City Council Minutes 09-21-2020City of Beverly
City Council Meeting
Public Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, September 21, 2020
This meeting was conducted under the `Executive Order Suspending Certain Provisions of the
Open Meeting Law G.L. c.30A, §20', signed on March 12, 2020. This remote meeting was held
over Google Meet and live streamed by BevCam. Public access information for the hearings was
provided on the meeting agenda.
Paul Guanci, City Council President, called the meeting to order at 7:00pm over Google Meet.
City Clerk, Lisa Kent, took the attendance by roll call.
Members Present: Stacy Ames, Timothy Flaherty, Kathleen Feldman, Julie Flowers, John Frates,
Scott Houseman, Estelle Rand, Paul Guanci, Todd Rotondo
Members Absent: None
Houseman led the councilors in the pledge of allegiance.
Guanci made a statement about the meeting being recorded by the City of Beverly and streamed
by BevCam on channel 99 and BevCam's YouTube channel. He confirmed that all members
present could hear him and noted the remote meeting format and process due to Covid -19.
Guanci read Rule 22 of the Beverly City Council. He introduced a vote to allow items to be
taken out of committee and voted on the floor. Kent took a roll call vote and the motion carried
(9 -0).
Acceptance of Minutes of Previous Meetings: September 8, 2020
Flaherty moved to approve.
Seconded by Feldman.
A roll call vote was taken, and the motion carried (8 -0). Houseman abstained since he was absent
at the last meeting.
Comments by Citizens
Kurt Steinberg- President of Monserrat, School of the Arts, spoke. They welcomed 360 students
back to campus. Their students are 75% women. 47% of students are in Massachusetts, and
others are from a wide variety of states. Some students are international students who could not
get visas. He discussed Monserrat's reopening plan and noted that their testing results are
available online. 20% of classes are being taken online this semester. In- person classes are
offered in a social distancing way, and they de- densifled housing on campus. They have also
leased the Cabot Theater to be able to have students spread out in class. The Broad Institute is
doing testing for Monserrat. There is an app for students to respond daily and the school follows
up with students. Voter registration will be held on campus, and they are hoping to have a
representative from the Beverly Police Department come to speak to students. They are starting a
Beverly City Council Meeting Minutes — September 21, 2020, page 1 of 4
committee to look into ways to be more connected with community organizations in Beverly. He
thanked the Beverly Public Health Department for all their help with reopening.
Guanci echoed the praise for the Board of the Health and the work they've done.
Ames thanked Dr. Steinberg and said she lives near the college and couldn't be more impressed
with his thoroughness and transparency through the process and she wishes him all the best.
Frates said how energizing it is to see students back downtown and bring a sense of normalcy.
He asked if Dr. Steinberg has been meeting with other colleges in the area.
Dr. Steinberg stated every Friday they meet with the presidents of all private colleges in
Massachusetts. They share courier services for testing with Endicott.
Rand thanked Dr. Steinberg for being an amazing neighbor and leader and asked how we can
support him and the college.
Steinberg said the city continues to be very accessible and open to conversations.
Houseman seconded the compliments and respect for Dr. Steinberg and the college. Houseman
noted the public art flourishing downtown with the outdoor dining. He asked if housing
insecurity remains an issue for students. He asked about the team effort around the faculty and
students around anti -bias training.
Dr. Steinberg noted alumni participated in the art downtown. Regarding housing, he said the
college has a partnership with Peter Lutz for space over City Eats to add housing that is ADA
accessible. These will be open in May, and it's a 20 -year agreement which means they will know
what the rent will be for the next 20 years. They have a top down approach to diversity inclusion
and engaged the college trustees in a conversation facilitated by Salem State to talk about
systematic racism in high education. Ari Montford, a faculty member, is leading the charge, and
they are proud to have him on campus this year. There is a committee to hold the college
accountable to strategic initiatives of diversity, equity, and inclusion, and they are putting
together a bias response team.
Houseman thanked Dr. Steinberg for his thorough response.
Guanci thanked Dr. Steinberg for coming and told him to reach out if he ever needs anything.
Communications from His H onor the Mayor
Order #198 - Establishment of Equity Diversity Inclusion Initiative
Ames motioned to set public hearing for 8pm on October 5.
