RES-2024-6 : A Resolution In Support of an Enduring Ceasefire in Gaza

Transcript (~37 min @ 1:45:49)

Speakers identified by voice; unnamed voices are numbered within this recording. Auto-caption text — verify against the video.

▶ 1:45:48 Speaker 4: Resolution 2024 dash six, a resolution in support of an enduring ceasefire in Gaza.

▶ 1:45:56 Maya Jamaleddine: Um, Madam President, I would like to seek immediate consideration.

▶ 1:46:00 Leila Migliorelli: Second, No seconds needed. Are there any objections to immediate consideration? Right. Seeing none, the order is now before us, um, Councillor Jamaleddine as the maker of the order. Um, you may read the, the resolution.

▶ 1:46:16 Maya Jamaleddine: Um, thank you Madam President. Before I read the resolution, I would like to take a moment of, uh, personal privilege and, um, thank everyone for coming, uh, tonight and, um, on the first day of Ramadan and, um, speaking your own opinion, whether would or would not. I respect it and I appreciate, you know, whatever is going to be tonight. Um, we will still be together. One community. You will still be my neighbor, my friend,

▶ 1:46:55 Maya Jamaleddine: and my chosen family since October 7th. There is not even one day that passed, and I haven't had a conversation with friends or neighbors about their friends and families in the Middle East. I check on my Jewish or Palestinian friends. I hear the fear, worry, and confusion in their voices, either for not knowing where their loved ones are, whether they are alive or not. They tell me about their family members that they lost and they cry. That uncertainty that this war put will put us all in. I hear from colleagues, from friends that they have been trying to avoid checking on each other because they don't know what to say or which side to pick as if it is a must to pick a side. I had many conversations with my own kids explaining to them why it is not okay to pick a side, and even if everyone else did, so that doesn't make it right, and that we should still choose humanity over violence and over hate. For all these reasons, I chose to file this resolution asking my own community. And after that, the leaders that put us all in this situation and decided to interfere in this issue, that war is never, never the solution and violence will only bring more violence to everyone and was never and will never be the solution. Yes, we do need a solution to stop Hamas, and we need a solution to stop Netanyahu. But war will ne will simply never be the solution. Today as we vote on this resolution, I ask everyone who came to this meeting to support or not to respect each other and agree to disagree if anyone gets hurt, as if the whole community get hurt. And as if you are hurting me directly. I know our problem is with Hamas. And our problem is with Netanyahu and not with the Jewish community, or not with the Palestinian community. Jews and Palestinian are our neighbors. They're our friends and our chosen family that no war, war or amount of hate can change that

▶ 1:49:32 Speaker 6: Thank you in my resolution.

▶ 1:49:47 Maya Jamaleddine: Resolution in support of an enduring ceasefire in Gaza. Whereas the Mero City Council recognizes that all human life is precious regardless of race, religion, or nationality. And whereas since the heinous ha Hamas attack attacks of October 7th, 2023, in which over 1200 Israelis were killed, and more than 240 taken hostages, over 30,285 Palestinians have been killed. And over 70,215 wounded, including enormous numbers of children. And whereas the ongoing military campaign and blockade of Gaza has caused a catastrophic humanitarian crisis, including the displacement of approximately 1.9 million people, 85% of gazen population, 15% of Israelis population, the near total destruction of the healthcare system and civilian infrastructure with a World Health organization

▶ 1:51:00 Maya Jamaleddine: reporting that allgas and hospitals have been destroyed or seriously damaged. And nearly 2.2 million people at imminent risk of, uh, pet mine according to the united, uh, nations, many of whom are using animal feed to make threat. And whereas members of the Meru community, including Palestinians, Israelis, Muslims, Jews, and others are experiencing trauma, grief, shock and fear, compounded by increased incidents of Islamophobia, antisemitism, and anti Palestinian racism, both nationally and locally.

