No clips yet — make one.
The New Bedford City Council held a special meeting on June 22, 2026, to conduct the final budget and budget cut session for Fiscal Year 2027. The meeting began with lengthy and critical opening remarks from several councillors, including Shane A. Burgo, Shawn Oliver, Brian K. Gomes, and Joseph P. Lopes. They collectively condemned the administration's handling of a purported $32 million budget deficit, citing a lack of transparency, collaboration, and respect for city employees who were laid off. Councillors criticized the creation of high-level administrative positions, such as a civilian Chief of Staff in the police department, while frontline services like the fire and police departments faced cuts, staffing shortages, and unresolved contracts. Councillor Gomes called for an investigation by the Inspector General into the city's finances. The majority of the meeting was dedicated to a line-by-line vote on over one hundred proposed budget cuts across nearly every city department. Discussions arose on several key items, including the elimination of a new "Assistant Superintendent of Green Space" position, which passed unanimously due to poor timing amid layoffs. Debates also occurred over funding for the Tourism and Marketing department and the Zeiterion Theater, with the council ultimately voting against deep cuts to those areas. The council approved significant reductions to the Mayor's Office travel budget, the Solicitor's outside legal counsel fund, and the city's unemployment compensation account. After all votes were tallied, the council had cut a total of $1,746,618 from the general fund budget. The final amended FY27 budget of $491,392,868 was approved in a 10-1 vote, with Councillor Gomes dissenting. The council also approved the budgets for various enterprise funds, including water and wastewater, with some reductions.
AI-generated summary. May contain errors. Watch the video to verify.
Council
City Officials
Department heads and— oh my God, that's loud, sorry.
2:13There are extra copies now up by the podium.
2:16Why is this so— All right, good evening, ladies and gentlemen.
3:33It is 7:03 PM on Monday, June 22nd, 2026.
3:41We do not have a member of the clergy present, so at this time I will ask everyone to please pause for a moment of silence.
3:59Thank you.
4:01Tonight we are led in the Pledge of Allegiance by Councilor at Large Brian Gomes.
4:16Individual, with liberty and justice for all.
4:19Thank you, Mr. President.
4:21Thank you, Councilor.
4:26I am joined in the council chambers by my colleagues, Councilor at Large Ian Abreu, Councilor of Ward 2 Scott Pemberton, Councilor of Ward 1 Leo Choquette, Councilor of Ward 5 Joseph Lopes, Councilor at Large Brian Gomes, Councilor at Large James Roy, Councilor at Large Naomi Carney, Councilor of Ward 3 Sean Oliver, Councilor at Large and First Vice President Shane Burgum.
4:52I would like to note that this meeting is being live streamed and recorded, and that city council and committee meetings can be viewed on the City of New Bedford's homepage under Quick Links, then Meetings.
5:03I'll ask the clerk if there are any letters to be read into the record.
5:06Mr. President, there are not.
5:09Okay, I'll ask the clerk to move on to item A. Mr. President, item A is communication from City Council President Pereira to City Clerk Dennis Farias calling a special city council meeting on Monday, June 22nd, 2026 at 7 PM in the city council chambers, the 2nd floor of City Hall, for the FY27 final budget and budget cut session.
5:30Motion received and placed on file.
5:32A motion received and placed on file was made by Councilor Burgos, seconded by Councilor Lopes.
5:36Anyone on the question?
5:38All those in favor say aye.
5:40Opposed?
5:40The ayes have it.
5:41I'll ask the clerk to read item— begin the cuts.
5:45Oh, Mr. President, if I may.
5:50Chair recognizes Councilor Burgo.
5:52This speech— thank you, Mr. President.
5:56Um, as I reflect, uh, before we begin on our amendments, uh, to these proposals, I just want to take this moment as I reflect on how we arrived at this moment.
6:07I can't help but think back to the day this budget was first introduced.
6:11Many will remember that I had a bit of an outburst on this council floor.
6:15My frustration was not about politics.
6:19It was about people.
6:21It was about the dedicated city employees who have spent decades serving New Bedford, many of whom were treated as no more than line items to be eliminated.
6:29It was about the disrespect shown not only to this council, but to the men and women who have devoted their careers to keeping this city running.
6:37I never imagined an administration could handle such a difficult financial situation in such a cold and dismissive manner.
6:45Yet here we are.
6:47After that moment, I did issue a formal apology.
6:50I did so not because I did not want my— sorry, I did so because I did not want my choice of words to become a distraction from the real issue at hand.
6:59And so I say to the employees who have been laid off in this process, those who were effectively treated as sacrificial lambs in this budget crisis, I want to speak directly to you.
7:10You are not line items.
7:12You are not expendable.
7:14You are individuals who have been dedicated servants.
7:19You have spent years, and in many cases decades, of your lives to public service in this city.
7:24Your work mattered, your contributions mattered, and the impact you made on this city and our community will be felt long after this budget is passed.
7:34It's troubling to see careers end in such an abrupt and uncomfortable way.
7:40No one who has given so much of themselves to this city deserves to be cast aside without dignity or recognition.
7:47On behalf of this council and on behalf of the residents you served every day, I want to thank you for your years of service, and I want you to know that your work did not go unnoticed.
7:59To the administration's credit, significant reductions were necessary, and we should acknowledge that.
8:06But let's be honest about why those reductions occurred.
8:09These reductions were not the result of a newfound commitment to fiscal restraint, but rather because there was no other choice.
8:18What concerns me most is that throughout this process, there was no effort to build a coalition of partners to solve the problem.
8:26A city government is not one person or one office.
8:30It consists of the mayor, the city council, school committee, and often the state delegation.
8:36At a time when collaboration was desperately needed, this administration chose to pursue its own priorities rather rather than bring everyone to the table.
8:46The result was a proposal that cut more than $4.5 million from our schools, threatening educational services and transportation for our children, a blacking out of a fire station, laid-off firefighters, and a canceling of a fire academy that would have helped keep up with staffing.
9:04Yet somehow, whenever difficult decisions are being made, there always seems to be money available for positions at the top.
9:12There is always money available for additional administrative salaries.
9:16There is always money available for the solicitor's office, ensuring the mayor has a team of lawyers prepared to defend whatever position he wishes to take, even when those positions stretch or outright misinterpret the law.
9:31There happens to be money for a civilian chief of staff position within the police department while efforts to recruit and hire new police officers remains stalled in a department that has been understaffed for years.
9:43And while taxpayers fund a growing number of 6-figure administrative positions, the police union remains without a settled contract for nearly 2 years.
9:55One would think that with all the resources dedicated to management, resolving such a critical issue would have been a priority.
10:03Yet, like many things under this administration, it remains unfinished.
10:08What makes this civilian position particularly troubling is that when this council requested the job description of the chief of staff, we learned that the actual functional title is not chief of staff at all.
10:22The position is described as a deputy director of administrative operations.
10:28Of course, that title does not exist anywhere in our code of ordinances.
10:33That should concern everyone because it is not an isolated incident.
10:37It is a part of a clear and recurring pattern of abuse.
10:42If the administration believes the police department needs a deputy director of administrative operations, then it should come before this council, create the position through the proper legislative process, and allow for public discussion and oversight.
10:56Instead, the administration simply assigns a different title Avoids the ordinance process, and proceeds as though council approval is unnecessary.
11:06That approach raises a fundamental question: Are these titles being created to meet legitimate operational needs, or are they being created to avoid scrutiny and justify a particular salary level?
11:19Unfortunately, the police department is not the only example.
11:24Perhaps the most glaring example of this administration's approach to government is right at the top of the organizational chart.
11:31The 2 positions listed in the mayor's office budget as chief of staff are not new to us.
11:38They are the 2 chief of staff positions we know.
11:42One is an actual chief of staff, and one functions as the city's chief operating officer.
11:49The problem is that there is no chief operating officer title in our code of ordinances.
11:54Rather than doing the work necessary to create that position through the legislative process, The administration simply lists both positions as Chief of Staff so the second position can be compensated at the same pay grade.
12:08Think about that for a moment.
12:10In the police department, a position functions as Deputy Director but is labeled Chief of Staff.
12:16In the mayor's office, a position functions as a Chief Operating Officer but is labeled Chief of Staff.
12:23Different departments, Different circumstances, the same result.
12:29The administration avoids creating positions through the ordinance process and instead assigns whatever title is most convenient.
12:36That is not transparent or collaborative government, and it certainly is not respective of the legislative process.
12:43If the position is truly a chief operating officer, then create the title, submit the ordinance, work with the council.
12:50Follow the process.
12:52Same goes for the Deputy Director position.
12:55But that would require acknowledging that the Council has a role.
13:00What we continue to see instead is an administration that continues— that looks— continues to look for ways around the Council rather than ways to work with it.
13:09Now we might understand why the Solicitor's Office is always fully funded.
13:14Time and again, positions are rebranded.
13:17Titles are manipulated, and organizational structures are altered in ways that avoid the public discussion and approval that our ordinances require.
13:27The message is clear: this administration believes it can govern on its own, without oversight or accountability.
13:35That is not how our government is supposed to function.
13:39At a time when we are tightening our belts, we cannot afford to lose the people doing the real work on the ground.
13:45We can't afford to eliminate frontline positions while protecting layers of administration.
13:50We can't afford to tell firefighters, teachers, city workers, and taxpayers to sacrifice— that sacrifices are necessary while 6-figure management positions remain insulated from scrutiny.
14:02The people of New Bedford do not experience government through titles in the executive office.
14:08They experience government through the firefighter who responds to their emergency.
14:13The teacher educating their child, the police officer patrolling their neighborhood, and the public employee maintaining the services they rely on every day.
14:23Those are the people who should be protected first.
14:26Last week, during a Finance Committee meeting, we heard something that should concern every resident of this city.
14:33The mayor's chief of staff, the legitimate one, openly stated that cuts made by this council to his office would simply be ignored, because in his view, there is a different standard that applies.
14:49Those were his words, not mine.
14:52Think about what that means.
14:54The legislative branch of government exercises its lawful authority to make budget reductions, and the response from the administration is that those decisions need not be respected.
15:04Expected because the rules somehow apply differently to them.
15:10That is not how government works.
15:12No department is above the law.
15:15No administration is entitled to spend taxpayer dollars in defiance of the body that is legally charged with appropriating them.
15:23What is particularly disappointing is the attempt to portray these discussions as politically motivated attacks on the mayor.
15:31That is simply not true.
15:33Had this administration genuinely included the council in setting budget priorities instead of conducting performative listening sessions designed to create the appearance of collaboration, they would have heard exactly what we have been hearing from the people we represent.
15:50The residents of New Bedford are asking us to be their voice.
15:54They are telling us that in difficult financial times, taxpayer dollars should be directed towards services that directly impact their lives.
16:03They are telling us that public safety matters, education and neighborhood services matter.
16:08They are telling us that government should prioritize the people doing the work, not the politically favored few at the top.
16:15The people of New Bedford expect us to speak up when priorities become disconnected from reality.
16:22And if anyone wants to talk about politically motivated cuts, they should look no further than what this administration has done to the fire department over the years.
16:31Not just this year, but over the last 14 years, firefighters have repeatedly found themselves in the crosshairs whenever difficult budget decisions were made.
16:40We've seen prolonged staffing disputes.
16:43We've seen resistance to firefighter hiring and concerns about minimum manning.
16:47We've seen repeated battles over resources, equipment, and personnel levels.
16:52We've seen public statements that cast firefighters as budget problems rather than recognizing them as an essential public safety asset.
17:02This did not happen overnight.
17:04This has been a slow, slow boil.
17:08Year after year, decisions were made that weakened the department's ability to provide the level of service our residents and firefighters deserve.
17:18The pattern is difficult to miss.
17:21When budgets become tight, frontline public safety personnel are asked to sacrifice while administrative growth continues elsewhere.
17:30When priorities are set, the fire department too often finds itself fighting for resources that should never have been in question.
17:37That is not fiscal responsibility.
17:39That is a pattern of abuse.
17:42So tonight is not simply about balancing a budget.
17:45It's about restoring accountability, and it's about demanding that every department operate under the same standards.
17:53It's about standing up for the taxpayers who expect their government to function responsibly.
17:57Responsibly and honestly.
17:59I want the mayor and his administration to hear this clearly: so long as I have the privilege of serving the people of New Bedford, I will continue asking difficult questions and demanding the answers and challenging actions that I believe undermine the public trust.
18:15No mayor should govern unchecked, no administration should be permitted to ignore the law, and no elected official should remain silent when they see their city heading in the wrong direction.
18:27I thank you for the time tonight, Mr. President.
18:30Thank you.
18:33Chair recognizes Councilor Oliver.
18:37I don't know if I'll be able to keep up with that one, but I'll be— it'll be shorter, I can promise you that.
18:42Thank you, Mr. President.
18:44Good evening, everyone.
