea. So you're taking a spot away from somebody that was there. That is a mechanism that we need to get. Thank you.
[0:53:56] Council President Jimenez-Rivera: Thank you, Councillor. Seeing no others, Councillor Garcia,
[0:54:02] Councillor Kelly Garcia: I'd like to thank City Manager and the team behind this initiative. Councillor Recupero, that makes me think of a question and I, And I believe Mr. Robinson also brought this up during the last meeting. Are. Was eligibility at all discussed when you connected with the Chelsea Housing Authority? What is the idea behind
[0:54:26] Council President Jimenez-Rivera: we asking the City Manager?
[0:54:28] Councillor Kelly Garcia: Yeah, yeah, sorry. Just. Just want to confirm that that's what we're doing here.
[0:54:32] Council President Jimenez-Rivera: Yep, yep. Go ahead, Councillor.
[0:54:37] City Manager Fidel Maltez: Thank you, Councillor. Yes, so I know that, that there is. When you start, when you say that you're a Chelsea resident, I know that documentation has to be provided to verify that. I don't know how long. Like I said, you gotta be a Chelsea resident for 12 months, Chelsea resident for 24 months that I am not sure about. Basically how it's going to work is going to be very similar to how Chance works right now, which is the central database that is managed by the Housing Authority. They receive all the applications. Right. And they are then filtered depending on Status if you're a veteran, if you're a family. And that's how the ranking list is determined. So the idea is that if you are a Chelsea resident, you would receive 70% priority, basically versus someone who is not. I will ask the question, what does it mean to be a Chelsea resident? And more specifically, how long do you, do you have to be a Chelsea resident before you are considered a Chelsea resident?
[0:55:45] Councillor Kelly Garcia: Thank you. And another question that just popped in my head. I'm wondering if the team has thoughts about how many number of individuals can apply within the household. I know that there isn't a certain lottery, if I'm not mistaken, that restricted it to one house, one family member in the household. And you know, I'm just posing that question here to see if there is an answer.
[0:56:12] City Manager Fidel Maltez: Yeah, usually it's the head of household. Right. So is the person that is considered the head of household. It could be a mom, it could be a dad, it could be, you know, it could be anyone, but. But it's usually the head of the household that is the person that is applying. We, we have had units where, where multiple people from the same apartment apply, but it's usually because of, of other situations in that apartment, but it is usually the head of the household of that family.
[0:56:38] Councillor Kelly Garcia: Got it. Thank you.
[0:56:40] Council President Jimenez-Rivera: Councillor Hines,
[0:56:41] Councillor Hines: quick question and I could be off. Maybe this would be a question better friend for Paul. But is there a list that they're utilizing right now that would just be applicable for this?
[0:56:55] City Manager Fidel Maltez: Yeah, so the. Yes, there is. Yes, there is. So they, the Chelsea Housing Authority currently manages what they call scattered sites. Right. So it's basically project based vouchers, right. Where they basically manage some units inside of a larger property. Right. And if you come to mind, and that process is entirely managed by the Chelsea Housing Authority. So this will work kind of similar, right, that, that if, if say for instance [a property owner] owns, you know, a building on, on Cherry street, right. One of the units would be essentially managed by the Chelsea Housing Authority. I know that we could take it up, but he's a, he's someone we like.
[0:57:50] Council President Jimenez-Rivera: Councillor [unclear].
[0:57:51] Unidentified speaker: Yeah, I just, I just have one comment and I hope, I hope the city manager takes this to heart is that, you know, I think, I think one of our top priorities has to be to get to the bottom of the illegal apartments and the safety hazards of multiple families living in one, you know, apartment. And so there should be some mechanism to identify these and get those people first priority into some of these units so that we can get rid of, you know, the safety hazards that exist and that continue to exist in a city like Chelsea that has a density of, you know, all we need is the weather conditions to be in the right place before the place goes up in smoke for a third time. So I really worry about this and I don't want anybody hurt and I want everybody to live in a safe place. And I think right now we've fallen quite short of that. So I would just suggest that this be part of the calculus. Thank you,
[0:59:11] Council President Jimenez-Rivera: Councillor Robinson.
[0:59:15] Councillor Robinson: It's pretty simple. When you apply to the Housing Authority and you're coming from outside the city, you have an outside city address. So when you apply to the Housing Authority and you're in Chelsea, you're automatically considered in that 70%. So there is a difference in how it's managed. And it's absolutely. The goal is to get to 70% on Chelsea residents. So there would be a separation in the list of who show who was actually Chelsea and who actually applied from outside the city.
[0:59:55] Council President Jimenez-Rivera: Thank you, everyone.
Firefighter breathing equipment grant match
[1:00:02] Clerk: Next, communication received from the city manager requesting transfer of funds from FY24 CIP project City Match for a federal award. Dear Councillors, the city was recently notified by the Department of Homeland Security that it was a recipient of an FY25 assistance to firefighters grant for the replacement of self Containing Breathing apparatuses equipment for the department. The equipment is integral for firefighter safety and we are grateful to Chief Quatieri for his aggressive pursuit of alternative funding to support the Fire Department. This grant agreement requires that the city provide a match of 10% of local funds totaling $44,047 to secure $440,470 in federal funds for the equipment purchase. In order to fund the city's match, we are requesting that the City Council repurpose the sum of $44,047. Mr.
[1:00:52] Unidentified speaker: President, asked to waive the rest of the reading and accept and file the communication under unanimous consent.
[1:00:59] Council President Jimenez-Rivera: Those in favor say aye. Again saying a the eyes have it so moved.
[1:01:05] Clerk: Order before you. Introduced by Councillor DeJesus. Order that in accordance with Chapter 44, Section 20 of Mass General Law, the sum of $44,070 appropriated in our Fiscal Year 2024 Capital Improvement Plan for the project noted below and which remain available after the purpose of the appropriation that was approved is no longer needed, is hereby transferred in the amount of $44,070 from CIP24 highspeed scanner and tabulator to provide the city's match for FY25 assistance of firefighters grant awarded to the city by the Department of Homeland Security.
[1:01:38] Council President Jimenez-Rivera: S motion on name.
[1:01:40] Councillor Hines: Motion for a roll call. Ways and Means. The Ways and Means. I'd like to motion to send this to Ways and Means.
[1:01:47] Council President Jimenez-Rivera: Those in favor say I against and a the eyes have it. So moved.
Construction vehicles parked overnight
[1:01:53] Clerk: Next. Communication received from the City Manager responding to Council Order 2675, Overnight Parking of construction vehicles. Here councilors are in brain to provide a response to Council Order 2675 requesting the City Manager work with relevant city departments to address the issue of construction related equipment, vehicles and or trailers left on city streets overnight. Our Parking Department and Department of Public Works work closely on oversight of construction related parking for construction vehicles owned by Chelsea residents. The Parking Department manages residential permits for those vehicles that meet the eligibility requirements and is diligent in ticketing those that do not. For construction vehicles and equipment operating in a temporary work zone, the Department of Public Works issues and oversees the permit allowing the work and limits of the construction area. Contractors are required to minimize their layout area and return as many parking spots as safely as possible for resident use at night. The DPW Commissioner has recently requested that the National Grid contractor on Hawthorne street better consolidate equipment or otherwise move vehicles off site to free up more overnight parking spaces while there was a vacancy.
[1:02:59] Councillor Recupero: Accepted by the communication. Like to speak on it if there's no objection.
[1:03:04] Council President Jimenez-Rivera: All right. See no objection. So moved and you have the floor.
[1:03:08] Councillor Recupero: Thank you for responding to this. This is a very important issue to the resident of our city because most of the time these utilities companies come in and they do what they want to do and they have no concerns for the resident of our city. So I know before we did something about that they couldn't. Any vehicles that could be moved should be moved. And I don't see that happening in some spots. They never move them. So I'm glad that this is going to be addressed again. I know in the bottom you said you could contact them and it will be addressed. Addressed. In which manner are you going to tell them to move? Or you're just going to say, okay, you can stay there another day? I hope that it comes to the point where if issue comes, they should be moved because that's what it is. I can understand the point where you got big vehicles with tires that leave them alone, but the smaller ones and the little vehicles that they use, they should be moved and it's supposed to be moved. But utilities companies and construction companies really never follow the rules. They think they own our city. They don't own our city. A city belongs to the residents and the residents deserve they get answers and this is a good you've given them an answer and I hope you follow through.
Justice Assistance Grant
[1:04:21] Council President Jimenez-Rivera: Thank you, Councillor. Moving on.
[1:04:25] Clerk: Next communication received via Councillors. I am writing the request that the City Council vote to support the Chelsea Police Department's application for the FY26 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant in the amount of $36,840. The JAG grant is one that the Chelsea Police Department applies for every year. Grant funds are used to deploy specialized gang, drug and anti crime units as assigned to focus on crime reduction initiatives. The efforts supported by this grant are closely aligned with the focus on increasing public safety for our community and residents. The grant requires that the City Council vote to support the CPD's application attached to this communication as a grant abstract for your reference. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me. Thank you for your support,
[1:05:10] Council President Jimenez-Rivera: sir. Motion Item
[1:05:12] Councillor Robinson: Accept and follow communication under suspension. There are no objections.
[1:05:16] Council President Jimenez-Rivera: Seeing no objections. So moved
[1:05:17] Councillor Robinson: you take up the order
[1:05:21] Clerk: resolution before you introduced by the Council President. Whereas the Chelsea City Council has continually expressed a desire to increase Chelsea Police Department's use of special initiatives focused on anti gang, drug and anti crime activity and whereas the United States Department of Justice Justice Assistance Grant or JAG program, if approved, will help fund some of the special initiatives that the City Administration and Police Department wish to undertake now. Therefore, it would be a result that the Chelsea City Council hereby supports and wholeheartedly endorses the City of Chelsea's application to the United States Department of Justice for the Justice Assistant Grant program. Local. Local solicitation in the amount of $36,840.
[1:06:01] Council President Jimenez-Rivera: Councillor,
[1:06:01] Councillor Robinson: move to Ways and Means. There are no objections,
[1:06:04] Council President Jimenez-Rivera: right? So we can move away from it. We can also accept. There's no funding associated with this. It's just a letter of support. So we. We can. If the Council wishes to, but.
[1:06:16] Councillor DeJesus: Well, we can adopt any answer under suspension,
[1:06:19] Council President Jimenez-Rivera: right? Seeing no objections. So adopted.