▶ 1:51:39 Maya Jamaleddine: Now, therefore, be it resolved that the Merose city Council affirms the right of all Palestinian civilians and Israeli civilians to live in peace and be it further resolved that the Merose City Council supports and enduring cease fire and or any means to support long lasting peace, the provision of life saving humanitarian aid in Gaza and the release of all hostages and be further resolved that the me city Council recognizes Israel's right to defend it itself within the bounds of international law, and condemns the terrorist attacks by Hamas on October 7th and be further resolved that the Mero City Council condemns, antisemitic, anti Palestinian, anti-Israeli anti-Arab Islamophobic, and all xenophobic rhetoric and attacks, and be further resolved that the mayor City Council urges the Biden Ad Administration, Senate and Congress to work towards an enduring ceasefire humanitarian aid and the release of all hostages and be further resolved that a copy of this resolution be sent to each member of our federal delegation and to President Biden urging them to use their position to enact a sustained ceasefire. Thank you.

▶ 1:53:10 Speaker 1: Anyone else on discussion? Councillor Ro

▶ 1:53:17 Speaker 1: Um, thank you everybody for being here.

▶ 1:53:19 Cal Finocchiaro: Um, I wanna first say that I acknowledge the efforts of my fellow counselor, Jamal Dean, and I know that she has a best of intentions with this resolution, and she put a lot of thought and care into the wording. I wanna make it clear that I denounce all hatred and find unnecessary deaths that have come about due to this horrific conflict. Unfathomable, this is a very heavy and deep subject, and I don't take my position and thoughts on it lightly. I have received numerous emails and phone calls from residents regarding this resolution. Many in strong support of it, and many in strong opposition of it. I've listened, read and reviewed their feedback carefully and reflected on the role I have been elected to fulfill. What it ultimately comes down to is this a this is a historically complex and divisive international issue, and one that I'm the furthest from an expert on. Therefore, I cannot in good conscience vote on this resolution. I also do not believe that global issues should be navigated within the walls of the city council chamber as they're beyond our expertise. My decision tonight to abstain from the resolution is a carefully considered stance, which reflects my commitment to my role as a city counselor and acknowledging the complexity of the international issue at hand.

▶ 1:54:36 Speaker 1: Just point of order abstention.

▶ 1:54:39 Leila Migliorelli: Yes. Okay. According to Rule 15, counselors can only abstain with a reason of personal conflict.

▶ 1:54:46 Speaker 1: I understand that, but I wanna go on record for abstaining or on this matter.

▶ 1:54:52 Leila Migliorelli: I'm, I know it's probably not going to go on record, but I wanna go on record as abstaining from this vote. We would have to take a vote. It's rule according to Rule 15, we can only abstain as a matter of personal interest if a personal conflict interest, if the city council would take a vote on abstaining Rule 15, uh, on, on suspending Rule 15, that would allow counselors to abstain otherwise, um, that is

▶ 1:55:20 Speaker 1: the rule of the city council. I'm sorry. Mm-Hmm. But

▶ 1:55:25 Speaker 1: we'll continue with discussion. Councillor Stewart.

▶ 1:55:30 Robb Stewart: Thank you, Madam President. Um, Madam President, as you're aware, uh, because of the position I hold, uh, in my job and the business dealings that we undertake, there is a professional conflict of interest for me to be able to take a public position on this resolution as a member of the, of, of a council or elected body. And I respectfully ask that I abstain from this vote.

▶ 1:55:51 Speaker 1: Anyone else on discussion? Councilor Vandiver?

▶ 1:55:58 Kimberly Vandiver: Um, I truly appreciate that many of those directly impacted have shared their perspectives with the city council, um, by email in person and by, and, um, and phone calls in many ways. Um, we've received over 80 letters of pub public comment prior to the meeting, and, um, I've read every letter, some of them more than once. Um, I hope some of you here tonight, we, we had a lot of really, um, moving public comment tonight, and we also had a lot of really moving emails, which are public record, and I hope, um, that you'll take the time to read some of those as well.

