GRANT-2025-11 : Requesting the acceptance of State Earmark for the Melrose Council on Aging in the amount of $50,000

Transcript (~6 min @ 47:10)

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▶ 46:33 Mark Garipay: Uh, at this time I will motion, I'll also motion by unanimous consent to approve without reading the minutes of the March 17th, 2025 Appropriations and oversight meeting. Seeing no objections, those minutes are now approved. Uh, moving on just for the public, we have one item, um, before the order regarding, um, the traffic and public safety, um, that we're gonna address first. So it is a grant ID number 1 2 5 0 9, requesting the acceptance of a state earmark for the Melrose Council on a aging in the amount of $50,000. And I believe we have Ms. Uh, Ms. Bro.

▶ 47:18 Speaker 2: Good evening counselors. Thank you for having me. Um, as you said, this is to, uh, propose the acceptance of the State earmark grant for the purchase of a new van for the Council on Aging. Um, council on Aging has a, uh, an aging fleet. We have two, uh, existing vans that are 2013 models and one that is a 20 a 2017 model. Um, these vans provide transportation in and around Melrose, um, to residents over 60. Um, this can include anything from medical appointments to picking up prescriptions, um, to going to the Y to work out. So, um, we do accommodate, uh, a lot of residents here. Uh, the van we hope to replace has a history of mechanical problems, uh, and only seats eight. Um, and because it has a smaller interior than the other models that we have, um, it it has some challenges for mobility inside, um, for residents with challenges. Um, just some data on our, our transportation program. In fiscal year 24, the Council on Aging provided 1,718 rides, uh, to Melrose residents with 35% of those going to medical appointments. Uh, we served 84 unique residents, um, in our regular transportation program. And then we also had 221 passengers with 129 unique riders who joined us for, uh, day trips to museums, restaurants, sports venues, and more. Um, adding a van to our fleet would help us provide, uh, help us continue to provide, um, reliable service to Melrose residents, uh, especially those who are seeking transportation to medical destinations.

▶ 49:12 Speaker 6: Thank you, Ms. Brown. Any questions from the council?

▶ 49:17 Speaker 6: Mr. Council Stewart?

▶ 49:19 Robb Stewart: Thank you Mr. Chair. Thank you Ms. Brown for being here this evening. Um, uh, would there be any additional funding that would be required by the city?

▶ 49:27 Speaker 2: Uh, yes, there would be a, um, an additional ask. Um, the price of these handicap accessible vans, um, can range anywhere from 75,000 to, you know, a newer model being upwards of 130,000. So, um, there would be an additional, additional ask, um, which I'm working with Mayor Jen on to, um, allocate funding.

▶ 49:52 Robb Stewart: So we're looking for 30 to $80,000 potentially? Correct. Okay. Alright. Thank you Mr. Mano. Thank you madam. Uh, Mr. Chair,

▶ 50:01 Speaker 6: Any other questions from the council? Councilor arm Mano?

▶ 50:08 Devin Romanul: Um, thank you so much for, uh, wrangling this grant. And, and I'll just say, um, uh, as someone who's mother-in-law was wheelchair bound for the last couple of years of her life, knowing how much a, uh, uh, catalyst for being involved in the community for the ability to access medical appointments and just be a, a person in society, I know how important this is. So I, I thank you for that and, um, wanted to make a motion to recommend.

▶ 50:33 Mark Garipay: I'll second, um, motion to recommend by Councilor Armano, second by Councilor Common City on discussion.

▶ 50:41 Speaker 6: Uh, counselor Common. You had your hand up. You, you just, I'm good.

▶ 50:44 Speaker 4: Make, I was gonna make a motion to recommend Tiller Williams.

▶ 50:46 Mark Garipay: Did you just raise No Counsel. Stoic.

▶ 50:50 Robb Stewart: Thank you Mr. Chair. Uh, Ms. Brown, just one follow up question, um, to this, are we do, are we bound or required within a certain time period to spend this grant money, um, with the additional funding that will be required from the city?

▶ 51:08 Speaker 2: Uh, I believe the grant award would be a fiscal year 25 ending June 30th.

▶ 51:14 Robb Stewart: So we have to spend the money by June 30th? I Believe so. Okay. And we have to find it in this fiscal year, not next fiscal fiscal year. I believe so. And do, do you know if we have already identified that or do we, are we still working with the administration?

▶ 51:30 Speaker 2: Uh, I think we're still working, but I think the hope would be a free cash request.

▶ 51:33 Robb Stewart: Free cash request. Okay. Okay. Thank you Mr. Brown. Thank you Mr. Chairman.

▶ 51:39 Speaker 6: Council of Van Devin.

▶ 51:40 Kimberly Vandiver: Uh, thank you. Uh, my question was about the, with this type of vehicle, what is the expected lifespan of this potential new vehicle? Sure. Um, so we generally do not put a lot of miles on the van, which is, um, good. The 2013 model, I think has less than 75,000 miles on it. Um, so, um, you know, we generally stay within Melrose. Um, the 2013 model is functional. It's just, um, a bit clunky and outdated and like I said, does have some wear and tear, um, from, from use. So I think we could expect, um, you know, at least 10 plus years out of a new, a new model. Okay. Thank you. Any other

▶ 52:25 Mark Garipay: counselors on discussion? Madam Clerk, can you call the role please? Yes.

▶ 52:33 Speaker 8: Councilor Occhio? Yes. Councilor Hamilton? Yes. Council Chetty? Yes. Cremsky? Yes. Councillor Romanul? Yes. Councillor Stewart? Yes. Councilor Van Devin? Yes. Council Williams? Yes. President Meli? Yes. Chair Gareg?