18:46Uh, before we get into tonight's work, I want to take a moment to I want to thank everybody in this room, the department heads, the city workers, both past and present, to no fault of their own, and my colleagues on the council.
19:00This has been an extraordinarily difficult budget season, and I know many of us in this room have spent countless hours trying to make the numbers work and to justify the process that we're going to be going through, while continuing to provide the services that many of our residents depend on every day.
19:18I want to be clear that none of the decisions or recommendations or cuts that are proposed here tonight are personal.
19:24They are not politically motivated.
19:27Even every department that is represented here tonight, they have important performances and important work to do.
19:36And every employee that contributes to making the city of New Bedford a better place to work, a better place to live, and a better place to raise a family.
19:43Our responsibility tonight is to not to judge value on any department or employee.
19:49Our responsibility tonight is to represent the taxpayer who sent us here into these seats.
19:56That is the work of the families who are raising a fam— raising their families here, the seniors that are trying to live in their homes on a fixed income, whethering if they— whethering whether they know it or not, if they can live— they get to live in the homes that they've— on a fixed income that they've been able to call home for decades.
20:18And about the young families who are trying to start a family here, whether they can stay.
20:24Those are the people that I'll be thinking about tonight, and I hope that my colleagues will as well.
20:29I also think that it's important to realize the reality of the process before us.
20:34Regardless of what the recommendations come from— come out of this chamber tonight, the administration ultimately retains the significant authority over the resources and allocations to the funds and where they're going to be spent.
20:49We all understand that, but this budget process is one of the few opportunities that this council has to send a message and to advocate on behalf of the taxpayer that we represent.
21:01This is our bite of the apple, and because of that, I want to encourage all of us that are going to be making the decisions tonight to approach this evening with a willingness to make the difficult decisions.
21:14If you believe additional reductions can be made without jeopardizing essential services, then cut it.
21:21If you believe that you can find efficiencies throughout the year, then cut them tonight.
21:27Because tonight isn't about what's comfortable.
21:30It's about the people of New Bedford who are making those difficult decisions, financial decisions, every day in their homes.
21:38They expect us to show the same discipline when managing their tax dollars.
21:44And let's— let's keep this in mind as well.
21:48You may see a proposed reduction tonight that you may not exactly agree with.
21:53I encourage you to cut it anyways.
21:56Stand— something that stands alone or stands out that may not make sense to you, we're going to find the money.
22:02This, this administration has already told you that they are only going to acknowledge the cuts that they want to from this body.
22:11So take our opportunity with our one bite of the apple to cut it.
22:14Let them come to us through their appropriate channels and through the transfer process or a supplemental budget and let them show us where the money is.
22:24Check every cupboard, check every couch cushion, and turn over, you know, all the furniture to find every dollar that we can, because that's what the people in New Bedford are doing right now just to survive.
22:35So without taking up any more of my colleagues' time— I'm sure there's others that need to spend their time— I thank you for the opportunity.
22:41Thank you, Councilor.
22:42Uh, just, I forgot to recognize before, uh, a while ago that we were joined by Woodford City Councilor Derek Baptiste.
22:49Chair recognizes Councilor Gomes.
22:54Thank you, Mr. President.
22:56Well, I'm going to take a little different approach.
23:00First of all, we're in a situation that we're in because we're $32 million in the hole.
23:09That's, that, that's the main thrust of this, and I don't understand how it happened.
23:15I don't understand how every department head— and I commend the department heads, as it's been said by other colleagues, for the job they do and the workers across the city— I don't understand how you ask for a proposed budget and everybody walks in with their budget, submits it, and then the budget comes out a little different.
23:41You see this here?
23:45You see this here?
23:46This is the budget.
23:49This is BS.
23:51I said it before because I come from budgets that are that thick, show us every line where every money's going to.
23:58And there's some people in here that might have had the opportunity to see those kind of budgets.
24:03That budget is a stuffed egg, okay?
24:07Where's the government unclassified?
24:09Where's a lot of line items?
24:10Because you stuck them all in somewhere.
24:13You stuck them all in somewhere.
24:15You're not going to recognize the cuts that's going to come out of the city council.
24:18Me, I'm more worried about those fires, that fire station and them firefighters and the people that have lost their jobs.
24:25I'm worried about them 24 police officers that are not going to be on the streets that the city of New Bedford rightfully deserves from the taxes that people pay for.
24:33In this city.
24:35That's what I'm worried about.
24:36And I'm also worried about accountability.
24:38It seems like nobody wants to use that word, accountability, but I'm going to use it.
24:43Accountability for how we got to where we are.
24:46It's funny that some of us are held accountable for our actions, the department heads, councilors, or whatever, but for some reason this administration is not held accountable.
24:57There's no explanation for how we got there.
25:00And the explanation that is given is the pension, the insurance.
25:07Well, don't we hire somebody every year?
25:09Isn't there somebody in the budget, at least I think there is, that's supposed to deal with the insurance and watch that wave and go with what's best for the workers, go what's best for the city?
25:20We've had that for a long time.
25:22Long time.
25:24We tonight They're going to cut whatever we cut.
25:28He's not going to recognize it.
25:31That's okay.
25:32That's okay.
25:34But I've got to believe that we should be more focused on all those people that lost their jobs, as one of my colleagues has stated this evening.
25:42That's what's important.
25:43What the services that the people of the city have lost and are going to lose.
25:48And more importantly, what their taxes are going to look like.
25:51And we're talking about this like it's nothing.
25:54Like it is nothing.
25:55Hey, your taxes are going to go up $1,000.
25:57Your taxes are going to go up $1,500.
25:59Where are people going to get it?
26:02Where are people going to get it with the increasing cost of everything?
26:06We can stand here and say, oh, this is happening all over the Commonwealth, this is happening all over the country.
26:11I don't accept that because I think New Bedford's better than that, and I think the leadership that runs New Bedford should be better than that.
26:18We don't follow the lead of everybody else.
26:21And I've seen that so many times in this administration because it always falls on everybody else.
26:27It's everybody else.
26:28It's our problem.
26:29Why didn't you deal with it?
26:31Why don't you come and tell us how— I still want to know where $32 million stretched out to put us in this situation.
26:40$32 million.
26:42And we don't have any idea of where we're going to get that money from.
26:46So what are we doing here?
26:47We're carrying on the deficit and anything else that's created in this city?
26:53I'm a basic guy, just like our constituency.
26:57I want to tell them the story so that they understand.
27:00Is that what we got here?
27:01Is that what's going on here?
27:03Because that's what it seems like.
27:04Shh, shh.
27:07Again, don't you challenge.
27:10And even if you do challenge, shh, they'll shut you down.
27:14'Cause you got people out there that are doing the laundry for this administration, you realize that?
27:18I don't care.
27:19I don't care.
27:19Nothing to lose here.
27:21Because you know who's losing?
27:22The people of this city.
27:23There are people out there that do the laundry, including the media.
27:27The media always doing the laundry for the mayor, never doing the laundry for the City Council.
27:31They're right up the— attack that City Council.
27:34They're wrong.
27:35They're wrong.
27:36No, they're not.
27:36We're not wrong.
27:37We're not wrong.
27:39Again, accountability.
27:40I want to know.
27:41And that's why I've asked for the Inspector General to come in.
27:44You know, I think if somebody else in this council had proposed that, it would have got some recognition so the people would know.
27:52Again, shh, they don't want the people to know.
27:54They don't want the people to know that this council asked for the Inspector General to come in and check out the books.
27:59And I'm sorry to those department heads here.
28:01Remember something, ladies and gentlemen, just months ago We are told— I think we pay membership for it— but somebody came in and audited the books and told us how good the books were in here.
28:13We're AAA, we can do this, we can do that, we can do that.
28:16Uh-huh, uh-huh.
28:18They ought to be fired.
28:19Get your membership back because they didn't pick up on this.
28:23Nobody picked up on this.
28:25You, Mr. Mayor, did not pick up on this, or your administration, before you had the department heads of this city submit their budgets.
28:32For the upcoming year?
28:35You didn't have any clue?
28:37You proposed a $100 million police station.
28:39Rah, rah, rah!
28:42Put it on hold 2 weeks later.
28:44That's incompetence to me.
28:45I'm sorry, ladies and gentlemen, that's incompetence.
28:48You didn't know what was happening before that, and I don't care where it lies, because you gotta understand, this administration has been one administration that don't care where they put their feet or who they put their feet on.
28:59You understand?
29:00Because they think they're almighty.
29:01You know that look, some of you.
29:03You know that look that you get from him from the side when he looks at you from the side, says, leave it alone.
29:09Leave it alone, Mr. Mayor.
29:10You talking to your kids?
29:12You're not talking to me.
29:14You don't talk to me like that.
29:16Tonight we'll do what we have to do, but I'm going to tell you right now, it's not over.
29:22There's a problem here.
29:23There's a big problem here.
29:26And no matter what we do with this budget, and we can cut, and I didn't submit that many cuts because you know why I didn't?
29:32Because I started to look around and I see people who have already lost their job.
29:36Who else will lose their job?
29:37Who— what other services will go?
29:40And then we propose something stupid like a green space assistant, like the person that cuts the grass or doesn't know, at least that's what I got out of it.
29:50We're going to hire somebody?
29:51When you just knocked out firefighters, you just knocked out police, you just knocked out city services to the people of this city?
29:58It's not making sense.
29:59And I want to make sense of it all.
30:02And I think that administration has an obligation to not fluff and stuff it, to tell the people how we got to where we are.
30:09What did you do?
30:10Where'd you spend the money?
30:12You can send me out these charts.
30:14I've said it before, let me see the slips.
30:16You know, it's funny how When we do our business in our lives, we spend $1,559.39.
30:24Around here, it's always an even number.
30:26Always an even number.
30:28I want to see some slips that tell me that things are above and beyond what they're supposed to be and it's taking this budget where it is.
30:36Because something stinks here, and I believe I'm on the right track.
30:40I just haven't figured it out, but we're on the— I'm on the right track.
30:43Something is not right here, and the mayor has an obligation, and this city has an obligation to tell the people.
30:50And I'm not ready to take on— and I'll cut it back, Mr. President— I'm not ready to hear from the people of this city.
30:57Remember when we set the tax rate back in December?
31:01I went for the lowest factor for the people of this city.
31:04Some felt in this building that we should go up a little higher.
31:06You know what that's going to do to those tax bills?
31:08Remember that $1,000 you talked about?
31:10Add on a couple hundred more.
31:12Add a couple hundred more.
31:14I'm very, very, very worried about those people.
31:16And I'm very worried about the services that are rendered here and what we pay taxes for.
31:21You pay taxes for public safety, and most people, that's all they're asking for.
31:25If their kids are out of school, they don't have them in school.
31:29The seniors, where are they going to get the difference?
31:33It's a messed up place.
31:35And, um, I'm not sitting by.
31:39I'm just not going to sit by and let it go.
31:41I'm going to keep on snooping.
31:42I'm going to keep on voicing my opinion.
31:44And I don't care who says— who, who has anything to say.
31:47You're not going to stop me.
31:49You can fluff and stuff it.
31:50You can shut us off in the media.
31:52You can do whatever you want.
31:54The people are not stupid.
31:55We represent some very intelligent people across the city, and they know what the hell is going on.
32:01And it don't need the media to fluff and stuff it for the administration while we take the beating in trying to fix what's wrong.
32:09$32 million.
32:11Let's not forget that.
32:12We cannot forget that as we do this tonight.
32:14This is going to affect some other people.
32:17Thank you for the opportunity, Mr. President.
32:19God bless our city of New Bedford.
32:21God bless the people who work for the city of New Bedford each and every day.
32:24These department heads, the people who put in the real meat and potatoes.
32:28And God bless those that we took their jobs— that we didn't take their jobs away, the administration took their jobs away because he had no other way out, and that's where he goes all the time.
32:37It's the small guy, it's the taxpayers, and then— oh, let me finish it this way.
32:43By the way, tonight we are having a fundraiser somewhere.
32:48$500,000, maybe it's $5,000.
32:53What the hell?
32:54Them are not our constituents.
32:57Those are not our people.
32:58So who are you controlled by?
33:00The big money?
33:02That's the problem in government, is give me the money, give me the money, let me get my kitty all worked up and everything.
33:09That, that shows power.
33:10I got power.
33:12I can run for this, I can run for that.
33:14Let me tell you something, this council has never had money.
33:16I finished number one while others had to spend hundreds of dollars.
33:19I spent pennies.
33:20This administration tonight to have a fundraiser and publicize it on the night that we're doing budget cuts, you've got to be one sick individual.
33:30One sick individual.
33:31And whoever's responsible for that, again, shows the incompetence, because I wouldn't be telling the people that I'm having a fundraiser.
33:38You don't want to tell them where the address is because you don't want the fire department.
33:41They weren't going to go anyway.
33:42You have your fundraiser and you enjoy yourself.
33:45And you take those thousands of dollars and you build it up.
