Legal & Legislative Committee — 2025-01-27
Attendance
Cal Finocchiaro ; Mark Garipay ; Maya Jamaleddine ; Leila Migliorelli ; Devin Romanul ; Kimberly Vandiver
Agenda
- Call to Order
- Public Comment
- Minutes Approval
- Legislative Items
- ORDER-2025-9 : Proposed Revision of Rule 38A of the Rules of Order for City Council All appointments ( new appointments and reappointments) made by the Mayor and subject to the confirmation of the Council shall include a written statement of interest and/or resume from the candidate.
- ORDER-2025-10 : Proposed Rules of Order Amendment for Rule38B RE: Appointments and Reappointments All appointees (new and re-appointed) of the Mayor subject to the confirmation of the Council, shall appear before the proper standing committee, to inform the committee's recommendations.
- Adjournment
Minutes
CITY OF MELROSE LEGAL & LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE CALENDAR● JANUARY 27, 2025 Council Chamber, First Floor, Melrose City Hall Committee Meeting 8:05 PM 562 Main Street, Melrose, MA 02176 The public should take notice that the Melrose City Council may, on certain occasions, have a quorum in attendance due to standing committees of the City Council consisting of both voting and non-voting members. Members attending this duly posted meeting are participating and deliberating only in conjunction with the business of the standing committee. Attendee Name Title Status Arrived Devin Romanul Vice Chair Remote Cal Finocchiaro Absent Mark Garipay Present Kimberly Vandiver Present Leila Migliorelli Ex Offico Member Present Maya Jamaleddine Chair Present
ORDER-2025-9 Amending Rules of Order of the City Council Proposed Revision of Rule 38A of the Rules of Order for City Council All appointments ( new appointments and reappointments) made by the Mayor and subject to the confirmation of the Council shall include a written statement of interest and/or resume from the candidate. Recommend as Amended City Council
ORDER-2025-10 Amending Rules of Order of the City Council Proposed Rules of Order Amendment for Rule38B RE: Appointments and Reappointments All appointees (new and re- appointed) of the Mayor subject to the confirmation of the Council, shall appear before the proper standing committee, to inform the committee's recommendations. Recommend as Amended City Council City of Melrose Page 1 2/4/2025 3:48 PM
Transcript
▶ 46:34 Maya Jamaleddine: Cremsky Councilor Romanul? Yes. Councilor Stewart? Yes. Councilor Vandiver. Yes. Council Williams? Yes. Chair Oppe? Yes. Motion to recess Passed. We are, uh, recessed. Am I supposed to do that? Fifth evening. The time is seven. It's actually eight. Um, or five on Monday, January 27th, 2025. This is a meeting of the Legal and Legislative Committee. I am Maya Jamal, Dean pronouns, she and her, the chair. Also joining me tonight, our Vice Chair Romanul, who's joining virtually and voting members. Councilor gpe Van Dever, um, um, and President Ceio. We are also joined by none voting members. Uh, councilor Ka Sheets, Councillor Williams, Councillor Stewart, and Councillor Hamilton. This serves as notice of a quorum for the record
▶ 47:57 Maya Jamaleddine: and in accordance with the Open Meeting law. This meeting is being recorded and broadcast live on MMTV. Um, and now, uh, since we have members, uh, of the council who's joining, um, uh, room virtually, I would like to, uh, make a motion, uh, uh, to, uh, open the floor for public comment. So moved. Second. We have a motion, uh, to open. Uh, we have a motion by, uh, made by, um, president Mali and seconded by, um, counselor Romano, uh, to open the floor for public comment. And Madam Plu, please, um, call the room. Councilor Romanul? Yes. Councilor Guiro. Councilor gpe? Yes. President Melli? Yes. Council Vander Bear. Yes. Chair Jamal Dean? Yes. Motion passes. Thank you. And this is the portion of the meeting
▶ 49:13 Maya Jamaleddine: where the public may speak on any item on, uh, the agenda for tonight's. Um, and, um, if we have anyone in person, I don't see anyone. And we have anyone online. We do not. We do not. And, um, if, uh, there is no objection, I would like to, uh, make motion, uh, to close public comment. So moved. We have a motion made by counselor, uh, m uh, by President Mclear Lee. And seconded by Counselor Repe. Um, Madam Clerk Councilor Remodel? Yes. Councilor F. Councilor gpe. Yes. President Melissa? Yes. Council of Viver? Yes. Chair Jamal Ledine. Yes. Motion passes. Thank you. And, uh, now at this time, I will motion by unanimous con, uh, consent to approve without reading the minutes from, uh, January 13th meeting
▶ 50:18 Maya Jamaleddine: Point where Manager? No, no. Unanimous consent. Oh, I'm sorry. Um, uh, we would, we still need to do, um, uh, roll call. So I would like to make a motion to, uh, entertain a motion to, um, approve without reading the minutes from January 13th, I'll make the motion to, um, without reading the minutes. Second, We have a motion made by Councilor Gpe. Seconded by President Melli. Madam Clerk. Councilor Romanul? Yes. Councilor Garipay. Yes. President Elli. Yes. Councilor V Dever? Yes. Chair Jamal Ledine. Yes. Passes. Thank you. And now, uh, we have the first order. Um, actually, uh, I would, um, since we, uh, we just recessed from, um, appropriations and Oversight Committee, I would like to, um, entertain a motion to recess, and we will be back