▶ 1:56:38 Kimberly Vandiver: Um, Collectively, the letters cover a lot of ground, probably more than we as counselors will do tonight. Um, I wanna acknowledge the courage that it takes to speak up about a topic like this one. And I want to acknowledge the pain and frustration, which has led this topic to be raised and led people to speak up about this. Um, the most frequent objection that I've heard is that this isn't a topic for a city council to address. While the primary business of a city council is providing oversight, how we spend taxes in runner our city, we are also a forum that can highlight and underscore topics that are important in Mel Rosens. Sometimes those topics are lighthearted ones with easy agreement. Nobody objects. When the city council sets aside some time to honor local sports team for their successes, for example, sometimes there are real issues that there's disagreement over, like this one. This is an issue that's important to our community, and we can see it in the number of people who have written to us and who are attending tonight. I don't think that disagreement must be avoided at all cost, whether between individuals within the city council or within Melrose. I think difficult topics should be approached carefully with clear, consistent communication about how despite and disagreement are discussion partners are valued and respected. I've seen this care taken this week as people begin their discussions with, I'm worried about discussing this topic because I don't want to cause a rift that awareness and care is very important. Melrose has already faced tough debates in the last few years, and I believe we'll continue to face tough debates in the coming years due to broader challenges in our country. I believe that the best path forward for Melrose is to learn to debate topics without alienating individuals and to work with our amazing community groups to build goodwill and empathy. The way that I've personally observed people discussing this past week has shown that Mel Roses are learning from past debates and refining the way they have tough conversations. And that's encouraging. I intend to vote yes on this resolution in support of enduring cease firing Gaza because those in our community who are suffering deserve our compassion and support. This resolution is an affirmation that Melrose sees and stands against, against anti-Semitic, anti Palestinian, anti-Israeli anti-Arab and Islamophobic attacks, and the ongoing tragic loss of so many innocent lives. Melrose have the the right to live in peace and their families of every race, religion, and nationality deserve to live in peace. Regardless of the results of this vote, much of the impact of the resolution will be created by the discussions it generates within the community. Thank you for taking the time to thoughtfully have those conversations with your friends and neighbors.

▶ 1:59:15 Speaker 1: Thank you. Councilor Carm. Shady, Madam

▶ 1:59:17 Manjula Karamcheti: President. Just a question about a point of order. I generally, in our meetings, we make a motion to file a resolution before discussion, or do I have that incorrectly?

▶ 1:59:29 Leila Migliorelli: We can have discussion, but there can be a motion. I mean, there are personal, uh, statements as counselor Jamal ine made. You can make personal statements, but discussions, there is no motion on the table. Um, so we're not voting right now, just to be clear.

▶ 1:59:43 Speaker 7: Thank you, Madam President.

▶ 1:59:44 Leila Migliorelli: If anyone else has any personal comments?

▶ 1:59:50 Speaker 1: Uh, Councillor Garbe.

▶ 1:59:53 Speaker 7: You go ahead. Um, thank you.

▶ 1:59:56 Mark Garipay: Um, I have great compassion for all involved in this, uh, historic conflict and all those that suffer in this dangerous world. Philosophically, uh, it's my opinion that it is not the role of the city council in a small community in eastern Massachusetts to opine on international issues. Nor do I think that the people that elected me expect me to spend my time developing a foreign policy for the city of Melrose. My focus on this council is to concentrate on the overwhelming challenges that this city faces as of March 11th, 2024. In every ward in this city, we have a multimillion dollar historic deficit in our schools, and it puts our ability to offer quality education for every student at risk. We have a new public safety, $130 million public safety building that we need to make sure that is on time and is challenging violent environment. We need to fix our woeful roads, trimming of in planting of trees, making our parks clean, playable, cleaning downtown, making government more responsible, helping seniors, veterans, the poor, and the most at risk in this, in, in this community. Most importantly, we need to spend our time working with the new administration to come up with solutions to stay focused on these challenges. I hope everyone will respect each other's opinion in this community when this and, and within this chamber when this is over. I believe since we have all started working together, uh, and this city council, we have done a great job collectively working together for that reason. I, uh, I will also be abstaining, um, on this vote.

▶ 2:01:36 Speaker 1: Councilor Carrum Shady.