33:48It's just like the $84 million that was spent in COVID money.
33:52You see the total of what he made back as far as donations?
33:56$84,000.
33:58Give away $84 million of city taxpayers' money, didn't take care really anything for the people of this city, but you received $84,000 to your kitty.
34:07Oh, how sweet it is, how sweet it is.
34:09That's money, that's power.
34:10No.
34:11My mouth is power.
34:12The people of this city are power.
34:13Thank you very much, Mr. President.
34:16Thank you.
34:17Chair recognizes Councilor Lopes.
34:21Thank you, Council President Pereira.
34:23I never enjoy going up after Councilor Gomes.
34:24One, because I don't speak as long, and nor do I articulate as much as Councilor Gomes does.
34:30But I will echo some of the sentiments of the at-large councilor to my left.
34:34The city administration has cited a deficit of $32 million.
34:37We've read it in the newspaper, heard it on the radio.
34:39But that figure includes over $14 million in department enhancements, new unfunded positions, program expansions, and one-time equipment and capital needs.
34:51Now, we've all— I've taken accounting classes, we've all balanced our checkbooks.
34:55A true deficit is the gap between recurring revenue and recurring obligations, what we have to pay, not what we would like to pay down the road.
35:05Department enhancements or wish list items are a nice thing to have when the budget is better, but right now that is an unfunded request by the administration or department head to the administration, not a structural deficit.
35:18There is a difference between a request for funding for an employee, new tools or equipment, and an actual department deficit.
35:27The deficit the administration projects has been inflated to create pressure on the constituents for the raising of taxes.
35:33We all know that taxes are going to go up in the administration as it takes the full tax levy as well as what is available to him.
35:40And as the councilor to my left stated, we know taxes are going to go up.
35:43By the amount, we don't know.
35:46The mayor is going to raise taxes and he's going to change the organizational structure of how this city operates.
35:53Behind me to my right is the fire chief.
35:55Every fire chief during my tenure has had the same exact position as this young man.
36:00I'm going to say you're a young man because you're younger than me.
36:03Every time there is a budget crisis, we're going to close the station, we're going to lay off firefighters.
36:09Scott Ling— nothing against former Mayor Ling— was the first one to do it during my tenure.
36:14Mayor Mitchell has done it.
36:15But every fire chief has been under the knife like no other department head.
36:21And we all say the one insurance policy that we have in the city is public safety.
36:25EMS, fire, and police.
36:28We hope we never need it.
36:29Nobody ever wants to call 911 for their house.
36:32But if you do, you don't want a situation like in Fall River where there's only 3 people on a piece of equipment and not 4.
36:38And we saw what happened.
36:40The $32 million number being proposed has been inflated by the administration to include over $14 million enhancements.
36:50Now, we can all say we know health insurance has gone up and pension obligations have gone up.
36:53Yes.
36:54And do we need to continue to work to reel those in?
36:56Yes, we do.
36:57And that is the body of the third floor and the second floor collectively working together for the betterment of the community.
37:05But that is where we have an issue.
37:07The third floor and the second floor doesn't always talk, never mind the third floor with anybody else.
37:13As was said previously, we know the fire department and the police department has gone without a contract.
37:19For multiple years now.
37:20That has been the process of every mayor that I can remember— Rosemary Turney, Fred Kalis, Scott Lang.
37:26It doesn't matter who that mayor is, they always go to the drag it out for as long as they can and then negotiate a contract that either has long back pay or a signing bonus.
37:39And at the end of the day, this is the body that the administration has to work with to remedy those situations.
37:45It would be nice if we could work together more than that one day out of the year.
37:49Thank you.
37:51Thank you.
37:53All right, anyone else?
37:56Okay.
37:57All right, I'll ask— with that, that being said, we're going to begin, uh, the budget cuts.
38:02I'll ask the clerk to begin.
38:05Mr. President, item 1 is a proposed cut to the assessors, other charges and expenses, to eliminate travel dues and Subscriptions in the 700 account in the amount of $26,087 proposed by Councilors Pereira and Ebru.
38:20Councilor Ebru?
38:20Yep.
38:21Yes.
38:22Councilor Baptiste?
38:23No.
38:24No.
38:24Councilor Burgow?
38:25Yes.
38:26Yes.
38:26Councilor Carney?
38:27No.
38:28No.
38:28Councilor Choquette?
38:29Yes.
38:30Yes.
38:30Councilor Gomes?
38:32No.
38:32Councilor Lopes?
38:34No.
38:34Councilor Oliver?
38:35Yes.
38:36Yes.
38:36Councilor Pemberton?
38:38Yes.
38:39Yes.
38:39Councilor Pereira?
38:40Yes.
38:41Yes.
38:41Councilor Roy?
38:43No.
38:43No.
38:45Passes 6 to 5.
38:45Item passes 6 to 5.
38:47We'll move to item number 3.
38:49Mr. President, item 3 is cutting the Auditor's Personal Services project coordinator, the 100 account, in the amount of $56,401, offered by Councilors Pemberton, Abreu, and Choquette.
39:02Thank you.
39:05Councilor Abreu.
39:05Yes.
39:06Yes.
39:07Councilor Baptiste.
39:08No.
39:09No.
39:09Councilor Burgos.
39:10No.
39:11No.
39:11Councilor Carney.
39:12No.
39:13No.
39:13Councilor Choquette.
39:14Yes.
39:15Yes.
39:15Councilor Gomes.
39:17No.
39:17Councilor Lopes.
39:20No.
39:21Councilor Oliver.
39:22No.
39:23No.
39:23Councilor Pemberton.
39:24Yes.
39:25Yes.
39:25Councilor Ferreira.
39:26No.
39:27No.
39:27Councilor Roy.
39:28No.
39:29No.
39:30Fails three to eight.
39:31Item fails three to eight.
39:33Thank you.
39:36Mr. President, item four is in the auditors in the one hundred account, the amount of two thousand dollars offered by Councilors Lopes, Abreu, and Carney.
39:46Councilor Abreu?
39:46Yep.
39:47Yes.
39:48Councilor Baptiste?
39:49Yes.
39:49Yes.
39:50Councilor Burgo?
39:51No.
39:51No.
39:52Councilor Carney?
39:52Yes.
39:53Yes.
39:53Councilor Choquette?
39:54Yes.
39:55Yes.
39:55Councilor Gomes?
39:56Yes.
39:57Yes.
39:57Councilor Lopes?
39:58Yes.
39:59Yes.
39:59Councilor Oliver?
40:00Yes.
40:01Yes.
40:01Councilor Pemberton?
40:03Yes.
40:04Yes.
40:04Councilor Pereira?
40:05Yes.
40:05Yes.
40:06Councilor Roy?
40:06Yes.
40:07Yes.
40:08Passes 10 to 1.
40:09Item passes 10 to 1.
40:11That'll bring us to number 5.
40:14Item 5 is from the auditors in the amount of, uh, the 200 account, the amount of $44,580, and the 60 cents, offered by Councilor Abreu.
40:24Councilor Abreu?
40:25Yes.
40:25Yes.
40:26Councilor Baptiste?
40:27No.
40:27No.
40:28Councilor Burgos?
40:29No.
40:30No.
40:30Councilor Carney?
40:31No.
40:31No.
40:32Councilor Chauquet?
40:33No.
40:34No.
40:34Councilor Gomes?
40:36No.
40:36Councilor Lopes?
40:37No.
40:37No.
40:38Councilor Oliver?
40:39No.
40:40No.
40:40Councilor Pemberton?
40:42No.
40:42No.
40:42Councilor Pereira?
40:43No.
40:44No.
40:44Councilor Roy?
40:45No.
40:46No.
40:46Fails 1 to 10.
40:47Bills 1 to 10, number 6.
40:50Mr. President, item 6 is in the auditor's and the 200 account in the amount of $33,435.45, offered by Councilor Abreu.
40:58Councilor Abreu?
41:00Yes.
41:00Councilor Baptiste?
41:01No.
41:02No.
41:02Councilor Burgos?
41:03No.
41:04No.
41:04Councilor Carney?
41:05No.
41:05No.
41:06Councilor Choquette?
41:07No.
41:08No.
41:08Councilor Gomes?
41:09No.
41:09Councilor Lopes?
41:10No.
41:11No.
41:11Councilor Oliver?
41:12No.
41:13No.
41:13Councilor Pemberton?
41:14No.
41:15No.
41:15Councilor Pereira?
41:16No.
41:17No.
41:17Councilor Roy?
41:18No.
41:19No.
41:19Fails 1 to 10.
41:21Item fails 1 to 10.
41:23Number 7.
41:24Mr. President, item 7 is in the auditor's and the 200 account in the amount of $22,782, offered by Councilors Burgo, Abreu, and Carney.
41:32Councilor Abreu?
41:34Yes.
41:34Councilor Baptiste?
41:35Yes.
41:35Yes.
41:36Councilor Burgo?
41:37Yes.
41:37Yes.
41:38Councilor Harney?
41:38Yes.
41:39Yes.
41:39Councilor Choquette?
41:40Yes.
41:41Yes.
41:41Councilor Gomes?
41:42Yes.
41:43Yes.
41:43Councilor Lopes?
41:44Yes.
41:45Yes.
41:45Councilor Oliver?
41:46Yes.
41:46Yes.
41:47Councilor Pemberton?
41:47Yes.
41:48Yes.
41:49Councilor Pereira?
41:49No.
41:50No.
41:51Councilor Roy?
41:52No.
41:53No.
41:53Passes 9 to 2, Mr. President.
41:55Item passes 9 to 2.
41:59That brings us to number 9.
42:02Mr. President, item 9 is Proposed cut in the auditors in the 700 account in the amount of $3,000 offered by Councilor Choquette, Abreu, Pemberton, and Pereira.
42:11Councilor Abreu?
42:13Yes.
42:13Councilor Baptiste?
42:14Yes.
42:14Yes.
42:15Councilor Burgos?
42:16No.
42:17No.
42:17Councilor Carney?
42:18No.
42:18No.
42:19Councilor Choquette?
42:20Yes.
42:20Yes.
42:21Councilor Gomes?
42:21No.
42:22Councilor Lopes?
42:23Yes.
42:24Yes.
42:24Councilor Oliver?
42:25Yes.
42:25Yes.
42:26Councilor Pemberton?
42:27Yes.
42:27Yes.
42:28Councilor Pereira?
42:28Yes.
42:29Yes.
42:29Councilor Roy?
42:30No, no, passes 7-4.
42:33Item passes 7-4.
42:35That brings us to number 11.
42:39Mr. President, item 11 is a proposed cut to the Chief Financial Officer's office in the 200 account in the amount of $6,655, offered by Councilor Pemberton.
42:49Councilor Abrams?
42:50No.
42:51Councilor Baptiste?
42:52No.
42:53Councilor Burgos?
42:54Yes.
42:55Yes.
42:55Councilor Carney?
42:56No.
42:57No.
42:57Councilor Choquette.
42:58No.
42:59No.
42:59Councilor Gomes.
43:01No.
43:01Councilor Lopes.
43:02No.
43:03No.
43:03Councilor Oliver.
43:04No.
43:05No.
43:05Councilor Pemberton.
43:06Yes.
43:07Yes.
43:07Councilor Pereira.
43:08No.
43:09No.
43:09Councilor Roy.
43:10No.
43:11No.
43:13Item fails 2 to 9.
43:14That brings us to number 12.
43:17Mr. President, item 12 is the proposed cut in City Clerk's Office and 200 accounting $13, offered by Councilor Pemberton.
43:24Councilor Abreu?
43:26No.
43:26Councilor Baptiste?
43:27No.
43:28Councilor Burgo?
43:29No.
43:30No.
43:30Councilor Carney?
43:31No.
43:31No.
43:32Councilor Choquette?
43:32No.
43:33No.
43:34Councilor Gomes?
43:35No.
43:35Councilor Lopes?
43:36No.
43:37No.
43:37Councilor Oliver?
43:38No.
43:39No.
43:39Councilor Pemberton?
43:41No.
43:42No.
43:42Councilor Pereira?
43:43No.
43:44No.
43:45Councilor Roy?
43:46No.
43:46No.
43:47Fails 0 to 11.
43:48Item fails 0 to 11.
43:50Number 13.
43:52Mr. President, item 13 is a proposed cut to the city clerk's office in the 200 account in the amount of $1,000, offered by Councilor Abreu.
43:58Councilor Abreu?
43:59Yes.
43:59Councilor Baptiste?
44:00No.
44:01No.
44:01Councilor Burgos?
44:02No.
44:03No.
44:03Councilor Carney?
44:04No.
44:05No.
44:05Councilor Choquette?
44:06No.
44:07No.
44:08Councilor Gomes?
44:08No.
44:09Councilor Lopes?
44:11No.
44:11No.
44:12Councilor Oliver?
44:12No.
44:13No.
