City Council — 2024-12-02

City Council Regular Meeting

This meeting starts at 18:28 in a recording that covers several meetings.

Attendance

Cal Finocchiaro present · Ward 6; Mark Garipay present · Ward 4; Ward Hamilton present · At-Large; Maya Jamaleddine present · At-Large; Manjula Karamcheti present · Ward 1; Leila Migliorelli present · At-Large; John Obremski absent · Ward 2; Devin Romanul present · Ward 7; Robb Stewart present · Ward 3; Kimberly Vandiver present · Ward 5; Ryan Williams present · At-Large

Agenda

Minutes

CITY OF MELROSE CITY COUNCIL BULLETIN● DECEMBER 2, 2024 Council Chamber, First Floor, Melrose City Hall Regular Meeting 7:45 PM 562 Main Street, Melrose, MA 02176 Attendee Name Title Status Arrived Cal Finocchiaro Ward 6 Present Mark Garipay Ward 4 Present Ward Hamilton At-Large Present Maya Jamaleddine At-Large Present Manjula Karamcheti Ward 1 Present John Obremski Ward 2 Absent Devin Romanul Ward 7 Present Robb Stewart Ward 3 Present Kimberly Vandiver Ward 5 Present Ryan Williams At-Large Present Leila Migliorelli At-Large Present

ORDER-2025-6 Classification of Property Request to set a public hearing on Classification of Property for December 2, 2024 and Subsequently Determine the Classification of Property. Passed as Amended City Council

(ID # 12209) Utility Petition Petition of Verizon for Grant of Location to install duct bank from existing utility on the westerly side of Main St., just north of the town line with Malden, as shown on Plan # 1A7F1MU Granted Public Works Committee

GRANT-2025-6 Grant Acceptance of a State Earmark for Wyoming Cemetery in the amount of $50,000 Assign to Committee Appropriations & Oversight Committee

GRANT-2025-5 Grant Acceptance of State Earmark for City Hall Front Door in the amount of $40,000 Assign to Committee Appropriations & Oversight Committee

(ID # 12219) Appointment/Reappointment City of Melrose Page 1 3/18/2025 11:00 AM Minutes City Council December 2, 2024 Reappointment of Kimberly Marolda, 811 Franklin Street, to the Historical Commission, for a three year term, said term to expire last day of February 2027. Assign to Committee Health, Education & Welfare Committee

APPT-2025-15 Appointment/Reappointment Appointment of Amy Iannone Tierney, 64 Garfield Road, Melrose MA to the Affordable Housing Trust Fund. Assign to Committee Health, Education & Welfare Committee

(ID # 12243) Appointment/Reappointment Reappointment of James Oosterman, 54 Ellis Farm Lane, Melrose MA to the Affordable Housing Trust Fund. Assign to Committee Health, Education & Welfare Committee

APPT-2025-14 Appointment/Reappointment Appointment of Joe Viola, 134 Howard Street, Melrose MA to the Affordable Housing Trust Fund Assign to Committee Health, Education & Welfare Committee

(ID # 12244) Appointment/Reappointment Reappointment of Helena Widtfeldt, 44 Briggs Street, Melrose MA to the Affordable Housing Trust Fund. Assign to Committee Health, Education & Welfare Committee

(ID # 12248) License - Common Victualler Common Victualler Renewals for 2025 Assigned to commitee Protection and License Committee

(ID # 12242) Resolution Recognition of the Merlose High School Marching Band Winning the NESBA D4 State Championship Place on File

APPT-2025-16 Appointment/Reappointment City of Melrose Page 2 3/18/2025 11:00 AM Minutes City Council December 2, 2024 Appointment of Tanji Cifuni as Melrose City Clerk for a three-year term ending December 2027. Assign to Committee Appropriations & Oversight Committee

(ID # 12208) Rules of Order of the City Revised Rules of the Melrose City Council City Council

(ID # 12158) Property: Disposal of City-Owned Property Requesting authorization to dispose of surplus vehicles and equipment in accordance with Melrose Revised Ordinances Chapter 4-13, as set forth herein. Appropriations & Oversight Committee

(ID # 12004) Grant Acceptance of State Earmark for Council on Aging

GRANT-2025-7 Grant FY25 Municipal ADA Improvement Grant Acceptance in the amount of $38,000 to address accessibility issues at Melrose High School and Horace Mann Elementary School Assign to Committee Appropriations & Oversight Committee

(ID # 12215) Grant FY2025 State 911 EMD Grant City Council

(ID # 12216) Grant FY2025 State 911 Training Grant City Council

(ID # 12217) Grant FY2025 State 911 S&I Grant City Council

(ID # 12184) Appointment/Reappointment City of Melrose Page 3 3/18/2025 11:00 AM Minutes City Council December 2, 2024 Reappointment of Kevin J. Erb, 16 Everett Street, Melrose, MA to the Historic District Commission. City Council

(ID # 12185) Appointment/Reappointment Reappointment of Richard Curl, 155 Myrtle Street, to the Historic District Commission. City Council

(ID # 12186) Appointment/Reappointment Reappointment of Lillian Yadgood Kelly, 117 Boston Rock Road, to the Board of Health, for a three year term.

(ID # 12180) Appointment/Reappointment Reappointment of Michael D. Coleman, 181 Beech Avenue, Melrose MA, to the Historic District Commission. City Council

(ID # 12183) Appointment/Reappointment Reappointment of Lauren Knott, 16 Mount Vernon Street, Melrose, MA to the Commission on Women. City Council

(ID # 12182) Appointment/Reappointment Reappointment of Jessica Rowcroft McKenna, 5 Marmion Road, Melrose MA, to the Beebe Estate Board of Trustees. City Council

(ID # 12181) Appointment/Reappointment Reappointment of Ellen P. Connolly, 7 Union Street, Melrose MA, to the Melrose Housing Authority.

(ID # 12179) Appointment/Reappointment Reappointment of Lindsey A. Toghill, 186 Melrose Street, Melrose MA 02176, to the Historic District Commission. City Council

(ID # 12178) Appointment/Reappointment City of Melrose Page 4 3/18/2025 11:00 AM Minutes City Council December 2, 2024 Appointment of Raj R. Singh, 255 W. Emerson Street, Melrose MA 02176, to the Board of Appeals. City Council

ORDNC-2024-5 Amending Revised Ordinances Requesting an Amendment to the Melrose Code of Ordinances, and adoption of a City Council licensing and application process, to address Food Truck Operations within the City of Melrose City of Melrose Page 5 3/18/2025 11:00 AM

Transcript

▶ 18:20 Leila Migliorelli: Seeing none. All in favor? Aye. Aye. Any opposed? We adjourn. Good Evening. The time is 7:45 PM on Monday, December 2nd. I am President Migli and the meeting of the city council is now called to order in accordance with Massachusetts Open Meeting Law. This meeting is being, view is being broadcast and recorded on Melrose Cable Access tv, and will be available for viewing in its entirety on MMTV and through the city website Link. Madam Clerk, will you please call the role? I will. Counselor Guiro? Here. Counselor Garey. Here. Counselor Hamilton? Here. Counselor Jamal? Here. Counselor Chetty. Here. Counselor Reky. Counselor Romano. Here. Counselor Stewart. Here. Counselor in Deaver. Here. Counselor Williams. Here.

▶ 19:26 Leila Migliorelli: President Ley here, the present. This serves as a quorum for the record. We're actually gonna be doing something a little bit different today with our agenda, given that we have some public hearings on, um, on the agenda. So before the Pledge of Allegiance, we are going to, I'm gonna entertain a motion to open the public hearing for the, the Verizon petition. So, second, Motion to open the public hearing made by Councillor Williams. Second, my Councillor repay. All in favor? Aye. Aye. Any opposed? The public hearing for, um, the Verizon, uh, poll on Main Street is now open. Is there anyone wishing from the public to speak on this order? Is there anyone line? There is done. Alright. Entertain a motion to close the public hearing.

▶ 20:20 Leila Migliorelli: Moved. Second. Second. Motion to close the public hearing made by Councillor Repe, seconded by Councillor Stewart. All in favor? Aye. Aye. Any opposed? The public hearing is now closed now We will move at this time. Please rise if you're able to join the Pledge of Allegiance. I pledge all alle to the flag of the United States of America and to, to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, Indivisible, with liberty and justice. Justice, justice sprawl. At this time, I will motion to approve without reading by unanimous consent. The minutes from, um, the novar November, oh wait, sorry. Um, Out of order on the agenda here, but I'm, I'm gonna go and do this first. Just finish this, um, by unanimous consent to, um,

▶ 21:17 Leila Migliorelli: approve the meeting minutes from the November 18th meeting. Seeing no objection. Um, these minutes are now approved. Um, and next up we have public comment for the full council meeting. And I will motion by Nana's consent to open the floor for public comment. Seeing no objections, we are now open for public comment. This is a portion of the meeting where anyone can speak on any item on our agenda tonight. Just a reminder, public comment. It is an opportunity for the public to share comments. Counselors will not respond. Um, seeing no one here in the public, and assuming there's still no one online, I will, um, motion by unanimous consent to close public comment, seeing no objections, public comment is now closed.