▶ 51:21 after the appropriations and oversight. I will make a motion to, uh, recess Legale. Second, we have a motion to recess made by Councillor gpe. Seconded by President Mcle. Madam Clerk. Hold on. Madam. Yep. Sorry. Okay. C Counselor Roman. Yes. Councilor Oppe. Yes. President Migli? Yes. Councilor of Vandiver? Yes. Chair Jamine? Yes. Okay. Motion to recess pass Appropriation, uh, and oversight is, is back In business. Ms. McClellan, if you would, uh, like to come up, I apologize for cutting you off. I wasn't sure if you still had had more to say or if you were ready for open the floor for questions. Um, I think, uh, in summary, I think so, um, the memo and the, um, materials, I think I provided, you know, an overview
▶ 1:22:52 Maya Jamaleddine: Councilor Romanul? Yes. Councilor Stewart? No. Counselor Vandiver. Yes. Counselor Williams. S**t. Yes. Chair gpe. Yes. Motion passes And we are back, um, with the Legal and Legislative Committee. Um, on our agenda for tonight, we have ID 12 4 0 4 proposed revision of Rule 38 A of the rules of order for city council. All appointments, new appointments, and reappointments made by the mayor. And subject to the confirmation of the council, shall, shall include a written, uh, statement of interest and or resume from the candidate. And this is sponsored by, uh, councilor Vandiver. Uh, thank you, chair Jamine. Um, so the goal with the, the, um, updates to Rule 38. So, um, there are two items, 38 A and 38 B.
▶ 1:24:06 Kimberly Vandiver: And I'll, if it's okay, I'll just mention both of them right now. Um, so the, the goal here would be to improve, um, the city council's ability to, to provide oversight, which is one of our functions. Um, and to provide more context for us about the function of the committees and, and transparency for the public. Um, so the goal of the amendment to a, um, that's an existing clause and the only amendment there is to specify that it applies to both, um, appointments and reappointments. Um, to make sure that we do have, um, something written, whether that's a statement and or a resume, um, from Reappointments as well as appointments. Uh, I think that would be valuable to, to have that. Um, and then the on 38 B, um,
▶ 1:24:56 Kimberly Vandiver: that change would, um, would cause the reapp appointees to come before the council. Uh, and I, I believe that would be valuable because reapp appointees really have a wealth of knowledge and, and information about these, um, about these commissions that they're a part of. Um, they, they've already served in that role, and I, I think that, um, they would, it would be helpful for the council to be able to ask them questions. Um, as a part of the, the renewal, I don't think it would be very burdensome. It, you know, most of these appointments are for two or three years, so it would entail coming before the council once every two or three years. Um, and, uh, and I, I, I think the value would out outweigh the, the
▶ 1:25:42 Leila Migliorelli: additional work there. So that's the goal with these. Thank you Councilor Vandiver. I do appreciate this initiative and this, um, proposed, um, revision. Um, any question from my colleagues? Um, president Ali. Thank You, Madam Chair. Um, I am supportive of the, um, first one, the id, 1, 2, 4, the, just making it so new appointments and reappointments are, um, subject to including the written statement of interest and or resume. Um, that was my, I recollection and memory from when this amendment, I believe was added back in 2021. Um, I think having reappointments, um, and new appointments, you know, provide that information, uh, you know, interest in serving makes a lot of sense. Um, and for Reappointments just to, you know, validate
▶ 1:26:45 Devin Romanul: that they want to continue to serve and, um, are are interested in it and are are, um, just doing it of their own volition and, um, and not out of, you know, obligation. Um, I think, I think that's, that makes sense. So I'm supportive of the first one. Thank you. Any other question or comments? Uh, counselor? Um, vice chair, uh, Romano. Thank you so much. Um, and thank you for noticing the virtual hand. Um, I, uh, I really deeply appreciate my colleague for filing this. Um, one of my first observations was, was, uh, when I joined the council last year, was what a missed opportunity it is for, to at least gather either, either in person or through some sort of written statement. Um, the all that they have accomplished, all