44:13Councilor Pemberton?
44:15No.
44:16No.
44:16Councilor Pereira?
44:17No.
44:18No.
44:18Councilor Roy?
44:19No.
44:20No.
44:20Fails 1 to 10, Mr. President.
44:21Item fails 1 to 10.
44:23We're on to number 14.
44:25Mr. President, item 14 is proposed cut in the City Council office in the 700 account in the amount of $12,000, offered by Councilors Pereira, Carney, and Burgo.
44:33Councilor Abram?
44:34No.
44:35Councilor Baptiste?
44:36No.
44:37No.
44:38Councilor Burgo?
44:38Yes.
44:39Yes.
44:40Councilor Carney?
44:40Yes.
44:41Yes.
44:41Councilor Choquette.
44:43Yes.
44:43Yes.
44:44Councilor Gomes.
44:44No.
44:45No.
44:45Councilor Lopez.
44:46No.
44:47No.
44:47Councilor Oliver.
44:48Yes.
44:49Yes.
44:49Councilor Pemberton.
44:50Yes.
44:51Yes.
44:51Councilor Pereira.
44:52Yes.
44:53Yes.
44:53Councilor Roy.
44:54No.
44:55No.
44:55Passes 6 to 5, Mr. President.
44:57Item passes 6 to 5.
45:01Brings us to 17.
45:06Brings us to item 17.
45:08Thank you, Mr. President.
45:13Item 17 is a proposed cut to the elections office in the amount of— in the 200 account— in the amount of $19,643, offered by Councilor Pemberton.
45:21Councilor Abram?
45:23No.
45:23Councilor Baptiste?
45:25No.
45:25Councilor Burgo?
45:26No.
45:27No.
45:27Councilor Carney?
45:28No.
45:28No.
45:29Councilor Choquette?
45:30No.
45:30No.
45:31Councilor Gomes?
45:32No.
45:32Councilor Lopes?
45:33No.
45:34No.
45:34Councilor Oliver?
45:35No.
45:36No.
45:36Councilor Pemberton?
45:37Yes.
45:37Yes.
45:38Councilor Pereira?
45:39No.
45:39No.
45:40Councilor Roy?
45:41No.
45:41No.
45:41Fails 1 to 10.
45:43Item fails 1 to 10.
45:44Number 18 is now before us.
45:48Mr. President, item 18 is a proposed cut to the elections office in the amount of $200, uh, in the $200 account, the amount of $10,000 offered by Councilor Carney.
45:57Councilor No, Councilor Baptiste.
46:00No, Councilor Burgo.
46:01No, no, Councilor Carney.
46:04Yes, yes, Councilor Choquette.
46:06No, no, Councilor Gomes.
46:09No, Councilor Lopes.
46:09No, no, Councilor Oliver.
46:11No, no, Councilor Pemberton.
46:13No, no, Councilor Pereira.
46:15No, no, Councilor Roy.
46:17No, no, fails 1 to 10, Mr. President.
46:19Item fails 1 to 10.
46:21Number 19 is now before us, Mr. President.
46:23Item 19 is cut.
46:24It's proposed cut to the Elections Office in the 200 account in the amount of $3,160, offered by Councillors Abreu and Pemberton.
46:31Councillor Abreu?
46:32Yes.
46:33Yes.
46:33Councillor Baptiste?
46:35No.
46:35Councillor Burgos?
46:36No.
46:37No.
46:37Councillor Carney?
46:38Yes.
46:39Yes.
46:39Councillor Choquette?
46:41Yes.
46:41Yes.
46:42Councillor Gomes?
46:44No.
46:44Councillor Lopes?
46:44No.
46:45No.
46:45Councillor Oliver?
46:47No.
46:47No.
46:48Councillor Pemberton?
46:48Yes.
46:49Yes.
46:50Councillor Pereira?
46:50No.
46:51No.
46:51Councilor Roy.
46:52No.
46:53No.
46:54Fails 4 to 7.
46:55Item fails 4 to 7.
46:56We're on to number 20.
46:59Mr. President, item 20 is proposed cut to EMS in the 100 account in the amount of $50,000 offered by Councilor Pemberton.
47:06Councilor Abreu.
47:07No.
47:07Councilor Baptiste.
47:09No.
47:09Councilor Burgo.
47:10No.
47:11No.
47:11Councilor Carney.
47:12No.
47:13No.
47:13Councilor Choquette.
47:14No.
47:14No.
47:15Councilor Gomes.
47:15No.
47:16No.
47:16Councilor Lopes?
47:17No.
47:18No.
47:18Councilor Oliver?
47:19No.
47:20No.
47:20Councilor Pemberton?
47:21No.
47:22No.
47:22Councilor Pereira?
47:23No.
47:24No.
47:24Councilor Roy?
47:25No.
47:26No.
47:27Fails 0 to 11.
47:28Item fails 0 to 11.
47:31Number 21.
47:32Mr. President, item 21 is a proposed cut to the Facilities and Fleet Management Office in the 100 account in the amount of $40,000 offered by Councilor Carney.
47:40Councilor Raybrook?
47:42No.
47:42Councilor Baptiste?
47:43No.
47:44Councilor Burgos?
47:44No.
47:45No.
47:45Councilor Carney?
47:46Yes.
47:47Yes.
47:47Councilor Choquette?
47:48No.
47:49No.
47:49Councilor Gomes?
47:50No.
47:51Councilor Lopes?
47:53No.
47:53No.
47:54Councilor Oliver?
47:56Yes.
47:57Yes.
47:58Councilor Pemberton?
47:59No.
48:00No.
48:00Councilor Pereira?
48:01No.
48:02No.
48:02Councilor Roy?
48:03No.
48:03No.
48:04Fails 2 to 9.
48:05Item fails 2 to 9.
48:06We're on to number 22.
48:07Mr. President, item 22, proposed cut to facilities and fleet management, the 200 account, in the amount of $150,000, proposed by Councilor Carney.
48:16Councilor Abreu?
48:18No.
48:18Councilor Baptiste?
48:19No.
48:19Councilor Burgos?
48:21No.
48:21No.
48:22Councilor Carney?
48:22Yes.
48:23Yes.
48:24Councilor Choquette?
48:24No.
48:25No.
48:26Councilor Gomes?
48:26No.
48:27Councilor Lopes?
48:28No.
48:29No.
48:29Councilor Oliver?
48:30Yes.
48:31Yes.
48:31Councilor Pemberton?
48:32No.
48:33No.
48:33Councilor Pereira?
48:34No.
48:35No.
48:35Councilor Royd?
48:36No.
48:36No.
48:37Fails 2 to 9.
48:38Item fails 2 to 9.
48:40Number 23 is before us.
48:41Mr. President, item 23 is proposed cut to facilities and fleet management in the 200 account in the amount of $48,013, proposed by Councilor Pemberton.
48:50Councilor Abreu?
48:51No.
48:52No.
48:53Councilor Baptiste?
48:54No.
48:54Councilor Burgos?
48:55No.
48:56No.
48:56Councilor Carney?
48:57Yes.
48:58Yes.
48:58Councilor Choquette?
49:00No.
49:00No.
49:01Councilor Gomes?
49:02No.
49:03Councilor Lopes?
49:03No.
49:04No.
49:04Councilor Oliver?
49:05Yes.
49:06Yes.
49:06Councilor Pemberton?
49:07Yes.
49:08Yes.
49:08Councilor Pereira?
49:09Yes.
49:09Yes.
49:10Councilor Roy?
49:11No.
49:11No.
49:12Fails 4 to 7.
49:14Item fails 4 to 7.
49:16Number 24.
49:18Mr. President, item 24 is a proposed cut to facilities and fleet management in the 400 account in the amount of $245,988.
49:27Opposed by Councilor Burgow.
49:28Councilor Abreu?
49:30No.
49:30Councilor Baptiste?
49:32No.
49:32Councilor Burgow?
49:33Yes.
49:34Yes.
49:34Councilor Carney?
49:35No.
49:36No.
49:36Councilor Chauquette?
49:37No.
49:38No.
49:38Councilor Gomes?
49:39No.
49:40No.
49:40Councilor Lopes?
49:41No.
49:42No.
49:42Councilor Oliver?
49:43Yes.
49:43Yes.
49:44Councilor Pemberton?
49:45No.
49:46No.
49:46Councilor Pereira?
49:47No.
49:48No.
49:48Councilor Roy?
49:49No.
49:50No.
49:50Fails 2 to 9.
49:51Item fails 2 to 9.
49:52Number 25.
49:55Mr. President, item 25 is the facilities and fleet management in the 400 account in the amount of $200,000, proposed by Councillors Carney and Burgo.
50:03Councillor Abreu?
50:04No.
50:04Councillor Baptiste?
50:05No.
50:06Councillor Burgo?
50:07Yes.
50:08Yes.
50:08Councillor Carney?
50:09Yes.
50:09Yes.
50:10Councillor Chonkette?
50:11No.
50:11No.
50:12Councillor Gomes?
50:13No.
50:13Councillor Lopes?
50:14Yes.
50:15Yes.
50:15Councillor Oliver?
50:16Yes.
50:17Yes.
50:17Councillor Pemberton?
50:19Yes.
50:19Yes.
50:19Councilor Ferreira?
50:21Yes.
50:22Yes.
50:22Councilor Roy?
50:24No.
50:24No.
50:25Passes 6 to 5.
50:26Item passes 6 to 5.
50:27That takes us to 34.
50:3134.
50:33Thank you.
50:34No problem.
50:35Appreciate that.
50:36Yeah.
50:3725.
50:39Mr. President, item 34 is a proposed cut to facilities and fleet management in the 800 account in the amount of $70,000.
50:44$73,500, proposed by Councillors Abreu and Carney.
50:48Councillor Abreu?
50:49Yes.
50:50Yes.
50:51Councillor Baptiste?
50:51No.
50:52No.
50:52Councillor Burgos?
50:53No.
50:54No.
50:54Councillor Carney?
50:55Yes.
50:56Yes.
50:56Councillor Chauquet?
50:57Yes.
50:58Yes.
50:58Councillor Gomes?
51:00No.
51:00Councillor Lopes?
51:01No.
51:02No.
51:02Councillor Oliver?
51:04Yes.
51:05Yes.
51:05Councillor Pemberton?
51:06Yes.
51:06Yes.
51:07Councillor Pereira?
51:08No.
51:09No.
51:09Councillor Roy?
51:10Nope.
51:10No, fails 5 to 6.
51:12Item fails 5 to 6.
51:18Number 35.
51:20Mr. President, item 35 is a proposed cut to the fire department in the 700 account in the amount of $2,152, proposed by Councilor Choquette.
51:29Councilor Abril.
51:33Number 35, councilor, from the fire department.
51:36No.
51:37No.
51:37Councilor Baptiste.
51:38No.
51:39No.
51:39Councilor Burgos.
51:40No.
51:41No.
51:41Councilor Carney.
51:42No.
51:42No.
51:43Councilor Choquette.
51:44No.
51:44No.
51:45Councilor Gomes.
51:46No.
51:47No.
51:47Councilor Lopes.
51:48Just one no.
51:50No.
51:50Councilor Oliver.
51:51No.
51:52No.
51:52Councilor Pedersen.
51:53No.
51:54No.
51:54Councilor Pereira.
51:55No.
51:56No.
51:56Councilor Roy.
51:57No.
51:57No.
51:580 to 11, Mr. President.
51:590 to 11.
52:03Number 36.
52:04Mr. President, item 36 is a proposed cut to Health and Human Services in the 100 account in the amount of $102,000, proposed by Councilor Carney.
52:12Mr. President?
52:15Yes.
52:16Councilor Burlow.
52:18Um, I just want to remind colleagues that if they change their mind on cuts, they can withdraw them instead of going through the rigmarole of voting no and having zero 0 to 11.
52:28Also on this cut, I want to note that the position of assistant director of public health, it is a filled position.
52:38I know there might have been some confusion about whether or not we have actually hired someone for assistant director.
52:44Obviously given the situation of the combined departments, 5 departments into one, I think it would be crucial to have this hierarchy.
52:56Obviously, we know that the director of community services was eliminated, director of parks and recreation.
53:03We still aren't sure what it will look like right now with just a health director and then the 2 assistant directors trying to oversee 5 departments consolidated into one.
53:14So I just— I rise today to make sure my colleagues are aware that there is someone in this role right now, and to eliminate this position position would to be laying off another person in a time when this department has already seen huge reductions.
53:28Thank you.
53:29Thank you, Councilor.
53:30Item number 36.
53:34Councilor Abramowicz?
53:36No.
53:37Councilor Baptiste?
53:38No.
53:38Councilor Burgos?
53:39No.
53:40No.
53:40Councilor Carney?
53:41Yes.
53:42Yes.
53:42Councilor Choquette?
53:43No.
53:44No.
53:44Councilor Gomes?
53:46No.
53:46Councilor Lopez?