▶ 22:00 Leila Migliorelli: Um, next up is our public hearing for, um, classification of pro property, but that begins at 8:00 PM and it is now 7:49 PM Um, so let's, I will entertain a motion to, um, recess. Madam Chair. Make a motion to recess. Second. Second. Motion to recess made by Councillor Stewart. Seconded by Councillor Jamine. All in favor? A. Aye. Any opposed? We are now recessed until 8:00 PM Thank you. We are back from recess. And moving on in our agenda is the, uh, public hearing for the classification of property. So I will motion by unanimous consent to open the public hearing. Seeing no objections, the public hearing is now open. Um, tonight we ha and I will also, um, entertain a motion to suspend Rule 37 b.

▶ 23:02 Leila Migliorelli: Madam, make a motion to suspend rule 37 B. Second Motion, um, to suspend Rule 37 B is made by Councillor Stewart, seconded by Councillor Repe. All in favor? Aye. Any opposed? Um, we have tonight with us, uh, Sarah McClellan, our Chief Assessor Assessor here to go over the classification of property, um, tax for 2025. Welcome. Thank you both of these at the same time. So be patient with me. Good evening, president Elli, city counselors and members of the public. For those of you who don't know me, I'm Sarah McClellan, chief Assessor and Chair of the Board of Assessors. I'm presenting information tonight for the property tax classification hearing for fiscal year 2025. This presentation is posted

▶ 23:53 with the meeting agenda packet this evening, and it's also accessible on the assessor's page of the City of Melrose website. Under the heading fiscal year 25 Property tax classification hearing. Each year, the assessor's department is responsible for developing values of all real and personal property in the city. For fiscal year 25, Melrose has a total of 9,500 real estate parcels. I wanna recognize the staff in the assessing office for not only providing consistently excellent service to our residents and taxpayers, but also for working diligently to streamline office operations and create efficiencies in the department over this past year. So the purpose of this hearing and subsequent vote by city council is

▶ 24:39 to adopt the tax policy of the city by allocating the tax levy amongst the five classes of property. The classes are residential, open space, commercial, industrial, and personal property. Uh, after the classification hearing, the city council with the approval of the mayor must select a residential factor or tax shift. This factor governs the percentage of the tax levy to be paid by residential properties, properties in the city. The difference is then shifted to the commercial, industrial, and personal property classes. Adoption of the residential factor is the only required vote this evening for property tax classification. However, there are three other classification options. These options are, one, the residential exemption, two,

▶ 25:30 the small commercial exemption, and three, the open space discount. Melrose does not currently have any property that meets the state's de definition of open space in a city government. These three items are options of the mayor. With the approval of the city council, Melrose has never historically implemented any of these classification options, and the mayor has also decided against adopting them for fiscal year 2025. So before discussing the residential factor and the tax shift, it's important to review the senior circuit breaker exemption program. This exemption program is a home rule petition that initially required approval by the state legislature. It was passed for Melrose at the state level in

▶ 26:16 July of 2022. The act contains a provision that causes its automatic repeal three years after its implementation, which will be in fiscal year 2026. So there will be orders before you on that on this matter at the start of the new year. Um, please feel free to contact me at that time if you'd like more information on the program. Um, this legislation allows the board of assessors to qualify senior applicants for tax relief by a state income tax credit referred to as the circuit breaker credit qualified applicants receive a property tax exemption equal to 150% of their state circuit breaker income tax credit. The total amount of exempted value is to be allocated within the tax levy or shifted to the non-eligible residential taxpayers.

▶ 27:06 Uh, this year the board of assessors received 113 circuit breaker exemption applications. And of those 107 exemptions were granted by the board. The primary reasons for application denials were an applicant not receiving the circuit breaker credit on their mass state personal income tax return and an applicant's lack of ownership interest in in property. Uh, the cost of the program this year is $284,574, which again, is born only by the residential class. This adds 4 cents to the residential tax rate, which is 4 cents per thousand dollars of assessed value, or about $33 on the average single family tax bill. Um, So just as a reminder, the total amount that can be raised in taxes remains the

▶ 27:59 same, whether or not we have a tax shift. Uh, the shift does not raise more revenue. It simply changes the allocation of the tax burden amongst the classes of taxpayers. For fiscal 25, adopting a factor of one would result in a residential tax rate of $10 30 cents per thousand dollars of property value. Um, adopting a factor of less than one to as low as the minimum residential factor result in an increasingly greater tax burden shift from the residential class to the commercial, industrial and personal property classes. The minimum residential factor is determined annually by the Department of Revenue, and this year again, allows for 175% shift, which means that the CIP classes would pay 175%

▶ 28:46 of their full and fair cash value, um, share of the levy. So with the senior this, with the senior circuit breaker exemption in place, Melrose no longer has an option of having that single tax rate as the cost of funding that exemption is shifted only into the residential rate. Um, this slide shows the percentage of the levy by class before any shift. Um, 95% of the property value in Melrose is residential. There's also a breakdown of the number of parcels by property type. And the total taxable value in Melrose is now at about 7.7 billion. Um, on November 18th, the Department of Revenue certified fiscal 25 new growth for Melrose at $770,138. This graphic shows the breakdown of new growth over the past five years.

▶ 29:45 In fiscal 2023, we had a large increase in new growth due to completion of utilities projects within the city. I wanna point out that construction projects in the commercial, industrial, and personal pro properties sectors, sectors add levy growth at a much faster rate than residential projects because they're calculated at the CIP rate tax rate, which last year was 1771 compared to the residential rate of 9 93 for fiscal year 2025. We didn't have the commercial industrial growth that we did in fiscal year 2024, but we had considerably more residential permits. So our total new growth was able to remain relatively even. Um, I, our assistant assessor, Tina Erno, was instrumental this year in helping to analyze

▶ 30:37 and capture that residential growth, um, with me. So I wanna recognize her for her work on that. Um, as a reminder, um, other than prop two and a half in the absence of an override, um, or another debt exclusion, new growth is the only means of increasing the tax levy this year. It's a little over 1% that we added to the tax levy with growth. For reference here I listed some of the top contributors to growth this year. About 25% of this growth is from four utilities and telecommunications personal property accounts For residential, we had the 4 53 Franklin Street apartment building. We had new condos, including the ones here on Myrtle Street. And we had new homes like those, um, at Patrick's Place.

▶ 31:33 Let's see. Um, so this next slide here, uh, shows how we arrive at the tax rate for the fiscal year. Um, on the left is a form that shows the values in Melrose by property type. It's a little bit difficult to see here, but, um, uh, the numbers in each class. But at the bottom, it shows the sum of the total taxable valuation at roughly 7.7 billion. Uh, to calculate the tax rate, we start with the fiscal year 2024 levy limit. We add the two point a half percent as allowed through Massachusetts law for up two point a half. We add the certified new growth. We subtract any amended growth from the previous year, and then we add the fiscal year 2025 debt service. And we arrive at the max allowable levee,

▶ 32:19 which is $79,298,968. We take that number, we divide it by the fiscal year 25 total taxable value in the city to arrive at the single tax rate of 10 26 per thousand dollars of assessed value for the residential rate. We add that 4%, or sorry, 4 cents to the single rate to cover the cost of the circuit breaker exemption to get the 10 30. If there's no further shift, the commercial rate would still remain at that 10 26. Um, as a note, the debt exclusion that is showing on this slide here is primarily from the bond that was issued in 2005 for the construction of the middle school. The final year of payments for that debt exclusion is fiscal year 2029. Um, and this year, 56,375 was added in the,

▶ 33:11 um, the debt service for the public safety buildings project. Um, as I mentioned earlier, the assessors determined the full and fair cash value of all real and personal property in the city. As of January 1st, the market values for the fiscal year 2025 are determined using the arms length sales from the calendar year 2023. The average assessed value of a single family home for this fiscal year 25 is $821,716, which is a 3.8% increase from last year. I do expect the number to decrease slightly the average single family, um, because once the final tax rate is set, we have to factor in the exempted value, um, from the senior circuit breaker exemption to determine the, uh, final average single family value.

▶ 34:05 It's like weighted, weighted with the, um, exempted value. Uh, this next slide shows the changes for the year in total assessed value by property type. Um, I just wanted to point the point out here that there haven't been any significant value increases in any of the property classes, uh, this year. In comparison, last year, the single family value increase, like increase was 8.2%. Overall, uh, the apartments were 19% increase in the industrial sector saw a 33% increase in overall value. Um, this slide is showing the assessed values by class over the last six years. The residential class was around fi 5.6 billion in 2020 versus now for fiscal 25. The value is now at 7.3 billion. And then this next slide is showing a comparison of Melrose

▶ 35:02 and some of its surrounding communities. Fiscal year 24, average single family assessed values, tax bills and residential tax rates. Just a comparison. Uh, the next slide is showing the residential to CIP percentage of total value in Melrose versus its surrounding communities. And then we have the historical le levy percentage paid by the residential and CIP classes after the shift. The levy allocation has remained relatively steady over the last decade. Um, basically in almost every year, um, the residential class has made up 95% of the property value. Um, historically, the city council has chosen a shift each year so that the residential class is paying 91 to 92% of the levy. Um, and these are the shifts