$500,000 from Mass General Hospital
[1:06:31] Clerk: Next, communication received from the City Manager requesting acceptance of Mass General Brigham Determination of Need Funds. Dear Councillors, I am writing to request that the City council formally accept $500,000 in community health impact funds from Mass General Hospital as part of its determination of need process through Mass General Brigham. These funds are an important investment in the health well being and economic stability of our Chelsea residents. The funding will support critical community service needs, expand access to essential resources and strengthen partnerships between the city and local community based organizations to address the challenges facing our residents. The funds will be used to improve access to healthy and affordable food, expand workforce development and living wage employment opportunities for young adults, strengthening job placement services, and supporting the economic mobility of survivors of domestic violence. In close partnership with our trusted community partners, these efforts will address underlying barriers to health and economic opportunity while helping residents build healthy or more stable futures. The $500,000 reward is expected to be distributed over three years, beginning with an initial test some of $250,000 in 2026, followed by two additional installments of $125,000 in 2027 and 2028. Subject to the terms of the agreement and applicable reporting requirements, the City will ensure that the funds are spent responsibly in accordance with the grant agreement and for the benefit of our entire community. The MOU from Mass General Brigham is attached to the City Council's reference I want to thank Mass. General Brigham for their partnership and commitment to advancing health.
[1:08:05] Unidentified speaker: Mr. Chairman, I I move to waive the rest of the reading and accept and file the communication under unanimous consent.
[1:08:15] Vice President DeJesus: No objections Proceeding to the next item Councillor
[1:08:22] Clerk: the relevant order taken introduced by the Council President order that pursuant to Mass. General LawChapter 44A, section 53A1/2 and part 4, section 1.07C of the administrative Code of the City of Chelsea, the Chelsea City Council hereby accepts funds of $500,000 and community health Impact Funds from Mass General Hospital through Mass. General Brigham pursuant to the Hospital's Determination of Need process to support critical community service needs and advance health equity, economic stability and the well being of Chelsea residents and be further ordered the City Manager is hereby authorized to execute the necessary agreements, documents and other instruments and to take all actions necessary to accept, receive, administer and expend these funds in accordance with a grant agreement and applicable law.
[1:09:08] Vice President DeJesus: Is there a motion Move Ways and Means no objections. Moving to Ways and Means.
Win Waste donation
[1:09:24] Clerk: Next Communication received from the City Manager requesting approval of Win Waste donation Dear Councillors, Pursuant to Mass. General Law Chapter 44, Section 53A1/2 I am writing to request the City Council formally approve a donation of $8,000 to the Department of Recreation and Cultural affairs from Win Waste Innovations. Chelsea Recreation is accepting this donation to support its new summer basketball league. The league is in collaboration with Chelsea High School Basketball and and Chelsea Public Schools. The funds will be used to purchase approximately 200 to 250 basketball jerseys which will be reused for at least the next two to three seasons. The investment will significantly reduce the league's operating costs and help the Department maintain affordable registration fees for participating families the support strengthens our ongoing effort to expand access to youth sports and reduce financial barriers through participation. A council order is attached for this request. Thank you for your continued support,
[1:10:17] Council President Jimenez-Rivera: Councillor Robinson.
[1:10:18] Councillor Robinson: Accept and file communication under suspension if there are no objections.
[1:10:22] Council President Jimenez-Rivera: So moved. Also, just a quick moment. I stepped out for the previous item for a potential conflict. I will be following up with the City Solicitor to make sure that I don't actually have a conflict. But I figured better to be safe for that item. Apologies for the stepping out without letting the clerk.
[1:10:41] Clerk: Moving on to the relevant order introduced by Councillor DeJesus ordered that presumed in Mass General Law, Chapter 44, Section 53A1/2 and Part 4, Section 1 07C of the Administrative Code of the City of Chelsea. Chelsea City Council hereby accepts a donation of $8,000 to the Department of Recreation and Cultural affairs from Win Waste Innovations.
[1:11:02] Councillor Robinson: Make a motion to move it to a second reading.
[1:11:06] Council President Jimenez-Rivera: A second do we need. Not required. We can. We can accept the donation if you'd like. If
[1:11:13] Councillor Robinson: we can accept it, then I don't have an issue with it.
[1:11:15] Council President Jimenez-Rivera: All right, so. Motion to accept the donation. Do we need a roll call vote on that Clerk? All right, so we'll move to a roll call vote on the motion to accept the donation. Any discussion?
[1:11:31] Councillor Recupero: How many judges are they going to buy doctors? 150.
[1:11:36] Council President Jimenez-Rivera: That's the communication. All right.
[1:11:38] Councillor Taylor: Don't look a gift horse in the mouth.
[1:11:40] Clerk: Roll call vote requested. He has vot to adopt Councillor Taylor.
[1:11:45] Councillor Taylor: Yes.
[1:11:46] Clerk: Councillor Recupero?
[1:11:47] Councillor Recupero: Yes.
[1:11:48] Clerk: Councillor Jimenez-Rivera.
[1:11:49] Council President Jimenez-Rivera: Yes.
[1:11:50] Clerk: Councillor Hines.
[1:11:50] Councillor Hines: Yes.
[1:11:51] Clerk: Councillor T. Garcia is absent. Councelo.
[1:11:54] Unidentified speaker: Yes.
City manager contract renewal
[1:11:55] Clerk: Councillor Kelly Garcia.
[1:11:56] Councillor Kelly Garcia: Yes.
[1:11:57] Clerk: Councillor Santagate? Yes. Councillor DeJesus?
[1:11:59] Councillor DeJesus: Yes.
[1:12:00] Clerk: Councillor Brown? Absent. Councillor Robinson? Yes. Nine members in favor, zero opposed, two absent Order adopted. Next Communication received from the City manager requesting renewal of contract. Dear Councillors, I'm writing to respectfully request a full year extension of my employment agreement as City Manager of Chelsea, extending my current contract through December 31st of 2031. The current employment agreement executed October 6th, 2023, expires December 31st, 2027. The agreement allows the City Manager to request negotiations for a new agreement on or before June 30th of 2027. Given that the second half of our fiscal year is traditionally our busiest period, I believe it is best to address this matter before the end of the calendar year. The contract renewal maintains continuity and leadership and keeps our focus on the important work ahead. The proposed extension which I have attached for your review provides for a new four year term beginning January 1, 2028 ending December 31, 2031. This is consistent with the four year term of my original employment agreement. There is no change to the City Manager's base salary or any changes to the existing compensation package. The proposed agreement maintains a 3% annual salary increase each January 1, consistent with the structure established in the original agreement. Over the past three years, Chelsea has accomplished a great deal. We have strengthened our public safety service, focused on economic development, supported our residents and small businesses and built a stronger and more resilient municipal government. Our work is making a meaningful difference in Chelsea. At the same time, I believe we are just getting started. There is much more to accomplish and I remain deeply committed to the work ahead. Serving as City Manager is a tremendous responsibility and an honor. I am proud of what we have achieved together, grateful for our continued collaboration and excited about the opportunities ahead. Extending this agreement now will provide stability to continue working together towards our shared goals for Chelsea. Thank you for your support.
[1:14:17] Council President Jimenez-Rivera: Is there a motion
[1:14:20] Councillor Teshe: move to subcommittee and conference
[1:14:23] Council President Jimenez-Rivera: because. Hi, this is the communication. We have the. We have the order after. I'd suggest
[1:14:31] Councillor Teshe: accept file the communications if there are no objections.
[1:14:35] Council President Jimenez-Rivera: Seeing no objections. So moved. And we move now to the item
[1:14:40] Clerk: relevant item introduced by Council President Jimenez-Rivera ordered that the Chelsea City Council hereby authorize a renewal and extension of the employment agreement between the City Council and City Manager Fidel Maltez for an additional four year term. Convention 1-1-2028 Ending December 31, 2031 in accordance with terms and conditions set forth in the proposed renewal agreement submitted to the City Council.
[1:15:02] Council President Jimenez-Rivera: Councillor Teshe,
[1:15:03] Councillor Teshe: move to subcommittee on conference.
[1:15:05] Council President Jimenez-Rivera: Right. Any discussion, Councillor Taylor?
[1:15:11] Councillor Taylor: So we will shortly be holding the City Manager's evaluation. So I suggest that the subcommittee be held after that so we can. We can discuss the contents of the the evaluation and then move on to discussing his extension.
[1:15:37] Council President Jimenez-Rivera: Thank you, Councillor. Any other comments or. Right. Yeah. Councillor Robinson. Yeah.
[1:15:44] Councillor Robinson: Just for the record, actually I was the person who negotiated the contract with the City Manager. I'm looking forward to continue the process and with this.
[1:15:57] Council President Jimenez-Rivera: Thank you, Councillor. All right. Those in favor say aye on the motion to refer to conference. All right. Doesn't again say nay. The ayes have it.
Leo Robinson donation
[1:16:11] Clerk: Item referred to conference. Next item. Under communications from the City manager requesting approval of donation the councillor is. Pursuant to Mass. General Law Chapter 44 Section 53A1/2, I am writing to request that the City Council formally approve a donation of a batting swing trainer for baseball and softball through the Department of Recreation and Cultural affairs from Leo Robinson. The athletic equipment is a welcomed addition to the department's annual baseball and softball clinics in March as well as Chelsea Recreation spring D ball program. Council order is attached to this request. Thank you for your support.
[1:16:45] Council President Jimenez-Rivera: I will note that Councillor Robinson has recused given that he is the one donating. Is there a motion
[1:16:52] Councillor Teshe: move to accept and file the communications of their objections?
[1:16:55] Council President Jimenez-Rivera: All right. See no objections are moved.
[1:16:58] Clerk: Moving on to the relevant item order introduced by Councillor DeJesus ordered that presumed in Mass. General Law Chapter 44, Section 53A1/2 and Part 4, Section 1 07C of the Administrative code of the city of Chelsea. Chelsea City Council hereby accepted the donation of a batting swing trainer for baseball and softball to the Department of Recreation and Cultural affairs from Leo Robinson as detailed in the inventory.
[1:17:21] Council President Jimenez-Rivera: Councillor,
[1:17:22] Councillor Teshe: is there president a move for a roll vote on the adopt? On the adoption
[1:17:26] Unidentified speaker: before the vote, can I have a word?
[1:17:28] Council President Jimenez-Rivera: Yes, you may
[1:17:29] Councillor Teshe: just extend thanks to Councillor Leo Robinson. Rarely do we see a Councillor take out of their own personal pocket to give and hand out to the community at large. So definitely big shout out for him.