▶ 1:27:38 Maya Jamaleddine: that they've learned, uh, where they see the trajectory of their respective, uh, committees going. So I I, in the instances where I've spoken with, uh, Reapp appointees, uh, I have learned so much about what is happening in these committees. I think it's a real missed opportunity for us to learn about what they're up to. So any, any way, um, that we can gather that I'm, I'm supportive of. Perfect. Thank you. Um, any question or additional comments from my colleagues? I'll make a motion to, um, recommend item 1, 2, 4 0 4 Second. Okay. Um, we have a motion to recommend made by, um, president Elli, seconded by Vice Chair, uh, Romano. And on discussion, I actually would like to, um, add a comment about, um, um,
▶ 1:28:37 Maya Jamaleddine: I do feel that, um, resumes are a way of making those, uh, candidacy and applications, um, in equitable. And I do feel that, um, it's important to, in order for us to have a, um, more equitable and diverse, um, and equal, uh, opportunity to make it, uh, limited to a letter of interest rather than, uh, putting the option of resumes. Um, I also, uh, was hoping to see, uh, in the reappointments in the, uh, interest of understanding what were the achievements during their, uh, previous term, uh, to get some kind of written statements of any kind of achievement achievements or any kind of, uh, work that was done during their, uh, previous term. So, um, I guess with that, um, I would like to, is it postpone, um,
▶ 1:29:57 Maya Jamaleddine: or amend, uh, Point, I believe you can motion to postpone, so we could work on wording if that's something you wanted to do, or to amend to something specific if you had specific Wording. Okay. So I would, uh, propose to amend, I would make motion to amend the proposed, um, uh, legislative item to make a proposed revision of Rule 38 a of the rules of order for city council. All appointments, new appointments, and reapp appointments made by the mayor. And subject to the confirmation of the council shall include a written statement of interest, uh, for the new appointments and a, uh, statement of, uh, accomplishments, uh, for the reappointments from the candidates. Uh, cons. Uh, councilor Van Devin.
▶ 1:31:03 Kimberly Vandiver: Uh, thank you for, um, thank you. Um, chair Jamal, I, um, commenting on the, um, amendment. I think that's, I I think that's a point well taken that, you know, some people may feel that a resume is burdensome or, or makes them feel they don't have something to share in that way, and also that there would be a benefit to, um, having Reappointments tell us a little bit about what they've been working on. Um, my one concern, I'm kind of torn about that, um, whether or not the resume, the, and or resume, it's, it's not a requirement there. And I understand that it might concern some people that they feel they need one. On the other hand, I do think it's sometimes really valuable what we see on the resumes if we see a list of relevant
▶ 1:31:50 Maya Jamaleddine: past experiences. So I'm kind of torn on that one. Well, That's the exact reason. And, um, appreciate your, uh, comments because, uh, the people that will be choosing that candidate will be biased through the applicants that has the highest, um, uh, degrees or the very impressive, uh, resume or, uh, places that they worked where they may have some biases towards. Um, Point of order. I, I'm sorry to interrupt. I'm, I don't know that as a chair you can make a motion to amend. Um, I think if you're reading Rule 49, it's presiding officers shall consider a motion. And, um, Madam Clerk, I don't know if you have any, um, Robert's rules references in front of you, um, because I'm just listening to the back and forth,
▶ 1:32:45 Leila Migliorelli: and I'm not sure that that that's allowable under Robert's rules. Madam Clerk, do you have a, I don't Have it on me, but I just asked. Okay. And I should be able to get an answer like, bill Soon. Okay. Yeah. Thank you. Um, just, yeah, so I think based on my knowledge of Robert Seles, which are, you know, is, is what it is, I would, there's a motion on the table for the order. I think the presiding officer could ask to entertain for state the reasons for why you would want to amend and may invite a member of the, the committee to make a motion to amend. But I'm not sure that the presiding officer can make that motion. I just want to, I know this is the first time I think we have gotten into this for the point of the public,
▶ 1:33:37 Kimberly Vandiver: this is the first time that we've started to consider Rule 49 as like a subsidiary and secondary motion. Um, and I'm not sure that, and I don't have my little handy guide of Robert's rules in front of me. I Can go to my office, Uh, I'd be happy to, for the pur for the purpose of this specific discussion, I'd be happy to make the motion that Chair Devin stated, um, so that we don't need to make a ruling on that. I'd be happy to make the specific motion that she read in this case. I, I would thank you. I would withdraw my, the amendment motion. Motion and I would make it as a suggestion and hoping that my colleagues would take into consideration. So I, I, I, uh, can I say so moved or shall I repeat?