▶ 36:03 that have been chosen for the past 10 years. The average single family tax bill and the average impact year over year. Last year, a shift of 1.72 was chosen, which increased the average single family tax bill by 2.8% or $214 year over year. It's not shown here, but the last, last year, the average commercial bill increased seven point 0.4% or $929 from 2023 to 2024. So this graphic demonstrates the effect of the shift. Um, we're looking at the tax rate options applied to the average single family value. In the average commercial value. It's just the commercial class. Um, with no shift, um, or choosing the residential factor of one, the single family bill would increase by about $607 and the commercial bill would decrease by 40%

▶ 37:01 by 55 78. Um, with the max shift of 1.75, the average single family bill would increase $270 and the commercial bill would increase $657 or 4.7%. And then that brings us to the shift options. Um, I've included the, a complete list of the shift options on the next slide, but here I've listed only the range that the council has considered and chosen from in the past several years. On the left and green, you see the residential ta uh, rate the corresponding average single family tax bill. The dollar increase in the percent increase from last year on the right in blue is the corresponding CIP rate, the average commercial bill at that rate. And the dollar increase and the percent increase. As a reminder, the fiscal 24 residential rate was 9 93

▶ 38:00 and the commercial rate was 1771. So this here is the complete list of all the shift options available and the effect at each interv interval. And finally, I included, um, for reference definitions of the terms that we use during the, uh, property tax classification hearing. Um, again, as a reminder, you select the residential factor this evening, not the shift number. Um, and I can go back to the slide with those options so that you can review. And otherwise, that concludes my presentation and I'm happy to answer any questions that you have. Thank you, Ms. McClellan. Um, any questions from counselors? Councilor Williams? I, I have a few clarifying questions for you that I, um, help, need help refreshing my memory on.

▶ 38:53 Ryan Williams: I think it might be helpful for the public too. Are, uh, multi-family housing units like apartments and condos taxed as commercial or residential? Residential At any size? Yes. Okay. Um, can you give me a rundown of the categories of property classifications? Numbers 1 0 5, 1 0 6, things like that is the 100 residential and then 300 is something else. Um, yes. So lemme just expand this a little so I can go over them. So the 1 0 1 is like single family. The 1 0 2 2 is condos. Um, the 1 0 3, um, and 1 0 9. It's, it's, those are, um, having, uh, just multi buildings on one, um, on one parcel. Mm-Hmm. Um, so it could just be more than one kind of unit on one parcel. Okay. Um, the 1 0 4 is two family,

▶ 39:52 1 0 5 is three. Family one 11 to 1 25 is apartments four to eight. Um, and then, um, well, sorry, apartments, those are, um, apartments like residential, multi multifamily. Um, and then, uh, then there's like the mixed use are, um, in the next categories. Uh, the three hundreds are the commercial. That's just straight commercial class, all different types of commercial. The four hundreds is industrial. Um, and then, um, oh one two to oh four three is the mixed use, which is residential and commercial and industrial. And then the five hundreds are, um, all the personal property accounts, utilities and all, everything like that. Thanks. I have one more question. Um, when we are determining the increase in property value types

▶ 41:04 that we saw, um, somewhere in here, oh, the FY 25 value change by property type, how do we make that determination? Um, so this is the whole value. Like, so it's last year's one oh ones mm-Hmm. Versus the whole class versus this year's one oh ones. And like the previously year, we had huge changes because we had that warehouse come online on 99. You know, so that was the industrial, um, class making a huge, um, change. The apartments simply had a, a value change, like a market value change. Um, and then the actual, the single families were, they were also having a value change too. They were increasing in value, but we just didn't have as significant of a value change, um, in single family this year.

▶ 41:53 Maya Jamaleddine: Okay. Thank you. Yeah. Any other counselors? Councillor Jamine, then Councillor Vanderberg. Thank you. Um, thank you for that presentation. Uh, appreciate it. It's very thorough. Um, you mentioned that there is, um, uh, out of 120 application, uh, for taxpayer there is, uh, a payer. There is only 107 granted. Mm-Hmm. Do you know, and and please feel free to say not sure if this is a question for you, but do you know the reasons why the others were rejected? Yes. So, um, what happens with that particular legislation is that the real estate tax qual, it's, it's cyclical. Like it's circular. Um, because the real estate tax that they pay, um, qualifies them for the circuit breaker, the state credit.

▶ 42:49 So when they don't, um, when they have an exemption at the local level, then it, then they can't, they haven't paid enough to qualify at the state level. So for some applicants, their income and their other, um, eligibility limits, I guess are low enough that they get it every year. But there are some applicants who will get it one year and then the next year they won't. And then the next, the third year they will. So it's just like, uh, it will go back and forth a seesaw effect because it's dependent on each other. It's at the state circuit breaker credit on the, uh, personal income tax is dependent on how much real estate tax they're paying. And then like half the water, um, bill, it's just,

▶ 43:37 there's a, um, the actual, um, it's on, um, mass.gov if you look it up. Yes. The, um, yes. And, and, um, for those who apply, do we have a certain, um, system to reach out to them every year? Or is it like, as a reminder Yes. To renew their application? So whether or not people got it, we have like a circuit breaker list. Mm-Hmm. So for those people who didn't get it in the middle year, we still send the, the reminder to them every year. 'cause we had that list and we've identified them. It was the first year we had less applicants than the second year we had the most applicants. So now we've identified them. It was, it was, it's kind of difficult because there's, it also includes renters circuit breakers.

▶ 44:31 But if you, if you don't, um, own real estate, you can't get the, um, local exemption. Mm-Hmm. So basically it was, it was good to identify them. So now we have them on the list and we send out, um, the packet every year for them to apply. Okay. Yeah. And what about the new, uh, residents that are coming that, you know, they, they move to Melrose and they're not notified about, or they're not aware about this system. Um, is there any way, um, Not really To target this population. We try to do like, um, kind of website releases and press releases and that kind of thing. But, um, like annually when it, when it's time to come out, we did a, um, presentation at the, um, council on Aging this year.

▶ 45:21 Kimberly Vandiver: So that was kind of like, um, like a timely for this program. Um, and other, and about other exemption programs that we do too. So, um, that's kind of like we, we try to do as much Yeah. Um, release of the information as we can. But yeah. Thank you so much. Appreciate it. Councillor Vandiver and then Councillor Repe. Um, thank you. I had a few questions. Um, thank you for the, the very informative presentation. And I just wanted to, um, uh, ask a few questions about the top, the information you covered. Um, you mentioned, uh, the method of assessing residential values. You mentioned something about an arms reach or arms length Oh yes. Assessment. Could you explain how that Works? Sure. So, um, in Massachusetts we do like,

▶ 46:09 um, basically ed valorem taxation based on, um, market value. So we use the calendar year sales from the previous, um, year, calendar year to assess for the fiscal year of that. So we use, um, arms length sales means, um, not related, like people who are not related, like I didn't sell it to my brother, or, you know, that kind of, so we disqualify all the sales that are, um, that type of sale. Mm-Hmm. And, um, and then we do like statistical kind of extraction, I guess, to get the, to get the market, um, data from it. Okay. So, so then every residential parcel would have an updated number based on that process? Yes. And it's all data. It's all, um, so we use the, um, database they call it. Um, so it's like all of the data points in the

▶ 47:11 database are kind of like hitting up against all the data points from the market. And so they're, um, and that's how the assessments are, are derived. Okay, great. And, um, you mentioned something, um, on one of the early slides about, um, commercial compared to residential, there's a higher factor applied. Yes. So that is basically what, um, the decision is tonight. Okay. Yeah. Based on that factor on. Got it. Yeah. So, um, if you don't choose to shift the, um, tax rate that's applied to those assessments to create the tax bill will only, will, the residential tax rate will be 4 cents higher than that, um, commercial rate. Right. But then you can choose any shift between them right. This evening.

▶ 48:05 And then, uh, you, when we're looking at the classes of, of property, um, the personal property, you mentioned utilities. Can you, can you give a specific example? What does it mean to have a, is that when you say utilities, what does, what does that exactly? Sure. So, um, back, I guess way back on this slide, I used to have something about personal property here. Um, so here on the different types of property, um, commercial, industrial, personal property, um, so utilities, so personal property accounts are basically like business, personal property. It sounds like it's personal, personal property, but it's, um, so, um, utilities are, you know, we have four major utilities in Melrose and they make up like most of the, um, personal property.

▶ 48:59 Kimberly Vandiver: So like, for example, Eversource I think is the biggest one. Mm-Hmm. Um, so when they, um, put new, um, assets into Melrose, which is was what happened in fiscal 23 to get such high growth and they finished construction on it, then, um, that creates the growth in Melrose and then they report it to us, and then we essentially tax it at the commercial rate. Okay. So then that's how the growth comes to us that way. Great. Does that answer your question? Yes, Yes. That's helpful. Um, then we, so we typically shift more of the tax burden percentage wise onto, um, on, onto the businesses. Do we have any, um, either qualitative feedback from businesses or, um, or anything data backed about the impact that has on them

▶ 49:53 Kimberly Vandiver: or, or on the rents that they pass on to anyone using commercial space or anything like that? That's not data that I have, no. Okay. Um, it, and what, with the business value, if we have a storefront that's, um, that's not currently occupied, is that, is the assessed value of that business the same regardless of whether there's a store occupying that location or not? Um, usually no. It's, um, we use, like for the, um, commercial industrial personal property, we, and any kind of, um, income producing properties, like we use the income approach to, um, value them usually. So it's like a mixture of like market value, but it's derived from that. So it's usually like what rents they're getting, their leases, that kind of thing. Okay.