[1:17:45] Council President Jimenez-Rivera: All right, seeing no others, moving on to a roll call vote.
[1:17:49] Clerk: Roll call vote requested. Yes. Vote to adopt. Councillor Taylor.
[1:17:53] Councillor Taylor: Yes.
[1:17:54] Clerk: Councillor Recupero. Yes. Councillor Jimenez-Rivera.
[1:17:57] Council President Jimenez-Rivera: Yes.
[1:17:57] Clerk: Councillor Hines.
[1:17:58] Councillor Hines: Yes.
[1:17:59] Clerk: Councillor Tanairi Garcia is absent. Councillor Teshe.
[1:18:02] Councillor Teshe: Yes.
[1:18:02] Clerk: Councillor Kelly Garcia.
[1:18:04] Councillor Kelly Garcia: Yes.
[1:18:04] Clerk: Councillor sandigate. Yes. Councillor DeJesus?
[1:18:08] Vice President DeJesus: Yes.
[1:18:09] Clerk: Councillor Brown is absent and Councillor Robinson is absent. Recused on this. There are eight members in favor, zero opposed, two absent and one member refused Order adopted.
Traffic and Parking Commission
[1:18:19] Council President Jimenez-Rivera: Thank you, Councillor Robinson. You can come back. All
[1:18:23] Clerk: right. That concludes communications from the city manager. Communications and petitions to the council. So communication received from the assistant parking clerk regarding agenda Items approved at October 6, 2026 meeting of traffic and parking commission.
[1:18:38] Council President Jimenez-Rivera: There a motion. Turn on your mic, please. Sorry.
[1:18:45] Councillor Recupero: Accept and file on the unanimous. There's no objection.
[1:18:49] Council President Jimenez-Rivera: All right, we have a motion to accept and file. Any discussion? Great. Seeing none others in paper say I say nay. The eyes have it so moved.
Low-income solar discount (three orders)
[1:19:02] Clerk: No other communications. Repetitions received. Moving on to committee reports. First committee report received from the council president from the meeting of the subcommittee on conference held October 26th.
[1:19:16] Council President Jimenez-Rivera: Is there a motion on the committee report? This is not the orders. We have three orders attached to this committee report. Communication, general objections. All right. Seeing no objections, so moved committee report is filed. We now move on to the three items under the the committee report.
[1:19:38] Clerk: The first item received from the Committee order introduced by Council President Jimenez-Rivera. Order that the City Council hereby authorizes the City Manager to enter into an agreement with two solar companies, BWC Merriam Brook LLC and Blue Meadow Brook LLC for funds to distribute the low income participants in the Chelsea City Council choice program for a period of 20 years for relative to the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources Smart Solar Incentive program and to be distributed to users through municipal electricity aggregation programs such as Chelsea's Electricity Choice and be. It further ordered that the City Council hereby authorizes the City Manager to execute and deliver any and all documents with the two solar companies, BWC Merriam Brook LLC and Blue Meadow Brook LLC for funds to distribute to low income participants and the Chelsea Electricity Choice program for a period of 20 years on such terms and conditions as the City Manager deems to be in the best interest of the city of Chelsea. Orders were referred to full council from the committee by a vote of 5-3-3. Positive recommendation.
[1:20:49] Council President Jimenez-Rivera: Is there a motion on the item? I have a motion to. Sorry, just make sure you turn on your mic, but we have a motion from Councillor Recupero to adopt under a roll vote. Any comment? All right, moving on to a roll call vote. Sorry, please. Councillor Taylor, you have the floor.
[1:21:17] Councillor Taylor: So this is the same order that I spoke about a couple weeks ago about the [unclear] tax that was imposed on people not participating in this program. We had a subcommittee last week and I was very surprised to learn that all of a sudden they changed the terms and now more people can participate. When that was not told to us the first time and when it looked like we were going to turn it down, all of a sudden, oh, there's a change now. Unfortunately some of my colleagues were persuaded by this to go along with this scheme. I'm sorry to. I think we have a responsibility to act honestly with transparency and integrity. And the way this whole thing came about stinks. It was dishonest by the governor, it was a dishonest by the legislature and now we're going to be stuck with something for 20 years and for every single person out there that isn't going to be able to participate in this, your Eversource bill is going to go up. Actually everybody's is going to go up, but only the ones that, you know, get to participate will have the, you know, amelioration of having lower rates. I don't think that that's fair. I think if the legislature wanted to do this that they ought to do it in public, do it with transparency and not this backdoor way of doing it. And every councillor that votes for this is voting to raise taxes on the people that don't get to participate. It's a backdoor tax through Eversource and it's unfair. Now tomorrow's election day and this is an opportunity for people to hold accountable your politicians. And if we don't hold our politicians accountable for, for their actions and their votes, we better just mail it in, stay home and let the power brokers just do whatever the hell they want. I am really disappointed in some of my colleagues that are going to go along with this. I don't think it's right. I think it's dishonest. And I understand the reason why some of them say it because it's going to help more people and this, that and the other. But this wasn't done the right way and that matters. So I just want the voting public to know that I stand opposed to this and I'll stand up for the people who don't, you know, everybody else, oh, you know, we don't mind, we don't mind billing other people as long as some people get to benefit. That's not the way that this should work.
[1:25:18] Council President Jimenez-Rivera: Councillor, you're on time.
[1:25:20] Councillor Taylor: So I ask everybody tomorrow, hold your politicians accountable. Thank you.
[1:25:29] Council President Jimenez-Rivera: I have councillor Recupero and then councillor Hines and then councillor Dezizonte.
[1:25:36] Councillor Recupero: There's something that the public should know. The city's not locked in for 20 years. When we had the subcommittee. The city can get out of it whenever it wants to. It's not locked in for 20 years. So that's the public should understand. So if it works, it works. If it doesn't, the city can't get out of it. So yes, they brought in, but more like my fellow councillor says more people will be entitled to it. That's a good thing. The city of Chelsea is a low income most of us, if you go according to what they say, that if you earn 90,000 or less, you'll be entitled to it. So the city's gonna have a program that's gonna do that, that's gonna help you if you don't know how to sign up for it. I think, I believe the city's gonna have a program that's gonna help you sign up for it. And that's all I have to say, that it's actually not locked in for 20 years. So we're not stuck for 20 years for something if you don't like. If within a couple of years, if you don't like it, the City can get out of it. You know, put out the city manager to the chair, explain exactly what this is.
[1:26:43] Council President Jimenez-Rivera: I'm not going to. We've had two meetings on this and then just vote on it. Councillor Hines,
[1:26:53] Councillor Hines: where to begin? Some of the information that you just received was not 100 accurate. We've had two subcommittees on this particular contract. And just to give some context, some context. The state started in a net zero initiative over 10 years ago and this is one of the mechanisms for which they are trying to get there. This is not a tax on anybody who lives in this city currently. There is no line item that exists where you are going to have to pay because we already paid for it. We're not enrolled. We did not vote. We did not agree on this proposal currently. But if you look at your energy bill right now you are paying for this program. The credits are limited. The amount is not going to go up because we are added. Other states have already joined on, Other cities have already joined on this program. We are not the first. This is a way that some people in the city can benefit and get a discount from a program that already exists, that everybody is already contributing to. That is all. We will be voting yes because our plan is to save as many residents as we can in this city extra dollars. I want to thank my fellow councillor Recupero who raised the question just to see how many people we could actually cover with this, with this program. And if you do not qualify, it does not mean you will have to now contribute more in taxes. And like my fellow councillor Recupero said, if a program proves to not be beneficial, we do have an opportunity to exit out. But if we do not join this program now, another city will take the opportunity away from us. So let's see what it is that we can get from the. From the state trying to transition towards solar and be more environmentally friendly. That's all I have to say.
[1:28:57] Council President Jimenez-Rivera: Councillor DeJesus. Okay, Councillor Teshe,
[1:29:04] Councillor Teshe: I would just like to remind the public not to forget who really is responsible for hiking the prices of energy in our homes. And that's federal leadership. It's not even the state. We can't forget that we as a country have started wars elsewhere that have resulted in the hydro prices that forces the state to come up with ways to protect the people that are most vulnerable. And those are the ones that are at the lowest of income in our state. So if it means that I have to pay an extra 5, 10, 30, maybe 50 bucks every month so that a family can have heating during the winter, especially when winter is coming, then no, happily do so. And, and I think, and I would like to think that all my neighbors would also do that as well to make sure that that one neighbor that needs it gets it. So that's why I'm voting in favor of it.
[1:30:02] Councillor Hines: Well, thankfully you don't even have to do.
[1:30:16] Council President Jimenez-Rivera: Councillor Santagate
[1:30:18] Councillor Santagate: yeah, I just wanted to thank the companies that are here with us for doing more investigation as to how to make the programs available for a larger group of people. So I have positive presuppositions about how it all went down in terms of the timeline and I was grateful that you were able to take our concerns about the fact that it would just be for a smaller group of people and extend that to more. So. Thank you.
[1:30:54] Council President Jimenez-Rivera: Councillor Robinson.
[1:30:57] Councillor Robinson: In this conversation I had a bunch of questions that I was concerned about. The fact of the matter is the people who just barely arrive at limit at LIHEAP were not going to be included in this program. That was a disadvantage to people just over the line. Then it comes back that people are going to be able to self-certify and apply to be able to be part of the program. It's a good idea. My other concern was we're talking about solar and so we're going to be guaranteed $30 a month. What if we have a bad winter? We're not going to get that $30. How are they going to make up that $30 to make us whole? They're not going to do that. So. So those were my concerns and my questions about how this is all going to work, how it's all going to shake out. I looked at Maryland and they had a different source of how they were doing this and I thought it was much better put together than what we're putting together here.
[1:32:09] Council President Jimenez-Rivera: Councillor DeJesus
[1:32:12] Vice President DeJesus: I echo a lot of the words that many of my colleagues have shared. I just wanted to share briefly that I think that in many ways there are formulas and distributions and policies and ways that the state or the federal government creates these systems that don't really benefit communities like Chelsea or include unique communities like Chelsea. I thank a lot of our allegation, both at the state and federal level, for continuing to, you know, hear us when we reach out and raise their concerns and raise our stories. But at the same time, while they're working on amending some of these systems, I think it's important that as elected local officials, we don't hold our families behind these opportunities just to make a statement that something is not Working at the state level for the public to understand if we do not, if we were to not go forward with this, we would still be carrying the burden of paying for this program without receiving the benefits for those who qualify for it in Chelsea. So as elected officials, we are here to represent those in our community and ensure that those in our community who are eligible for programs and are able to have resources such as this one are able to access them. And so I will also be voting in favor and I will not be trying to make a statement for the state or a statement for federal government in doing so. Having our families miss out on an opportunity like this. And as many of our Councillors shared, this is a 20 year contract that we can opt out of at any moment. So if in a few years we feel like this has changed or this is not always signed up for, then we go right ahead and remove it. That's all.
