Everett

Everett City Council

Monday December 11, 2023

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The order of items in transcripts is the chronological order in which they were taken up. Some Agenda items may have been skipped.

Section 1

40 because I got a text that is still repeating. I don't know how to stop. SPEAKER4 - I got the same thing. SPEAKER2 - It's still repeating. If you want to take them off, right. I can continue the meeting and wait for, your TV to get back. SPEAKER12 - That's fine. Okay. SPEAKER2 - Meeting is still open. We're gonna move on with our meeting. Serg, do you have anyone on the phone? SPEAKER4 - Yes, I do. SPEAKER2 - Anyone on the phone for public participation? SERGIO CORNELIO - CITY CLERK - No, mister president. SPEAKER2 - Okay. Thank you. SPEAKER4 - So we've got 2 speakers left. Ms. Cornelio. MARGARET CORNELIO - RESIDENT - Hi. Margaret Cornelio. 43 Glueke Road. I'm here to speak about a resolution that has been put on by Councilman Matuszewski. I want to thank him for doing that. I have waited a long time for it. I have spoken to Councilman Marchese and also to Councilman Martins about this issue. I have a picture here that I took this afternoon, and I would like to give a copy to each one of you. It's not a great photocopy. I ran out of toner. I apologize. SPEAKER2 - I think we're going to be okay. We'll get it. Everybody will get it. CORNELIO - Okay. Thank you. SPEAKER2 - Thank you. CORNELIO - Anyway, on the top of the page you can see there's a sidewalk. That's right by the bus stop, and then you come down and you can see there's a driveway. That's where the cars are parked when they're waiting, and then you go down a little further, and there's a car parked on the corner, which is illegal. It's supposed to be like 20 feet from the corner. I've been asking for that to be rectified for over a year now. I asked the council. I asked the mayor. I've spoken to the police. I asked him to speak to the mayor. I've spoken to the police chief. I've spoken to the parking clerk. I've spoken to the traffic officer.

Section 2

3.0 A speaker expressed concerns about parking in the city and suggested implementing white lines and signs to indicate no parking zones. Another speaker suggested using ARPA funds for renovations at Pope John High School, and expressed concerns about the financial impact of losing tax revenue from the closing of the power plant. A resident also raised concerns about the condition of Glendale Towers and public housing behind the high school. Another speaker urged the city to enforce a new HR policy to ensure the safety of residents and expressed disappointment with the city's handling of a sexual assault case involving a city employee. The last speaker reminded the council to address the issue of overpaid longevity money to the mayor.

Section 3

Councilor Stephanie Martins has proposed a resolution for the state Senator to provide an update on the proposed soccer stadium in Everett. The motion to invite the Senator to speak at the council meeting is seconded and approved. Senator Sal DiDomenico then speaks about the legislative process and how the legislation proposed in the state senate only aims to lift the designated port area (DPA) to allow for a stadium on the former power plant site. He clarifies that there was no deal made with the Kraft Group and that the Mayor's agreement was negotiated by environmental groups. The Senator also mentions his outreach to various community groups to gauge their interest and support. Despite this, the legislation did not pass in the conference committee due to opposition from some members.

Section 4

The speaker is discussing a development project in Everett, MA that has faced opposition from environmental groups due to concerns about its impact on the community. The project involves lifting a DPA (Designated Port Area) and converting a former power plant into a soccer stadium and mixed-use development. The speaker, possibly a city councilor or senator, is defending the project and the process that has been followed, stating that it will bring economic and environmental benefits to the community. They also mention plans for transportation improvements and negotiations with the developer for community benefits. The project has faced some challenges in the legislative process but is still moving forward. The speaker also mentions an appointment to the board of assessors and some proposed changes to the city's zoning ordinances.

Section 5

The city council had a meeting discussing various items, including a motion to invite a Mr. Lattanzia and a discussion on a pet grooming establishment. They also discussed a zoning change for a kennel and a separate motion to remove short-term rentals from the zoning ordinances. The council then collectively voted on several reappointments for various commissions and boards, including the disability commission and library board of trustees.

Section 6

Councilor Costa has proposed a resolution requesting that the city assessor provide information on abatements and exemptions for the past five years, as well as create a program to market residential exemption benefits and audit the current list of homes with the exemption. This resolution was discussed in committee and a motion was made to accept the committee report and refer it back to the sponsor.

Section 7

Councilor Costa made a motion to divide the question by the topics presented in the agenda package for new projects. Councilor Martins made a motion to postpone the discussion to the next meeting. Councilor Smith made an amendment to remove $10,000,000 from the budget due to previous votes against modular funding. Councilor Tanzi asked about alternatives to modular and Councilor Costa clarified that the decision would also impact maintenance in the future. Councilor Del Sola suggested waiting for the study before making a decision on the $10,000,000 for modular funding. There were two motions on the table: one to amend and one to divide the question into seven or eight categories. Councilor Martins also suggested postponing the discussion to the next meeting.

Section 8

I move that we go into executive session under general law Chapter 30A subsection section 22 to review the minutes of the executive session regarding the discussion of the Devon School Lease, held on June 12, 2023, to determine if the provisions warrant continued nondisclosure. I also move to invite our chief financial officer, chief of staff, city solicitor, and chair of the Everett School Committee to join this discussion. We will also be joined by all current city councilors.

Section 9

Councilors discussed the need to revise the guidelines for the Citizens Foundation grant. They believe that the grant should be reserved for smaller organizations that may not have access to other forms of funding, rather than larger organizations that may already receive funding from other sources. Councilor Martins requested that the administration and the committee consider revising the guidelines to ensure that the grant is given to those who need it most.

Section 10

In this content, various speakers are discussing different items on the agenda for a council meeting. Councilor Stephanie Smith brings up the issue of monitoring dogs off leash at local parks and requests a response on the number of citations given out by the ACO (Animal Control Officer). Councilor Wayne Matewski brings up the issue of heavy truck traffic and gridlock at a specific intersection and requests signs to be placed there. Councilor Stephanie Martins requests an update from the Davis company on their plans for recently acquired land. There is also a maintenance request from Councilor Matewski to trim or remove a tree on Bailey Street. The meeting is adjourned and various council members wish everyone a happy holiday season.