▶ 50:45 So if, if something becomes vacant, like, um, then that drops the value that's available to tax. Yeah. And if, and if a new business moves in that increases the value. Yeah, it's usually like their leases, like how, and like also, um, if something's like coming online and being built and it's not similar, similar, um, idea with the, um, um, like an investment property, like an apartment, which is, it is a residential property, but it's like it's being built, it's not fully leased out, so that's valued using the income approach. So there's, it's not fully, um, occupied yet, so it would have like a lower value until it's like fully, um, occupied and the rents are. So it's like basically based on rents. Yeah.

▶ 51:32 Kimberly Vandiver: But it could be, it's kind of what, what the market is doing. Like if they're turning over and vacancy rate, that kind of thing. Um, like if they're, if it's quickly turning over and that kind of thing. Mm-Hmm mm-Hmm. Okay. So if there were, if there were businesses that are, if business spaces that are unoccupied that there's not a tax bill that's getting paid until, until that's filled with something, there's not, um, Well, the tax bill's always do. Yeah. Yeah. I mean the tax bills, um, yeah, I mean it's, it's just like the assessment is the value as of like, if something's vacant for, for a while, it's like it's, um, still has like value. It still has land value and you know, like in, in Melrose especially,

▶ 52:19 Mark Garipay: it still has a value of, of something, you know. Okay. It's never a value zero. Okay. Right. But it's lower, it's lower than if it was occupied by, yeah. Yeah. Okay. Okay. Um, great. That's helpful. Thank you. Councillor Repe. Thank you. Uh, Madam President. Um, uh, at this time I'd like to make a motion that we go with a residential factor of 0.9612. I think it's consistent where we've been, um, over the last number of years. Um, and it's, uh, percentage wise, it's, uh, it's just about the same between commercial and and residential. And it's a tough, it's tough to figure out which, which way to go. 'cause one, one side's gonna get more or the other. So, uh, I think three, or we don't wanna talk percentages,

▶ 53:04 but 0.9612, um, is my motion for a residential factor second. So Point of order, um, the, we will do that. We have to close the hearing and then we'll vote on the, um, the shift on per the agenda. Um, so if there's no other questions, is that, um, Ms. McClellan, did you, were you shaking your head? That's not correct. Feel free to chime in, correct me. No, that's fine. That's fine. Yeah. Um, so if any, does anyone have any other questions for Ms. McClellan, Ellen? Okay. Since we're still in the public hearing, is there anyone from, or do you have a question? Councillor Stewart? No. Anyone from the public who has questions, um, or wants to, uh, share their opinions on this order. And is there anyone online? Okay.

▶ 53:58 Leila Migliorelli: Seeing no one online, I will motion to, by unanimous consent to close the public hearing and moving on, we will now take up the order, um, the request to, to set the property tax classification. So that's, right now Id, 1 2, 2 14 is before us. Um, and, uh, Councillor ga. Okay. I apologize. It's, it's a different, different way of doing things. I little confused with what we got going on. Yeah, no, not, I would, uh, make a motion for a residential factor of 9.9612 Second. Oh, Okay. So we have a motion on the table for a residential factor of 0.9612 made by Councilor Repe, seconded by Councillor Stewart on discussion. Councillor Stewart? Yes, Madam President. Um, I just wanted to clarify that

▶ 54:50 Robb Stewart: this is, uh, 0.9612 and not 0.9621. Um, because 0.9612 is not on the residential factor. And if you're going off the chart that was given to us, that would be, I think, uh, another calculation that they would need to do. So I just wanted to, I'm looking at this 1.72 is 0.9621, right? 1.73 is 0.96. 1 2, 1 0.5, 1.76. Just the point of order to make sure we're all on the same page. There's two pages and one, um, We should be looking at number 17, right? Page 17, the Fourth up from the bottom. Third up from the bottom Third up from the bottom is 0.9615 Through the chair. Sorry. Um, Am I looking at the right one? I mean, Correct. All right. I, I, yes, I, I am, I am reading Councilor Stewart. Right? I see 1.73

▶ 56:00 and I see the factor of 0.9615 on page 17, third up from the bottom. Correct. Madam chair up. Not page 18. Councilor Gepe may have in front of him. Council Romanoff. Oh my, My apologies. Just Board, I think. I think, uh, you're referring to page 18. The page bottom 18 is what? Okay. So why are these two different? And Madam President, this might be a question for Ms. McClellan. Yeah, Ms. McClellan, you can come back up to the table. Help us. So why is 17 and 18 different? Okay, 0.9612. Sorry. 17. So 0.962. Sorry, I'm sorry. I'm actually just, I can't see on page 18 where, where anyone's looking at. Madam Chair, if you look at the second half of the page in the white colored columns, and you count, um, three up from the bottom

▶ 57:25 under residential factor, you'll see 0.9612 for a shift of 1.73 mm-Hmm. So the, the two charts are, they're just different. 9, 6, 1 2. Okay. Oh yeah. Oh my gosh. Thank you counselors. Um, Ms. McClellan, can you clarify which chart is the correct one? Yes. Okay. I'm sorry. I'm no going on here. It just must have been, uh, incorrect. Patho, sorry. Okay. Um, I would entertain a motion to recess, if that's okay. We have the, um, band out there and that might give, uh, Ms. McClellan a moment to help get things settled. So, Madam President, I'll make a motion to recess. Second, second, Second. Motion to recess made by Councillor Stewart. Second by Councillor Krum. Shady. All in favor? Aye. Aye. Any opposed? Um, actually,

▶ 58:53 did I say a motion to recess? We should, you did motion? Um, Motion To move Now you can figure it Out. Move. What's the Yeah. Uh, take a motion. Out of order. Motion Out of order. But we had a motion on the table. We had an, actually we did not have a motion. The table, we moved to open this order. We do we have a motion in a second for the tax. It was a public Hearing. I'll s my second. I'll resend, I'll resend my Motion for the moment. And so what do we do when we're in the middle of an order and He's going to resend the motion of residential factors. 9.9162. You're going to resend You closed public hearing The Yeah, the public hearing. And that's basically Where We were. And we're now in,

▶ 59:35 I had said we did this order in front of us. This is testing my Robert's Rules of Holding Councilor All. So we closed public hearing. We Closed the public hearing. Now He, uh, uh, councilor Garre and his, His motion, his motion. And Councilor Stewart also withdraw his, his second. But we still have the order before us. But if we wanna continue in the agenda, so if we recessed, but we need to be able to hear that resolution before we go on. Council Stewart. President, I'll make a motion to, uh, lay the table the motion. Okay, Great. The order. Okay. Motion to lay on the, the order on the table second. And take on the table. Right. Um, motion to lay on the table made by Councillor Stewart. Seconded by Councillor Firo. All in favor? Aye. Aye.

▶ 1:00:24 Leila Migliorelli: Any opposed? Okay. That order is on the table. So now, um, I will entertain a motion to take order ID number 1, 2, 2, 4 to recognition of the Melrose High School marching band winning the, um, N-E-S-B-A-D four state Championship out of order. So moved. Second, Uh, motion to take out of order, um, made by councilor uh, Romano. Seconded by Councilor Carrum Chaney. All in favor? Aye. Aye. Any opposed? That's now out of order. Councilor ke chay, uh, entertain I will entertain a motion for immediate consideration. Um, I would like to make a motion for immediate consideration. Second, Motion for immediate consideration, um, on this order made by Councillor Ke Chay, seconded by Councillor Stewart.

▶ 1:01:10 All in favor? Aye. Aye. Any opposed? Okay. The motions before and since Councilor Ke she drafted the order, um, we can invite the band in and read the resolution and go through this wonderful process. It didn't Shut the lights off on, Wait, can you just second in the resolution, the Shut the lights off on him in the back. They Didn't, oh, did I say That classic van that brought a hat in the baton? Welcome. Hello. Find in, sorry. Please feel free to sit, I dunno if this Oh, okay. Welcome everyone. Um, once everyone's seated, um, councilor Carrum Shady will read the resolution. Um, we'll vote on it and then allow a period of time for, uh, photographs. So please come into the chamber. Sit down.

▶ 1:02:39 Manjula Karamcheti: There's plenty of seats in the front row. Don't be shy. Come on in. All right. Councilor Crime Treaty. Right. Thank you President Moore for the opportunity to read this resolution. So this is a resolution and recognition of the Melrose High School marching band, winning the Nsba Division four State Championship. This resolution is offered by myself, counselor Carrum jy, councilor Williams, councilor Frio, councilor Romanul, councilor Repe, councilor Abramsky, councilor Hamilton, councilor Aldine, councilor Stewart, counselor Van Deve, and President Melli. So this is a resolution offered by the entire city council, whereas the Melrose City Council recognizes that participation in music in the public schools

▶ 1:03:42 Manjula Karamcheti: aids in the development of young adults by instilling the qualities of character, creativity, discipline, integrity, and teamwork. Whereas the band is composed of 65 plus young people ranging in grades from eighth to 12th that encourage and support each other on and off the field. Supporting the staff and students are the bandaid. A group of committed families and community members who make sure that's a thriving band program. The Melrose Marching Band is also supported by many Melrose businesses and community organizations, whereas the Melrose Marching Band team consists of a dedicated staff who share their expertise, talent, time, energy, enthusiasm, and care for all of the marching band students.