[1:34:13] Council President Jimenez-Rivera: Okay, we move on to a roll call vote on the motion, on the, on the order. Councillor,
[1:34:22] Unidentified speaker: what would it take to get out of the contract if we weren't satisfied?
[1:34:28] Council President Jimenez-Rivera: I, Councillor Hines, do you know the answer to that? I am not allowing questions for the city manager about this. We have had multiple conversations about this and if we have, people had weeks, literal months to ask whatever questions you had. So if there is an answer from the Councillors, that's fine, but I am not allowing. I'm not going to have
[1:34:54] Councillor Hines: that. The point that I was going to make is that there's been many conversations
[1:34:59] Unidentified speaker: if you don't have the vote. Yeah. So for clarification, it'll take a vote of this council to get out of the contract. So keep that in mind. So it might be six votes, eight votes, nobody knows the answer.
[1:35:23] Council President Jimenez-Rivera: Mr. Clerk, could we clarify how many votes it is to. My understanding is that this is. Would that be considered a financial order to cancel a contract
[1:35:34] Clerk: if there is no financial aspect involved? I don't believe it will rise to a 2/3 majority, but that section of the charter will lose me. All I know is approving as it stands is a simple 6 vote majority because there's no funds involved.
[1:35:48] Council President Jimenez-Rivera: All right, so it is most likely a six vote majority with the potential for an eight vote majority. Point of information, Councillor Taylor
[1:35:59] Councillor Taylor: can ask the clerk. Does that mean if there were, if we wanted to opt out. But there's, but there's always conditions to opt out. I don't believe that this is knocked out at any time for any reason. So if there was, if there was some sort of penalty to opt out and we there was an additional funds that we had to pay in order to opt out. Would that raise it to an 88 vote threshold?
[1:36:37] Clerk: I would argue no, but I would defer to the City solicitor on that. However, I do believe that. I don't believe there would be any financial penalty to the city under that if they. If the city breaks a contract early.
[1:36:51] Councillor Taylor: Have you seen the contract?
[1:36:54] Clerk: Conversations with the city manager indicates that there is no financial penalty. Should the city break the contract early, I would defer to the city manager to confirm it.
[1:37:07] Council President Jimenez-Rivera: Any further points of information? Moving on to the roll call vote on the adoption
[1:37:15] Clerk: item before you Roll call vote requested yes. Vote to adopt Councillor Taylor
[1:37:22] Councillor Taylor: no.
[1:37:23] Clerk: Councillor Recupero
[1:37:24] Councillor Recupero: Yes.
[1:37:26] Clerk: Councillor Jimenez-Rivera
[1:37:27] Council President Jimenez-Rivera: Yes.
[1:37:28] Clerk: Councillor Hines
[1:37:29] Councillor Hines: Yes.
[1:37:30] Clerk: Councillor Tanairi Garcia. Councillor Teshe
[1:37:33] Councillor Teshe: Yes.
[1:37:35] Clerk: Councillor Kelly Garcia
[1:37:37] Councillor Kelly Garcia: Yes.
[1:37:38] Clerk: Councillor Santagate Yes. Councillor DeJesus Yes. Councillor Brown is absent. Councillor Robinson?
[1:37:46] Councillor Robinson: I vote yes. I'm not 100% behind it
[1:37:52] Clerk: on this. The votes are eight members in favor, one opposed, two absent. Six votes required for adoption or approved.
[1:37:59] Council President Jimenez-Rivera: Moving on to the next item under the same committee report
[1:38:03] Clerk: next item introduced by the council president. Whereas on June 25, 2018 the Chelsea City Council amended the Revised Code of Ordinances of the City of Chelsea to add a new section 2, 202, chapter 2, article 5 for departmental revolving funds and whereas section 53E1/2 of chapter 44 of Mass General law authorizes city and towns to establish a departmental revolving fund for specific departmental programs subject to certain budgetary restrictions and whereas the city seeks to establish a new revolving fund to support a program to offer lower cost electricity supply to the program's participating low income customers and whereas the establishment of a revolving fund will allow program related revenues to be retained and expended for their intended purposes without further appropriation subject to annual spending limits approved by the City council. Now therefore be it ordered that the revised code of Ordinances of the City of Chelsea as amended be further amended and adopted as follows. That Chapter 2, Article 5, Section 2200 be amended by adding a new entry to the table of authorizing revolving funds establishing a low income solar energy revolving fund account.
[1:39:11] Council President Jimenez-Rivera: There a motion on the item. Councillor Hines
[1:39:17] Councillor Hines: motion to under a roll call vote
[1:39:23] Council President Jimenez-Rivera: so moved. Any discussion? Seeing none, we'll move to a roll call vote on the adoption.
[1:39:30] Clerk: Roll call vote requested yes, we will to adopt Councillor Taylor.
[1:39:34] Councillor Taylor: No.
[1:39:35] Clerk: Councillor Recupero
[1:39:37] Councillor Recupero: Yes
[1:39:38] Clerk: Councillor Jimenez-Rivera Yes. Councillor Hines
[1:39:41] Councillor Hines: Yes.
[1:39:42] Clerk: Councillor Tanairi Garcia is absent. Councillor T.
[1:39:50] Unidentified speaker: Yes.
[1:39:51] Clerk: Councillor Kelly Garcia
[1:39:53] Councillor Kelly Garcia: Yes
[1:39:54] Clerk: Councillor Santagate? Yes. Councillor DeJesus?
[1:39:58] Councillor DeJesus: Yes.
[1:39:59] Clerk: Councillor Brown is absent. Councillor Robinson? Yes. Eight members in favor. One opposed, two absent order.
[1:40:06] Council President Jimenez-Rivera: Thank you, Mr. Clerk. Moving on to the next item. Also on the retained committee report.
[1:40:11] Clerk: Final item. Authorizing the revolving fund for low income solar energy. Revolving Fund? Whereas section 53E1/2 of chapter 44 of the General laws authorizes city and towns to establish departmental revolving funds subject to certain budgetary restrictions. And whereas the city seeks to establish a new revolving fund to support a program to offer lower cost electricity supply to the programs participating in low income customers. And whereas the department of public works is the city's department designated to manage and maintain the program. And whereas establishment of a revolving fund will allow program related revenue to be retained and expended for their intended purpose without further appropriation subject to annual spending limit approved by the city council. And whereas such funds were not.
[1:40:53] Councillor Hines: Mr. President, permission to waive the rest of the reading and move to a roll call vote.
[1:40:59] Council President Jimenez-Rivera: Seeing no objections. So moved and moving to a roll call vote on the adoption.
[1:41:05] Clerk: Roll call vote requested. Yes. Vote to adopt. Councillor Taylor?
[1:41:09] Councillor Taylor: No.
[1:41:10] Clerk: Councillor Recupero?
[1:41:12] Councillor Recupero: Yes.
[1:41:13] Clerk: Councillor Jimenez-Rivera.
[1:41:15] Council President Jimenez-Rivera: Yes.
[1:41:15] Clerk: Councillor Hines?
[1:41:16] Councillor Hines: Yes.
[1:41:17] Clerk: Councillor Tanairi Garcia is absent. Councillor Teshe?
[1:41:20] Councillor Teshe: Yes.
[1:41:21] Clerk: Councillor Kelly Garcia.
[1:41:22] Councillor Kelly Garcia: Yes.
[1:41:23] Clerk: Councillor Santagate? Yes. Yes. Councillor DeJesus? Yes. Councillor Brown is absent. And Councillor Robinson. Yes. Eight members in favor, one opposed, two absent. Order adopted.
Ways and Means: Chelsea Square events, bills, parking lot, 260 Marginal Street
[1:41:41] Council President Jimenez-Rivera: Moving on to the next committee report on ways and means. October 27th. Is there a motion on the committee report? Councillor DeJesus,
[1:41:52] Vice President DeJesus: motion to accept and file. There are no objections. I'd like to speak on it.
[1:41:57] Council President Jimenez-Rivera: All right. Seeing no objections. So moved and you have the floor.
[1:42:02] Vice President DeJesus: All right. We met as always. It means the usual meetings we have on Tuesdays open to the public. Some of the items were related to unspent money under dpw. Some of the items were related to money that had not been charged due to some of our vendors systems and. Yeah, everything is noted in our notes. That's it.
[1:42:38] Council President Jimenez-Rivera: Thank you, councillor. We now move on to the items themselves.
[1:42:44] Clerk: Note all orders referred back from Ways and Means were received with positive recommendations by a vote of 3-0. First item received from Ways and Means ordered that the Chelsea City Council authorizes four $40,438.51 previously appropriated under Council Order 26F04 for FIFA World cup community events to be repurposed and allowed to be expanded for Chelsea Square community events.
[1:43:11] Council President Jimenez-Rivera: Councillor DeJesus do we have a motion? Motion to adopt. Motion to adopt under a roll Call vote. Moving on to the roll call vote, seeing no speakers.
[1:43:22] Clerk: Roll call vote requested. Yes. Vote to adopt Councillor Taylor
[1:43:25] Councillor Taylor: Yes.
[1:43:26] Clerk: Councillor Recupero
[1:43:27] Councillor Recupero: Yes.
[1:43:27] Clerk: Councillor Jimenez-Rivera Yes. Councillor Hines
[1:43:30] Councillor Hines: Yes.
[1:43:30] Clerk: Councillor Tanairi Garcia Councillor Teshe Yes. Councillor Kelly Garcia
[1:43:34] Councillor Kelly Garcia: Yes.
[1:43:35] Clerk: Councillor Santagate Yes. Councillor DeJesus Yes. Councillor Brown is absent and Councillor Robinson yes. Nine members in favor, zero opposed, two absent. Order is adopted. Next order received back from Ways and Means ordered that in accordance with Mass. General Law Chapter 44, Section 64, Budget Management Procedures, whereby costs incurred in FY25 and 26 were not paid and are owed to vendors and to meet this obligation, funds are required from current year FY27 budgets. As noted, the Chelsea City Council authorizes the following expenditures to satisfy unpaid balances A total of $12,505.14 from prior years as follows for DPW Sewers, $4,863.46 to Liro GIS for GIS service FY25 DPW structures and grounds due $7,541.68 to ATCO for HVAC maintenance and FY25 city clerk in the amount of $100 to Independent Newspaper Group for an advertisement.