53:47No.
53:47Councilor Oliver?
53:49No.
53:49No.
53:49Councilor Pemberton?
53:50No.
53:51No.
53:51Councilor Pereira?
53:52No.
53:53No.
53:53Councilor Roy?
53:54No.
53:55No.
53:55Fails 1 to 10.
53:56Item fails 1 to 10.
53:57Number 37.
54:01Mr. President, item 37 is a cut to the Health and Human Services Department, the 100 account, in the amount of $54,427, offered by Councilor Choquette.
54:10Councilor Abreu?
54:12No.
54:12Councilor Baptiste?
54:14No.
54:14Councilor Burgos?
54:15No.
54:15No.
54:16Councilor Carney?
54:16Yes.
54:17Yes.
54:18Councilor Chilcutt?
54:18Yes.
54:19Yes.
54:19Councilor Gomes?
54:21No.
54:21Councilor Lopes?
54:22No.
54:22No.
54:23Councilor Oliver?
54:25Yes.
54:25Councilor Pemberton?
54:26Yes.
54:26Yes.
54:27Councilor Pereira?
54:28No.
54:29No.
54:29Councilor Roy?
54:30No.
54:31No.
54:31Fails 4 to 7, Mr. President.
54:33Item fails 4 to 7.
54:34We run to number 38.
54:36Mr. President, item 38 is cut to the Health and Human Services Department in the 200 account in the amount of $3,044, offered by Councilors Abreu and Pereira.
54:45Councilor Abreu?
54:46Yes.
54:47Councilor Baptiste?
54:47No.
54:48Councilor Bruggo?
54:49No.
54:50No.
54:50Councilor Carney?
54:51Yes.
54:52Yes.
54:52Councilor Choquette?
54:53Yes.
54:54Yes.
54:54Councilor Gomes?
54:56No.
54:56Councilor Lopes?
54:57No.
54:58No.
54:58Councilor Oliver?
55:01No.
55:02No.
55:02Councilor Pemberton?
55:03Yes.
55:04Yes.
55:04Councilor Pereira?
55:05Yes.
55:06Yes.
55:06Councilor Roy?
55:07No.
55:08No.
55:08Fails 5 to 6.
55:09Item fails 5 to 6.
55:10Number 39 is before us.
55:12Mr. President, item 39 is a proposed cut to the Health and Human Services Office in the amount of $400— in the $400 account in the amount of $1,620, offered by Councilor Pemberton.
55:23Councilor Abram?
55:23Yes.
55:24Yes.
55:25Councilor Baptiste?
55:26No.
55:27No.
55:27Councilor Burgos?
55:28No.
55:29No.
55:29Councilor Carney?
55:29Yes.
55:30Yes.
55:31Councilor Choquette?
55:32No.
55:32No.
55:33Councilor Gomes?
55:35No.
55:36Councilor Lopes?
55:37No.
55:37Councilor Oliver?
55:38Yes.
55:39Yes.
55:39Councilor Pemberton?
55:40Yes.
55:41Yes.
55:41Councilor Pereira?
55:42Yes.
55:42Yes.
55:43Councilor Roy?
55:44No.
55:44No.
55:45That's 5 to 6.
55:46Item fails 5 to 6.
55:47Number 40.
55:48Mr. President, item 40 is cut to the Health and Human Services Department in the 700 account in the amount of $100,000, offered by Councilor Carney, Councilor Abreu, No.
55:58Councilor Baptiste?
56:00No.
56:00Councilor Burgos?
56:01No.
56:01No.
56:02Councilor Carney?
56:02Yes.
56:03Yes.
56:03Councilor Choquette?
56:05No.
56:06No.
56:06Councilor Gomes?
56:07No.
56:08No.
56:08Councilor Lopes?
56:10No.
56:10No.
56:10Councilor Oliver?
56:11Yes.
56:12Yes.
56:12Councilor Pemberton?
56:13Yes.
56:14Yes.
56:14Councilor Pereira?
56:15No.
56:16No.
56:16Councilor Roy?
56:17No.
56:18No.
56:18Fails 3 to 8.
56:20Item fails 3 to 8.
56:21Item 41 is before Mr. President, item 41 is proposed cut to Health and Human Services in the 700 account in the amount of $99,600, offered by Councilor Abreu.
56:31Councilor Abreu?
56:32Yes.
56:33Yes.
56:33Councilor Baptiste?
56:35No.
56:35Councilor Burgo?
56:36No.
56:36No.
56:37Councilor Carney?
56:37Yes.
56:38Yes.
56:38Councilor Choquette?
56:39Yes.
56:40Yes.
56:40Councilor Gomes?
56:42No.
56:42Councilor Lopes?
56:44No.
56:45No.
56:45Councilor Oliver?
56:46Yes.
56:47Yes.
56:47Councilor Pemberton?
56:48Yes.
56:49Yes.
56:49Councilor Pereira?
56:50No.
56:51No.
56:51Councilor Roy?
56:52No.
56:53No.
56:54Fails 5 to 6.
56:55Item fails 5 to 6.
56:56Number 42.
57:00Mr. President, item 42 is cut to the Health and Human Services Department in the 700 account in the amount of $3,300, offered by Councilors Choquette, Abreu, and Pemberton.
57:08Councilor Abreu?
57:10Yes.
57:10Councilor Baptiste?
57:11No.
57:12Councilor Burgo?
57:13No.
57:13No.
57:13Councilor Carney?
57:14Yes.
57:14Yes.
57:15Yes.
57:15Councilor Choquette.
57:16Yes.
57:17Yes.
57:17Councilor Gomes.
57:18No.
57:19No.
57:19Councilor Lopes.
57:20Yes.
57:21Yes.
57:21Councilor Oliver.
57:22Yes.
57:22Yes.
57:23Councilor Pemberton.
57:25Yes.
57:25Yes.
57:25Councilor Ferreira.
57:26Yes.
57:26Yes.
57:27Councilor Roy.
57:29No.
57:29No.
57:30Passes 7 to 4.
57:31Item passes 7 to 4.
57:33That brings us to number 44.
57:38Mr. President, item 44 is cut to the library.
57:41In the 200 account, the amount of $5,663.
57:4843.
57:49Oh yes, I'm sorry, labor relations.
57:52Oh, that's okay.
57:55Nope, my fault.
57:56Mr. President, item 43 is a proposed cut to the labor relations in the 700 account in the amount of $1,331, proposed by Councilors Choquette, Abreu, and Pemberton.
58:07On the question, Councilor Abram.
58:08Yes.
58:09Yes.
58:10Councilor Baptiste.
58:11No.
58:12No.
58:12Councilor Burgos.
58:15No.
58:16No.
58:16Councilor Carney.
58:17Yes.
58:18Yes.
58:18Councilor Choquette.
58:19Yes.
58:20Yes.
58:20Councilor Gomes.
58:22No.
58:22No.
58:22Councilor Lopes.
58:23Yes.
58:24Yes.
58:24Councilor Oliver.
58:25Yes.
58:26Yes.
58:26Councilor Pemberton.
58:27Yes.
58:29Yes.
58:29Councilor Pereira.
58:30Yes.
58:31Yes.
58:31Councilor Roy.
58:32No.
58:33No.
58:34Passes 7 to 4, Mr. President.
58:36Item passes 7 to 4.
58:38Now we're on to 44.
58:39My apologies, Mr. President.
58:42Item 44 is proposed cut to the library in the 200 account in the amount of $5,663, offered by Councilor Pemberton.
58:49Councilor Abreu?
58:51Yes.
58:51Yes.
58:52Councilor Baptiste?
58:53No.
58:54No.
58:54Councilor Borgo?
58:55No.
58:56No.
58:56Councilor Carney?
58:57No.
58:57No.
58:58Councilor Choquette?
58:59No.
58:59No.
59:00Councilor Gomes?
59:01No.
59:01Councilor Lopes?
59:02No.
59:03No.
59:03Councilor Oliver?
59:04Yes.
59:04Yes.
59:05Councilor Pemberton?
59:06Yes.
59:06Yes.
59:07Councilor Pereira?
59:07No.
59:08No.
59:09Councilor Roy?
59:10No.
59:11No.
59:11Fails 3 to 8.
59:11Item fails 3 to 8.
59:13Number 45 is before us.
59:16Mr. President, item 45 is a proposed cut to the library in the 400 account in the amount of $3,500, sponsored by Councilor Abreu.
59:22Councilor Abreu.
59:23Yes.
59:24Councilor Baptiste?
59:25No.
59:26Councilor Burgos?
59:27No.
59:27Councilor Carney?
59:28No.
59:29No.
59:29Councilor Choquette?
59:30No.
59:31No.
59:31Councilor Gomes?
59:32No.
59:34No.
59:34Councilor Lopes?
59:34No.
59:35No.
59:35Councilor Oliver?
59:36Yes.
59:37Yes.
59:37Councilor Pemberton?
59:38Yes.
59:39Yes.
59:39Councilor Pereira?
59:40No.
59:41No.
59:41Councilor Roy?
59:42No.
59:43No.
59:43Fails 3 to 8.
59:44Item fails 3 to 8.
59:45Number 46.
59:47Mr. President, item 46.
59:49This proposed cut to the management and information systems in the 100 account in the amount of $86,400, sponsored by Councilor Choquette.
59:56Councilor Abram?
59:58No.
59:58Councilor Baptiste?
59:59No.
1:00:00No.
1:00:00Councilor Burgo?
1:00:06No.
1:00:06Councilor Carney?
1:00:07No.
1:00:07No.
1:00:08Councilor Choquette?
1:00:09Yes.
1:00:10Yes.
1:00:10Councilor Gomes?
1:00:11No.
1:00:12No.
1:00:12Councilor Lopes?
1:00:13No.
1:00:13No.
1:00:14Councilor Oliver?
1:00:15Yes.
1:00:15Yes.
1:00:16Councilor Pemberton?
1:00:18Yes.
1:00:19Councilor Pereira?
1:00:20No.
1:00:20No.
1:00:21Councilor Roy?
1:00:22No.
1:00:22No.
1:00:23Fails 3 to 8.
1:00:24Item fails 3 to 8.
1:00:25That brings us to number 47.
1:00:28Mr. President, item 47 is proposed cut to management and information systems in the 200 account in the amount of $100,000 by Councilor Carney.
1:00:35Councilor Abram?
1:00:36No.
1:00:37No.
1:00:37Councilor Baptiste?
1:00:38No.
1:00:39No.
1:00:39Councilor Burgos?
1:00:40No.
1:00:41Councilor Carney?
1:00:42Yes.
1:00:43Yes.
1:00:43Councilor Chauquette?
1:00:44No.
1:00:44No.
1:00:44Councilor Gomes?
1:00:46No.
1:00:46Councilor Lopes?
1:00:47No.
1:00:48No.
1:00:48Councilor Oliver?
1:00:49Yes.
1:00:50Yes.
1:00:50Councilor Pemberton?
1:00:51Yes.
1:00:52Yes.
1:00:52Councilor Pereira?
1:00:53No.
1:00:54No.
1:00:54Councilor Roy?
1:00:55No.
1:00:55No.
1:00:56Fails 3 to 8.
1:00:56Item fails 3 to 8.
1:00:58Number 48.
1:00:59Mr. President, item 48 is a cut to the management information systems in the 200 account in the amount of $36,955, offered by Councillor Choquette, Habroux, Pemberton, and Pereira.
1:01:10Councillor Habroux?
1:01:12Yes.
1:01:13Councillor Baptiste?
1:01:14No.
1:01:14Councillor Burgombe?
1:01:16Yes.
1:01:16Councillor Carney?
1:01:17Yes.
1:01:18Councillor Choquette?
1:01:20Yes.
1:01:20Councillor Gomes?
1:01:21No.
1:01:22Councillor Lopes?
1:01:23No.
1:01:23Councillor Oliver?
1:01:24Yes.
1:01:25Councillor Pemberton?
1:01:26Yes.
1:01:27Councillor Pereira?
1:01:28Yes.
1:01:29Councillor Roy?
1:01:31No.
1:01:31Passes 7 to 4.
1:01:33Item passes 7 to 4.
1:01:35That brings us to number 49.
1:01:38Mr. President, item 49 is a cut to the management information systems in the 700 account in the amount of $10,600, proposed by Councilors Choquette, Abreu, Pemberton, and Pereira.
1:01:48Councilor Abreu?
1:01:49Yes.
1:01:50Councilor Baptiste?
1:01:51No.
1:01:51No.
1:01:52Councilor Burgomaster?
1:01:54Yes.
1:01:54Councilor Carney?
1:01:55Yes.
1:01:56Yes.
1:01:56Councilor Choquette?
1:01:57Yes.
1:01:57Yes.
1:01:58Councilor Holmes?
1:01:59No.
1:02:00Councilor Lopes?
1:02:01No.
1:02:02No.
1:02:02Councilor Oliver?