▶ 2:01:38 Manjula Karamcheti: Thank you, uh, Madam President. As a city counselor, my focus is on representing our community's interests and ensuring its wellbeing. The resolution at hand addresses a global issue with implications for our local community, making it a subject that does seem deserving of our attention. Of course, this is complicated, nuanced, sensitive, emotional, and a difficult topic, and it's important to name that too. I have also received numerous emails, texts, phone calls regarding this issue, those who support the resolution and those who do not. And I have really truly appreciated every conversation that I've been able to have in my personal life. The intricacies of cultural and religious diversity are evident. I am of Indian descent and my family embodies a rich blend of traditions. My brother, sister-in-law and nieces are Jewish, and I love them dearly. I also have friends and family from the Middle East that I care about as well, which adds a layer of personal connection to the broader global context. And the echoes of my grandfather's actions resonate with me as well. He, too was not a diplomat, but participated in the salt marches with Mahatma Gandhi, advocating for peaceful resistance in the name of Freedom and Justice. While I acknowledge that my role is not that of a diplomatic expert, and I would never pretend to be one, nor am I the Secretary of State, our community's engagement on this issue highlights its relevance and impact locally. And the historical significance of local government and affecting change cannot be understated as it is in this spirit that I tend and I I will lend my support to the resolution. The resolution itself condemns, antisemitism, Islamophobia, and hate of all kinds, reflecting our commitment to fostering an inclusive and respectful community. It is a call for a ceasefire, advocating for an end to violence that indiscriminately affects lives, especially those of innocent civilians, children and families. Irrespective of background or beliefs.

▶ 2:03:56 Manjula Karamcheti: In support of this resolution, I am supporting the humanitarian aspect of this relu resolution, in particular, emphasizing support for aid and an earnest desire to see the end to ongoing violence. I think our collective endorsement of this resolution would be a testament to our commitment to empathy and understanding and bringing our community together. In conclusion, I appreciate everybody's thoughts, feelings, and perspectives on this matter. As a city council, I have been very proud of our work together, and I hope that we continue to have courageous conversations. I it's okay for us to disagree, and I think it is so important for us to model how to have conversations in a way that is respectful and that we can support each other in this chamber and outside. So I commit to doing that. Regardless of what your votes are tonight night, my stance is always for peace and harmony, either locally or globally. And I commend our counselors for taking the brave step to support this resolution. I know that this is hard and it is complicated. Thank you,

▶ 2:05:13 Speaker 1: Counselor. Um, Romanul, uh, and then Counselor Williams.

▶ 2:05:17 Speaker 2: Can you hear me okay? Yes.

▶ 2:05:21 Devin Romanul: Alright, excellent. Um, I just wanna thank my colleagues and the city council and all of the residents, uh, who both wrote to us and, uh, participated this evening for your candor, for your feedback and consideration and, uh, I and for your patience as I participate remotely. I'm, I'm away at a conference for work, so thank you for your patience. Um, you, as I've been considering the language of this resolution, I, I just, I wanna share that my family's story is only possible because of my grandfather escaping pilgrims in Easter Europe in the earlier 20th century. And that experience, uh, escaping that mass murder has been really foremost on my mind, uh, this week. And I wanna rise in support of this resolution because its text is in fact centered in the inherent and inalienable right of human beings to simply exist peaceably, uh, I think it actually strikes a, uh, uh, a very difficult balance of condemning Hamas for its horrific acts of violence and calling for a return of all Israeli hostages, while also affirming Israel's right to defend itself and urging, uh, the government not to inflict violence upon civilians. It condemns both antisemitism and Islamophobia. And I I just wanna address a couple of the objections that I've heard tonight. Uh, that you know, number one, this is not the purview of the council. And number two, this is not going to have force and effect. And on the first measure, I'd say I, I do have some sympathy for that perspective. I'm, I'm not, I'm certain that, uh, outside intervention, I, I would not necessarily have introduced this resolution on my own and my expertise being in city government, public policy, I, I got in, uh, as, uh, Councillor Garbe mentioned to work on the nitty gritty of making Melrose City government operations more effective to strengthen our school system for our kiddos to rebuild public safety buildings. And I know that we're not the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, but, uh, now that this measure is before us, I felt strongly compelled to co-sponsor, uh, as a body we can walk and chew gum at the same time as appropriating funding for city departments and calling out violence are not mutually exclusive functions. I would further posit that the wellbeing of our fellow community members who are affected by this crisis are very much in our purview. Uh, as far as this measure not having any impact, I know that solving global challenges can feel like pushing on the ocean. I'm also an ardent believer that collective voices of a constellation of communities can in fact generate impact. Uh, I just share on a closing that on a personal note. Um, you know, I, I lost a family member a few weeks ago, and my friends and family universally reaching out and saying, I'm sorry for your loss. Um, you know, that message wasn't gonna bring, uh, this loved one back to life. It, but it did mean a lot to me and my wife to know that we were supported by our community and our moment of need. And as far as tonight's proceedings are concerned, channeling a very similar type of solidarity with my neighbors of all faiths here in Melrose is my primary reason for co-sponsoring the measure this evening. Thank you very much.