[1:44:36] Council President Jimenez-Rivera: S motion.
[1:44:38] Vice President DeJesus: Yes. Motion to adopt the roll call.
[1:44:44] Council President Jimenez-Rivera: Moving on to a roll call vote, seeing no speakers for the item.
[1:44:46] Clerk: Roll call vote requested. Yes. Vote to adopt Councillor Taylor
[1:44:50] Councillor Taylor: Yes.
[1:44:50] Clerk: Councillor Recupero Yes. Councillor Jimenez-Rivera
[1:44:53] Council President Jimenez-Rivera: Yes.
[1:44:54] Clerk: Councillor Hines Councillor Tanairi Garcia Absent. Councillor Teshe Yes. Councillor Kelly Garcia.
[1:45:00] Councillor Kelly Garcia: Excuse me. Yes.
[1:45:01] Clerk: Councillor Santagate Yes. Councillor DeJesus
[1:45:05] Vice President DeJesus: Yes.
[1:45:06] Clerk: Councillor Brown is absent and Councillor Robinson Yes. Eight members in favor, zero post 3s and order is adopted. Next item received back from Ways and Means. Order that in accordance with Chapter 44, Section 20 of the General Laws, the sum of $270,599.66 appropriated under the Fiscal Year 2027 Capital Improvement Plan for projects noted below and which remain available after alternative funding was received and are no longer needed, are hereby transferred in the amount of $96,058.82 from annual roadway and sidewalk improvement project and $174,540.84 from roadway safety and Traffic control enhancement project to this FY25 CIP City hall and Senior center parking lot paving project.
[1:45:57] Vice President DeJesus: Roll call go to doc.
[1:46:00] Council President Jimenez-Rivera: So moved and moving to a roll call, seeing no speakers.
[1:46:03] Clerk: Yes. Vote to adopt Councillor Taylor.
[1:46:05] Councillor Taylor: Yes.
[1:46:06] Clerk: Councillor Recupero Yes. Councillor Jimenez-Rivera
[1:46:09] Council President Jimenez-Rivera: Yes.
[1:46:09] Clerk: Councillor Hines Councillor Tanairi Garcia is absent. Councillor Teshe? Yes. Councillor Kelly Garcia.
[1:46:14] Councillor Kelly Garcia: Yes.
[1:46:15] Clerk: Councillor Santagate? Yes. Councillor DeJesus. Yes. Councillor Brown? Yes. Absent. And Councillor Robinson.
[1:46:21] Councillor Robinson: Yes.
[1:46:21] Clerk: Eight members in favor, zero opposed, three absent. Order is adopted. Next. Order received back from Ways and Means, introduced by Councillor DeJesus. Ordered that the Chelsea City Council hereby authorizes the appropriation of $3,200,000 from the overlay surplus fund to the DPW buildings and grounds account capital series for land acquisition for 260 Marginal Street.
[1:46:44] Vice President DeJesus: Mr. President, roll call. Vote to adopt. There no objections.
[1:46:49] Council President Jimenez-Rivera: So moved. Seeing no speakers moving forward. Call vote
[1:46:52] Clerk: yes. Vote to adopt. Councillor Taylor.
[1:46:55] Councillor Taylor: Yes.
[1:46:56] Clerk: Councillor Recupero. Yes. Councillor Jimenez-Rivera. Yes. Councillor Hines is absent. Councillor Tanairi Garcia is absent. Councillor Teshe. Yes. Councillor Kelly Garcia.
[1:47:05] Councillor Kelly Garcia: Yes.
[1:47:05] Clerk: Council Sandigate? Yes. Councillor DeJesus? Yes. Councillor Brown is absent and Councillor Robinson? Yes. With eight members in favor, zero opposing, three absent. Order is adopted. Next item received back from Ways and Means, introduced by the council president. Whereas the city administration has determined that the proposed acquisition of 260 Marginal street satisfies requirements of Mass General Laws, Chapter 30B, Section 16, including statutory considerations applicable to the acquisition of real property because the property presents unique characteristics and a direct municipal purpose that meet the acquisition particularly appropriate for the city. Whereas 260 Marginal street directly abuts and is immediately adjacent to property already owned by the City of Chelsea at 324 Marginal street, creating an opportunity for the city to consolidate and expand its existing ownership of this important municipal property. And whereas the city recognizes the 260 Marginal street is currently being used for a purpose similar to the city's existing use of 324 Marginal street as both properties are utilized in connection with a lease through Enterprise Rent A Car, which the City Council recently approved an extension of with Enterprise Rent a car through 2045, making the continued availability and control of the property particularly relevant to the city's long term relationship with enterprise and the city's financial interests. Whereas the acquisition of 260 Marginal street will strengthen the city's existing lease relationship with Enterprise Rent A Car, provide greater control and stability over the property. Supporting
[1:48:33] Council President Jimenez-Rivera: councillor, the HES.
[1:48:34] Vice President DeJesus: Yes, Mr. President. I'd like to leave the rest of the reading and move forward to a roll call vote to adopt. And if I may just say briefly.
[1:48:43] Council President Jimenez-Rivera: Yeah, Amy. Seeing no objections to waving the reading, so moved. And you have the floor.
[1:48:50] Vice President DeJesus: Yeah. So we sat down and Ways and Means and we spoke about this decision. We are grateful for our city manager for continuing to keep our friends and enterprise happy. And so this move to purchase this lot is to make sure that they are able to extend some of their business and use that land and to ensure that also in the future, you know, we, the city owns it, so it is waterfront. It'll be beneficial for us long term. And so, yeah. Moving on. If there are no objections to a roll call,
[1:49:32] Council President Jimenez-Rivera: seeing no other speakers. Moving for roll call. Vote on the adoption.
[1:49:35] Clerk: Roll call vote requested. Yes. Vote to adopt. Councillor Taylor.
[1:49:39] Councillor Taylor: Yes.
[1:49:40] Clerk: Councillor Recupero. Yes. Councillor Jimenez-Rivera. Yes. Councillor Hines.
[1:49:45] Councillor Hines: Yes.
[1:49:45] Clerk: Councillor Tanairi Garcia's absent. Councillor Teshe. Yes. Councillor Kelly Garcia.
[1:49:50] Councillor Kelly Garcia: Yes.
[1:49:50] Clerk: Councillor Santagate. Yes. Councillor DeJesus. Yes. Councillor Brown is absent and confident. Robinson.
[1:49:56] Councillor Robinson: Yes.
[1:49:57] Clerk: Nine members in favor, zero opposing, two absent order is adopted. Next. Committee report received from the council president from the meeting of the subcommittee on conference held October 27th.
Tax orders and senior tax freeze petition
[1:50:09] Council President Jimenez-Rivera: Is there a motion on the committee report? Second five. I have a motion to accept and file from council member Recupero. All those in favor say aye. Those again say nay. Ayes have it. Committee report filed.
[1:50:25] Clerk: First item reported back from subcommittee on conference introduced by the council president and all members ordered that the Chelsea City Council adopt a minimum residential tax factor for fiscal year 2027 with a 1.75 Commercial Industrial Personal property shift factor.
[1:50:41] Council President Jimenez-Rivera: Is there a motion on the item? Councillor? This is. It's. We have to send this to public hearing
[1:50:48] Councillor Recupero: hearing Accepting filing descended the public hearing right there. No objections.
[1:50:55] Council President Jimenez-Rivera: Yeah. Just. We don't need to accept. We have already accepted filed. So the motion is to move to a public hearing. Those in favor say I again say nay. The eyes have it. So moved. And moving this to a public hearing.
[1:51:10] Clerk: Next order referred back from Ways and Means order to the Chelsea city council adopted 35% residential exemption for fiscal year 2027.
[1:51:18] Council President Jimenez-Rivera: Send our motion.
[1:51:19] Councillor Robinson: Yeah. Move to a public hearing.
[1:51:21] Council President Jimenez-Rivera: Motion is to move to a public hearing. Those in favor say aye. Again say nay. The a have it. So move to public hearing.
[1:51:28] Clerk: Public hearing has been scheduled for the next regular meeting of the City Council November 16th. Final item referred back from Ways and Means order introduced by Councillor Recupero. Whereas Chapter 59, Section 5 of Mass General Law has several task exemptions for seniors and whereas the city of Chelsea has found that the city is experiencing an unfathomable increase in property values and current senior exemptions are not sufficient to allow owner occupied seniors to pay their property taxes. Now therefore be it ordered that a petition to the general court accompanied by a bill for special law relating to the city of Chelsea be filed with an attested copy of this order b and hereby is approved under clause 1, section 8, article 2, as amended of the amendments of the constitution of the commonwealth of Massachusetts provided that the legislature may reasonably vary the form and substance of the requested legislation within the scope of the general public objectives of this petition. Petition as follows. Notwithstanding the number of property tax exemptions for the elderly under Chapter 59, Section 5 of Mass. General Law, the City of Chelsea may exempt all elderly homeowners age 65 and older with annual incomes of $65,000 or less or combined income of $100,000 or less for married couples who have resided in their property for a period of not less than five years from all property tax increases. Income eligibility and residency will be determined by the city assessor.
[1:52:51] Council President Jimenez-Rivera: And just so folks know, this has to go to a public hearing. It cannot be adopted today.
[1:52:58] Clerk: The motion was referred back to city council from subcommittee and conference by a vote of 1-6-4, with one member recused. So we received a negative recommendation from committee
[1:53:08] Council President Jimenez-Rivera: Councillor. You have a floor.