▶ 1:04:29 Manjula Karamcheti: The staff includes band director Ben Vermeer, assistant director, Tim Corvin, color Guard instructor, Casey Doherty, percussion instructor, Roger Broel bank field and music instructor, McKayla White Music arranger, Jack Tulley and drill designer Ed Devlin. Whereas the MHS marching band performed a beautiful set called Art Imitates Life and included Kaleidoscope of Mathematics by James Horner, Gabriel's OBO by Yo-Yo Ma Filet by Banat Jutras, and emblazoned by Brian Balmages. Whereas during the fall 2024 Nsba marching band season, Melrose competed in six competitions. Over the course of the season, Melrose improved their performance scores learning from each other and from each round of feedback

▶ 1:05:21 Manjula Karamcheti: and diligently pr practicing on Fred Greenfield. The Melrose Marching Band started the season with a score of 70.55 with the three out of three ranking. However, the MHS marching band went on to win competitions at Oliver Ames and Wakefield. Whereas on Sunday, November 3rd, 2024, the Melrose Marching Band won first place in the Nsba Division four marching band competition finals, including high caption awards for best music, best overall effect, best visual. A tie with Mansfield and Best Drum major. The last time the Melrose Marching Band earned this Achieve achievement, according to records that I was given was 1993, be it resolved that we, the Melrose City Council, congratulate the Melrose Marching Band on the occasion

▶ 1:06:12 Manjula Karamcheti: of winning the Nsba Division four State Championship and making our community so proud, be it further resolved. The Melrose Marching Band has been a welcoming, nurturing, and positive fixture for students and families throughout its existence. We, the Melrose City Council, recognize and commend the Melrose Marching Band for its deep commitment to the city of Melrose, whether it be playing at school or community events. We celebrate and appreciate all the accomplishments of the Melrose Marching Band on the second day of December, 2024. So I'd like to make a motion to put this on file and I will start there. Second, Motion to place on file made by Councillor Carrum Chen. Second by Councillor Gar Repe. All in favor? Aye.

▶ 1:07:18 Manjula Karamcheti: Any opposed? And, uh, this time I will motion or by unanimous consent for recess, um, to allow for photos. Seeing no objections. We are now in recess. Um, please feel free to stand up. Councilor Karen Katy, I'll let you direct this. Uh, Okay. So we thought by inviting Mayor Greg up to the stage with the marching band staff for a photo with the mayor, the city counselor president, and all of the city counselors who supported the resolution. So we'll start with staff and then we'll do staff and seniors and then staff and all students with all of these city officials. And then if the president of the bandaid has any other suggestions, we are happy to hear. So the two of you and the staff. Okay.

▶ 1:08:14 I think it's just me. Oh, it's just you. How about the, um, yeah, the superintendent. Yeah. Thanks so much. Oh, and oh yeah. Here we go. I'm good. How are you? Wait, I don't really wanna be the center official resolution. Okay. Yes. Sounds good. There we go. Counselors. All counselors. No, we're gonna have to do two rows. Thank We're I would've You were doing it. I was. We get instruments. We're still here. A put the kids without and then million of dollars. Yeah, we'll figure it out. They'll just go back further. Think We need more students on this. The heads up lesson just pile on it. We go further back. We could do this. We good? Get in. Okay. Yeah, she all the counselors we want. Right. Okay.

▶ 1:12:21 I you think the weight rating on find out? I dunno. Okay. Everybody don't move? Yeah. Yes, we good? I want just the kiss. Thank You everyone. Um, now back to our agenda and I will, uh, Councillor Stewart? Yes, Madam President. I'll make a motion to move, uh, order 12 2 42 to the floor. Second, Um, 12 2 14. 12 2 14. Yes, that's what I said. Yes. Okay. Co uh, motion to move that order back to the floor made by Councillor Stewart. Seconded by Councillor Aldine. All in favor? Aye. Aye. Any opposed? This order is now back before us. Um, uh, Ms. McClellan, would you like to come and, uh, clarify the results of your, uh, recess research? Yes, Thank you. I apologize. First of all. Um, so the first sheet with the selections that I

▶ 1:13:48 provided is a hundred percent correct. Um, the shift options come from the options table that we get out of gateway. Um, so the blue and green areas that I, um, the blue and green areas in the second page, the page 18, are all correct and matched to everything else in the, um, in the previous, um, pages in the presentation, like with the shift amount. It's just the factors that didn't get copied down and I had checked it. I just didn't catch those. Um, the factors. So the page 17 is correct, page 18, just the residential factors are not correct, but, um, so the 1.73 shift is a residential factor of 0.9615, just to clarify that. Okay. Thank you. Um, any questions from counselors or, um, motions to consider?

▶ 1:14:50 Kimberly Vandiver: Councilor Repe? I will make a motion then to do a residential shift of 0.9615 second. Okay. Um, CPE's motion, um, for a shift of 0.9615. Seconded by Councilor Stewart on discussion. Um, Councillor Van Defer. Um, thank you Madam Chair. My comment is, is just that we have so few businesses that when we, when we do these shifts, you know, to, to make up the same amount of dollars, it, it's a significantly higher impact on the commercial tax bills. And so to me, I guess I, I don't see why we're so far on that end of the spectrum in general. Um, um, I don't have a, you know, a specific other proposal, but it seems to me that it would make sense to be further down the spectrum. Thank you. Any other comments on the motion before us?

▶ 1:16:06 Devin Romanul: Okay. Councillor Romanul. Sorry, didn't mean to get in the way of a vote, but I, I, um, I was just scrolling for up in the, uh, series of charts and I'm wondering, um, I can see how, uh, the proposed residential factor compares to what we've selected in recent years. You know, we're, we're in the ballpark. Um, how if we were to settle on that factor, how would we compare to, say, surrounding communities? I know that's a, maybe a complicated question, but I'm, um, just wanted to find the right slide. Okay. Yeah. So let's see. Um, I don't know if that, I have that exact, I mean, I have the breakdown here, residential tax rate of residential tax rates and then, um, and then this one that, that shows our, kind of our, oh,

▶ 1:17:02 Devin Romanul: there, there it is here. That shows the, um, residential versus the CIP total. Um, I don't think it shows the levy shift, right? Like the levy. I would imagine that that 5.05 number would be more reflection of the number of residential versus CIP units relative to other communities. Yeah. Rather than the rate necessarily. Yes. Yeah. Um, but then we have like a tax rate, um, like I don't, I mean, not what we shift, but um, here kind of, it shows like our tax rate versus the other, um, community's tax rates. So assuming not a huge shift from what has been proposed, where on the significantly lower end of the residential rate on the, maybe slightly above average on the CIP rate? Yeah. Mm-Hmm. Yeah, I mean, I don't have any,

▶ 1:18:05 like, I, I didn't bring data. Oh, oh, no, that's okay. It's something that I would have to gather Yeah, sure. With questions in advance. Okay. Is that all Councillor Amal? Yeah. Any other questions about the motion on the table? I was gonna say, I, I, I feel comfortable going with the 1.73 only because we're coming from 1.72. Is I reading this correctly? So It's Doesn't seem like we're going a major shift or away from what we're usually doing. So, um, is there a second? Yes. Okay. Okay. Um, seeing no other questions. Um, Madame Clerk, will you please call the role or both? Counselor Ra? Yes. Counselor Gar? Yes. Counselor Hamilton? Yes. Counselor Jamine? Yes. Counselor Karen Chetty? Yes. Counselor Reky. Counselor Romano? Yes.

▶ 1:19:15 Counselor Stewart? Yes. Counselor Vandiver? Yes. Counselor Williams? Yes. President Ley? Yes. Motion passes. Okay, That passes. Thank you. Uh, Ms. McClellan. All right, moving on. Um, to the order to vote on the Verizon petition, um, count. Uh, Madam Clerk, I think if you will read the order. Mm-Hmm. Okay. Thank you. Okay. Order to vote on Verizon. Petition ID number 1 2 2 0 9 Petition of Verizon for grant location to install duck bank from existing utility on the westerly side of Main Street, just north of the Townline with Malden as shown on plan number one A seven F1 MU. Okay. Thank you. Um, councilor Vandiver, this comes from, um, public works, Uh, Madam President. This comes from public works with a

▶ 1:20:22 recommendation of ought to pass. And so at this time I motion, motion for passage. Second. Motion for passage made by Councillor Vandiver, seconded by Councillor Repe on discussion. Councillor Stewart. Thank you Madam President. Uh, Madam President, I'm not comfortable supporting this at this point, given that there are several questions that were brought forward that weren't answered. Uh, I do not intend in supporting this at this point. Thank you, Madam President. Thank you. Anyone else on discussion? Seeing none. Um, all in favor? Aye. Aye. Any opposed? Aye. Alright. Um, that passes nine to one. Okay. Thank you. Moving on, um, to communications from her honor, the mayor and other city officials, there's