▶ 2:08:19 Speaker 1: Thank you. Councilor Manjula. Councilor Williams.

▶ 2:08:22 Ryan Williams: Thank you Madam President. And thank you to the people who have joined us tonight. Um, it's not often, actually. I don't know if we've ever seen this many people, and it's 10:00 AM on a Monday and it's Ramadan. So thank you to everybody who's here tonight. Um, and, uh, especially I want to thank the members of our Jewish and our Palestinian communities for your bravery in coming forward to speak tonight. A lot of what we heard is, are, are things that I don't know if I can repeat after I've heard them. Um, the testimony was so powerful, and it's such a privilege to be in this side of the table and to be able to listen to what everybody had to say. And as someone who is not Jewish or Muslim or, or Palestinian and has no contacts in Israel or Palestine, I appreciate and I've depended on the feedback and guidance of members of the community to navigate this issue. I also want to thank Councilor Jamine for bringing this resolution forward. You have fulfilled an important role in our democracy, our local democracy, by creating a space for an important and delicate community conversation in a neutral forum where freedom of speech is paramount. I will be supporting this resolution tonight for anyone who thinks this issue isn't important enough to be discussed in these chambers.

▶ 2:09:36 Ryan Williams: Just look around the room. We've never seen this many people in the room on any issue. And, and, and we have, we have meetings where we talk about moving utility pole two feet. You know, I mean, we do need to take care of the business in this city. We do have big problems. They are serious. We also need to tackle these difficult issues as leaders in our community, and we can do both. I think we've heard from listening to members of the council and the public, that no one is ignorant of this seriousness and nuance of this topic. I've dedicated a huge portion of my time last week and this weekend to hearing and understanding the arguments for supporting it, for rejecting it. And yes, even for ignoring it, I didn't come to the decision to support the resolution lightly. And I'm not doing it because it's easier, comfortable. And I would not support this resolution if I thought it would bring anybody harm. I am not blind to the rise of hate in our local community. I remember when two years ago, the local white supremacist anti-Muslim, neo-Nazi hate group, NSC 1 31, used the Oak Grove MBTA parking lot to launch their attack, uh, their violent march through Boston. We have to remain vigilant in this community against these and any other forms of violence and hate. And while I understand that some people see this as divisive, I see this as an opportunity to create unity. And I hope it will help build a more resilient interfaith Melrose in closing. No one in this room started this war, but all of us can ask it to stop.

▶ 2:11:00 Speaker 2: Thank you,

▶ 2:11:06 Speaker 1: Councilor. Anyone else? Everyone's talked for the first time. Councillor Stewart for the second time.

▶ 2:11:11 Robb Stewart: Thank you Madam President. I'm just gonna share an opinion, but I didn't get to it in time. Uh, Madam President, uh, I am encouraged by the activism, uh, that I've seen with the members of this community, um, and that they've taken to bring the, these issues forward to us and to, uh, our rep representatives in Congress, and that's appreciated. Additionally, I do, Madam President, want to recognize and appreciate that activism that council Joel Naan has undertaken regarding this issue. Uh, she's a valued member of this council. She's intelligent, compassionate, hold, strong family values, and is a consistent voice for the upper underrepresented in this community. I am honored to serve with her on this council.

