City Council — 2024-12-16
Attendance
Cal Finocchiaro ; Mark Garipay ; Ward Hamilton ; Maya Jamaleddine ; Manjula Karamcheti ; Leila Migliorelli ; John Obremski ; Devin Romanul ; Robb Stewart ; Kimberly Vandiver ; Ryan Williams
Agenda
- Call to Order
- Reading of the Minutes
- Public Comment
- Communications from Her Honor, The Mayor And Other City Officials
- New Business
- APPT-2025-17 : Appointment of John Tozza to the Beebe Estate Board of Trustees
- APPRO-2025-2 : An appropriation in the amount of $244,658.24 from Peg Access to MMTV, Melrose Public Schools and for Legal Services and expenses related to cable-license renewal.
- Resolution Honoring President Leila Migliorelli for her Public Service as President of City Council for 2024
- Replace current City Ordinance Section 177-12 Snow and Ice Removal with revised ordinance language to address property owner responsibilities for snow and ice removal
- Renewal of Additional Victualler Licenses for 2025
- Unfinished Business
- 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.
- APPT-2025-15 : Appointment of Amy Iannone Tierney, 64 Garfield Road, Melrose MA to the Affordable Housing Trust Fund.
- APPT-2025-14 : Appointment of Joe Viola, 134 Howard Street, Melrose MA to the Affordable Housing Trust Fund
- Reappointment of James Oosterman, 54 Ellis Farm Lane, Melrose MA to the Affordable Housing Trust Fund.
- Reappointment of Helena Widtfeldt, 44 Briggs Street, Melrose MA to the Affordable Housing Trust Fund.
- APPT-2025-16 : Appointment of Tanji Cifuni as Melrose City Clerk for a three-year term ending December 2027.
- GRANT-2025-5 : Acceptance of State Earmark for City Hall Front Door in the amount of $40,000
- GRANT-2025-6 : Acceptance of a State Earmark for Wyoming Cemetery in the amount of $50,000
- GRANT-2025-7 : 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
- Common Victualler Renewals for 2025
- Expiries
- Rule 53 Reports
- Adjournment
Minutes
CITY OF MELROSE CITY COUNCIL BULLETIN● DECEMBER 16, 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 Present 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
(ID # 12245) Appointment/Reappointment Appointment of John Tozza to the Beebe Estate Board of Trustees Assign to Committee Health, Education & Welfare Committee
(ID # 12273) Appropriation An appropriation in the amount of $244,658.24 from Peg Access to MMTV, Melrose Public Schools and for Legal Services and expenses related to cable-license renewal. Assigned to committee Appropriations & Oversight Committee
(ID # 12275) Resolution Resolution Honoring President Leila Migliorelli for her Public Service as President of City Council for 2024 Place on File
(ID # 12279) Ordinance Replace current City Ordinance Section 177-12 Snow and Ice Removal with revised ordinance language to address property owner responsibilities for snow and ice removal Assign to Committee Legal & Legislative Committee
(ID # 12274) License - Common Victualler City of Melrose Page 1 1/1/2025 7:27 PM Minutes City Council December 16, 2024 Renewal of Additional Victualler Licenses for 2025 Assigned to Committee Protection and License Committee
(ID # 12219) Appointment/Reappointment 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. Place on File
APPT-2025-15 Appointment/Reappointment Appointment of Amy Iannone Tierney, 64 Garfield Road, Melrose MA to the Affordable Housing Trust Fund. Appointed City Council
APPT-2025-14 Appointment/Reappointment Appointment of Joe Viola, 134 Howard Street, Melrose MA to the Affordable Housing Trust Fund Appointed City Council
(ID # 12243) Appointment/Reappointment Reappointment of James Oosterman, 54 Ellis Farm Lane, Melrose MA to the Affordable Housing Trust Fund. Place on File City Council
(ID # 12244) Appointment/Reappointment Reappointment of Helena Widtfeldt, 44 Briggs Street, Melrose MA to the Affordable Housing Trust Fund. Place on File City Council
APPT-2025-16 Appointment/Reappointment Appointment of Tanji Cifuni as Melrose City Clerk for a three-year term ending December 2027. Appointed City Council
GRANT-2025-5 Grant City of Melrose Page 2 1/1/2025 7:27 PM Minutes City Council December 16, 2024 Acceptance of State Earmark for City Hall Front Door in the amount of $40,000 Passed City Council