▶ 1:34:24 Kimberly Vandiver: Okay. Repeat it or Please repeat. So please repeat it. Yeah. Yeah. If you could repeat the motion just so we, yeah. Okay. Uh, so, uh, at this time, um, I motion to amend the, um, ID number 1 2 4 0 4 to read proposed revision of Rule 38 A of the rules of order for city council, all appointments, new appointments, and reappointments made by the mayor. And subject to the confirmation of the council shall include a written statement of interest, and for reappointments a, um, statement of accomplishments. Statement of Accomplishments, accomplishments. Accomplishments Of of accomplishments. Thank you. A sum, excuse me. A summary of accomplishments. Thank you. So we have a motion made by counselor
▶ 1:35:30 Kimberly Vandiver: and Just, uh, through the chair. So we we're scratching Resume. Yes. So, uh, through the chair, the, the amended version would remove the resume language and would add a summary of prior accomplishments for reapp appointees Prior accomplishments on the committee. On On the committee, Yes. Yes. So, point of order if we wanted to add on the committee, would that be an additional, can we make that as Okay on the committee? Add on the committee accomplishments? I'll, I'll, I'll, I'll second. I'll second that. So we have a motion, uh, made by Councilor Vandiver, seconded by Councillor Garipay on discussion. And, Um, Councillor Vandiver, Sorry. It, and I dunno if I need to re motion, but rather than on the committee,
▶ 1:36:29 I think we should probably say on the Border Commission, given that that is what type of body we're pointing these people To. Thank you. Okay. Um, Madam Clerk, if you can call the rule. Yeah. Counselor Romano? Yes. Counselor Garey? Yes. President Melissa? Yes. Counselor Vandiver? Yes. Chair Jamal Ledine? Yes. Motion passes. Thank you. Um, and next we have ID 12 4 0 5 proposed rules of order amendments for Rule 38 B. Sorry, point of order. I think what we passed was the amendment, and now we need to vote on the order. On the motion. As, as amended, we, we made the adjustment to 1 2 4 0 4, what it reads. Okay. And now we Need to hold on. Correct? Correct. Thank you. Uh, councilor Van Devin. So we, um,
▶ 1:37:36 um, Madam Sure. Can you please? So it was a motion to amend, to propose the summary of accomplishments, I mean, to change the wording from resumes to a summary of accomplishments on the boards or commissions. And now you want a, now you want to take the motion for ID 1 2, 4 0 4 As amended. As amended. Okay. So at this time, may I, um, so I motion to, to that we recommend ID number 1 2 4 0 4 as amended. Second, We have a motion, um, made by Councillor Van Devin to, uh, recommend ID number 1 2 4 0 4 as amended, seconded by Councillor Garipay On discussion. Seeing none, Madam Clerk Councillor Romanul? Yes. Councillor Oppe. Yes. President Elli? Yes. Councillor Vandiver. Yes. Chair Jamine? Yes. Motion passes.