1:02:03Yes.
1:02:04Yes.
1:02:04Councilor Pemberton?
1:02:05Yes.
1:02:06Yes.
1:02:06Councilor Pereira?
1:02:07Yes.
1:02:07Yes.
1:02:08Councilor Roy?
1:02:09No.
1:02:09No.
1:02:10Passes 7-4.
1:02:11Items passed 7-4.
1:02:13That brings us to number 51.
1:02:16Mr. President, item 51 is a proposed cut to the mayor's office and personal services in the 100 account in the amount of $342,000.
1:02:24$1,542, offered by Councilor Pemberton.
1:02:28Councilor Abramowicz.
1:02:29On the question— sorry, Councilor.
1:02:31On the question, Chair recognizes Councilor Oliver.
1:02:33Thank you, Mr. President.
1:02:34I only rise to remind my colleagues— I know they don't need reminding— but the general public that the administration has already said that they are not going to observe cuts to this department.
1:02:46This is an opportunity in which the council can knowingly cut this department knowing that the mayor is going to have to find it from somewhere else.
1:02:54As I said in my opening remarks, it's there.
1:02:56We might not agree where it is or where— what department the money is sitting in, but I assure you they will find it to fund these positions.
1:03:05We are not going to make this cut assuming that we're going to lay anybody off.
1:03:10They've made that clear.
1:03:11So this is an opportunity to reduce this department knowing full well that they are not going to adhere to the council's cuts, and they're going to have to come back in front of the council to remedy that situation, whether it be through a supplemental or a transfer from another department, which will— they'll then show us their priorities.
1:03:31So I hope my colleagues will vote accordingly while we go through this department.
1:03:36Thank you.
1:03:37Excuse me.
1:03:40Thank you, Council Oliver.
1:03:42Anyone else?
1:03:43All right, I'll ask the clerk to call the roll on number 51.
1:03:46Councilor Abram.
1:03:48No.
1:03:48Councilor Baptiste.
1:03:49No.
1:03:49No.
1:03:50Councilor Burgo.
1:03:51No.
1:03:52Councilor Carney.
1:03:53No.
1:03:53No.
1:03:54Councilor Choquette.
1:03:56No.
1:03:57No.
1:03:57Councilor Gomes.
1:03:59No.
1:03:59Councilor Lopez.
1:04:00No.
1:04:01No.
1:04:01Councilor Oliver.
1:04:02Yes.
1:04:03Yes.
1:04:03Councilor Pemberton.
1:04:04Yes.
1:04:05Yes.
1:04:05Councilor Pereira.
1:04:06No.
1:04:07No.
1:04:07Councilor Roy.
1:04:08No.
1:04:09No.
1:04:09Fails 2 to 9.
1:04:10Item fails 2 to 9.
1:04:11Number 52.
1:04:12Mr. President, item 52 is a proposed cut to the mayor's office in the 100 account in the amount of $245,480, proposed by Councilor Oliver.
1:04:23Councilor Avery.
1:04:25Oh, on the question, chair recognizes Councilor, uh, Burgo.
1:04:30Um, yes, thank you.
1:04:32I appreciate the comments from my colleague from Ward 3 I wanted to speak on this one in particular and not to go after what he said because this one in particular I'm going to join on in voting yes.
1:04:43I know initially I had been saying all along throughout the budget meetings and in private meetings with the administration that we want to eliminate the one chief of staff position, which in my very lengthy opening remarks I explained explained that the administration obviously titles one of their positions as Chief of Staff, which is actually a Chief Operating Officer position.
1:05:08Um, we want to eliminate it.
1:05:10Uh, not because we're attacking his office, but because we see obviously in other departments we've consolidated 5 departments into one.
1:05:18There isn't really a need for that much oversight.
1:05:21That's one justification there.
1:05:23But as my other colleague has mentioned to me during the mayor's budget— the chief of staff during the mayor's presentation department, they had acknowledged that one of the administrative manager positions would not— they would be leaving and that they would be looking to hire someone.
1:05:42Again, during a time where obviously we got rid of vacancies and other positions that in that case, this is a time where we shouldn't be hiring new people.
1:05:51That's why during this next cut, I will be voting yes.
1:05:55I find it necessary to stand up to justify why I have to vote— why I'm going to vote yes, even though I've justified it during many budget hearing meetings and other private meetings that I've had with the administration, because I want to be clear, this is not politically motivated.
1:06:11It just makes fiscal sense, because in other departments we've done the same.
1:06:15When there was a vacancy we did not hire someone.
1:06:18We remember just last year during FY26 budget when we had austerity measures, we did not hire people.
1:06:26When someone left a position that was vacant, we did not hire someone.
1:06:29So I will be joining on for this next cut, and I hope that you all would join me in support of that— this next cut as well.
1:06:36Thank you.
1:06:38Thank you, Councilor.
1:06:39Anyone else?
1:06:40I'll ask the clerk to call the roll on number 52.
1:06:43Councilor Heroux?
1:06:44No.
1:06:45Councilor Baptiste?
1:06:45Yes.
1:06:46Yes.
1:06:46Councilor Burgos?
1:06:47Yes.
1:06:48Yes.
1:06:48Councilor Carney?
1:06:49No.
1:06:50No.
1:06:50Councilor Choquette?
1:06:52Yes.
1:06:53Yes.
1:06:53Councilor Gomes?
1:06:55Yes.
1:06:56Yes.
1:06:56Councilor Lopes?
1:06:57No.
1:06:58No.
1:06:58Councilor Oliver?
1:06:59Yes.
1:07:00Yes.
1:07:00Councilor Pemberton?
1:07:01Yes.
1:07:02Yes.
1:07:02Councilor Pereira?
1:07:04No.
1:07:04No.
1:07:05Councilor Roy?
1:07:06No.
1:07:06No.
1:07:07Passes 6 to 5.
1:07:08Item passes.
1:07:096 to 5.
1:07:11That brings us to number 58.
1:07:19Mr. President, item 58 is proposed cut from the mayor's office in the 200 account in the amount of $8,000, sponsored by Councilor Oliver.
1:07:27Councilor Abreu?
1:07:28No.
1:07:29Councilor Baptiste?
1:07:30No.
1:07:30No.
1:07:30Councilor Burgos?
1:07:31Yes.
1:07:32Yes.
1:07:33Councilor Carney?
1:07:34No.
1:07:34No.
1:07:35Councilor Chilcott?
1:07:36Yes.
1:07:37Yes.
1:07:37Councilor Gomes?
1:07:40I'm sorry, Councilor?
1:07:41No.
1:07:42No.
1:07:43Councilor Lopes?
1:07:46Councilor Oliver?
1:07:47Yes.
1:07:48Yes.
1:07:48Councilor Pemberton?
1:07:50Yes.
1:07:50Yes.
1:07:50Councilor Pereira?
1:07:51No.
1:07:52No.
1:07:52Councilor Roy?
1:07:53No.
1:07:54No.
1:07:55Fails 4 to 6.
1:07:57Item fails 4 to 6.
1:07:59Number 59 is before Mr. President, item 59 is proposed cut to the mayor's office in the 200 account in the amount of $7,591, proposed by Councilor Oliver.
1:08:10Councilor Abreu?
1:08:12No.
1:08:13Councilor Baptiste?
1:08:14No.
1:08:14No.
1:08:14Councilor Burgos?
1:08:15Yes.
1:08:16Yes.
1:08:16Councilor Carney?
1:08:17No.
1:08:18No.
1:08:18Councilor Choquette?
1:08:20Yes.
1:08:20Yes.
1:08:21Councilor Gomes?
1:08:22No.
1:08:22Councilor Lopes?
1:08:27Councillor Oliver?
1:08:28Yes.
1:08:29Yes.
1:08:29Councillor Pemberton?
1:08:30Yes.
1:08:31Yes.
1:08:31Councillor Pereira?
1:08:32No.
1:08:33No.
1:08:33Councillor Roy?
1:08:35No.
1:08:35No.
1:08:35Fails 4 to 6.
1:08:36Item fails 4 to 6.
1:08:38Number 60, the chair recognizes Councillor Oliver.
1:08:42Thank you, Mr. President.
1:08:43I, I rise.
1:08:44I know maybe the description is scaring some of my colleagues for voting no on this, that it's for the senior dances.
1:08:49These are for the Mayor John Mitchell Senior Dances that are paid for by, um, our city budget.
1:08:56That's how they tend to get advertised as.
1:08:59The mayor's got a fundraiser today.
1:09:01I think he can put on senior dances with his coffers if he chooses to do so.
1:09:06I hope that the folks will join us and continue to cut these measures that at this time we just can't simply pay for.
1:09:14Thank you.
1:09:16Thank you, Councilor.
1:09:16Anyone else?
1:09:17Clerk will call the roll.
1:09:19Councilor Abramowicz?
1:09:21No.
1:09:21Councilor Baptiste?
1:09:21No.
1:09:22No.
1:09:22Councilor Burgos?
1:09:23Yes.
1:09:24Councilor Carney?
1:09:25No.
1:09:26Councilor Chilcote?
1:09:27Yes.
1:09:27Yes.
1:09:28Councilor Gomes?
1:09:29No.
1:09:30Councilor Lopes?
1:09:31Councilor Oliver?
1:09:32Yes.
1:09:32Yes.
1:09:33Councilor Pemberton?
1:09:34Yes.
1:09:34Yes.
1:09:35Councilor Pereira?
1:09:35No.
1:09:36No.
1:09:37Councilor Roy?
1:09:38No.
1:09:38No.
1:09:39Fails 4 to 6.
1:09:39Item fails 4 to 6.
1:09:40Number 61 is before us.
1:09:42Mr. President, item 61 is a cut to the Mayor's Office in the $200 count in the amount of $4,658, sponsored by Councilor Oliver.
1:09:49Councilor Abreu?
1:09:51No.
1:09:51Councilor Baptiste?
1:09:52No.
1:09:53No.
1:09:53Councilor Burgos?
1:09:55Yes.
1:09:55Councilor Carney?
1:09:56No.
1:09:57No.
1:09:57Councilor Chilcott?
1:09:58Yes.
1:09:58Yes.
1:09:59Councilor Gomes?
1:10:00No.
1:10:00Councilor Oliver?
1:10:02Yes.
1:10:02Councilor Pemberton?
1:10:03Yes.
1:10:04Yes.
1:10:04Councilor Pereira?
1:10:05No.
1:10:06No.
1:10:06Councilor Roy?
1:10:07No.
1:10:08No.
1:10:08Item fails 4 to 6.
1:10:10Number 62 is before us.
1:10:12Mr. President, item 62 is a proposed cut to the mayor's office in the 200 account in the amount of $2,329, proposed by Councilor Oliver.
1:10:20Councilor Abreu?
1:10:22No.
1:10:22Councilor Baptiste?
1:10:23No.
1:10:23No.
1:10:24Councilor Virgo?
1:10:25Yes.
1:10:25Councilor Carney?
1:10:26No.
1:10:27No.
1:10:27Councilor Chauquette?
1:10:28Yes.
1:10:29Yes.
1:10:29Councilor Gomes?
1:10:30No.
1:10:30No.
1:10:31Councilor Lopes?
1:10:32Councilor Oliver?
1:10:32Yes.
1:10:33Yes.
1:10:34Councilor Pemberton?
1:10:34Yes.
1:10:35Yes.
1:10:35Councilor Ferrara?
1:10:36Yes.
1:10:37Yes.
1:10:37Councilor Roy.
1:10:38No.
1:10:39No.
1:10:39Item fails 5 to 6.
1:10:415 to 5.
1:10:435 to 5.
1:10:43Excuse me, I'm sorry.
1:10:45It's okay.
1:10:46All right, number 63 is before us, Mr. President.
1:10:50Item 63 is proposed cut to the mayor's office in the 700 account in the amount of $38,267, proposed by Councilors Pereira and Burgo.
1:10:59Councilor Abrams, on the question, the chair would just like to make a comment.
1:11:04We have been tonight, uh, eliminating travel and budget and subscription lines from our account, from a person— other departments in the city's account.
1:11:15The mayor does have some need to travel, so I have proposed elimination of all dues like I did for a lot of other departments and half the travel.
1:11:24That still allows the mayor to travel as needed when representing this city on official business.
1:11:28Business, but reduces it in a budget crunch.
1:11:30Because when, as a corporation or an enterprise does, when there's fiscal problems, it's reduced on the stuff we don't need.
1:11:38Dues and subscriptions and travel are sometimes secondary.
1:11:41Thank you.
1:11:41Chair recognizes Councilor Stokely.
1:11:43Thank you, Mr. President.
1:11:46It's my understanding that the mayor is able to fund his travel account using his political funds.
1:11:55Necessary.
1:11:56So I wouldn't worry too much about that, in my opinion.
1:11:59Thank you.
1:12:01Okay, thank you, Councillor.