GRANT-2025-6 Grant Acceptance of a State Earmark for Wyoming Cemetery in the amount of $50,000 Passed City Council
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 Passed City Council
(ID # 12248) License - Common Victualler Common Victualler Renewals for 2025 Placed on File City Council City of Melrose Page 3 1/1/2025 7:27 PM
Transcript
▶ 0:06 Leila Migliorelli: Good evening. The time is 7 47 on Monday, December 16th. This is a meeting of the Melrose City Council. Called to order. And I'm President Lila Melli in accordance with the Massachusetts Open Meeting Law. This meeting is being broadcast and recorded by Melrose Cable Access tv, and will be available for viewing in its entirety on MMTV and through the city website Link. Madame Clerk, will you please call the role? Yes, I will. Counselor fro Here. Counselor Garey. Here. Counselor Hamilton. Here. Counselor Aldine. Here. Counselor Chetty. Here. Counselor Reky. Here. Counselor Romano. Here. Counselor Stewart? Here. Counselor Vin Deaver. Here. Counselor Williams. Here. President Midgley Here all are present.
▶ 1:00 Leila Migliorelli: This serves as a quorum. For the record at this time, please rise if you're able to join in the Pledge of Allegiance, Pledge Allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands. One Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. All. At this time, I will motion to approve without reading by unanimous consent. The minutes from, um, Monday, December 2nd. Seeing no objection, these minutes are now approved. Um, now I, we will move on to the public comment portion of the meeting. I will be motion by unanimous consent to open the floor for public comment. Seeing no objection, we are now open, open for public comment. This is a portion of the meeting
▶ 1:52 Leila Migliorelli: where anyone can speak on any item on our agenda this evening. Just a reminder that public comment period is an opportunity for the public to share comments. Counselors will not respond. Is there anyone here in the public willing to or wanting to speak in public comment? If so, please approach the table. No. No. All right. Is there anyone online There is not. Okay. If there is, um, no objection. I'd like to motion to close public comment by unanimous consent, seeing no objection, public comment is now closed. Um, there, moving through the agenda, no communications from the mayor and other city officials. Next up is new business, um, filings by the Honorable Mayor, appointments and Reappointments
▶ 2:40 ID Number 1, 2, 2, 4, 5. Appointment of John TOA to the BB Estate Board of Trustees. This will go to the, um, soon to be created boards and commissions. Um, committee in 2025. Appropriation ID number 1 2 2 7 3, an appropriation in the amount of $244,658 and 24 cents from PEG access to MMTV Melrose Public Schools and for legal services and expenses related to cable license renewal. This Will go to appropriations and Oversight committee Filings by members of the Honorable City Council. Resolution ID number 1 2 2 7 5 resolution honoring President Lila Migli for her public service as president of City Council for 2024. This is sponsored at by counselor at large Maya Jamine. Madam President, I would like to, um,
▶ 3:44 Maya Jamaleddine: seek immediate consideration. Okay. Seeing no objection, this, uh, is now before us. No, Thank you. Um, this is a resolution to honor, um, president Late Mag Elli as the president of the Merose City Council for 2024. Whereas Councilor Lael Magali has served as the city Council President for the city of Merose during 2024, providing exceptional leadership and guidance throughout the year. Whereas President Elli has been elected as a counselor at large for three terms, demonstrating her stead, uh, commitment to serving the residents of Merose with integrity, dedication, and vision. Whereas President Eccles thoughtful approach, effective communication, and steadfast leadership were especially evident