[1:53:15] Councillor Recupero: What else can I say? What can I say? They say, they said, but why? We are for everybody, but not for the elderly people. People own fixed incomes. Eventually it's going to come to the state. There's a movement right now within the state state itself that once they give people 70 years or older not to pay taxes at all. But I my proposal wasn't. They're still going to pay taxes. They still have to live there five years before this just doesn't increase. They say to you, well the seniors get whatever they get. But these papers right here from the city itself, they don't get what you think they get. Here we have clause 17E, 70 years or older. If you have assets of $56,000 single or 78. So if you own a house, your asset is more than $56,000. So they're disqualified you already. Here's another one, clause 41D, 65 years or older, income limits 28 that disqualifies 90% of the old people. So what are we voting for? Everybody here should vote to help the elderly instead. They don't want to help them. What kind of Councillors do we have here that don't want to help the elderly? They forget that they're going to get old themselves. And besides that, it's not up to us, it's up to the state. I spoken to the senator, the state senator and the state rep and they both told me Send it, send it to the state. They told me that to send it to the state so it doesn't hurt any of us. I know that day in the meeting they were all against it, but everybody wasn't there. But even still, what doesn't hurt this for us. The city loses. And what they talking about where the maximum for seven years old is $499. So the amount of people that are honest. Why do I got time? Is my time over? No, you're okay. Okay, so on the bottom 17e where it says the maximum you get is 499 and the minimum 250 for the amount of people that have it, there's 27 people in the city that have it. Out of 37 people will cost the city $11,000. So I don't understand why they all against it. They, why are they against the older, the senior citizens? Are you forgetting that one day you're going to get old yourself? Why not help the poor people that need it? You're willing to help everybody else, but you're not willing to help the people. What are you going to lose? How many people in this city own houses that are 65 years or older and lived in it for five years? $11,000. Wow. Even if you lose 100,000, what they going to do? Kill you? Don't you think the seniors deserve it? I believe that every Councillor here that votes against giving seniors that it should be accounted for by the seniors themselves. Remember these people that vote against you going to get all themselves and one day they're going to ask the same thing I'm asking. They give you. But it's not up to me. It's not up to me or none of this Councillors. It's up to the state itself. They don't want to determine and then it comes back to us and if we don't want to give it, we don't have to give it. But it's not up to us. The only thing I'm doing is sending it to the state and let the state decide. Let them say yes or no and then it's up to us. Like I just said earlier, I already have spoken to the state senator and I spoke to the state to Ms. Garcia and they both said Sunday the Senate and let them determine if they want to or not. And like I said, there's a movement within the state itself to allow people 70 years or older not to pay taxes at all. None whatsoever. Don't you think it's time for us to help the old people? Why are we so much against it. I don't understand it. I've been trying for years to give this to the old people, to help them out. But in return, your time's up. Okay. Thank you. Just think about that.
[1:57:31] Vice President DeJesus: All right. So because this was voted unfavorably out of committee, technically a vote to vote it down can be done now, but it's up to the council.
[1:57:45] Council President Jimenez-Rivera: Can the clerk please clarify?
[1:57:48] Clerk: I believe you have my rule copy. Oh,
[1:57:51] Council President Jimenez-Rivera: sorry. Is this what I have? Sorry about that.
[1:57:57] Clerk: City council rule number 30 states any order relative to requesting adoption of home rule legislation by the Massachusetts General Court on behalf of the City of Chelsea must immediately be referred to a committee of the City Council. If referred to a committee other than the Subcommittee on Conference, it must then be referred to the Committee on Conference prior to any vote to refer to a public hearing. A committee report from the Committee on Conference recommending adoption of the home rule petition must be signed by a majority of the members of the committee and presented at the next regular council meeting. Upon acceptance of the report, a public hearing shall be scheduled prior to adoption of the home rule petition. What was the request for clarification?
[1:58:36] Vice President DeJesus: Clarification. If it could be voted down now
[1:58:39] Councillor Hines: because it was not voted
[1:58:41] Vice President DeJesus: out favorably, or if it does need to still to a public hearing,
[1:58:47] Clerk: the language, as I interpret it, reads that a committee report recommending adoption must be signed by a majority members of the committee. This order specifically did not receive a majority recommendation. It would be my interpretation that it could be voted down tonight, but the decision will be left to the chair and majority of council if they. Overruled.
[1:59:06] Vice President DeJesus: All right. How does the council wish to proceed?
[1:59:10] Council President Jimenez-Rivera: Councillor, I just. I appreciate Councillor Recupero's advocacy on this issue. I think that it is important for us to consider how these issues impact our members of our community who are on a fixed income. So I. I'm not. I really do appreciate what you're trying to do here. I. I think that my challenge here is we've already had a conference essentially vote this down, right? Or at least recommend it to be voted down. There are costs and work associated with putting this. You know, having the public hearing and posting all these things and doing all these things. I think it is unnecessary for us to do that just to come back here and vote this down. And I think that what I would suggest is that we continue to work with the city manager, work with our state delegation to figure out ways that we would help us get there. I. I know that we. Oh, we can send this. We. We can send whatever we want. This, we can send 20 home repetitions. Right. But I, I think that it is not the best thing for us to do to send things to the State House that we know are not going to see the light of day. I think the State House by and large does not like to do things piecemeal. You know, one city is allowed to do it because it opens up other cities to do things and they like to retain control of what they allow municipalities to do. There are many things that we would like to do locally and we are often not allowed to do it because state law prevents us from doing so. I don't want to waste the cities efforts at the State House advocating for something that it is highly unlikely to pass. I would rather focus on things where there are other municipalities fighting for things and there is a concerted effort for something that would actually have traction and support more than just 30 to 40 people in the city. So for that reason I'll be voting no. But I do want to continue having conversations about how we can support our elders. On up to. Thank you,
[2:01:27] Vice President DeJesus: Councillor Teshe.
[2:01:30] Councillor Teshe: I would respectfully disagree with Councillor Jimenez-Rivera. I think we should not be the gatekeepers as to what becomes policy. I think if a Councillor puts something forth, it should be given the opportunity to be considered not only by us, but through a public hearing by the community in large. Because although we have seen lack of people showing up every time we do put up a public hearing, there is still the opportunity and we can at least say that we try to get public input. And I definitely think that if this was put to a public hearing, then people would probably show up and try to say something. Because as you may know, tax breaks do make a difference when it comes down to elderly and fixed income. And also, you know, the many regulations that are in place that prevent many of the elderly to, you know, obtain some of some of these benefits. So I would really, you know, appeal to Councillors. I would say heart and say don't, you know, hold a policy, don't be the gatekeeper, allow it to be considered and allow it to follow its course. If ultimately the state believes that it's not the right way to do it, it's fine. But making an argument that we are wasting resources after we just approved $3.2 million to help a friend as large as enterprise and then say that we cannot pay for a publication on paper, it's a crazy statement. Thank you
[2:03:06] Vice President DeJesus: Councillor Taylor and then Councillor Hines.
[2:03:14] Councillor Taylor: So I'll respectfully agree with Councillor Teshe you know, I have my own reservations about this and, but when in the subcommittee, I kept on pressing the city solicitor for a legal reason why, and I kept on getting, you know, kind of, she was doing a jig about, you know, why we shouldn't do it, but there wasn't a real clear cut legal reason. You know, I understand where Councillor Jimenez-Rivera is coming from. I also would like to be frugal with the city's money. But on the other hand, I think it's more important that we're transparent and that we don't take somebody's voice away from them when they're, you know, so I don't think that we ought to say, well, this has no chance in hell of doing anything. So. But, you know, you may be right, but that doesn't make it right. And I think that every Councillor on this council should, you know, often we don't give, we don't really give other Councillors the benefit of the doubt on things or try to let things just go through the process because we disagree. I mean, I get voted down quite frequently. But as long as it's an open process where there's debate allowed on this, you know, I've seen a troubling trend on the Chelsea City Council and, you know, where debate is strangled in these meetings, where this is the only place where we can have a debate is in these subcommittees. And then all of a sudden the chair said, oh, no, I'm not going to allow that. I'm not going to allow that. I'm going to, you know, and I wish to God that these subcommittees would be on public television so people could see exactly what's going on and, you know, who's doing what where. And I'd be happy to have anybody see whatever I say, whatever I do, I've got nothing to hide from anybody. So even though I have some reservations about this, and the Councillor says he talked to both the state senator and the state rep, I don't see why this should not go to a public hearing and let the public weigh in. And if the public thinks it's a bad idea, great. And it's not going to cost that much money to do that. So I think that that's kind of a red herring. So I, I, you know, I, I'm gonna vote for it. Going to a public hearing.
[2:06:28] Vice President DeJesus: Councillor Hines
[2:06:32] Councillor Hines: almost needed a tissue there. I'm gonna say I have reservations myself as well, but I'm a firm believer in even if you don't think somebody's going to show up, you set the table. Anyway, part of doing this job is if you guys could see what this room looks like now. It is the 11 of us sitting up here and four people in the crowd. It is. It is empty in here. If I, If I sneezed loud enough, it would echo. I count. I counted Fidel as well. Fair, fair, fair. But this job is advocating for people regardless of whether or not they're present, whether or not they show up. And elderly folk are protected class. My reservations are only with what it would look like to sort of build this out a little bit more. And then also given that the city has a pretty tight or pretty small percentage of homeowners in the city, assuming that everybody who owns a home were to keep their property and age here, we would kind of just be on a time clock of decreasing the taxable base, was my understanding from the previous conversation. However, do I think a public hearing should happen regarding this? Yes. Whether it's five people, 30 people, I'm open to a conversation to continue to happen on this, how it looks and, and, and what it is that we decide to vote on as it goes to sending it to the state to be. For a determination to be made. We'll see. You know, I'm. I'm open to having more conversations with Councillor Recupero. I do think that some of the requirements for elderly folk to be eligible for many of different. Different benefits are unrealistic and very constrained on what it is that they can do or what it is that they can have financially, and whether or not they should get benefits, they should be eligible for benefits just like the rest of us, which is something that I also agree with. So I'm open to us having a public. I'm missing the word here, guys. Hearing on it. Yeah.
[2:09:01] Vice President DeJesus: Councillor Santagate.
[2:09:03] Councillor Santagate: Yes. I originally felt the same way that Councillor Jimenez-Rivera did as far as if we really don't stand a chance, then why do it? But then I thought about it, and I reached out to Councillor Recupero and we had a long conversation. And I feel differently now. And so in that regard, I would endorse a public hearing.
[2:09:28] Vice President DeJesus: Okay. Is there a motion on the floor, Councillor Robinson?
[2:09:34] Councillor Robinson: Yes. We sat here and voted to help a portion of our community on the electricity. I think it's important that we do not deny having a public hearing in regards to this motion. And whether it's a conflict for me, which I think it is, I will support the public hearing if it has to come to a vote at that time, that's a conflict of interest for me. I will not vote. But I think it's appropriate that we hear from other people in the community how they feel about it and we should take take in their comments in the public hearing.
