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June 1, 2020 CIty Council Meeting MinutesBeverly City Council June 1, 2020 Meeting Minutes Page 1 of 7 CITY OF BEVERLY PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES BOARD OR COMMISSION: City Council SUBCOMMITTEE: DATE: June 1, 2020 LOCATION: Held virtually over Google Meet MEMBERS PRESENT: President Paul Guanci, Tim Flaherty, Julie Flowers, Todd Rotondo, Estelle Rand, Stacy Ames, Scott Houseman, Kathleen Feldman, and John Frates MEMBERS ABSENT: OTHERS PRESENT: Mayor Michael Cahill, Finance Director Bryant Ayles, Chief LeLaucher, Planning Director Darlene Wynne RECORDER: Sarah Scott - Nelson President Paul Guanci 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. President Guanci confirms member access and calls the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m. over Google Meet. Lisa Kent takes roll finding that all members are present. Tim Flaherty - Yes Julie Flowers - Yes Todd Rotondo - Yes Estelle Rand - Yes _. Stacy Ames - Yes Scott Houseman - Yes c Kathleen Feldman - Yes _ -°,� John Frates - Yes — co President Paul Guanci - Yes D ° < T The Council observes a moment of silence for those who have lost their lives due to and to honor George Floyd. Scott Houseman leads the Council in the Pledge of Allegianw. r President Guanci begins by allowing Mayor Michael Cahill and John LeLaucheur, Chief of Police, to speak in response to George Floyd's death. Mayor Cahill reads his statement concerning the death of George Floyd, recounting his prayers for justice, asserts that increased safety training resources in the last few years will continue, expresses gratitude for Beverly's vibrant human rights committee, and pledges to rededicate himself to this effort. LeLaucheur, expresses his grief and condemns the police officers' actions in Minneapolis which were outside proper police procedures. Resolutions: # 119 - Community in the Time of COVID -19 President Guanci then asks the Council members to share their brief statements on how they can and are working to make Beverly a safe and welcoming city for who look different from them. Beverly City Council June 1, 2020 Meeting Minutes Page 2 of 7 Estelle Rand shares that she makes an effort to smile and give friendly `hello's. Todd Rotondo shares that he tries to look beyond skin color and treat people as a human beings. Stacy Ames states that she will do her best to listen and understand every resident, and enthusiastically embrace constructive change. Scott Houseman states that he will be mindful of all those who need to be treated with equal dignity and respect. Kathleen Feldman states that she focused on what she can do more in the future for this issue rather than what she already does. She states that she can create a more diverse experience for her young sons, and plans on working with the library for a representative collection of books with authors and character of color. John Frates states that he tries to live by the tenet "love your neighbor as yourself." Tim Flaherty states that he lives by a simple rule, which is to "treat all people the way you want to be respected." Julie Flowers states that in her role as a mother but also as a PTO member, she will work to bring enrichment opportunities to her son's middle school, so that students have both mirrors which reflect themselves and windows which show them others. President Guanci states that he has always lived by the words "treat others as you would want to be treated." Guanaco transitions to Public Hearings. #109 - National Grid Petition for Plan #29735796 Williams Street Kent reads the order. Sabitia from National Grid provides a brief summary of the project plan. President Guanci asks if any council members or members of the public have any questions of comments. Houseman moves to close the hearing. Seconded by Flaherty. The motion carries 9 -0. #105- Mayor's Request to Transfer - $567,000 to pay down existing loan Kent reads the order to pay down existing loan. Mayor Cahill asks about refinancing to lower interest. Bryant Ayles states that this proposal is to pay down a loan authorization on the parking kiosks purchased recently. Ayles would like to pay down the outstanding balance to layer in the Police Station debt, as this transfer was previously mentioned as a way to pay for the Police Station debt. Ames expresses concern that the city needs a bigger cushion for the considerable needs within the next year rather than thinking about the more long -term debt. Ayles clarifies that this particular loan is targeted to be paid down now because the long -terms loans can only be taken out for five years, and long -term loans will collect interest and will cost the city more money in the long -run. Ames asserts that she does not feel comfortable with this large transfer of money in the current financial atmosphere. The Council discusses the possibility of waiting until the special budget meeting on Thursday June 4, 2020 before making a decision, however, Ayles adds that the decision on this order is urgent. Ayles explains that the decision made on this order will determine whether or not the financial committee must go to the market the following week for a short-term loan to cover the payment. President Guanci asks if there are any members of the public that wish to speak. Mayor Cahill states that he does not like that the Council is in this tough position to make a decision before seeing the finalized budget and offers to answer any budget - related questions the Council members might have which would help them read a decision. Beverly City Council June 1, 2020 Meeting