1:12:04Anyone else?
1:12:06Okay, I'll ask the clerk to call the roll.
1:12:08Councillor Abreu?
1:12:09Yes.
1:12:10Councillor Baptiste?
1:12:13Yes.
1:12:13Yes.
1:12:14Councillor Burgos?
1:12:14Yes.
1:12:15Yes.
1:12:15Councillor Carney?
1:12:16No.
1:12:17No.
1:12:17Councillor Chilcott?
1:12:18Yes.
1:12:19Yes.
1:12:19Councillor Gomes?
1:12:23Yes.
1:12:23Councilor Lopes?
1:12:25Yes.
1:12:25Councilor Oliver?
1:12:26Yes.
1:12:27Yes.
1:12:27Councilor Pemberton?
1:12:28Yes.
1:12:29Yes.
1:12:29Councilor Pereira?
1:12:30Yes.
1:12:30Yes.
1:12:31Councilor Roy?
1:12:32No.
1:12:32No.
1:12:33Passes 9 to 2.
1:12:34Item passes 9 to 2.
1:12:37That brings us to number 68.
1:12:42Mr. President, item 68 is a cut to the planning department in the 200 account in the amount of $52,000.
1:12:47$442, sponsored by Councilors Abreu and Choquette.
1:12:51Councilor Abreu?
1:12:53Yes.
1:12:53Councilor Baptiste?
1:12:54No.
1:12:55No.
1:12:55Councilor Burgow?
1:12:56No.
1:12:57No.
1:12:57Councilor Carney?
1:12:58No.
1:12:58No.
1:12:59Councilor Choquette?
1:13:00Yes.
1:13:00Yes.
1:13:01Councilor Gomes?
1:13:02No.
1:13:02Councilor Lopes?
1:13:04No.
1:13:04Councilor Oliver?
1:13:05Yes.
1:13:06Yes.
1:13:06Councilor Pemberton?
1:13:07Yes.
1:13:08Yes.
1:13:08Councilor Pereira?
1:13:09No.
1:13:10No.
1:13:10Councilor Roy?
1:13:11No.
1:13:11No.
1:13:12Fails 4 to 7.
1:13:13Item fails 4 to 7.
1:13:14That brings us to number 69.
1:13:17Mr. President, item 69 is cut for Planning Department, a $700 accounting amount of $1,200, sponsored by Councilor Abreu.
1:13:23Councilor Abreu?
1:13:25Yes.
1:13:25Councilor Baptiste?
1:13:26Yes.
1:13:27Yes.
1:13:27Councilor Burgo?
1:13:28Yes.
1:13:29Yes.
1:13:29Councilor Carney?
1:13:30Yes.
1:13:30Yes.
1:13:30Councilor Choquette?
1:13:32Yes.
1:13:32Yes.
1:13:32Councilor Gomes?
1:13:34No.
1:13:34Councilor Lopes?
1:13:36No.
1:13:36Councilor Oliver?
1:13:37Yes.
1:13:38Yes.
1:13:38Councilor Pemberton?
1:13:39Yes.
1:13:39Yes.
1:13:40Councilor Pereira?
1:13:41Yes.
1:13:41Yes.
1:13:42Councilor Roy?
1:13:43No.
1:13:43No.
1:13:44Passes 8 to 3.
1:13:46Item passes 8 to 3.
1:13:47That brings us to number 70.
1:13:51Mr. President, item 70 is cut to the police department in the 100 account in the amount of $383,975, sponsored by Councilor Burgo.
1:14:00Councilor Abreu?
1:14:01Oh, on the question, the chair recognizes Councilor It's okay.
1:14:06Thank you.
1:14:07So again, just as I mentioned in my remarks, another position where the mayor wanted to usurp the city council, put someone as a chief of staff when they really wanted to title them a deputy director.
1:14:20I won't go too much in that.
1:14:21I already spoke about that.
1:14:23But also included in here is an assistant deputy chief.
1:14:26Again, not saying that we don't need a secondary assistant deputy chief.
1:14:30Again, to clarify, we already have an assistant deputy chief who does an amazing job.
1:14:36We've gone without an assistant deputy chief for quite some time.
1:14:39I think right now we can hold off for this fiscal year until next year to see where we're at.
1:14:45This body just recently voted on trying to eliminate an assistant director in a different department.
1:14:50I would hope that in this time where we have a vacancy, this is a position we can hold off on.
1:14:55The other, uh, add-in that I add in here was an admin manager.
1:14:59The police department was doing fine with just one admin manager.
1:15:02This year they added a secondary admin manager, which is why I included that in there.
1:15:06So I just wanted to give some explanation on why these 3 particular positions, and I hope that I'll have the support.
1:15:13Thank you.
1:15:14Thank you, Councilor.
1:15:16Anyone else?
1:15:17I'll ask the clerk to call the roll.
1:15:20Councilor Abram.
1:15:22No.
1:15:22Councilor Baptiste?
1:15:24No.
1:15:24Councilor Burgos?
1:15:25Yes.
1:15:26Councilor Carney?
1:15:26No.
1:15:27No.
1:15:27Councilor Choquette?
1:15:28No.
1:15:29No.
1:15:30Councilor Gomes?
1:15:31No.
1:15:32Councilor Lopes?
1:15:33No.
1:15:33Councilor Oliver?
1:15:34Yes.
1:15:35Yes.
1:15:35Councilor Pemberton?
1:15:36Yes.
1:15:37Yes.
1:15:37Councilor Pereira?
1:15:38Yes.
1:15:39Yes.
1:15:39Councilor Roy?
1:15:40No.
1:15:41No.
1:15:42Fails 4 to 7.
1:15:43Item fails 4 to 7.
1:15:44That brings us to number 71.
1:15:46Mr. President, item 71 is to cut the police department in the 100 account in the amount of $368,207, proposed by Councilor Oliver.
1:15:55Councilor Abram?
1:15:56No.
1:15:57Councilor Baptiste?
1:15:58No.
1:15:59No.
1:15:59Councilor Burgow?
1:16:00Yes.
1:16:01Yes.
1:16:02Councilor Carney?
1:16:02No.
1:16:03No.
1:16:03Councilor Choquette?
1:16:04No.
1:16:05No.
1:16:05Councilor Gomes?
1:16:07No.
1:16:07Councilor Lopes?
1:16:08No.
1:16:09No.
1:16:09Councilor Oliver?
1:16:11Yes.
1:16:11Councilor Pemberton?
1:16:12Yes.
1:16:12Yes.
1:16:13Councilor Pereira?
1:16:13Yes.
1:16:14Yes.
1:16:14Councilor Roy?
1:16:15No.
1:16:16No.
1:16:16Fails 4 to 7.
1:16:17Item fails 4 to 7.
1:16:19That brings us to number 72.
1:16:20Mr. President, item 72 is cut to the police department in the 100 account in the amount of $306,264, offered by Councilor Pereira.
1:16:29Question from the chair.
1:16:31You know, uh, looking at this budget, and when the chief was here, I questioned, A, the, the what I see as a usurpation of this body's legislative authority in creating that position of the Chief of Staff.
1:16:46We should have had a direct role in creating that position.
1:16:50The position might have merit, but it deserved debate.
1:16:55It deserved public debate so that the taxpayers who sent us here can, can know that we were reviewing it and it just wasn't being created out of thin air.
1:17:04So I have no appetite to fund that position.
1:17:07And one, the addition of an assistant deputy chief— this department has operated with a chief and a deputy chief, as my colleague from Clara Street has said, for decades.
1:17:18They created 2 assistant deputy chiefs to create 4 upper management.
1:17:22We know there's some issues going on right now and what they're trying to do with the captain's position in that department.
1:17:27So we have a chief, we have a deputy chief filled, and we have an assistant deputy chief filled.
1:17:34There is an available vacant 4th deputy— assistant deputy chief.
1:17:38Eliminate that.
1:17:39No one loses their job.
1:17:40And eliminate this illegal chief of staff.
1:17:42Thank you.
1:17:45Councilor Abrum?
1:17:46No.
1:17:48No.
1:17:48Councilor Baptiste?
1:17:50No.
1:17:50Councilor Burgos?
1:17:51Yes.
1:17:52Yes.
1:17:52Councilor Carney?
1:17:53Yes.
1:17:53Yes.
1:17:54Councilor Choquette?
1:17:56No.
1:17:56No.
1:17:56Councilor Gomes.
1:17:58Sorry, no.
1:17:59No.
1:18:00Councilor Lopes.
1:18:01No.
1:18:01No.
1:18:01Councilor Oliver.
1:18:03Yes.
1:18:03Yes.
1:18:04Councilor Pemberton.
1:18:04Yes.
1:18:05Yes.
1:18:05Councilor Pereira.
1:18:06Absolutely.
1:18:07Yes.
1:18:07Councilor Roy.
1:18:08No.
1:18:09No.
1:18:09Fails 5 to 6, Mr. President.
1:18:12Item fails 5 to 6.
1:18:15Number 73.
1:18:16Mr. President, item 73 is a cut to the police department in the 100 account in the amount of $288,200.
1:18:21$207.
1:18:23Sponsored by Councilor Oliver.
1:18:25Councilor Abril?
1:18:27No.
1:18:27Councilor Baptiste?
1:18:29No.
1:18:29Councilor Burgos?
1:18:30Yes.
1:18:30Yes.
1:18:31Councilor Carney?
1:18:32Yes.
1:18:32Yes.
1:18:33Councilor Chauquet?
1:18:34No.
1:18:35No.
1:18:35Councilor Gomes?
1:18:37No.
1:18:37Councilor Lopez?
1:18:38Yes.
1:18:38Yes.
1:18:39Councilor Oliver?
1:18:40Yes.
1:18:41Yes.
1:18:41Councilor Pemberton?
1:18:42Yes.
1:18:43Yes.
1:18:43Councilor Pereira?
1:18:44Yes.
1:18:45Yes.
1:18:45Councilor Roy?
1:18:46No.
1:18:47No, passes 6 to 5.
1:18:49Item passes 6 to 5.
1:18:51That will take us to number 84.
1:19:01Mr. President, item 84 is a cut to the police department in the 200 account in the amount of $14,740, sponsored by Councilor Pemberton.
1:19:09Councilor Raybould?
1:19:11No.
1:19:11Councilor Baptiste?
1:19:12No, Councilor Burgos.
1:19:14No.
1:19:14No, Councilor Carney.
1:19:15No.
1:19:16No, Councilor Chilcutt.
1:19:17No.
1:19:18No, Councilor Gomes.
1:19:19No.
1:19:19No, Councilor Lopes.
1:19:21No.
1:19:21No, Councilor Oliver.
1:19:22No.
1:19:23No, Councilor Pemberton.
1:19:25No.
1:19:26No, Councilor Pereira.
1:19:27Yes.
1:19:28Yes, Councilor Roy.
1:19:29No.
1:19:30No, fails 1 to 10, Mr. President.
1:19:32Item fails 1 to 10.
1:19:34Number 85.
1:19:35Mr. President.
1:19:36Mr. President.
1:19:36Yep.
1:19:37I'd like to withdraw Item number 85.
1:19:40Number 85 has been withdrawn.
1:19:42That brings us to number 86.
1:19:45Mr. President, item 86 is a cut to the police department in the 700 account in the amount of $20,000, offered by Councilor Pemberton.
1:19:52Councilor Abram?
1:19:54No.
1:19:54Councilor Baptiste?
1:19:56No.
1:19:56Councilor Burgos?
1:19:57No.
1:19:58No.
1:19:58Councilor Carney?
1:19:59No.
1:20:00No.
1:20:00Councilor Chouquette?
1:20:01No.
1:20:01No.
1:20:02Councilor Gomes?
1:20:03No.
1:20:04Councilor Lopes?
1:20:05No.
1:20:06No.
1:20:06Councilor Oliver?
1:20:07Yes.
1:20:08Yes.
1:20:08Councilor Pemberton?
1:20:09Yes.
1:20:09Yes.
1:20:10Councilor Pereira?
1:20:11Yes.
1:20:11Yes.
1:20:12Councilor Roy?
1:20:13No.
1:20:13No.
1:20:13Fails 3 to 8, Mr. President.
1:20:15Item fails 3 to 8.
1:20:16That brings us to number 87.
1:20:23Mr. President, item 87 is a cut to the Public Infrastructure Department, the 100 account, the amount of $10,000, sponsored by Councilors Abreu and Pemberton.
1:20:31Councilor Abram.
1:20:32Yes.
1:20:33Councilor Baptiste.
1:20:34No.
1:20:35Councilor Burgos.
1:20:35No.
1:20:36No.
1:20:36Councilor Carney.
1:20:37No.
1:20:38No.
1:20:38Councilor Chouquette.
1:20:40Yes.
1:20:41Yes.
1:20:41Councilor Gomes.
1:20:42No.
1:20:43No.
1:20:43Councilor Lopes.