[2:10:22] Vice President DeJesus: Thank you, Councillor. All right. Can I get a motion from
[2:10:28] Councillor Taylor: move to a public hearing
[2:10:31] Vice President DeJesus: seeing no objections? Moving to a public hearing.
New business: rodents, Broadway street sweeping, council rules
[2:10:42] Clerk: There is no unfinished business. The one item under secondary reading was taken out of order. First item, under new business order introduced by councillor Kelly Garcia. Order that the city manager in collaboration with inspection services department and board of health conduct a feasibility assessment of establishing a developer funded rodent prevention and extermination program for new construction, demolition and major redevelopment projects throughout throughout the city. And be further ordered that the assessment shall include, but not be limited to a cost assessment to determine the estimated cost of rodent inspections, preventative treatments, ongoing extermination services and monitoring before, during and after construction. Developer contribute contributions to explore the feasibility of requiring developers to fund or contribute towards rodent mitigation services, including treatment for neighboring properties potentially impacted by construction activity. Implementation process.
[2:11:39] Council President Jimenez-Rivera: Councillor Taylor,
[2:11:41] Councillor Taylor: I'd ask to waive the rest of the reading and to refer this order to the inspectional services committee.
[2:11:51] Council President Jimenez-Rivera: Sorry, order. Yes, Councillor Garcia, to the point of order,
[2:12:00] Councillor Kelly Garcia: instead of moving it to that subcommittee, I'm wondering if we can move it to a second reading. But before that I'd like to ask the city manager a question.
[2:12:12] Council President Jimenez-Rivera: Great. Mr. Clerk, can you clarify on the motion? So we have,
[2:12:20] Clerk: as it stands, you have conflicting motions on the floor.
[2:12:23] Council President Jimenez-Rivera: So first we deal with the first motion made.
[2:12:28] Clerk: That would be correct. Councillor Taylor's motion to refer to his committee on inspection services.
[2:12:33] Council President Jimenez-Rivera: Okay. So Councillor Taylor has made a motion to move this to inspection Services. We will open discussion on that motion and unless
[2:12:42] Clerk: the motion is withdrawn otherwise debate.
[2:12:45] Council President Jimenez-Rivera: Okay, Councillor, you made the motion, so you have the floor. If you would like it.
[2:12:51] Councillor Taylor: I mean, I don't really have much to say, although that's the proper committee to refer this to talk about it. So we can then, you know, move it to the second reading. Can be the next time we come back and we'll have a chance to talk to the city manager. And this is the regular order of our council, so I don't. I don't see what the big deal is.
[2:13:16] Council President Jimenez-Rivera: Councillor Garcia.
[2:13:17] Councillor Kelly Garcia: Yeah, yeah, and I appreciate that, Councillor Taylor. I think I. It's 9pm and I was trying to avoid a debate at this time. Understandable. And more so, I really. I think I was hoping for a discussion on the floor given that A lot of my constituents have reached out about this. And so that's why I think my preference is to have the debate here versus the subcommittee and then move it to something else. And so that's kind of like where I'm at. My brain is tired, but that's my only intention is to have a debate more so publicly as opposed to room and then.
[2:13:59] Council President Jimenez-Rivera: So Liz Lee, are you asking to ask questions? City Manager.
[2:14:09] Councillor Kelly Garcia: No, no. I think we could say that discussion for a later time when we move it to the.
[2:14:15] Council President Jimenez-Rivera: Okay, so then are we good with. Are you. Definitely. Sorry. I guess we're now. And I have Councillor next and I
[2:14:24] Councillor Taylor: just wanted to clarify something. There will be time to have a discussion on the floor. On the next thing after we have a lengthy discussion in the subcommittees so that we can have time and we don't have to stay here till, you know, wherever. And we don't really have the other participating things that we would have through a subcommittee. So, you know, we have a process for a reason. So.
[2:14:49] Council President Jimenez-Rivera: Yep. Councillor,
[2:14:53] Councillor Recupero: my fellow councillor, I have some information and knowledge of going through this for years. I can tell you some of the things and then you can ask the city manager. When new construction starts, the person that does the construction is responsible for that. So they're already taking care of that. They do it automatically when they're construction. They build a big building. They are the ones responsible to pay for the rodents. So that's already there. The city manager can tell you that. If it's yes or no, I know because through the years I've dealt with it. So I know that they do take care of it. You can ask the city manager if it. But that's okay. That's the only thing I wanted to tell you that they do that.
[2:15:40] Council President Jimenez-Rivera: Thank you, councillor. Councillor Santagate.
[2:15:43] Councillor Santagate: Yeah, thank you, Councillor Garcia, because it is an issue for many of my constituents as well. And I think that this is a. If the program does exist, it should continue. If it doesn't, it should start. And also, I don't even think that it goes far enough. I think that I don't know that much about rat behavior, but I do know that if they are displaced by very large tall buildings, they're going to go elsewhere. So it's not just going to be the concern of the developer to take care of the problem. So I think it needs to go further, that this is a good start. But
[2:16:29] Council President Jimenez-Rivera: yeah. And Councillor Hines and also I just want. I just want to quickly clarify. This does not require a second reading it does not. This can be voted on tonight if the council so chooses. So I'm just going to put that out there now. Councillor Hines, you can, you can go ahead.
[2:16:47] Councillor Hines: Before I even start, the rules of procedure here are very confusing. I want to thank the city manager for this consideration. I know that earlier this month or, well, it's November now, I believe in October or September, there was a rat summit that took place in Boston that he might have attended with a couple members of ISD who specialize in this sort of thing. I think this is a really big issue for many folk in the city. And I recall the communication requesting a subcommittee to discuss rodents. I know that there's a hefty cost to this. I believe my conversation with Councillor Robinson was that the city kind of got hit over the head with a program prior where the contract wasn't. As the contract agreement wasn't necessarily be fulfilled by the. The contracted party. And I think it's interesting to figure out whether or not it is financially it is feasible to pass some of this burden onto the developers as like a possibility of, hey, man, you know, well, let's see what more that we can do. There's. There's issues and challenges that are. Are still happening here in the city on many different sites across the city. So, you know, this is definitely a, a community challenge.
[2:18:21] Unidentified speaker: Councillor Jimenez-Rivera.
[2:18:22] Vice President DeJesus: Oh, Councillor Robinson,
[2:18:26] Councillor Robinson: this, It is a. It is a major issue. All demolition permits, when they're going to demolish a building, they have to show ISD that they baited for the rats. The issue in our community becomes what types of poisons that we can use. And I say that because of the dogs and the cats that are out and they have access to the poisons and they're eating them and they're dying on their own. You know, the issue when the soldier's home came down, they had to show that they dated and that they continued to be so that the rodents would go into other parts of the area. You know, [name unclear], who works in isd, is pretty knowledgeable about this stuff and I think we need to be able to invite him to this conference. And he was one of the participants in the Boston conference with all, with all the ISD people. And I think you'll have some solid information to share with us as a committee.
[2:20:00] Vice President DeJesus: Thank you, Councillor. Councillor Jimenez-Rivera and then Councillors.
[2:20:04] Council President Jimenez-Rivera: Yeah, I just want to echo my colleagues on this, right. Like this is a major issue across the city. I think this order is asking for a feasibility assessment. I think what this council should do is just vote to do this and then have a subcommittee on that assessment to figure out how we move forward. Why would we have a conversation about whether we want to do an assessment? I feel like that's just kicking the can down the road. I think we want to have a conversation about this. So why don't we do an assessment of this potential program and then have a conversation about that? I think. I think the quicker that we can approve this being done, we can then have a conversation about potential program and hopefully approve and or amend that proposal. So I don't. I think right now we're discussing the motion to send to the ISD committee. I would vote down that motion and make a motion to adopt this tonight so that we can then get something from the manager and send that to the ISD committee.
[2:21:08] Vice President DeJesus: Councillor Robinson,
[2:21:12] Councillor Robinson: all of us sitting here know that it's a problem, you know, and. And I don't need a feasibility study to tell me what is going on with the rodent population. And the fact of the matter is, you know, we can go to conference and we can have a conversation and we can come up with some solid solutions in regards to this panel.
[2:21:36] Vice President DeJesus: Thank you, councillor. Councillor Santagate and then Councillor Taylor.
[2:21:40] Councillor Santagate: I just wanted to clarify, if I'm not mistaken, there's an outstanding request for a subcommittee on conference about this very issue. So wouldn't that be maybe the first step of it? We already have something that hasn't been scheduled about the topic. So would that be something that we can discuss? And then would. Would that be where inspectional services could join? So that's already out there, and that would mean we could get it scheduled even faster than having to do a different order.
[2:22:12] Unidentified speaker: Point of order,
[2:22:14] Clerk: you are correct. There is an obtaining communication received from the city manager requesting a subcommittee on conference on the rodent abatement program. So there is a subcommittee on officer outstanding.
[2:22:25] Council President Jimenez-Rivera: Point of order. If there is a item already on our list that is related to this, is it even possible for us to schedule something separate or should or does that supersede it? And therefore this has to go to confidence because it's already being placed there.
[2:22:42] Clerk: If the matters were materially similar in nature, I would say they would be redundant and not necessary given the city manager's request. But for a conference specifically on rodent abatement, and this is a specific order requesting a feasibility assessment, I would argue that the orders, while on a similar topic, are not materially similar, so they could be referred to conference. But I would recommend for the sake of expediency, that if it is referred, they would be referred to the same committee. So they were not redundant committee meetings on the same topic or similar topic.
[2:23:17] Councillor Taylor: Okay, I agree, I agree with everything that was just mentioned. My only thing to send it to Inspectional Services is that it will be easier to reach a quorum, as our city council president has said many times. And so maybe we can fold it into that. I will make sure that everybody that attends gets to speak to speak on it. And so it won't take any longer because you just have to schedule it, that's all. So, you know, I just think that meeting, the lower threshold for a quorum is, is better, seeing as we've had a lot of absences. So, you know, I would request that my motion stand and that we fold the existing order for a conference into the Inspectional Services committee.
[2:24:26] Vice President DeJesus: All right, I'm looking
[2:24:28] Councillor Taylor: at my clerk and
[2:24:29] Clerk: I just. Clerk, can you. The communication received from the city manager previously was referred to conference. Council cannot retroactively go back to meetings and reaffirm an order. That communication was referred to conference by majority vote of council. It passed their reconsideration period. It was referred to conference, and that is a committee that that communication will be referred to where council refers. This one is up to council tonight, but can't retroactively go back after reconsideration.