Minutes Page 3 of 7 Houseman moves to close the hearing. Seconded by Flowers. The motion carries 9 -0. Houseman moves to approve the Mayor's request for this transfer. Seconded by Rotondo. The motion carries 8 -1. Presentations Awards and Memorials: Powers and Sullivan Human Rights Committee member - Caja Johnson Johnson speaks about her personal experiences with racism and fear within her family. Johnson asserts the need to help getting bad police officers out of their roles, wondering about Beverly's policy on complaints within the Police Department and systems of accountability. Johnson asks what is being put in place for police officers to be put in contact with the black community and other communities who do not feel safe. Johnson expresses the need to stop pretending that color is not there, but instead to talk about it so that our other efforts at building community are not overshadowed. Johnson asks for resources and time to be allotted in order to save lives. Specifically, Johnson some specific things which can be done in Beverly, stating: 1. at a minimum, officers need to publicly and loudly show their support for the black community, taking steps such as taking a knee for the same amount of time Floyd was pinned, and collectively announcing unity 2. that Black Lives Matter signs be posted at the Police Station or City Hall, which can be done immediately. Johnson urges the Council to think about what can be done in the future as preventative measures, suggesting two long -terms goals for the Council: To create room in the budget to save lives. This could involve policy changes, training, resources, money and time, educating on systematic racism and police brutality and potentially even body -cams. A new bill to be passed to protect people of color. Johnson concludes by pleading with the Council to take any action, no matter how small, but to do anything other than nothing, and requests a follow -up date where she can return and further discuss these requests and suggestions with the Council. Beverly Farmers Market - Addy Shreffier, Norris Gail, Simone French Gail, with Beverly Farmers Market expresses her thanks to Johnson for sharing her grief, concern, and ideas for change with the Council. Gail then shares about the market plan, stating that it is an essential link for local food network as times are shifting, and expresses their desire to start the market on June 15, 2020. Shreffier talks about racial equity and access to sustainably grown and nutritious food. French talks about COVID -19 concerns and the Farmers Market's safety plan, including social distancing and limiting the time of volunteers working in the market. The Council will vote later in the meeting but offers no questions or concerns. President Guanci acknowledges the Boy Scouts listening in for their government badge. James Powers - FY19 Audit Beverly City Council June 1, 2020 Meeting Minutes Page 4 of 7 Powers introduces Renee Davis to cover the FY 19 audit. Renee Davis who was on this specific case reports that audit went very smoothly, and the City submitted a comprehensive report without obstacles. Davis states that year's report received an award from GFOA for excellence and that she is here for questions and assistance as laws and regulations are changing due to the uncertain times. Davis reports that one entry was not recorded properly two years in a row, in pension and OPEB. The total amount mis- stated was $419,000 which was not reported in ledgers out of a total of 127.7 million. Powers clarifies that the financial statements were corrected as reported, it was just the internal records that had the discrepancy. Davis recommends using a purchase order plan. Resolution: Rand and Flowers Flowers thanks to Caja Johnson for her earlier comments and urges the Council no to lose track of their accountability, as Johnson requested a follow -up date. Flowers explains the resolution on community in the time of COVID -19, stating that there is a disproportionate strain on essential workers, and that children and young people deserve a voice at the table in terms of plans for reopening our society. Flowers explains the resolution which asks residents to stay the course and to participate in a new initiative called Wear a Mask Beverly. This will provide an opportunity for creativity in unique PSAs for why it is important to wear a mask. The resolution also asks that the city clerk include this resolution on city records. Houseman moves to whole - heartedly approve the resolution. Seconded by Feldman. The motion carries 9 -0. #114 - Transfer from Gold and Tennis Enterprise Account's for expected revenue shortfall fnr FV20. Kent reads the order. Houseman moves to set public hearing for June 15th, Monday at 8pm. Seconded by Flowers. The motion carries 9 -0. #115- Donation - $10,000 from Eastern Bank Charitable Foundation to support operations at the Council of Aging Kent reads the order. The Council does not have any questions. Houseman moves to accept the grant. Seconded by Rand. The motion carries 9 -0. #116 - Grant - 69,000 from the COVID Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Acts for operations at the Beverly Regional Airport Kent reads the order for new funds for the airport. The Council does not have any questions. Houseman moves to accept that grant on behalf of the City of Beverly with the condition that the airport manager report back on how the money will be spent. Seconded by Flaherty. The motion carries 9 -0. #117 - Waiver of Residency requirement- Stefano Basso, Zoning Appeals Board Beverly City Council June 1, 2020 Meeting Minutes Page 5 of 7 Kent