20240311 City Council Public Services Committee Meeting Minutes CITY OF BEVERLY
Hannah L. Bowen-Chair RECEIVED AND RECORDED
Steven M. Crowley CITY CLERK'S OFFICE
Danielle M. Spang 1024 �;j,.l Z J A +1. 2 1
Public Services / City Council Committee of the Whole Meeting Minutes
Monday, March 11, 2024, 6:OOPM
City Council Chambers, 3r1 Floor, Beverly City Hall, 191 Cabot St.
The meeting was called to order at 6:00pm.
Members present: Steven Crowley, Danielle Spang, Hannah Bowen
Other Councilors present: Kathleen Feldman, Julie Flowers, Scott Houseman, Todd Rotondo, Matthew St.
Hilaire, Brendan Sweeney
Order Date to Description Action Taken
Number Committee
#071 3/4/2024 Reappointment- John Swain, 60 Rantoul St. and Appointment Approve (3-0)
Ben Hacker, 23 Judson St. to Waste Reduction Committee
Councilor Bowen and President Flowers-A Letter to the Receive and place
#074 3/4/2024 Council Regarding Local Impacts of the Crisis in Gaza and on file (2-1,
Israel Bowen opposed)
#060 2/20/2024 Reappointments-Charles Rehal, Susan Moran, Paul Lantz and Approve (3-0)
Cory Paulette to serve on the Veterans Advisory Council
#061 2/20/2024 Reappointment-Robert Pierce to serve on the Registrars of Approve (3-0)
Voters as the representative of the City Democratic Committee
Bowen read a land acknowledgement statement.
A motion to approve Order#060 was made and seconded. A vote was taken, and the motion passed (3-0).
A motion to approve Order#061 was made and seconded. A vote was taken, and the motion passed (3-0).
Discussion on Order#074
Bowen handed out a paper with the following three questions for the councilors to consider:
1. What kind of response would you most like to see from the Council at this time to reassure members
of our community that we see and hear the full range of the impacts of the crisis here? A resolution,
discussion, other action?
2. What do you see as the most.important points for members of our community and/or our fellow
elected officials representing Beverly to hear or see in that response, whatever form it may take?
3. Time limits for public comment, under the parameters that the Solicitor's Office has recommended.
Crowley stated he does not feel this type of conversation should be held at this local level. Crowley made a
motion to receive the order and place it on file.
Spang seconded the motion.
Bowen opened the floor for discussion by members.
Spang stated that public comments have been received and heard. Spang stated she feels these meetings are
more of a streamlined process to reach majority votes and do not facilitate community discussion at this level.
Spang asked that everyone continue to work to ensure that Beverly is a place without fear of mockery,
harassment or violence and where people are free to embody their whole selves.
Bowen stated she thinks that at times it is appropriate for the Council to comment on issues beyond simply the
appropriations and orders that typically come before the Council. The Council does not often speak on state,
national or global issues and generally that is good and appropriate. Bowen stated she also believes there are
times where it can be appropriate to speak on broader issues. The Council has taken action on broader issues
before, including a resolution in 2022 in support of the Green Futures Act, a land acknowledgement resolution,
a resolution adopting IHRA definition of antisemitism, and donating a firetruck for emergency services in
Ukraine as a result of the Russia-Ukraine war. Bowen stated her motivation has been that remaining silent risks
leaving members of the community feeling unheard and unseen.
Crowley clarified that he is not saying not to have the conversations, but that there may be other community
forums that are better suited for this discussion.
Sweeney stated in the past week or so he has heard from many members of the community on this proposal.
Sweeney stated that personally,he is always willing to meet with residents individually to discuss views on a
whole range of topics, even if those fall outside of the scope of the authority of the Council. Sweeney said he
does not feel it is appropriate to pass resolutions as local officials regarding matters outside the purview of the
Council's authority, including federal politics and foreign policy. Sweeney stated he does not believe the City
Council should spend additional time discussing this topic as it is clearly outside of the scope of work that the
residents of Beverly have elected the Council to address, such as proposed infrastructure projects that the
Council will be voting on in the next few meetings. This is a subject matter where there are a range of views
among Beverly's residents. Sweeney expressed his support for the motion to receive and place on file.
Feldman stated that she is very appreciative of everyone that has reached out over the last couple weeks.
Feldman agreed with Councilors Sweeney and Crowley that it is not under the purview of the City Council to
weigh in on this. Some people that reached out insinuated that the councilors who submitted this letter had
different intentions or an outside agenda, but Feldman stated she does not believe it is right to assume anyone's
motivation. This can be a very heated and emotional matter,but we can disagree respectfully. Feldman stated
she can vouch for her colleagues President Flowers and Councilor Bowen in knowing their intentions were in
the spirit of bringing the community together. Feldman stated she would appreciate it if,when directing
comments or remarks,people keep that in mind. We should respect each other enough to give everyone the
benefit of the doubt.
Houseman spoke in support of the motion on the floor to receive and place on file. Houseman stated he does not
think there is sufficient connection between this complex foreign affairs matter and what the Council can
constructively accomplish locally, notwithstanding the fact that the subject has local community impact. The
Council has a clear-cut set of responsibilities under the charter and discretionary steps outside of those
responsibilities should be taken advisedly. As a city councilor,the personal impulse to display leadership in
expressing care for ethical or moral issues or basic human rights can be fraught. It is worth considering there
may be other ways and other venues for engaging in such issues. Standalone City Council action is not
necessarily the best or most constructive way to do that. As councilors, we must be mindful of our bandwidth in
a world full of issues that we personally may care strongly about. It is not an easy matter to figure out when
local leadership should speak out on larger or national issues. Houseman stated he respected both Councilors
Bowen and Flowers for their work and their service. They did not write a resolution from a place of ill intent or
prejudice or desire to divide the community.
Flowers thanked the other councilors and expressed appreciation for everyone who has reached out whether by
phone, email, or in-person. Flowers stated that thinking about people close to home and all around the world
and hoping that all people will be safe in their homes and have access to clean water and food is a big part of
what motivates her to think about broad human rights issues. Flowers stated she can recognize how the formal
City Council public meeting processes fall short of being able to have interactive conversations about important,
heavy topics. Flowers stated she hopes the community can continue the good work that has already begun. Our
community has undertaken some difficult conversations together about how Beverly can be a place where
people feel seen, safe,respected and heard.
A vote was taken on the motion to receive and place on file, and the motion passed (2 -1, Bowen opposed).
A motion to approve Order#071 was made and seconded. A vote was taken, and the motion passed (3-0).
The meeting adjourned at 6:32pm.
Beverly City Council Committee on Public Services Meeting Minutes—March 11,2024 Page 2 of 2