Everett City Council
Monday September 11, 2023
Clickable Transcript Printable Transcript Agenda
The order of items in transcripts appear in the chronological order in which they were taken up. Some Agenda items may have been skipped.
Public Participation
Peggy Serino, a resident, expresses confusion and frustration over the proposed use of ARPA funds for a school modular project, referencing a previous council vote against modulars and questioning the financial decisions surrounding the Pope John property. She condemns the potential waste of funds on unnecessary projects, such as vehicle purchases for the school system, and criticizes the neighborhood development group's involvement in housing on Garvey Street. Robin Babcock raises concerns about the practicality and safety of using trailers as a solution to school overcrowding, citing her experience as a parent and educator. She argues that trailers could negatively impact property values and disrupt school operations. John McDonald, Paula Sterite, and other residents highlight various community issues, including unchecked spending on unnecessary projects, lack of infrastructure maintenance, and problems caused by city development and overcrowding. Speakers also question the transparency and decision-making processes of local government, particularly in relation to school space and housing development projects, urging the council to consider the community's needs more closely and hold accountable those responsible for mismanagement.
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Item 14
Terri Ronco, HR director for the City of Everett, detailed the city's CORI/SORI policy and procedure, emphasizing the city's commitment to hiring top talent while ensuring a safe and professional environment through comprehensive background checks, including CORI (Criminal Offender Registry Inquiry) and SORI (Sex Offender Registry Inquiry). Starting October 1, 2023, annual checks will be conducted for non-union employees, with specific procedures in place for handling potential adverse employment actions in compliance with federal and state laws. The policy is initially aimed at non-union staff, with negotiations planned for inclusion in collective bargaining units. The discussion highlighted the city's intent to extend these checks across all employees, unionized or not, through upcoming contract negotiations, and underscored the importance of maintaining a safe and professional working environment. Additionally, there was a focus on keeping HR records confidential and the steps being taken to negotiate the inclusion of similar checks for union employees in future contracts.
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Item 3
Jay Monty, from the Everett Transportation Planning Department, praised the collaboration with the state's governor's office for securing a $200,000 grant through the ARPA funding process, allocated by the DCR, for the Northern Strand project. This grant, confirmed to be non-repayable, aims to enhance the area by expanding the bike path to the river and transforming a significant green space between two traffic circles into a park or passive recreation area. This initiative would provide public access to one of Everett's largest green spaces, which is currently inaccessible.
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Item 4
The discussion at the public hearing focused on funding and plans for infrastructure improvement projects in Everett Square and the development of the Morgan Stanley Trail. A budget of $600,000 is allocated towards the construction of Everett Square, including the redesign of the park, intersections, and sidewalks from Mansfield Street to Second Street. This project aims to start construction next year, enhancing public use areas and supporting local businesses with features like outdoor dining and potentially a food truck space. In addition to Everett Square, $200,000 is dedicated to expanding the Morgan Stanley Trail with a focus on connecting it to the Malden River and incorporating environmental restoration efforts. Concerns about small business involvement, public engagement in project planning, and the aesthetic and functional improvement of Everett Square were raised, highlighting the need for comprehensive urban development and community support strategies. The hearing revealed plans for substantial urban renewal, with specific attention to public infrastructure, eco-friendly initiatives, and local commerce enhancement.
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Item 8
Matt Lattanzi, the Director of Planning And Development, detailed the $1.65 million Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) allocated for FY22/23. This grant, higher than in previous years due to it covering two years, includes $750,000 for acquiring 25 Garvey Street to develop 125 units of 100% affordable housing. The properties will have rents ranging from $700 to $900, addressing the city's need for affordable housing options. Responding to queries, Lattanzi explained that changing the grant's use for something other than the 25 Garvey Street land acquisition would require state and federal approval. The grant also allocates funds for administrative costs, support for social service organizations, and a housing rehabilitation program. Lattanzi highlighted that $445,000 of the grant is for administrative expenses, a substantial portion of which funds external consultants. Various council members inquired about the project, its funding, and the potential impact on the neighborhood, indicating a close examination of the grant's allocation and the city's development priorities.
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Item 7
During a public hearing, council members expressed concerns and discussed a motion related to the restoration of degraded wetlands and the impact of construction materials stored in the area. Martins highlighted the need for testing and approving construction materials near wetlands to ensure they are not harmful. Lattanzi mentioned the issue involved materials stored on casino property and the challenges of getting cooperation for remediation. There was discussion on amending the motion to request information on the construction materials and ensuring their removal or testing. There was confusion about the specifics of the motion, including the grant acceptance for wetland restoration and the necessity to address the environmental concerns raised by Martins. The council agreed on the importance of protecting the wetlands while accepting funds for their restoration, emphasizing the need for updates on the removal or testing of the construction materials.
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Item 10
In a debate over the proposed allocation of $150,000 for planning modular classroom solutions to alleviate school overcrowding in Everett, council members expressed divergent views. Smith opposed the project, highlighting spatial constraints at Kaverian school and a general disapproval of modulars citywide, citing past council decisions against them. Erin Devaney, Chief of Staff, clarified that the sum would cover hiring a project manager essential for this project phase, aiming to explore all potential spaces across city schools for modular use, including for specialized instruction. The discussions touched on concerns about the project's scope, costs, and alternatives, with some council members questioning the investment without confirmed plans for modular installations and others emphasizing the urgent need for classroom space. The possibility of using ARPA funds for this purpose was mentioned, indicating an attempt to proceed without impacting taxpayers. The debate underscored the complexities of addressing school overcrowding and the search for viable, cost-effective solutions amidst differing opinions on the use of modular classrooms.