▶ 4:37 Maya Jamaleddine: during the 2024 City budget season where she worked collaboratively to navigate complex financial decisions while prioritizing transparency and the needs of the community. Where as President GL spread headed the revision of the state council rules, introducing amendments to make council operations more equitable, inclusive, and accessible, leaving a lasting impact on the governance of the state of Mars. Whereas President GL consistently, uh, fostered in environments of respect, collaboration, and open communication among her fellow counselors, city hall, staff and community members, ensuring productive discussions and effective, uh, decision making. Whereas her leadership during her presidency exemplified her dedication
▶ 5:28 Maya Jamaleddine: to creating a console that is responsive, accountable, and reflective of the diverse needs of merose residents. Whereas President All dedication to public service extends beyond the chamber as she actively participates in community events, advocates for equity and inclusion and champions causes that strengthen the mayor community. Whereas the city council, the council recognizes that President Elli is thoughtful and compassionate. Leadership has not only guided the council, but also inspired her colleagues and the community as a whole. Whereas her work has been supported by her family who, uh, whose encouragement has enabled her to serve Merose with such, such exceptional dedication and care, be it resolved that we, the members
▶ 6:18 Maya Jamaleddine: of the City Council to her be express, um, our profound gratitude to President Elli for her outstanding administration of this office of the President and her enduring contributions to the city of Merose, be it further resolved that in recognition of her service, gavel willed by her as city as council president, shall be suitably inscribed and presented to her as token of our appreciation, be it further resolved that on the 16th day of December in the year 2024, a copy of this resolution be spread upon the records of the city council and that a special copy be signed by each member of the council and presented to President Ali. Thank you. Thank you Council. Oh boy. You guys are really nice. Thank you.
▶ 7:22 Maya Jamaleddine: Oh, wow. Thank you. Thank you all. Um, and now I'll entertain a motion to lay a place on file. I'll, uh, make a motion to place, uh, this resolution on file, second Motion in place on file made by Councillor Jamal, uh, second, or by Councillor Carrum Jdi. Um, all in favor? Any opposed? Thank you again. I really appreciate all of it. Next ordinance. Hold on one second. Okay. Okay. Just, um, I, I, I'll, I would like to take a moment of personal privilege. I just wanted to clarify. We fight a lot. We argue a lot, but at the end, we are able to work together and we are, do amazing work and she is a great leadership. So that's, uh, that true leadership. So I appreciate You. I just wanna, my, uh, This should be the time when we
▶ 8:25 have the president pro tempt preside, because this is very embarrassing for me, but thank you. Okay. Okay. Ordinance, ordinance ID number 1, 2 2 7 9. Replace current city ordinance section 1 7 7 dash one two, snow and ice removal with revised ordinance language to address property owner responsibilities for snow and ice removal. This is sponsored by Ward seven, counselor Devin Romano. This will go to Legal Ledge licenses, Licenses ID number 1 2 2 7 4, renewal of additional RET licenses for 2025. This will go to protection and license. And now onto unfinished business appointments. ID number 1, 2 2, 1 9 reappointment of Kimberly Alda, 8 1 1 Franklin Street to the Historical Commission for a three year term, said term to expire last day
▶ 9:21 Manjula Karamcheti: of February, 2027. Historical Commission. Yes. Um, Madam President, this, uh, reappointment comes from health, education and welfare with a motion to recommend with a recommendation for passage. And at this time, I'd like to make a recommendation for passage. Second, Um, recommendation for passage made by Councillor Krum Chaney, seconded by Councillor Jamaleddine on discussion, seeing none. All in favor, aye. Aye. Aye. Any opposed? That appointment passes ID number 1, 2, 2, 3, 9. Appointment of Amy Anon, attorney 64 Garfield Road, Melrose, mass to the Affordable Housing Trust Fund. This also Madam President. This also comes from Health, education and Welfare Committee with a recommendation for passage.