▶ 2:11:59 Robb Stewart: Um, it is my opinion that this body of the council, um, should not be taking, uh, position on complex political plex political, international events. Um, and the reason is where do we draw the line? Um, it, it is this, it's a horrific situation. I agree with everything that's been said, um, but I think it's beyond the purview of what we're trying to accomplish here. Um, and I do recognize that certain members of the council, as well as certain members of the community see it differently. And I accept that. And that's why these differing opinions as Madam President, uh, council Chetty indicated it makes the council stronger. And so I, as I respect your opinion, I would ask that you respect mine. Thank you, Madam President.

▶ 2:12:49 Speaker 1: Thank you.

▶ 2:12:55 Leila Migliorelli: According to Rule six, I am not allowed to speak my opinion and I will be respecting that rule. I'm asking for the rest of the councils to respect the rules of order that we voted on.

▶ 2:13:07 Speaker 1: And I'll turn to Councilor Carrum Shady,

▶ 2:13:12 Manjula Karamcheti: I would like to make a motion to put this resolution on file.

▶ 2:13:19 Leila Migliorelli: I'll second motion made by Councilor Carrum Chaney to place this motion on file, seconded by Councilor Aldine on discussion.

▶ 2:13:28 Maya Jamaleddine: Councillor Aldine. Thank you, Madame President. Um, as I, this is not prepared. Um, as I was listening to my colleague that this is not the role of the council, I would like to look at each one of you in the eye and ask you, what have you done out outside of your role in the council? Have you took the phone and checked on your Palestinian or Jewish friends and checked on your colleagues that are mostly impacted outside of, of your role at the council?

▶ 2:14:00 Speaker 6: What are you, what's your plan

▶ 2:14:05 Maya Jamaleddine: if outside of the council, we cannot do it because it's a conflict. And if it's inside the council, we cannot do it because we don't wanna waste our time. I'm putting my time as the Muslim Lebanese immigrant to serve this community, and I ask you to give me one night, one hour of your time to pay attention to what's happening back home as I serve in this home.

▶ 2:14:34 Speaker 6: Thank you

▶ 2:14:46 Mark Garipay: Council. Yeah. Um, Madam President, um, I understand, um, what you're saying about the rules of order. Um, the only thing that, that I'll say about my abstention is in years past, we have many, many times that people have abstained, um, to rule 50. And to me, there's a precedent and there's some ambiguity. And when, if we look at rule 50, when it's, when ambiguity is in there, we revert to Robert's rules, which allows us the opportunity to abstain. So that's, um,

▶ 2:15:23 Mark Garipay: That, That's what I would say regarding, regarding that

▶ 2:15:25 Leila Migliorelli: Point of order. Rule 15, I will state for the record, when a question is put forward, every member present except the president shall vote, unless excused by the vote of counsel or excluded by personal interests. No member shall leave without permission of presiding officer if their presence is necessary to make a quorum. That's rule 15.

▶ 2:15:48 Mark Garipay: Okay. And just in the past, we have multiple orders over the years where, where counsels have abstained in orders that contradict, um, rule 15. So, um, I would say that there was a, there's a precedent and maybe we should, um, in, in the rules under Rule 50, we revert to Robert's rules and that gives us the opportunity to abs to abstain. But if, if it's, if it's the choice of, of, of the chair, then, um, and we're not allowed to abstain. Um, I'm on record as abstaining tonight on, on TV and audio. If I have to make a vote, I will, but my preference is to abstain. So

▶ 2:16:30 Speaker 1: Can I request that the

▶ 2:16:36 Speaker 1: President Pro temp Councilor Stewart take over so I may make comment? Sure. Thank

▶ 2:16:41 Speaker 6: You. According

▶ 2:16:41 Speaker 1: to rule six,

▶ 2:16:53 Speaker 5: Madam President, thank you.

▶ 2:16:56 Speaker 1: I have comments to make. Hold on one second, please.