▶ 1:38:42 Maya Jamaleddine: Perfect. Thank you. And now Id number 12. 4 0 5. Proposed rules of order amendment for Rule 38 B regarding appointments and reappointments, all appointees knew and reappointed of the mayor, subject to the confirmation of the council shall appear before the proper standing committee to, uh, inform the committee's recommendations. And this is also sponsored by, um, uh, councilor Vanderberg. And so to repeat for this one, um, the goal here would be to take advantage of, of the expertise that these people have already gathered by serving on a border commission, and to have the chance to ask them some questions about that, um, and about their plans going forward in person, um, during a committee meeting.
▶ 1:39:32 Mark Garipay: Thank you. Do we have any comments or, um, question from my colleagues, uh, councilor gpe? Yes. Um, I appreciate the, the spirit of the order. Um, I'm not totally against it. Uh, you know, I'd like to try. I I, I just have trouble that everyone should be required to, to come in. Um, so I was hoping that I could make an amendment, um, to that, that hopefully will appease everyone. Um, I, I just think that we have, these people have been on commissions for a long time. We've have, there's, there's opportunities for us to reach out to them through the administration, but, um, what I would like to, um, make a motion to amend all appointees, new and reappointed of the mayor, subject to the confirmation
▶ 1:40:26 Mark Garipay: of the council shall, shall appear before the proper standing committee at the request of any of the committee members, and with the approval of the chair to inform the committee's recommendations. So we still have that opportunity to bring everyone forward, but we have, you know, we have some, some pe some individuals that have been on Cheers for a long, long time, um, that, um, I mean, we, we can request them, but I think some of them will even have trouble. I don't even have a resume, you know what I mean? That's why, I mean, so, um, but that's my, that's my, uh, motion that, um, and I'd put that out there Second. So we have a motion to amend, um, ID number 12 4 0 5, uh, made by counselor, uh, Gar, seconded by President ly
▶ 1:41:24 Leila Migliorelli: on discussion. President ly Madam Chair. I just, um, I'm supporting this, um, as Councilor Repe said, I, I appreciate the introduction of this opportunity for Reapp appointees to appear. I feel more comfortable with, um, given that we've just created or amended the other order that allows re applicants to submit a statement of interest and accomplishments. Um, and so I, I feel that that would be sufficient. And then if any, any member of the committee or chair of the committee feels like the, an applicant, a re reapp, reapp appointee, or actually, yes, Reapp appointee, um, shall be appear before us. Actually point of question through the chair. Is the way that it's written apply to appointees
▶ 1:42:26 Leila Migliorelli: and reapp appointees the way that was just edited? Or does it? My, my thought was that it would just be for reapp appointees. Sorry, Reapp appointees, sorry. Okay. Thank you. Sorry. It's okay. So I have to redo that. Hold on. Um, I did go over this with, this is, Um, so I would be supportive and of, of an ame, even though I just voted for this amendment. Um, an amendment for the, just for the Reapp appointees, um, at the request of the committee members for chair. Thank you. Uh, councilor Vandiver. Thank you. Um, uh, I understand the goal with, with the revision, um, and would wanna make sure the wording as, um, the discussion has been applies to reapp appointees. Um, I guess I'm just through the chair,
▶ 1:43:21 Kimberly Vandiver: would like clarification for the, and the approval of the chair. I guess I don't, um, quite understand with that wording. If that means a non-air member of the committee asks and the chair agrees, and that's what happens. Or, or is there a reason that the chair's called out separately as opposed to any member of the committee, including the chair? Um, making that request Is the chair chair sets the agendas. They, they would have ultimate, ultimate decision. So, So it has to be a member of the committee, That chair, a member of the committee, correct. Yes. But if you're a non-member, you can talk to a member on the committee if, and, and I'm assuming that if we call the administration, because they're gonna, they're gonna want it to pass.
▶ 1:44:09 Mark Garipay: So, I mean, they're gonna, they're gonna have the, they're gonna have the appointee, reapp appointee come in. They don't wanna not have them get approved. Right. So, right, right. I'm, I'm thinking a non appointee, like for example, if Council Hamilton's not on this, or Council Williams, they would go to a member on the committee, one of us. Mm-hmm. And then we go to the chair. Mm-hmm. So a, a member of the committee would, would make that request to the chair who would make the request to the administration? Correct. Okay. Which is Okay. Kind of how it's done now with, with all other, all other things before a committee meeting. Okay. So, um, do we want me to restate that with, uh, appointees and, uh, new appointees?