▶ 10:18 And at this time, I'd like to motion for passage, second, Motion for passage, uh, made by Councilor Kem Chay, seconded by Councilor Firo on discussion, seeing none. All in favor? Aye. Aye. Any opposed? That appointment passes ID number 1, 2 2 4 0 appointment of Joe Viola, 1 34 Howard Street, Melrose, mass to the Affordable Housing Trust Fund, Madam President. This is also from Health Education and Welfare, uh, with a recommendation for passage. And at this time, I'd like to make a motion for passage. Second, Motion For passage made by Councillor Crim Chaney, seconded by Councillor Firo on discussion. Seeing none. All in favor? Aye. Any opposed? That appointment passes ID number one. 2 2 4 3
▶ 11:06 reappointment of James Osterman, 54 Ellis Farm Lane, Melrose, mass, to the Affordable Housing Trust Fund. This again comes from Health, education and Welfare with a recommendation for passage. And at this time, I'd like to make a motion, motion for passage. Second. Motion for passage made by Councillor Carrum Shady, seconded by Councillor Repay on discussion. Seeing none. All in favor? Aye. Aye. Any opposed? That order passes ID number one. 2 2 4 4 reappointment of Helina Windfeld 44 Briggs Street, Melrose, mass, to the Affordable Housing Trust Fund. This is also coming from Health, education and Welfare with a recommendation for passage. And at this time, I'd like to make a motion for passage. Second,
▶ 11:57 Leila Migliorelli: Motion for passage made by Councillor Carrum Chaney, seconded by Councillor Firo on discussion. Seeing none. All in favor? Aye. Aye. Any opposed? That appointment passes ID Number 1, 2 2 4 7. Appointment of TNG Uni as Melrose City Clerk for a three year term ending December, 2027. This is sponsored by Ward three. Counselor Rob Stewart, ward. Four, counselor Mark Ape, counselor at large and President Leila m Ley, Madam President. This, uh, order comes from the Appropriation 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 Jamal Dean, seconded by Councillor Stewart. On discussion, I'd like to take a moment to, um,
▶ 12:49 Leila Migliorelli: congratulate Ms. Uh, Sini Tangi. Thank you. Thank you so much. Um, and we're very excited to have you formally on board as a city clerk. As we mentioned in the last meeting. Um, your, your resume, your past experiences, your experiences serving as interim city clerk over these last few months during a very difficult time in the city, um, for most cities, uh, with the presidential election. Um, and I know that you have family in the audience this evening, so, um, I just wanna say on behalf of the whole council, thank you so much and, um, we're excited to have you on board. Thank You so much. I appreciate it. Woo. President, We have to make the vote. Yes, I, I'm aware Councilor Stewart, that was on discussion.
▶ 13:42 And now all in favor? Aye. Aye. Any opposed that order passes. Thank you much. Thank you. Thank you. Um, grant, ID number 1 2 0 0 7 acceptance of state Airmark for City Hall front door in the amount of $40,000. Um, 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. Motion for passage made by Councillor Jamal, seconded by Councillor Stewart on discussion Seeing none. Um, grant, so it's all in favor, aye. Aye. Any opposed? That grant passes ID number 1 2 0 0 8 Acceptance of a state earmark for Wyoming Cemetery in the amount of $50,000 Madam President. This order also comes from the Appropriations
▶ 14:42 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 Aldine, seconded by Councillor Stewart. Um, all in favor a aye, any opposed that order passes ID number 1 2 2 4. One Fiscal year 25 municipal, a DA improvement grant acceptance in the amount of $38,000 to address accessibility issues at Melrose High School and Horace Mann Elementary School 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 Jamine, seconded by Councillor Stewart on discussion, seeing none.
▶ 15:29 Leila Migliorelli: All in favor, a Aye. Any opposed, uh, order passes Next up licenses. Licenses ID number 1 2 2 4 8 Common Vigilant renewals for 2025 Councillor Garey Madam President, this comes from Protection License Committee with a recommendation to place on file at this time. I'll make a motion to place this on file. Second. Motion to place on file made by Councillor Repe, seconded by Councillor Stewart on discussion. Seeing none. All in favor a aye Any opposed that is placed on file. Um, nothing under expires, anything under rule 53 reports. Alright, um, then I will motion by unanimous consent to adjourn City Council for 2024. See no objections. We are now adjourned.