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Item 15
In a discussion regarding a petition from National Grid to install electric chargers at the Devon Street parking lot, council members expressed concerns and posed questions about various aspects of the project. Hanlon questioned the necessity of having National Grid present for the decision-making process and raised issues about unrelated work being conducted on Broadway. Cornelio clarified that the petition was indeed from National Grid and mentioned that this was a continuation of unfinished business, with the project aiming to deliver electricity for electric chargers donated to the city. Questions from Council members Costa and others revolved around the operational details of the charging stations, including the costs, the third party managing them, and who would be benefiting from the revenue generated. Despite support for the initiative, there was a consensus that unanswered questions remained, leading to hesitation in approving the project outright. Concerns were also expressed about the overall management of such projects, suggesting that a project manager might be beneficial to ensure better outcomes.
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Item 16
During a public hearing, Mr. Costa discussed receiving an email from the Mass Gaming Commission on July 4th, indicating the need to renegotiate the original host community agreement with Encore, which is currently paying around $28 million in lieu of taxes but is valued significantly higher. He proposed inviting the Chief of Staff to comment on the renegotiation process. Ms. Devaney confirmed the mayor's intention to renegotiate the host community agreement due to Encore's expansion plans and mentioned preliminary analysis had been done regarding gaming revenue. Concerns were raised regarding public safety, employment opportunities, and the need for greater accountability from Encore in community contributions. The possibility of involving Everett's fire and police chiefs in negotiations and ensuring Encore meets commitments like hiring local residents and diversifying its workforce was also discussed. The importance of public participation in the process was emphasized, with suggestions for engaging residents in discussions about the development's impact on the community. The meeting concluded with a motion to request a detailed response from the mayor's office on the city's stance regarding the renegotiation and the incorporation of community feedback.
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Item 17
During a public hearing, Councilor Costa shared concerns about the Ferry and Elm Street project, highlighting issues raised and potential deficiencies that need attention before the construction company proceeds. Costa had previously requested a list of identified problems to better oversee the project's progress and ensure that residents' concerns were addressed. Devaney, responding to Costa, indicated that the engineering department is actively addressing constituent issues, incorporating them into weekly project meetings with stakeholders like MASDOT and the Albany construction team. Suggestions were made to improve communication with residents, such as using robocalls and ACTV for updates, though concerns were raised about potentially bombarding residents with information. The discussion highlighted the need for efficient communication strategies to keep the community informed and involved in the project's developments, with a focus on resolving outstanding issues and improving the overall response to residents' concerns.
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Item 18
Councilor Matewsky discussed the issue of absentee ballots, mentioning that 2000 ballots had been distributed for the primary election, primarily to voters who are either disabled, elderly, attending college, or serving in the military. He pointed out that only 50% of these ballots are returned, suggesting that covering the postage costs, estimated at $1200, could incentivize more voters to mail their ballots back. Matewsky shared an anecdote about a neighbor who overpaid postage on a ballot, emphasizing the confusion over the required postage, which is actually 63 cents. He also mentioned a conversation with Councilor Smith about using a city stamp for the return envelopes, which wouldn't cost the city unless used, aiming to improve the return rate of absentee ballots.
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Item 21
Martins expressed concerns to the council about the ongoing issue of basements flooding on Garland Street, highlighting that residents are still resorting to outdated methods of water removal. He questioned why this problem persists and sought to advance Garland Street into modern times by proposing a solution. Martins suggested referring the matter to the city engineer for investigation and requested that it be moved to government operations for further consideration when the city engineer is available to discuss. Marchese inquired if it was possible to involve the city engineers in the process, to which Martins affirmed.
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Item 22
Council Member Martins addressed concerns regarding the procedures used in towing vehicles, particularly an incident where a car was forcibly entered in front of his house, raising concerns about potential liability for the city and damage to vehicles. He highlighted the contentious nature of towing, balancing the need for it to enable street sweeping and the community's growing concerns over the methods employed. Martins expressed a desire to ensure that no cars are broken into during towing operations, suggesting that the issue needs review by Chad, 311, and Jay Monte, while questioning whether the Department of Public Works (DPW) or a parking authority should oversee towing practices.
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Item 32
Councilor Darren Costa offered a resolution requesting a discussion on flooding issues in the Riverfront Ovallady District, particularly concerning the impact of a proposed site plan on Air Force Road and nearby areas. Councilor Lattanzi provided an update on efforts to address these concerns, including the daylighting of South Creek and the future installation of a box culvert to improve stormwater flow to the Malden River, aimed at reducing flooding. Costa expressed ongoing concerns about the adequacy of public and green space in proposed developments, highlighting the importance of safe and accessible waterfront access, and voiced apprehensions about the effectiveness of planned flood mitigation measures. He mentioned a developer's critical views on the flood risks associated with the new developments, even after the proposed phases. The resolution aimed to refer these concerns to the planning board and department for review, emphasizing the need for detailed scrutiny of the plans to ensure appropriate measures are taken to prevent future flooding issues.
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