APPRO-2025-19 : An Appropriation from Free Cash in the amount of $100,000 to the Council on Aging (#541) for replacement of a van.

Transcript (~5 min @ 1:24:42)

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▶ 1:24:43 Mark Garipay: Thank you. Uh, that will be recommended. Next up we have ID 1 2 5 9 2, which is an appropriation of free cash in the amount of a hundred thousand to Counsel on Aging. Um, number 5 41 for replacement of a van.

▶ 1:25:04 Speaker 1: Good evening, counselors. Thanks for having me.

▶ 1:25:09 Speaker 1: Um, This will sound familiar to you because I was here, uh, just a few, uh, weeks ago talking about, um, transportation. But I'll just remind you that, um, in fiscal 24, the Council on Aging provided 1,718 rides to Melrose residents. Um, just over a third of those going to medical destinations. Uh, and then an additional 180 passengers going on our day trip programs to local theaters, sports venues, museums, et cetera. Um, which is a big piece of the, uh, social aspect of our, our older adults. Um, so the motion before, or the, the request before you is for, um, a free craft, free cash request to, uh, assist a purchase of a new van to replace an aging one in our fleet.

▶ 1:25:59 Mark Garipay: Okay. Thank you. Um, council Stewart? Thank

▶ 1:26:02 Robb Stewart: You Mr. Chair. And thank you Ms. Brown for responding to me earlier today. I appreciate your, your note. Um, Mr. Chair, I, I had asked, um, Ms. Brown what, uh, the situation was because when she came before us earlier, she said that the request was going to, um, the matching was gonna be 30 to 80, but she did clarify based on some further research, and this is for the council and through the chair, that, um, in order to get a new van that'll accommodate the needs, uh, appropriate for the amount of people that take advantage of these programs, uh, she did need to increase the request and I do support it. So I just wanted to share that with the committee. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

▶ 1:26:45 Speaker 5: Thank you. Council Stewart, anyone else?

▶ 1:26:52 Speaker 5: What's the will of the committee?

▶ 1:26:53 Robb Stewart: Mr. Chair? I'll make a motion to recommend the full council. Second

▶ 1:26:57 Mark Garipay: Motion to recommend by Council of Stewart. Seconded by Council Ro on discussion.

▶ 1:27:04 Speaker 5: Councilor Vandiver.

▶ 1:27:05 Speaker 1: Thank you. Um, uh, on that topic, um, and with that information, um, could you clarify what the total cost of the van will be, including Melrose's contribution and the grant? Sure. So, um, we have an, a state earmark grant in the amount of $50,000, um, to put towards this cause. Um, I have several quotes for different vans, ranging from 71,000 up to 187,000. So depending on, um, what's allocated, um, we'll just kind of designate what we can purchase. The higher, uh, the higher quotes, um, are, uh, new, new models versus the lower quotes, which are used models. Um, the higher quotes also have, um, they call it a low floor model. So, um, the vans we have right now, um, anybody who's accessing the van has to climb three stairs to get up. Um, so that can pose mobility issues for some folks. Um, they do have the, um, handicap lift, which is, uh, automatic, maybe hydraulic lift. Um, I recognize the vulnerability of the lack of services in our area to to provide, you know, uh, repairs to that kind of, um, equipment. So the, uh, the higher, um, quoted vehicles, um, they have manual, um, uh, wheelchair ramps as opposed to the automatic lifts. Um, so it's a little bit, um, safer for repair costs. Um, and it also, again, has that low floor model that allows more people to access the vehicle.

▶ 1:28:47 Speaker 5: Thank you. Anyone else on discussion?

▶ 1:28:51 Speaker 5: Madam Clerk, can you please call the roll?

▶ 1:28:55 Speaker 1: Yes. Councilor Occhio? Yes. So, Hamilton? Yes. Councilor Karen Chetty? Yes. Councilor Reky? Yes. Councilor Romanul? Yes. Councilor Stewart? Yes. Councilor Vanderberg? Yes. Councilor Williams? Yes. Present? Mc Elli? Yes. Chair Garipay? Yes. Motion passes.

▶ 1:29:09 Mark Garipay: I will be recommended. Um, next on Grants.