▶ 1:21:10 no communications at this time. Next up, um, under new business filings by the Honorable Mayor, uh, Madam Clerk. Yep. Id number 1, 2 0 0 8. Acceptance of a state airmark for Wyoming Cemetery in the amount of 50,000. This will go to appropriations and oversight ID number 1 2 0 0 7. Acceptance of state Airmark for city hall front door and the amount of $40,000. This will go to appropriations and oversight Fiscal year, I'm sorry, ID number 1, 2, 2, 4, 1. Fiscal year 25 municipal, a DA improvement grant acceptance in the amount of 38,000 to address accessibility issues at Melrose High School in Horace Mann Elementary School. This will go to appropriations and oversight ID number 1, 2 2, 1 9 Reappointment of Kimberly

▶ 1:22:07 Aldo, Aldo. 8 1 1 Franklin Street to the Historical Commission for a three year term and said term to expire the last day of February, 2027. This will go to health, education and Welfare. Okay, ID number 1, 2, 2, 3, 9. Appointment of Amy I, Nonan attorney. 64 Garfield Road, Melrose, mass to the Affordable Housing Trust Fund. This will go to health education, welfare Id number 1, 2, 2, 4, 3 reappointment of James Osterman, 54 Ellis Farm Lane, Melrose, mass to the Affordable Housing Trust Fund. This will go to Health Educational Welfare Appointment of Joe Viola. Viola, 1 34 Howard Street, Melrose, mass to the Affordable Housing Trust Fund. This will also go to eight, uh, eight. Health Education and Welfare

▶ 1:23:10 Id number one. 2 2, 4. Four Reappointment of Helena Whitfield, 44 Briggs Street, Melrose, mass to the Affordable Housing Trust Fund. This Will go to health, education and welfare ID number 1, 2, 2, 4 8:00 AM in Vigilant Renewals for 2025. This Will go to protection License. Oh. And now filings by the Honorable City Council. Um, we've already, uh, disposed of the, the band order. So next ID number 1, 2, 2, 4, 7. Appointment of Ji Uni as Melrose City Clerk for a three year term, ending December, 2027. This will go to appropriations and oversight. Next up is unfinished business and we'll start with orders. Bless, Bless You, bless you. Bless you. Orders ID number 1, 2, 1 5 8. Request an authorization to dispose of surplus vehicles

▶ 1:24:14 and equipment in accordance with Melrose Revised Ordinances. Chapter four dash 13 Asset forth herein. Um, Madame President, this order comes from the Appropriations and Oversight Committee, uh, with the recommendation for passage. And at this time, I would like to make a motion for passage. Second Motion for passage made by Councilor Jammal. And second, my Councillor Stewart. On discussion. Seeing none. Um, Madame Clerk, will you please call the role? Absolutely. Counselor Ro? Yes. Counselor Gar. Yes. Counselor Hamilton? Yes. Counselor Jamine. Yes. Councilor Chetty. Yes. Councilor. Oh, excuse. Counselor Romano. Yes. Councilor Stewart? Yes. Councilor V Vandiver? Yes. Councilor Williams? Yes. President Migli?

▶ 1:25:08 Yes. Motion passes. Passes. Next is our grants. Grants. Okay. 1, 2, 0 0 4. Acceptance of state earmark for Council on Agent, Madam President. This order comes from the appropriation and, uh, and oversight committee with the recommendation for passage. And at this time, I would like to make a motion for passage. Second. Second Motion for passage made by Councillor Aldine, seconded by Councillor Stewart on discussion. Seeing none. Um, all in favor? Aye. Aye. Any opposed? This grant passes. Next. Okay. Sorry. Id number 1, 2, 2, 1, 6. Did I do 1, 2, 2, 1, 5. No, no, no. I apologize. Id number one. 2, 2, 1 5. Fiscal year 2025. State 9 1 1. EMD Grant. Uh, Madame President, this order comes from the Appropriations

▶ 1:26:08 and Oversight Committee with the recommendation for passage. And at this time, I would like to make a motion for passage. Second, Motion for passage made by Councillor Jamal, seconded in by Councillor Williams on discussion. Seeing none. All in favor? Aye. Aye. Any opposed? That grant passes. Okay, ID Number 1, 2 2, 1 6. Fiscal year 2025. State 9 1 1 Training grant, Madam President, this order comes from the Appropriations and Oversight Committee with the recommendation for passage. And at this time, I would like to make a motion for passage. Second, Motion for passage made by Councillor Jammal, seconded by Councillor Williams on discussion. Seeing none. All in favor? Aye. Aye. Any opposed? That grant passes

▶ 1:26:54 ID number 1, 2 2 1 7 Fiscal year 2025. State 9 1 1 s And I grant Madam President, this order also comes from the Appropriations and Oversight Committee with the recommendation for passage. And at this time, I would like to make a motion for passage. Second, Motion for passage made by Councillor Jamal and second by Councillor Williams on discussion. Seeing none. All in favor? Aye. Any opposed? That Grant passes. Next on, uh, to appointments and reappointments, ID Number one. 2 1 8 4 Reappointment of Kevin j Irv. 16 Everett Street, Melrose, mass to the Historic District Commission. Madam President, this comes from the Public Service Committee with a recommendation for passage. At this time, I'll make that recommend.

▶ 1:27:38 Uh, motion. Second. Second. Motion for passage made by Councillor Repe, seconded by Councillor Stewart On discussion. Seeing none. All in favor? Aye. Any opposed? That reappointment passes ID Number one. 2 1 8 5 Reappointment of Richard Curl, 1 55 Myrtle Street to the Historic District Commission. Madam President, this comes from the Public Service Committee with a recommendation of passage. At this time, I make that, uh, motion for passage. Second. Motion for passage made by Councillor Repe. Second by Councillor Stewart On discussion. Seeing none. All in favor? Aye. Aye. Any opposed? That reappointment passes ID number one. 2 1 8 6 Reappointment of Lillian Yad. Good. Kelly, 1 1 7 Boston Rock Road to the Board

▶ 1:28:35 Manjula Karamcheti: of Health for a three year term, Uh, president Melissa. Actually, at this time, I'd like to make a motion to conjoin ID. One, two. One. Eight, six. One two. One. Eight, three. One, two. One. Eight, two. And one. Two. One, eight. One. As all of these are reappointments coming from the Health, education and Welfare Committee, and all are with a motion to recommend. Second. Okay. Motion to conjoin those orders made by Councilor Carm Shady, seconded by Councillor Firo on discussion. Seeing none. All in favor? Aye. Aye. Any opposed? These orders are now before us as conjoined. So I'd like to make a motion, uh, to recommend conjoined, um, id, 1, 2, 1, 8, 6. One two. One. Eight, three. One, two. One. Eight, two.

▶ 1:29:34 And one, two. One. Eight, one. Um, to, and I'd like to recommend all of those for passage. Second, Um, motion to recommend those four orders as conjoined for passage made by Councillor Carm. Chaney, seconded by Councillor Firo On discussion. Seeing none. All in favor? Aye. Aye. Any opposed? Those orders pass. So I think that leaves, leaves us back at 1 2 1 8 0 1. 1 2 1 7 9. Okay. Yeah. One, two at both of those. Yep. 1 2 1 8 0 reappointment of Michael D. Coleman. 180 1 Beech Avenue, Melrose, mass of Historic District Commission Honor President. This comes from public service with a recommendation for passage. At this time, I'll make the motion of a passage, second Motion for passage made by Councillor Garipay.

▶ 1:30:27 Second by Councillor Stewart On discussion, seeing none, what is the will of the committee for All in favor? Aye. Aye. And he opposed? This reappointment passes. Okay, now Id Number 1, 2 1 7 9 reappointment of Lindsay a Tohill, 180 6 Meadow Street, Meadows, mass 0 2 1 7 6. The Historic District Commission. Madam President. This comes from Public Service Committee with a recommendation for passage. At this time I'll make that motion for passage. Second. Motion for passage made by Councillor Repe, seconded by Councillor Stewart. On discussion. Seeing none. All in favor? Aye. Aye. Any opposed? That reappointment passes ID Number 1, 2, 1 7 8. Appointment of Rah r Singh, 2 55 West Emerson Street, Melrose, mass

▶ 1:31:20 To the Board of Appeals, Madame President. This order comes from the Appropriations and Oversight Committee with a recommendation for passage. And at this time, I would like to make a motion for passage. Second. Motion for passage made by Councillor Jammal, seconded by Councillor Williams on discussion. Seeing none. All in favor? Aye. Aye. Any opposed? That appointment passes. Next on, we are at ordinances Ordinance, um, OR DNC dash 2024 dash five. Request an amendment to the Melrose Code of Ordinances and adoption of a city council licensing and application process to address food truck operations within the city of Melrose. Madam Clerk, I think that I have, oh, I have one. Yeah, the ID 12 2 0 8. The

▶ 1:32:08 Revised rules of the Melrose City Council. Sorry. That's okay. Okay, hold on. Yep, that's right. I deemed, I apologize. That's okay. Id number 1, 2 2 0 8 revised rules of the Melrose City Council. Um, Madam President, this order comes, uh, from the Appropriations and Oversight Committee with a recommendation for passage as amended. And at this time, I would like to make a motion for passage. Second, Motion for passage as amended made by Councillor Jamal and seconded by Councillor Williams on discussion, um, as I, I think we had communicated before that dur, I will just interject here that, um, there were some orders or some changes we wanted to make. We had questions back for the city solicitor.

