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City Council Minutes 06-14-2020Beverly City Council July 14, 2020 Meeting Minutes Pagel of 4 CITY OF BEVERLY PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES BOARD OR COMMISSION: City Council SUBCOMMITTEE: DATE: July 14, 2020 LOCATION: Held virtually over Google Meet MEMBERS PRESENT: Vice President Estelle Rand, Tim Flaherty, Julie Flowers, Todd Rotondo, Stacy Ames, Scott Houseman, Kathleen Feldman, and John Frates MEMBERS ABSENT: President Paul Guanci OTHERS PRESENT: Mayor Michael Cahill RECORDER: Sarah Scott - Nelson Vice President Rand confirms member access and calls the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. over Google Meet. Lisa Kent takes roll finding that 8 members are present. Stacy Ames - Yes Todd Rotondo - Yes Estelle Rand - Yes Tim Flaherty - Yes Julie Flowers - Yes Scott Houseman - Yes John Frates - Yes Kathleen Feldman - Yes President Paul Guanci - absent Vice President Estelle Rand reads the introduction to the virtual meeting due to the state of emergency caused by COVID -19, stating that the meeting will be recorded and streamed live. The Council takes a roll call vote to move out of subcommittee voting to the full Council. Stacy Ames - Yes Todd Rotondo - Yes Estelle Rand - Yes Tim Flaherty - Yes Julie Flowers - Yes Scott Houseman - Yes John Frates - Yes Kathleen Feldman - Yes President Paul Guanci - absent Houseman leads the Council in the pledge of allegiance. #155- Rappointment- Conservation Commission -Ms. Christine Bertoni and Mr. Rick Grandoni Beverly City Council July 14, 2020 Meeting Minutes Page 2 of 4 Kent reads the order. Houseman moves to approve order #155. Seconded by Flowers. The motion carries 8 -0. #164 - Support of Declaring Racism a Public Health Issue in Beverly, MA - Councilor Flowers and Councilor Rand Flowers introduces the resolution in support of city of Beverly declaring racism as a public health issue. Flowers thanks Esther Ngotho for helping Flowers to grow and learn and recommit to this work, stating that there is no in- between between racism and antiracism. Flowers states that this declaration has been made in a few cities in mass already, usually is begins as the Mayor's suggestion. Mayor Cahill is already working on a declaration but accepting this would be the City Council's chance to have a voice in support of this. Feldman asks for confirmation that this is the first step towards actions and not just lip service, and expresses her excitement to be able to voice her support now. Flowers confirms that Mayor Cahill is waiting on his declaration so that there are actionable steps to follow through on before his statement is made official. Rotondo expresses his thanks to Flowers and Rand for starting this process as well as Mayor Cahill's work. Rotondo echoes Feldman's desire that this order results in actions, not just words. Houseman expresses his desire to be involved in more discussion and states that he would appreciate more opportunities to participate in the conversations that are going on, along with the rest of the Council. Rand expresses her thanks to Houseman for his honesty and interest. Rand states that there is a lot of momentum in small groups throughout the city which is encouraging, and speaks about the need for a dynamic landing page on the city website which highlights all the antiracist work going on in the city right now. Rand states that the Human Rights Committee is a good base for being connected to this work, but that the city does need to find better ways of connecting the conversations which are already occurring. Houseman also states that while one meeting a month is great, he would welcome the 27 attendees to reach out to him to engage in these conversations as well. Ames echoes Houseman's comments, seeking to understand how the focus on health came about. Rand explains her knowledge of how racism is affecting people of color on a cellular level because of the level of stress caused by being discriminated against daily, generation after generation. Rand also comments on the racist foundation of the healthcare system, which is not being expended enough to meet the needs of our citizens of color. Flowers adds her comments on the effects of a perpetual fight or flight response and references how the Beverly Farmers' Market was an important set forward, stating that all these issues tie together in terms of health and access. Flowers states that COVID -19 has also shed light on how many systems are not working proportionately, as people of black and brown color are more disposed to get COVID- 19. Ames comments that she hopes that the Council continues to have conversations about the rights and economic opportunities of citizens in this discussion as well. Frates states that he was struck by the health issue but was glad to have time to research it and reports impressive support across the commonwealth, stating that he will support this as well. Flaherty comments on the difficulties of having this discussion in a 98% white community amongst 9 white councilors. Beverly City Council July 14, 2020 Meeting Minutes Page 3 of 4 Flaherty states that racism is real, and that it is important not to forget the education piece, as education on other forms of bigotry is vital as well. Flowers reads the resolution. Houseman moves to adopt the resolution in support of declaring racism a public health issue in Beverly. Seconded by Feldman. The motion carries 9 -0. Houseman moves to suspend the rules to allow public comment. Seconded by Flowers. The motion carries 9 -0. Rand asks Esther Ngotho to speak as she is the inspiration and educator. Ngotho shares a story about a boy in the hospital and leads the Council through asking causal questions as to why he ended up in such a dire situation. Ngotho concludes her story by stating that the answer is racism. Rand expresses her appreciation for Ngotho's ability to teach with a story and answer. Carole Rein states that she is moved and proud to hear the resolution as she has been part of an organization challenging white supremacy for about 5 years. Neil Levine expresses his thanks as well, stating that he is committed to holding the council accountable. Joan Amaral, meditation teacher, comments that it is a process of awakening and this is how she approaches both democracy as well as racism. Amaral states that a few years ago, she also believed that racism would always be here, but now thinks we have to believe that racism can end, in order to raise the bar a bit be engaged in taking steps toward ending it. Amaral states that she wants to encourage everyone to get close to a black person in their life or in the community. Fred Hopps states that he is encouraged to hear this conversation as he has been grappling with the silence and feels complicit in the discrimination. Hopps states that he did not think he could be much prouder of Beverly than in the passing of the recent green energy resolutions, but now he is prouder, especially in light of the opportunity Lynn had to reallocate 10% from police to ending racism, which they did not decide to do.. Caja Johnson adds that she is happy and proud. Johnson feels like Beverly took five steps forward and is so encouraged. Johnson states that she feels that there can and will be a place where herself and her sons will feel welcome, and she is encouraged that that place can and will be Beverly. Julia Long expresses her gratitude to Ngotho and Johnson for their help in making Beverly a deeper place. Long also reminds everyone that our children are watching us, and that we are doing this for ourselves, our friends, neighbors, children, and for future generations. Rand recognizes Leah Jones. Jones thanks Ngotho and Johnson for sharing their stories and expresses her excitement to bring in more community members for leadership. Rand concludes that if anyone does not know where to start, to use this resolution as a checklist. Rand states that as long as you are not doing nothing, you are having an effect, and says that she is looking forward to continuing and seeing what the Council and the City do next. Rand states that this is the last scheduled Council Meeting of the summer. Beverly City Council July 14, 2020 Meeting Minutes Page 4 of 4 Ames moves to adjourn this meeting at 8:28 p.m. Seconded by Flowers. Kent takes a roll call vote. Stacy Ames - Yes Todd Rotondo - Yes Estelle Rand - Yes Tim Flaherty - Yes Julie Flowers - Yes Scott Houseman - Yes John Frates - Yes Kathleen Feldman - Yes The motion carries 8 -0.