▶ 2:17:02 Leila Migliorelli: I wasn't planning on making comments this evening, but we're as compelled, I'm going to be, this resolution is an example of democracy at work, as some of the counselors chose to bring this council city resolution to the city council, which is within their purview to do. I will be voting yes on this resolution based on the content and language of the resolution to place it on file. What I wanna make clear is that whether or not this resolution should philosophically be something that the city council should handle, is a question for the counselors who have authored the resolution. The job of the city council is to vote on what's before us. I believe that in rule 15, you may, as I have actually, um, explained and sought outside counsel or the consulted with the city solicitor, um, abstention, according to Rule 15, is not permitted. Um, one may vote present, one may not decide not to attend a meeting. One may take leave of the room of the meeting. Precedent doesn't stand here. This is not a court of law. This is following rules and we cannot follow some rules and follow other rules. This is an incredibly difficult vote to take. We can see that by the, the, the representation in this room tonight. Impassioned people filling this room, saying a lot of horrible things about what is happening across the world that is affecting them here today. They disagree. They're all here in this room, and I want to thank everyone for being so incredibly respectful and, um, nonviolent and listening to one another without interruption. That is pretty spectacular.

▶ 2:18:41 Leila Migliorelli: It is the least we can do. And the courtesy as a city council to take a vote yes, no, you may vote present. Understanding that that will count in the denominator is a no vote. Um, abstentions and why I had granted Councilor Stewart and abstention is because of a personal business conflict as a conflict of interest. If you read the conflict of interest law of the, the pieces of why we can or cannot take a vote, it's there precedent, doesn't matter. We have followed, we started following new rules just in fact this year, as I've been told, that we must follow rules of the city council and we've adopted new rules because we need to get back to the rules. So therefore, rule 15 still stands. I am. Thank you. Thank you counselor Jamal Ledine for, for being so sharing a piece of your personal life with us. Um, taking the courage to file this resolution when it was difficult. I wanted to thank all of my counselors for sitting here. I I really, truly believed this coming into this meeting. This is a difficult vote. I hold no discouragement for the way anyone votes because I understand and we have heard two different sides. However, I feel strongly as the president of the city council that we have to follow the rules of order, um, continuously. Thank you.

▶ 2:20:11 Speaker 1: I, that's someone filming. She just gotta say she's filming

▶ 2:20:17 Leila Migliorelli: Motion. Um, just one second. There is someone videoing right now.

▶ 2:20:22 Speaker 1: Just so people are aware. People Are aware. There you are being recorded. You are recording, right? We're recording?

▶ 2:20:31 Leila Migliorelli: Yes. That not how's that not allowed? Correct. Just we just have to make people aware. You can record, but everyone has to know that they're being recorded by a phone in addition to what is being recorded by, um, cable access tv. Go ahead. Alright. Um, the motion on the floor is to motion to place on file, um, made by Councilor Carrum Chay, seconded by Councillor Jamal Ledine on discussion. Councillor Garipay. Thank you. I'll,

▶ 2:20:54 Mark Garipay: Um, I'll, I'll change my, uh, change my vote. Uh, I'll be voting present. Thank you. Okay.

▶ 2:21:02 Speaker 2: Councillor Williams. It's

▶ 2:21:03 Ryan Williams: A point of order for the public to con to clarify what an affirmative vote on motion to file would result

▶ 2:21:10 Leila Migliorelli: In. Yes. Um, so, uh, so yes. Thank you Councillor Williams. Um, this is the, the yes vote is a motion to place on file, which means this gets placed on file, um, in our, um, city council records. Um, and as pertinent to the order is sent to our federal delegation. Um, and a motion to not place on file means that it is not being, uh, counselors do not want to place on file.

▶ 2:21:37 Speaker 6: Okay. Madame Clerk

▶ 2:21:39 Speaker 1: Council Ro, present? Present. Councilor Garipay. Present. Present. Councilor Jamine? Yes. Yes. Council. Karen Trady? Yes. Yes. Councilor Romanul? Yes. Yes. Councilor Stewart Abstain. Abstain. Council Devin? Yes. Yes. Council Williams? Yes. Yes. President Re Yes. Yes. That is 1 2, 3, 4, 5 6. Yes. Majority, uh, placed on file passes. Thank you. This motion has been placed on file. Thank You.

▶ 2:22:23 Speaker 1: Alright, moving along in our agenda.