▶ 1:32:56 Leila Migliorelli: Those have been updated and uploaded in IQM two for the public to see those questions and responses. As such, um, counselors Gar Pay and myself have submitted some additional amendments, which have been printed and handout handed out to all of the counselors and will be uploaded to the record after, um, ca i I rather than obviously, um, going through the entire rules again, I will just address these amendments and if anyone has any others that they would like to bring, um, that is fine too. So I will start with Councillor Repe and, um, your amendment if you wanna read it and Sure. Um, as I mentioned last, uh, last meeting, I was looking to do an amendment in speaking with the city solicitor.

▶ 1:33:44 Mark Garipay: Today I wanted to, um, add, um, an amendment under the rights and duties of members Rule 12. Number 12, a, uh, proper attire. The proper atti in the, uh, rule will state the proper attire for all city council meetings and committee meetings shall be professional atia to avoid overly casual dress. Is that a motion? That's a motion. Second. Motion to amend the rules by adding Rule 12 A, um, made by Councillor Repe, seconded by Councilor Stewart on discussion. Any comments? Councilor Romanul? Okay. Um, okay. Um, all in favor of this amendment to add 12 a a Aye. Aye. Aye. Any opposed? Okay, this amendment passes. So, um, just Madam Clerk, as written, this amendment will be added to, um, thanks. The council rules. Um,

▶ 1:34:55 Leila Migliorelli: moving on as President, I suppose I will go through, um, the proposed amendments, um, for discussion. Um, as you'll see before you, um, I'm amending to strike the existing language and rule 10 B and add new language. This was a conversation we had gone, uh, just for the benefit of the public gone back and forth on, in the absence of the Clerk of committees, the city clerk shall perform the duties of the Clerk of committees or may delegate such tasks to the assistant city clerk. If the city clerk is unable to perform the duties of the Clerk of committees, the assistant city clerk will fulfill this role in the interim. Reason why is the, um, the two other positions within the city clerk's office are union positions.

▶ 1:35:41 Leila Migliorelli: So we can't dictate those, those responsibilities. So I thought that this fulfilled, um, anyways, I will make a, yeah, I'll Make a motion to accept, uh, the new language and the changes that was just read by the president. Second, second for rule 10 B. Um, motion to a, uh, amend Rule 10 B made by Councilor Garbe, seconded by Councilor Car Shady. On discussion, seeing none. All in favor of this amendment? Aye. Aye. Any opposed? Rule 10 B has now been amended. Uh, next, um, rule 28, amendment to strike existing language and add new language. Um, this was to address the, the lack of options for voting options. Um, when consulting with the city solicitor, she recommended a version of this language, um,

▶ 1:36:40 Leila Migliorelli: that is used in some other council bodies. So I'll read it When a question is put forward, every member present shall vote yes, no, or present members who are abstaining, IE voting present shall be included in the quorum. Members who are recusing themselves are not included in the quorum. A member that is recusing themselves from voting shall announce that they're recusing themselves prior to any discussion or deliberation of the matter. And shall state the reason for recusal a conflict of interest or to avoid the appearance of a conflict of interest. A member that has recused themselves shall not participate in the discussion while the matter is being deliberate, deliberated, and shall leave the council chamber.

▶ 1:37:17 Or if participating remotely shall turn off their microphone and video during discussion on the matter. Um, I will entertain a motion, um, for purposes of discussion, at least, if Not Madam President, I'll make a motion to accept Rule 28 as amended Second motion to, um, accept Rule 28 as amended made by Councillor Stewart, seconded by Councillor Jamine on discussion. Okay. Uh, Councillor Stewart. Madam President, just a question. Um, so when you're abstaining, you still have to vote by this Abstaining is voting present? Present? Right. Okay. And, and present would not count as a yes or a no vote? Correct. Okay. Okay. Thank it. Would be, yeah, counted in the denominator of the quorum. Great. Thank you madam. Present.

▶ 1:38:13 Leila Migliorelli: Any other questions? Okay, seeing none. Um, the motion is to, um, strike the existing language in Rule 28 and add new language made by Counselor Stewart second and by Councillor Jamine. I think that right. All in favor? Aye. Any opposed? That amendment passes. Um, next is, um, a rule that came out of kind of a necessity, uh, given tonight's, uh, two public hearings. Um, I am a little happy to address where the location is if everyone's, uh, okay with this. But this will entail us Renumbering renumbering the rules, which I'm open to, but anyways, I'll read this order. Uh, this amendment, um, addition, all public hearing shall be held during full council meetings. Public hearing shall be set at a prior full council meeting

▶ 1:39:08 Leila Migliorelli: where the matter will be voted on via immediate consideration for the purposes of setting a date and time for the hearing. Hearing shall provide for a presentation of the matter counselor questions if necessary in public comment, written comments and materials may be submitted to the city clerk by any interested individual concerning a public hearing matter for consideration, which shall become part of the record for such item. Once the hearing is closed, no further submittals or information can be accepted and counselors can only deliberate amongst themselves and get limited clarifying information from staff. Should there be outstanding questions or additional information is needed by the counsel

▶ 1:39:44 Robb Stewart: that cannot be provided. The public hearing should be continued at a later date and time certain. Um, just for clarification, the city solicitor, city solicitor drafted this language, um, will entertain a motion for discussion Matter. President, I'll make a motion to accept Rule 37 as amended. Second, Uh, motion to, um, add this new rule, um, uh, to, uh, uh, to the, the rules of order made by Councillor Stewart, seconded by Councillor Jamine on discussion. Councillor Stewart. Um, looks fine. I just, sorry to be so pedantic, but the last word, certain I, I continue at a later date and time. Certain it doesn't read right. It doesn't make sense to me. I'd strike certain counselor. Um, any other que uh, councillor Vandiver?

▶ 1:40:43 Um, I believe, I believe that's standard language from Robert's rules. A date and time. Certain is, is a date that we, and time that we specify at the time of Postponement Is that then, then I'll accept it. Yeah. Yes. Okay. Just reads funny. Agreed. Those Were rich rules. 1890s language. Yeah. Any other, um, questions on discussion? Comments on discussion? Um, so, uh, well actually one question here, or we could, I I think the natural place to put this is an order of business that would require us to reorder. I don't know if that requires, uh, a vote to reorder, um, Councillor Stewart Matter. President, i, I would suggest leaving as is for now and, and revising at a later date. It's not there right now, so it's not,

▶ 1:41:40 so it's not in the original draft. So it would be in addition to what's already there. So there's no, currently there's no order. So it's adding this in which numerically we could just add it to the end. That might solve all problems. Councilor. So currently we have a Rule 37, right? Right Now, right. Okay. Yeah. Um, okay, so motion to add this order. The last order number. Let's, how about for the purposes of this evening? The last order number is I think 60 63. 60 63 Feet. Okay. So, um, just clarifying, this will be added as rule 64. I don't think we need to vote on that. Okay. Um, next up, so that, that new rule has passed, um, next up, rule 61, a amendment to strike only the discretion of the presiding officer,

▶ 1:42:34 Leila Migliorelli: the body and replace with new language. Um, the new language being is permitted if physical attendance would be unreasonably difficult. Examples of such difficulties may include but are not limited to personal or family illness slash emergency. Military service, business travel or religious observ observances. Remote participation must be done from a quiet, private location that allows for clear video and audio feed. Um, just to clarify this, as I, I had voted no, um, on the amendment to that was done last week to have the son at the per discretion of the presiding officer. I think that to protect, um, personal rights and privacy, um, that are given under the protection, I would just not want a presiding officer to say no.

▶ 1:43:21 Leila Migliorelli: Um, so I am reverting somewhat to the original language that I had submitted. Um, I think just to point out that, you know, you being remote if it's unreasonably difficult, and these are just examples that are not inclusive of all examples, but are some examples. Um, and most of those instances, uh, except for business travel are protected, legally protected categories. Um, but then to ensure that remote participation is done, um, in a quiet environment. Um, so that my, if someone would, I would entertain someone to accept this amendment Amended president, I'll make a motion to, uh, accept Rule 61 A as amended second, amend Second motion to accept Rule 61 A as amended made by Councillor Stewart, seconded

▶ 1:44:10 Maya Jamaleddine: by Councilor Romanul on discussion. Councillor Jamine, Uh, it's just a clarification just in case someone violate any of these rules. Okay. For instance, the attire or, uh, this rule, what would be the consequences is just to, so we would know what are these rules set for? Um, I, there's one happening right now. Um, Took my time There. I, um, that's a question for the city solicitor, I suppose. I don't have an answer for that. Okay. So as, as a president, this is not something that you would, that the president will have to follow up or monitor or oversee. It would be something that directly with the city solicitor. Is that what it is? I, I think the what would happen? What would be the consequences would be, so I would,

▶ 1:45:11 would be under the advisement of the city solicitor, but there's no, we have no, um, rule currently to remove someone from office and that would have to be a larger discussion or any type of penalty would have to be a larger discussion than I think we would need to add to our rules. So these are just, I think, uh, friendly recommendations, um, as for us to do our business. Okay. Thank you. Okay, so there's a motion on the table. Uh, any other item? Any other comments? Discussion? Seeing none. Um, all in favor to amend, um, as written? Aye. Aye. Aye. Any opposed? That amendment passes Motion by Stewart Stewart, Seconded by remodel. Okay, Thank you. Um, this is an amendment to add, uh, new rule 61 C.