Flowers seconded.
A roll call vote was taken, and the motion carried (9 -0).
Order #199 - Donation - $100,000 for Sustainability Director and Transfer from Reserve
Houseman motioned to set public hearing for 8:15pm on October 5.
Feldman seconded.
A roll call vote was taken, and the motion carried (9 -0).
Order #190 - Community Preservation Committee- Proposed CPA Fiscal Year 2021 Budget
Houseman motioned to reschedule public hearing for 7:30pm on October 5.
Rotondo seconded.
A roll call vote was taken, and the motion carried (9 -0).
Beverly City Council Meeting Minutes — September 21, 2020, page 2 of 4
Order #191 - Community Preservation Committee - Recommendation for (out of Cycle) funding
for Briscoe Village for Living and the Arts.
Rand motioned to reschedule public hearing for 7;45pm on October 5.
Houseman seconded.
A roll call vote was taken, and the motion carried (9 -0).
Order #200 - Reappointment -Mr. Brian J. Abelli, to serve as Constable
Guanci referred to Committee on Legal Affairs.
Order #201 - Reappointment -Mr. Peter Davelos, to serve as Constable
Guanci referred to Committee on Legal Affairs.
Communications, Applications, and Petitions
Order #203 - Application to sell John Divincenzo, Christmas Tree & Wreaths Etc., 294 Elliott
Street
Houseman moved to approve.
Ames seconded.
A roll call vote was taken, and the motion carried (9 -0).
Order #204 -Open Space & Recreation Committee voted to re- designate Marilyn McCrory to
serve as representative to the Community Preservation Committee.
Houseman moved to receive and place on file.
Flowers seconded.
A roll call vote was taken, and the motion carried (9 -0).
Order #205- Application for two new cars for a Livery License -BAT Enterprises LLC 495
Elliott Street, Beverly. Due to technical difficulties with the virtual meeting, the applicant could
not be hear. This item was held until after motions and orders.
Motions and Orders
Order # 174 -An Ordinance Amendment — Vehicles and Traffic Section 240 -41 "Parking
Prohibited at all times"
Kent stated tonight was the second reading; final passage will be Monday, October 5, 2020. A
roll call vote was taken, and the motion carried (9 -0).
Communications, Applications, and Petitions (continued)
Order #205- Application for two new cars for a Livery License -BAT Enterprises LLC 495
Elliott Street, Beverly
Houseman motioned to approve.
Feldman seconded.
A roll call vote was taken, and the motion carried (9 -0).
Beverly City Council Meeting Minutes — September 21, 2020, page 3 of 4
Reports of Committees
Committee on Legal Affairs
Order # 185- Appointinent -Mr. Paul Goodwin, 26 Michael Road to serve on Human Rights
Committee. To fulfill the term of Mr. Salvatore DiMercurio who recently stepped down.
Houseman motioned to approve.
Flowers seconded.
A roll call vote was taken, and the motion carried (9 -0).
Order # 188- Reappointment -Labor Representative on the Beverly Housing Authority Board,
Mr. Bruce Abbott, 13 County Way
Kent stated that the mayor wants to withdraw this application.
Houseman motioned to receive and place on file.
Ames seconded.
A roll call vote was taken, and the motion carried (9 -0).
Order # 195 - Application- Second Hand Junk Dealers License Application- Alina Rudneira,
WKND LLC., 261 Cabot Street
Ms. Rudneira was not present, so Guanci said to keep it in committee.
Committee on Public Services
Order #186 - Reappointments -Open Space & Recreation Committee -Mr. Charlie Mann, Mr.
Gregory Sharp, and Mr. Todd Callaghan
Houseman moved to approve.
Rotondo seconded.
A roll call vote was taken, and the motion carried (9 -0).
Resolution
Order #194 - Beverly Police Department
Order #202 - Beverly Police Department
Guanci asked for these both to be held to a special meeting next week.
Moved by Flowers.
Seconded by Houseman.
A roll call vote was taken, and the motion carried (9 -0).
Houseman motioned to adjourn. Ames seconded. A roll call vote was taken, and the motion
carried (9 -0). The meeting adjourned at 7:55pm.
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