reads the order. Mayor Cahill adds that this order is presented so that Stefano Basso can stay on the zoning appeals board. Houseman moves to accept the grant. Seconded by Flaherty. The motion carries 9 -0. #118 - Transfer -from Recreation Enterprise account's undesignated fund Balance into Recreation Enterprise operating budget Kent reads the order. Houseman moves to set the public hearing for Monday, June 15, 2020 at 8:15 p.m. Seconded by Flowers. The motion carries 9 -0. #126- Grant - $10,000 from Mass DOT Aeronautics to support ADA access into the building Houseman moves to accept the late file for #126. Seconded by Rand. The motion carries 9 -0. Kent reads the order. The Council does not have any questions. Houseman moves to approve the request. Seconded by Ames. The motion carries 9 -0. Houseman moves to have Councilor Rand take the chair for 127, 128, 129 as President Guanci and Rotondo have to recuse themselves temporarily. Seconded by Flowers. The motion carries 9- 0. #127 - Emergency Order herewith to facilitate the ability of our restaurants to open quick for outdoor dining President Guanci and Rotondo recuse themselves for order #127. Cahill explains that the emergency order is meant to be used in the meantime as the only way to safely provide for restaurants to continue business by having outdoor dining. Namely this will be approving the possession and consumption of alcohol in public spaces. Sandwich boards may be displayed without approval. Both will be repealed on the 60th day of their approval unless an additional resolution to either extend or reduce the allotted time allowance. Houseman moves to accept the late file for #127. Seconded by Rand. The motion carries 9 -0. Kent reads the full order and its provisions. Houseman moves to approve that the foregoing is an emergency of the health and safety of the people. Seconded by Ames. The motion carries 7 -0. Darlene Wynne explains that the specific public spaces are typically those directly adjacent to the restraint but solutions involving parking spaces, sidewalks, etc will be explored depending on what makes sense for the restaurants depending on where the restaurants are geographically located. Houseman moves to amend by inserting paragraph C in Section 113 -2 and paragraph E in Section 192 -61. Seconded by Flowers. The motion carries 7 -0. #128- Proposed Order Amending Beverly Ordinance Section 113 -2 Possession or consumption of alcohol on public ways Beverly City Council June 1, 2020 Meeting Minutes Page 6 of 7 President Guanci and Rotondo recuse themselves for order #128. Houseman moves to accept the late file for #128. Seconded by Rand. The motion carries 7 -0. Kent reads the order for no alcohol consumption in public or private spaces without the permission of the owner. Rand states to refer that to the City Council on legal affairs. #129 - Proposed Order Amending Beverly everly Ordinance Section 192 -61 Sandwich Board Signs President Guanci and Rotondo recuse themselves for order #129. Kent reads the order that sandwich boards will not require approval from the board, provided that no changes were made to the original, approved board. The order shall be valid for one year. Rand states to refer that to the City Council on legal affairs. Rand calls Guanci to return. Houseman moves for Guanci to receive back the chair. Seconded by Flowers. The motion carries 9 -0. #125 - Community Preservation Committee -7th Round CPA Project Funding Recommendations -Phase II and Special Project Recommendations Houseman moves to accept the late file for #125. Seconded by Ames. The motion carries 9 -0. Houseman moves to set the public hearing for Monday June 15, 2020 at 8:30 p.m. Flaherty, The motion carries 9 -0. Houseman moves to approve their request. Seconded by Feldman. The motion carries 9 -0. #123 - Budget FY2021 Budget notes for Harbor Management Kent reads the order. The Council does not have any questions. Houseman moves to receive those and place them on file. Seconded by Rand. The motion carries 9 -0. #124 - Beverly Farmers Market - Requesting permission to operate the Beverly Farmers' Market Rand recuses herself for order #124. Kent reads the order. The Council does not have any questions as the proposal was previously discussed. Houseman moves to approve that request. Seconded by Flaherty. The motion carries 8 -0. President Guanci announces the special meeting on Thursday at 7:00 p.m. for the FY21 budget. Kent clarifies the dates of June 8th 9th and 11th for the budget review meetings. President Guanci moves to adjourn by roll call at 10:12 p.m. Flaherty - Yes Flowers - Yes Rotondo - Yes Rand - Yes Ames - Yes Houseman - Yes Feldman - Yes Beverly City Council June 1, 2020 Meeting Minutes Page 7 of 7 Frates - Yes President Guanci - Yes The motion carries 9 -0. Special Meeting of the Beverly City Council MINUTES — Thursday, June 4, 2020 @ 7:00 PM Remote Meeting on Google Meet/Hangout Called to Order @ 7:00 PM Confirming Member Access: Council President: As a preliminary matter, this is Paul Guanci, President of the Beverly City Council. Before beginning the meeting, I would like to announce that this meeting is being recorded by the City of Beverly and livestreamed by BevCam on both Channel 99 and via BevCam's YouTube channel. I am confirming that all members and persons anticipated on the agenda are present and can hear me. • Members, when I call your name, please respond "Here" • Staff, when I call your name, please respond "Here" � • Anticipated speakers on the agenda, please respond "Here" z ►—c; E7 Introduction to Remote Meeting: _ - r U Drn Guanci: Good evening. This Open Meeting