▶ 1:44:54 Devin Romanul: I'll redo the motion. Yeah. Uh, let me just give the, uh, chance for councilor, vice chair, uh, Romano, uh, to speak before we, uh, restate the, uh, motion. Yeah. And I'll, I'll just say through the chair, thank you to Councilor GPE for, um, you know, for, uh, the amendment. And, uh, I think that if it, all, all of this is, I, I don't serve on the committee, so, you know, feel free to tell me to pounce in. But, um, I think if I, uh, if I hear, you know, if we have the questionnaire comes out, uh, or the questions that they answer come out early enough, and we have a chance as non committee members to reach out to the, uh, and clarify with the administration privately or with the, uh, reap appointee privately, that,
▶ 1:45:33 Mark Garipay: that may head some of this off at the pass, um, uh, and get us to get the information that we want. But anyway, so same my piece. Thank you. Uh, vice chair, um, Romano, um, councilor gpe. Thank you. Um, do you wanna take back your second? Yes, I Withdraw my Second. Okay. And I'll, I'll redo the motion to state all new appointees of the mayor. Subject to the confirmation of the council shall appear before the proper standing committee to inform the committee's recommendations. And then all reapp appointees of the mayor, subject to the confirmation of the council, shall appear before the proper standing committee at the request of any of the committee members, and with the approval of the chair.
▶ 1:46:28 Maya Jamaleddine: Second, we have a motion, um, to amend, uh, ID number 12 4 0 5, made by Councilor Repe, seconded by, um, president Mcle on discussion, um, councilor Hamilton. Thank You, Madam Chair. A question, uh, kind of broadly, we're using the language shall in each of these orders, what happens if someone doesn't? They Usually, historically, we, if someone does not appear, we, uh, postpone or we, uh, place it on hold for the next time when they are able to appear before us. Thank you. Um, I'm imagining the hypothetical where we want to reappoint e not even to appear, but we want a summary statement of accomplishments, and we don't receive one, and we're never gonna receive one. Uh, president ler, Um, Madam Chair, I think, uh,
▶ 1:47:40 Leila Migliorelli: so I mean, it's sort of applies to right now too. I think if we don't receive them, we could continue to hold as, as Madam Chair said, in committee, or you can vote no. So I think that would be, and the signal would be by holding or voting? Well, obviously by voting no, it means we're not supporting it. But by holding it would be trying to give the administration enough time to compel the, uh, reapp appointee or appointee to, to submit something. That's my understanding. So it would be case by Thank you, um, Madam President. So it would be case by case. And it's up to the committee to decide whether holding, uh, approving without receiving those documents and requirement or, um, declining completely.
▶ 1:48:31 Maya Jamaleddine: Thank you. Thank you for your question. Um, if there is no other comments on discussion, I would like to ask Madam Clerk to call the rule, uh, to accept as, uh, the amendment. Um, councilor Romando? Yes. Councilor Oppe. Yes. President Elli. Yes. Councilor Vandiver. Yes. Chair Jamal Ledine. Yes. Motion passes as Amended. Um, that motion passes. And now, um, we, uh, can vote on the, um, motion, uh, on the, uh, rule that ID number 12 4 0 5 as amended, Uh, motion. Do, do we need to make the motion? Mm-hmm. So I motion to, um, uh, to recommend as amended. Second. Second. We have a motion, uh, to recommend as amended made by Councilor Ver and seconded by Vice Chair, um, Romano. On discussion. Seeing none, uh, Madam Clerk
▶ 1:49:47 Maya Jamaleddine: Councillor remodel? Yes. Councilor Garipay? Yes. President Maya? Yes. Councilor Vandiver. Yes. Chair Jamal Ledine? Yes. Motion passes. Thank you. And now, um, motion to adjourn. We have a motion to adjourn made by, um, president MCC Lee. Do we have a second? Second. Second. Seconded by Councilor Vandiver. On discussion. Seeing none, Madam Clerk. Councilor Romanul? Yes. Council Gar? Yes. President Ley Rail. Yes. Council Vandiver? Yes. Chair Jamine? Yes. Motion to adjourn passes. We are adjourned. Thank you. Thank you.