[2:24:56] Councillor Taylor: Can you cancel it in the vote of this council? Count Cat. Cancel that existing order.
[2:25:03] Clerk: An order would have to be put in requesting it. It would not be able to be done tonight.
[2:25:07] Council President Jimenez-Rivera: Point of order. But second meetings do not have to be scheduled.
[2:25:11] Clerk: Point of order. Cons. Mr. Clerk, these are all. This is all based on our rules, correct? Not on charter for so subcommittee referrals, right? Yes.
[2:25:24] Council President Jimenez-Rivera: So I would argue that if we were to suspend the rules, we could do as Councillor Taylor is suggesting. If there is a motion to do so under suspension.
[2:25:38] Clerk: The, the request is for the council to retroactively go back, ignore its rule for reconsideration, and amend a vote previously taken by this body. I, I question the legality.
[2:25:54] Councillor Taylor: I withdraw my, my, I withdraw my motion and go ahead and we'll have the subcommittee and we'll hope that six people show up.
[2:26:03] Council President Jimenez-Rivera: I, I, I'm trying. I am. Well, I'm not so great with you. I'm trying now. I
[2:26:07] Councillor Taylor: mean, we're, we're, this is a scheduling issue, and now we're being, you know, told that we can't do it. So.
[2:26:12] Vice President DeJesus: All right, so Boeing. Councillor. Councillor Robinson has the floor. He Has a question.
[2:26:19] Councillor Robinson: Can the council withdraw her motion and we can have the committee meeting that was already scheduled and we got to the rodents.
[2:26:28] Councillor Taylor: Yeah, I just did it. I just did.
[2:26:31] Clerk: No, no, I apologize. The motion. The request councillor Robinson is making is that councillor Kelly Garcia withdraw her order and the original communication requesting a conference on the rodent abatement program be the only committee that's standing will be only requesting on the topic. Am I correct? That's correct. That would be up to council
[2:26:51] Councillor Kelly Garcia: that I withdraw my motion.
[2:26:53] Clerk: Thank you. In regards to the motion to withdraw because the item's already been referred. It's already been read. A motion to withdraw requires unanimous permission from council. Okay. There are no objections.
[2:27:09] Vice President DeJesus: You have an objection?
[2:27:10] Councillor Hines: No
[2:27:11] City Manager Fidel Maltez: water. Withdrawn. [unclear].
[2:27:13] Councillor Hines: I got a. I got a question. See, I should have point of ordered that because. Am I allowed to ask a question to the city manager regarding this order now that the order no longer exists?
[2:27:26] Councillor Taylor: No, no.
[2:27:32] Unidentified speaker: Next I will request if we can also have board of health and. And our DPW friends joined this meeting so that it could just.
[2:27:44] Clerk: If I remember correctly, I believe the city manager's communication specified the departments that he would request. Otherwise since they're not. It would be a matter for the committee chair to be the council president.
[2:27:58] Council President Jimenez-Rivera: Holidays for that taking so long.
[2:28:03] Clerk: Next item. Under new business, you have an order introduced by councillor Sandy. Yep. Order that the city manager explore the idea of changing the 6:00am to 8:00am street sweeping schedule on Broadway and delaying parking meter enforcement until 9am with the goal of making metered parking spaces available for overnight parking use.
[2:28:21] Council President Jimenez-Rivera: Councillor Santagate,
[2:28:22] Councillor Santagate: I'd like to make a motion to adopt and I'd like to speak on it.
[2:28:26] Council President Jimenez-Rivera: I. That. That motion is in order. That motion is in order. I will note we did send that communication over to the. To the committee on conference or the communication about the. About the. The measures that included this, correct?
[2:28:44] Councillor Santagate: No.
[2:28:44] Council President Jimenez-Rivera: No. Never mind then. This is. Ignore me. It is late. Cool. Motion has been made to adopt and I was just gonna speak on it and. You may speak on it. Yeah.
[2:28:56] Councillor Santagate: I've lived downtown myself and I notice as we're trying to think about finding more parking spaces, especially at night, that Broadway is relatively empty when I come home and the meters are empty. And I think that people come into the city later and they don't want to park on Broadway because they know that street Sweeping starts at 6am and it's not possible for them to get back to their car to move it. So I thought to be creative, maybe we could Change the time of street sweeping so that more people could park in those spots and not have to worry about getting up before 6am to move their cars. So in tandem with that, I also wondered about pushing the envelope further and actually having meter enforcement start at 9. There are some cities that have different times for the meter enforcement. Sometimes one part of the city is 8. 1 parts, 9. So my idea was to make the Broadway metered spaces available for overnight parking. And yeah, that was what I wanted to do.
[2:30:14] Council President Jimenez-Rivera: Great. Any councillor Hines?
[2:30:17] Councillor Hines: I don't have much to say because. Santagate, this is brilliant. I am not. I. I'm plagued with waking up early to move my car. I just. The change of a time, that's all. I.
[2:30:35] Council President Jimenez-Rivera: All right with that. Do we. We don't need roll call, do we?
[2:30:41] Clerk: There is a motion to opt by voice vote.
[2:30:42] Council President Jimenez-Rivera: All right. Those in favor say aye. Those again say name. The ayes have it. Motion carries.
[2:30:50] Clerk: The final item before you under new business order introduced by the council president. Order that a meeting of the subcommittee on rules and administration be held to review Rule 27 duties of committees and to discuss the subcommittee voting and committee report process.
[2:31:08] Council President Jimenez-Rivera: Thank you, Councillor. I sort of. So we're already, you know, going to be scheduling a rules committee. So I figured it would be helpful to submit this for discussion. Essentially, as we have moved to our new subcommittee structure and approval of reports, there have just been challenges with getting folks to sign the reports. So we just want to change, tweak the rule to better fit how the council goes by, goes about approving the reports so that we can properly follow the procedure. So this. This is a request from the clerk that I filed so that we can save him some headaches and actually be able to approve our reports appropriately, which has been a challenge given the adoption of our more recent rule changes. So I would like to motion this to. To the subcommittee and rules and administration unanimously under suspension. If there are no objections.
Late order: rodent abatement program
[2:32:13] Vice President DeJesus: Seeing none. Moving on.
[2:32:18] Clerk: That concludes new business. You have one item that was received from councillor Recupero. Late unanimous consent required for consideration.
[2:32:28] Vice President DeJesus: I am seeing no objection. You have the floor, Councillor.
[2:32:33] Unidentified speaker: Do you want the order read first?
[2:32:34] Councillor Recupero: Yeah, read the article first. Yeah.
[2:32:37] Clerk: Order introduced by councillor Recupero. Order that the city manager provide an update to the city council as of the status of the city's rodent abatement program for residential properties, specifically whether the program is still operating and when or if funding will be appropriated. To start with
[2:32:56] Vice President DeJesus: a motion. Councillor
[2:32:57] Councillor Recupero: motion to accept. If there's no objection, I can speak on it. For a minute.
[2:33:01] Vice President DeJesus: You have the floor.
[2:33:03] Councillor Recupero: Okay. I didn't the order. This was a different one because the program already existed. And I was told by people and even fellow Councillor that the program died, that there's no longer the program where they do bait the programs for the people. That was a different. Completely different than the one that a fellow Councillor did. This was a different program altogether. It has nothing to do. It has to do with the program that they had already existed. That's what I wanted to know. Why was it taken away and will it come back to the people? That's. That's it. Yes, but that's up to the city manager. You know, conversation with him, if we can ask him a question. But that was an order. Was different than that one.
[2:33:47] Vice President DeJesus: Councillor Hines,
[2:33:48] Councillor Hines: I just. I just want to note to Councillor recupero. Yes, your request is different, but I think that is in response to the previous order that was sent to the subcommittee on conference to have the conversation. Yeah. So that. That conversation is already scheduled.
Public announcements and adjournment
[2:34:06] Vice President DeJesus: Yep, we're going to have that
[2:34:07] Councillor Recupero: conversation. It's fine by me. Awesome.
[2:34:11] Vice President DeJesus: Great. Seeing no other comments. Moving on to public announcements.
[2:34:17] Councillor Hines: This is. This is a announcement just for my Councillors, just for my fellow. My colleagues up here, my fellow Councillors. As a. As a. In being courteous and considerate of Mr. Velez, who does a great job, I would like to request that all Councillors just simply turn off your devices at the end of this meeting. If that could be something that would create as a habit going forward. That is my simple announcement. Absolutely. The. The microphone.
[2:34:48] Vice President DeJesus: Thank you, Councillor Santagate.
[2:34:51] Councillor Santagate: The city offers so many wonderful things every week, but this past week was particularly special. So I just wanted to give a shout out to all the parties involved, city parties, etc. Because we had an extremely successful trunk or treat event. And we had a wonderfully beautiful Día de los Muertos event yesterday. So we had hundreds, probably thousands of people in the city, many of them from the city, many from out of the city. So I just wanted to commend and thank everyone who was involved in the city and beyond for helping organize such wonderful things.
[2:35:40] Vice President DeJesus: Seeing no other announcements, everyone knows tomorrow. Go ahead, Councillor Taylor.
[2:35:48] Unidentified speaker: So
[2:35:51] Councillor Taylor: I. First of all, I want to just reiterate what Councillor Santagate said. The. The events that we've been having in the city, I think have made a big difference. And you know, there might be some things that we don't like or don't agree with with the city, but we need to give credit where credit is due. And I think. I think the city deserves a lot of credit for these. For these events, these outdoor events in our city squares. And I can tell you I participated in the Trunk or Treat. And I. You know, there were. There were. Yeah, 2000. I mean, Councillor Santagate. It says 2000. I believe it, because I was there. And I got mobbed by a bunch of kids, dressed up, and I ran out of candy multiple times. And thank God for our good man [name unclear], who went and, you know, went and got more candy for everybody. But it was a. It was a Herculean effort to put all that together. And we've never had anything like that in Chelsea. And I think that, you know, this is. This is the thing that cities used to do 60, 70 years ago, and now we're doing it again, and I think, you know, for the first time in Chelsea. But I thought it was excellent. And that's what we do. The second thing is that tomorrow is election day. Everybody, if you haven't already early voted, which a lot of people have, go out and vote and make sure, like I said earlier, you hold your officials accountable. And if you like what they did, vote them back in. But go vote. Thank you.
[2:37:46] Vice President DeJesus: All right, meeting adjourned. Team, It.