of the Beverly City Council is being ;o� _D conducted remotely, consistent with Governor Baker's Executive order of March 12,w� -� 2020, due to the current State of Emergency in the Commonwealth due to the outbKnk _" of COVID -19. In order to mitigate the transmission of the virus, we have been advised and directed by the Commonwealth to suspend public gatherings, and as such, the Governor's Order suspended the requirement of Open Meeting Law to have all meetings in a publicly accessible physical location. Further, all members of public bodies are allowed and encouraged to participate remotely. The Order allows public bodies to meet entirely remotely so long as adequate alternative public access is afforded so that the public can follow along with the deliberations of the meeting. Ensuring public access does not ensure public participation unless such participation is required by law. This meeting may feature public comment. For this meeting, the City Council is convening by telephone and video conference via Google Hangouts as posted on the City's website identifying how the public may join. Please note that this meeting is being recorded and televised live, and that some attendees are participating by video conference. Accordingly, please be aware that other participants or viewers may be able to see and hear you, and anything that you broadcast may be captured by the recording. You have the option to turn off your video if you are participating via computer. All participants should keep their microphones or phones muted unless recognized me to reduce background noise and feedback. Please wait until the person speaking has finished before speaking so we can clearly hear all participants. ® Finally, each vote taken in this meeting will be conducted by a roll call vote. Meeting called to order at 7:OOPM Roll Call: Stacy M. Ames, Kathleen M. Feldman, Timothy P. Flaherty, Julie R. Flowers, John P. Frates Jr., Scott D. Houseman, Todd C. Rotondo, Estelle M. Rand, Paul M. Guanci Also Present, Mayor Michael Cahill, Finance Director Bryant Ayles, Budget Analyst Gerry Perry Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag: Councilor Houseman Presentations, Awards & Memorials: Mayor Cahill, FY2021 Annual Budget Mayor Cahill: I present to you our FY2021 Budget. Thank you to everyone for all your help. I am very grateful to all of you and the work that you have been doing during this challenging time. I would like to thank every employee in this community from the school side delivering critically important education to our kids and to the City side for delivering critically important services to all of our residents. Line by Line department by department we have gone through our budget our people have done outstanding work, not spending and turning back nearly 2 million dollars in budgeted money just in the last quarter of this fiscal year . These same department heads and their teams have tightened their department budgets and have put Mr. Ayles and myself in a position to propose this budget a budget that delivers all the same core services of last year despite the anticipated loss of revenues. This FY21 budget will insure our high services that our Beverly residents need and deserve. This budget assumes an overall reduction in local aid of 17 ' / 2 percent of FY20 budget levels, this is consistent with recessions in the past and what legal economists are predicting. Our budget projects there will be a significant reduction in the revenues of meals, rooms and motor vehicle excise tax revenue that the city will collect in FY21. We also know in this economical challenging time that building activity declines so we project that there will be a reduction in building permit revenues. The noted reduction is 4.6 Million dollars which required all departments to refine budgets. Cut expenditures from last year's budget. Unforeseen costs most likely won't be absorbed. Carving out flexibility in budgets in precious years, this means tightening our budgets in each department. However the key is we have kept staffing levels the same and this is important to our residents to have the same standard of service. We will benefit from a one year reduction in our debt payment $496,000 dollars. Will help absorb some lost revenue. An increase in debt cost in FY22 relating to final borrowing for our new middle School and total borrowing for our new police station that is being built. We have been fortunate to invest in our sidewalk and road infrastructure in FY20 was our most contribution in many years. Fiscal climate reduce this investment by 350,000 in FY21. Health Insurance Benefits, unfunded pension liability, previous collective 11 bargaining costs and additional cost 1.4 million new funding for our schools. All of us together have made sound financial decisions over the years. As a result we built our reserve balances a stabilization resource balance designed to help during these economic challenging times. We will draw just over one million from the reserve fund to keep our school and our city services at the high quality that they have been. FY22 will be most difficult budget in many years. We need to be mindful that the reserves that we built carry us through the next few years. I look forward to working with all of you on this budget process in the coming days. Thank You Guanci: Thank you Mayor. We will refer this to the Committee for Finance & Property Guanci- Motion to adjourn Houseman: So moved Flowers: Second Roll Call -Ames Y, Feldman Y, Flaherty Y Flowers Y, Frates Y, Houseman Y, Rand Y, Rotondo Y, Guanci Y Approved 9 -0 Motion to adjourn Meeting 7:16PM