▶ 1:46:09 Leila Migliorelli: This came up in conversation during our meeting, um, and I did do some extra research and notice that other people did include this. So this is for clarifying reasons. Um, per Massachusetts Open Meeting law, if any member of a public body is participating remotely, all votes of the body are required to be roll call and the results of the rule must be recorded in the minutes. Uh, Councillor Stewart, Madam chair, Madam President, I'll make a, uh, motion to add Rule 61 C as amended. Second. Motion to add Rule 61 C made by Councillor Stewart. Second by Councilor Aldine on discussion. Seeing none. All in favor? Aye. Any opposed? That rule is now added to the draft. Um, next up, rule 62 amendment to add and replace language.

▶ 1:46:58 Leila Migliorelli: Um, I don't know if you can see the highlighted text since this is black and white, but it says with at least 48 business hours notice, fully virtual meetings will be permitted at the discretion of the presiding officer of the body, pending a determination that a federal, state, or city emergency would prohibit the safety of the council, administration and Republic to attend a meeting in person. Um, I, this was, I changed, pending, or changed from in conjunction with, at the recommendation of city solicitor. I'm open to another word other than pending, but, um, the intention is such that the presiding officer would make a call based, uh, to do for fully virtual, um, if there would be such emergency. Councillor Stewart,

▶ 1:47:45 Leila Migliorelli: Madam President, I'll make a motion to amend, uh, accept Rule 62 as amended. Second. Um, motion to accept Rule 62 as amended made by Councillor Stewart. Seconded by Councilor Carm Chaney on discussion. Seeing none. All in favor? Aye. Aye. Any opposed? That is amended as written. Um, next up, this is just for consistency's sake because we changed this, um, for ourselves. Uh, and so just wanted to make the same requirements of people who are, um, participating. Oh, that's not clear here. This is for, um, members of the administration. Um, so rule 63 B Amendment to strike the language, make every effort possible to, so it would read, these remote participants must utilize a video feed. And this is relation to city

▶ 1:48:35 or anyone presenting in front of us. Councillor Stewart Amend prison. I'll make a motion to accept Rule 63 B as amended. Second. Motion to accept six. Rule 63 B as amended made by Councillor Stewart. Seconded by Councillor Aldine on discussion. Councillor Vandiver. Uh, I guess similar to, uh, the previous question, would there be a consequence here? Would we allow participants to join without a video feed? Would we reject them? Would we postpone discussion? I, um, what I believe it's actually in here. I'm thinking Councillor Jamine My, uh, per previous, um, uh, meetings. Um, the vote would not be counted correct if it's, if they're not on the camera. And I think in this situation where this is a matter of,

▶ 1:49:32 uh, administration person who is not not wanting to be on video, um, I mean it would, you know, like anything we could hold the order in committee if they're refusing to appear on video. Um, any other discussion questions? Okay, we have a motion before us to amend, made by Councillor Stewart. Second by Councillor Jamal Ladine. Uh, all in favor? Aye. Any opposed? Right. Any other? Um, so the motion, the larger motion on the table, um, made by Councillor Jamal Ledine, seconded by Councillor Repe. Um, I just a point of order was, forgive me your motion, uh, council Aldi's motion. Was it as amended as it includes all these amendments? I just, I think it included the amendments before, so I'm wondering if withdraw that motion.

▶ 1:50:35 Manjula Karamcheti: Redo it, and redo it. Okay. Okay. So I would, would draw my, my, uh, initial motion, um, to, uh, recommend as amended. I'll withdraw my second. Okay. Um, so, okay. And Madam President, I would like to make, uh, a motion to recommend as the newly amended, uh, order. Um, Second, um, a motion to recommend is newly amended this evening, made by Councillor Jamine, seconded by Councillor Stewart on discussion, uh, Councillor Carrum Shady. Um, I actually just wanted to take a moment to, oh, hello. To say thank you again, uh, to you for taking the lead on doing a first round of amendments and a second round of amendments, the time, energy, and level of detail required to do something like this and capture all of our comments and questions.

▶ 1:51:36 And, uh, wordsmithing is quite the effort. So just wanted to recognize that and say thank you. I'll second. Okay. Um, uh, I guess all in favor, aye. Aye. Any opposed? These, uh, rules have been passed and will be wr in effect as of 2025. Okay. Next up. Um, where's the ordinance? Last, last one. Okay, last but not least, right? Yep. Um, we have the requesting an amendment to the Melrose Code of Ordinances and Adoption of the City Council license and application process to address food truck operations within the city of Melrose. Ordinance 2020, sorry, I should say Ordinance 2024 dash five. Okay. Madam President, this comes from the Legal and Legislative Committee as amended with a recommendation

▶ 1:52:37 for passage as amended. And so at this time, I'll make that motion. Second. Motion to recommend as amended made by Councilor Williams, seconded by Counselor Romano on discussion. Councilor Firo. Um, I recognize that the committee put a lot of effort into creating this ordinance and spent a lot of time on it. Um, I, I'm still having some trouble with the language and feel like there are rules that are not there that I'd like to see. Um, so at this time, I don't think I'll have to vote on this. Guessing. All right. Anyone else on discussion? Okay. Seeing none. Um, Madam Clerk, will you please call the role? Yes, I will. Counselor Ro? No. Counselor Garey? No. Counselor Hamilton? No. Counselor. Jamal Ledine?

▶ 1:53:50 Yes. Counselor Chetty? Yes. Counselor Cremsky. Counselor Romano? Yes. Counselor Stewart? No. Counselor Vanderveer? Yes. Counselor Williams? Yes. President Midgley? Yes. Six yeses. Four nos. Okay. That order passes as amended. No, no. Excuse me. Order. Oh, ordinance. It's an Ordinance. Ordinance. Thank you. Go ahead. Um, so this does not pass because it, we require a motivate. Thank you. Is that how it works? Right. Um, next up under expires, we have nothing. Anyone have any updates under Rule 53? Nope. Okay. And I seeing no other things I will motion by you. Uh, Councillor Firo. Sorry. Um, can I just go back to that ordinance, the Food Truck ordinance code? Um, or no? Is that passed? It's not passed, but I mean, if you wanna,

▶ 1:55:05 Kimberly Vandiver: if you have a comment to make a point. Yes. Um, so what, what would be the next steps with that? Is that it's Done. Okay. It cannot be brought up six months. Six months. Six months. Yeah. Okay. Wait, no order. I, I believe, I think in the rules, I'd have to look. I think a member of the prevailing side could bring it back to a vote. Right. So if somebody wanted to reconsider that's in the rules, I'd Have to check that there, there Is a provision And it would have a member. Would somebody who voted no, because that was the prevailing side. Okay. Yes. Got it. Okay. Councilor Jamine? Um, I just wanted to clarify. The reason why I voted yes is for that specific reason. So we can give a chance and we can revisit

▶ 1:55:47 Ward Hamilton: and be able to make amendment or make changes, um, but also not preventing, uh, for any of the investors who, or business, uh, small business owners to, um, you know, invest in our community. Um, but I do hope that it would come back and, um, uh, we can revisit that sooner. Alright. Okay. Councilor Hamilton, Point of order. Um, when this was first presented by the administration, I presented very specific objections that could not be solved by amendment, by this body. And the administration was not responsive, and that was the reason why I did not support, and I feel badly for my fellow con I don't feel badly. I, I am cognizant of the fact that my fellow counselors put work into this and it was no small thing for me to vote.

▶ 1:56:44 Maya Jamaleddine: No. Thank you. Councilor Jamine. I I just wanted to clarify that us as counselors, it's the harm is not on us. It's on the people that are having that, those trucks, uh, food trucks, and that is the, those are the people that I do feel bad for. So I truly invite, uh, my co uh, my colleagues who voted no to consider, uh, coming with a better plan so we can revisit and vote on it. Okay. And point of order next time. We should all make these comments while the order is on the table. Yes. And not after the fact, but I'll let it go tonight. Councillor Stewart? Uh, since I've let others you can go to, sorry, that's My fault. I have nothing to say about that. I, I just am more interested in where and,

▶ 1:57:34 Manjula Karamcheti: and how the amended, uh, rules of order will be posted. Do you have any knowledge on that? We vote on those in, um, January. And so they, so like the, as a matter of course, we vote on the new president and the new rules of order in our January 1st meeting of January, and then they will be posted and effective as of that date. Okay. So as of January, As of January one, Correct. Thank you for that clarification. Yes. Okay. Councilor Kem Cheaty. Can I say something since everybody else got to? Um, I just also wanted to share the reason why I voted. Yes. And it is similar to Councilor Jamine. I think often in our roles, it is up to us to take the lead and to try things and then evaluate and revise.

▶ 1:58:21 Manjula Karamcheti: And I think it's hard for us in our roles to make sure anything is perfect. But we do have community members, business owners, people who are really hoping and wishing for the opportunity to bring business into our community. And now we're delaying that again. And we have many community members. Our constituents are also wanting this to happen. And so we're, we're pushing it down the road again. So I would also say, um, I would encourage those who voted no to really to think about what is needed and how we can move forward. Um, because it is something that many members of our community, both business and residents are, are looking forward to keep our conti, our community growing and, and, um, vital.

▶ 1:59:14 So Thank you. All right. I will Now seeing no other commentary. Motion by Yanas. Consent to adjourn for the evening. Seeing no objections. We are now adjourned. Thank you.

City Council — 2024-12-02

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