1:20:44No.
1:20:45No.
1:20:45Councilor Oliver.
1:20:46Yes.
1:20:46Yes.
1:20:47Councilor Pemberton.
1:20:48Yes.
1:20:49Yes.
1:20:49Councilor Pereira.
1:20:50Yes.
1:20:50Yes.
1:20:51Councilor Roy.
1:20:52No.
1:20:52No.
1:20:53Fails 5 to 6.
1:20:54Item fails 5 to 6.
1:20:55That brings us to 88.
1:20:57Mr. President, item 88 is a cut to the Public Infrastructure Department in the full— I'm sorry, in the 200 account in the amount of $21,525.
1:21:07Councilor Abram?
1:21:08Yes.
1:21:09Councilor Baptiste?
1:21:10No.
1:21:11Councilor Burgos?
1:21:12Yes.
1:21:13Yes.
1:21:13Councilor Carney?
1:21:16Yes.
1:21:17Yes.
1:21:17Councilor Choquette?
1:21:18Yes.
1:21:18Yes.
1:21:19Councilor Gomes?
1:21:20No.
1:21:21Councilor Lopes?
1:21:22No.
1:21:22No.
1:21:22Councilor Oliver?
1:21:24Yes.
1:21:24Yes.
1:21:25Councilor Pemberton?
1:21:26Yes.
1:21:26Yes.
1:21:27Councilor Pereira?
1:21:27Yes.
1:21:28Yes.
1:21:28Councilor Roy?
1:21:30No.
1:21:30No.
1:21:31Passes 7 to 4.
1:21:32Item passes 7 to 4.
1:21:33That takes us to number 89.
1:21:36Mr. President, item 89 is cut to the Public Infrastructure Department in the 400 account in the amount of $127,000, offered by Councilor Abreu.
1:21:45Councilor Abreu?
1:21:46Yes.
1:21:47Councilor Baptiste?
1:21:48No.
1:21:49Councilor Burgum?
1:21:49No.
1:21:50No.
1:21:51Councilor Carney?
1:21:52No.
1:21:52No.
1:21:52Councilor Chauquette?
1:21:54No.
1:21:55No.
1:21:55Councilor Gomes?
1:21:56No.
1:21:56No.
1:21:57Councilor Lopez?
1:21:58No.
1:21:58No.
1:21:58Councilor Oliver?
1:21:59Yes.
1:22:00Yes.
1:22:00Councilor Pemberton?
1:22:01Yes.
1:22:02Yes.
1:22:02Councilor Pereira?
1:22:03No.
1:22:04No.
1:22:05Councilor Roy?
1:22:06No.
1:22:06No.
1:22:07Fails 3 to 8.
1:22:09Item fails 3 to 8, number 90.
1:22:13Mr. President, item 90 is a Cut to the Public Infrastructure Department in the amount of $400— I'm sorry, in the 400 account, the amount of $40,000, sponsored by Councillor Pereira.
1:22:22Just really quick on this cut, colleagues, this is a large line item with a lot of variables given the price of gas and vehicles and such, and with the fluctuation as markets hopefully stabilize, this is something that we can monitor and always adjust moving forward.
1:22:39We get one chance to reduce it.
1:22:41I think we play a little more conservative, reduce it by the $40,000, and monitor it and look at it in a few months.
1:22:47Thank you.
1:22:49Councilor Abreu?
1:22:50Yes.
1:22:51Yes.
1:22:51Councilor Burgos?
1:22:53Yes.
1:22:54Yes.
1:22:54Councilor Carney?
1:22:55Yes.
1:22:56Yes.
1:22:56Councilor Choquette?
1:22:57Yes.
1:22:58Yes.
1:22:58Councilor Gomes?
1:23:00Yes.
1:23:00Yes.
1:23:01Councilor Lopes?
1:23:02No.
1:23:03No.
1:23:03Councilor Oliver?
1:23:04Yes.
1:23:04Yes.
1:23:05Councilor Pemberton?
1:23:06Yes.
1:23:06Yes.
1:23:07Councilor Pereira?
1:23:07Yes.
1:23:08Yes.
1:23:08Councilor Roy?
1:23:09Yes.
1:23:10Yes.
1:23:12Passes 9 to 1.
1:23:14Item passes 9 to 1.
1:23:17Number 91 is before us, Mr. President.
1:23:20Item 91 is a cut to the Public Infrastructure Department in the 700 account in the amount of $7,085, sponsored by Councilor Abreu.
1:23:28Councilor Abreu?
1:23:29Yes.
1:23:30Yes.
1:23:31Councilor Baptiste?
1:23:32Councilor Bergo?
1:23:33No.
1:23:34Councilor Carney?
1:23:35No.
1:23:35No.
1:23:36Councilor Chauquette?
1:23:37No.
1:23:37No.
1:23:38Councilor Gomes?
1:23:39No.
1:23:39No.
1:23:40Councilor Lopes?
1:23:40No.
1:23:41No.
1:23:41Councilor Oliver?
1:23:42Yes.
1:23:43Yes.
1:23:43Councilor Pemberton?
1:23:44Yes.
1:23:45Yes.
1:23:45Councilor Pereira?
1:23:46No.
1:23:47No.
1:23:47Councilor Roy?
1:23:48No.
1:23:48No.
1:23:49Fails 3 to 7.
1:23:50Item fails 3 to 7.
1:23:52Number 92.
1:23:53Mr. President, item 92 is a cut to the Public Infrastructure Department in the 700 account.
1:23:58In the amount of $4,500, sponsored by Councilor Choquette.
1:24:02Councilor Raybould?
1:24:03Yes.
1:24:04Councilor Baptiste?
1:24:05Councilor Burgos?
1:24:07Yes.
1:24:07Councilor Carney?
1:24:09No.
1:24:10Councilor Choquette?
1:24:11Yes.
1:24:12Councilor Gomes?
1:24:14No.
1:24:14Councilor Lopez?
1:24:15No.
1:24:16Councilor Oliver?
1:24:17Yes.
1:24:17Councilor Pemberton?
1:24:19Yes.
1:24:19Councilor Pereira?
1:24:20Yes.
1:24:21Councilor Roy?
1:24:22Yes.
1:24:24Passes 7 to 3, Mr. President.
1:24:25Item passes 7 to 3.
1:24:28Colleagues, we're at the halfway point, so I'm going to ask the finance team to give us a tally of where we're at so far on totals, and we'll take a 5-minute recess.
1:24:37Please don't take more than 10 minutes.
1:29:06All right, colleagues, we're going to bring it back.
1:29:10All right, it is 8:37 PM.
1:29:15We'll resume budget cut session.
1:29:18So the total so far from cuts from the general fund total $957,234.
1:29:27$957,234.
1:29:32All right, I will ask the clerk to start with number 93.
1:29:37Mr. President, item 93 is a cut to the purchasing office in the amount— in the 200 account— amount of $3,200 offered by Councilors Lopes and Abreu.
1:29:45Councilor Abreu?
1:29:46Yes.
1:29:47Councilor Baptiste?
1:29:48No.
1:29:48Councilor Bruggo?
1:29:52No.
1:29:52No.
1:29:53Councilor Carney?
1:29:54No.
1:29:54No.
1:29:55Councilor Choquette?
1:29:56No.
1:29:57No.
1:29:57Councilor Gomes.
1:29:58No.
1:29:58Councilor Lopes.
1:30:00Yes.
1:30:00Yes.
1:30:01Councilor Oliver.
1:30:02Yes.
1:30:03Yes.
1:30:03Councilor Pemberton.
1:30:04Yes.
1:30:05Councilor Pereira.
1:30:05No.
1:30:06No.
1:30:06Councilor Roy.
1:30:08No.
1:30:08No.
1:30:09Fails 4 to 7.
1:30:10Item fails 4 to 7.
1:30:13Number 94 is before us.
1:30:15Mr. President, number 94 is a cut to the purchasing office in the 200 account in the amount of $3,000, sponsored by Councilors Lopes and Abram.
1:30:22Councilor Abram.
1:30:23Yes.
1:30:24Councilor Baptiste.
1:30:25No.
1:30:25Councilor Bruggo.
1:30:27No.
1:30:27No.
1:30:27Councilor Carney.
1:30:28No.
1:30:29No.
1:30:29Councilor Chouquette.
1:30:31No.
1:30:32No.
1:30:32Councilor Gomes.
1:30:33No.
1:30:33Councilor Lopes.
1:30:34Yes.
1:30:35Yes.
1:30:35Councilor Oliver.
1:30:36Yes.
1:30:36Yes.
1:30:37Councilor Pemberton.
1:30:37Yes.
1:30:38Yes.
1:30:38Councilor Pereira.
1:30:39No.
1:30:40No.
1:30:40Councilor Roy.
1:30:41No.
1:30:42No.
1:30:42Fails 4 to 7.
1:30:43Item fails 4 to 7.
1:30:46Number 93.
1:30:47Present item 95 is cut to the purchasing office in the amount— the 400 account— in the amount of $1,000, offered by Councilors Lopes and Abreu.
1:30:55Councilor Abreu?
1:30:57Yes.
1:30:57Councilor Baptiste?
1:30:58No.
1:30:58Councilor Burgow?
1:31:00Yes.
1:31:01Yes.
1:31:01Councilor Carney?
1:31:02No.
1:31:03No.
1:31:03Councilor Choquette?
1:31:04Yes.
1:31:05Yes.
1:31:05Councilor Gomes?
1:31:06No.
1:31:06Councilor Lopes?
1:31:07Yes.
1:31:08Yes.
1:31:08Councilor Oliver?
1:31:09Yes.
1:31:10Yes.
1:31:10Councilor Pemberton?
1:31:11Yes.
1:31:11Yes.
1:31:12Councilor Pereira?
1:31:13No.
1:31:13No.
1:31:14Councilor Roy.
1:31:15No.
1:31:15No.
1:31:16Passes 6 to 5.
1:31:17Item passes 6 to 5.
1:31:20Colleagues, number 96 has been withdrawn.
1:31:22That brings us to number 97.
1:31:25Mr. President, item 97 is a cut to the Resilience and Environmental Stewardship Department in the 200 account in the amount of $13,000, sponsored by Councilors Lopes and Abreu.
1:31:34Councilor Abreu.
1:31:36Yes.
1:31:36Councilor Baptiste.
1:31:37Yes.
1:31:38Yes.
1:31:38Councilor Brego?
1:31:39Yes.
1:31:40Yes.
1:31:40Councilor Carney?
1:31:41No.
1:31:41No.
1:31:42Councilor Choquette?
1:31:43Yes.
1:31:43Yes.
1:31:44Councilor Gomes?
1:31:45Yes.
1:31:45Yes.
1:31:46Councilor Lopes?
1:31:47Yes.
1:31:47Yes.
1:31:48Councilor Oliver?
1:31:48Yes.
1:31:49Yes.
1:31:49Councilor Pemberton?
1:31:50Yes.
1:31:51Yes.
1:31:51Councilor Pereira?
1:31:52No.
1:31:53No.
1:31:53Councilor Roy?
1:31:54Yes.
1:31:55Yes.
1:31:55Passes 9 to 2, Mr. President.
1:31:57Item passes 9 to 2.
1:31:59That takes us to number 99.
1:32:03Mr. President, number 99 is cut to the Resilience and Environmental Stewardship Department in the 700 account in the amount of $2,050, sponsored by Councillors Lope, Choquette, Abreu, Pemberton, and Carney.
1:32:14Councillor Abreu?
1:32:15Yes.
1:32:15Councillor Baptiste?
1:32:16Yes.
1:32:17Yes.
1:32:17Councillor Burgos?
1:32:18Yes.
1:32:19Yes.
1:32:19Councillor Carney?
1:32:20Yes.
1:32:21Yes.
1:32:21Councillor Choquette?
1:32:22Yes.
1:32:23Yes.
1:32:23Councillor Gomes?
1:32:24Yes.
1:32:25Yes.
1:32:25Councillor Lopes?
1:32:26Yes.
1:32:27Yes.
1:32:27Councillor Oliver?
1:32:28Yes.
1:32:31Yes.
1:32:31Councilor Pemberton?
1:32:32Yes.
1:32:32Yes.
1:32:33Councilor Pereira?
1:32:34Yes.
1:32:34Yes.
1:32:34Councilor Roy?
1:32:38No.
1:32:38No.
1:32:38No.
1:32:39Passes 10 to 1.
1:32:40Item passes 10 to 1.
1:32:41Number 100.
1:32:44Mr. President, item 100 is the cut to the city solicitor's office in the 200 account in the amount of $150,000, sponsored by Councilors Pereira and Burgo.
1:32:53On the question from the chair, I would just like to reiterate Very similar to my comments about DPI, this department's 200 account has estimates for outside legal counsel.
1:33:08Now, we have heard from the city solicitor about the strides that assistant— first city solicitor Ryan Paveo has been making in assisting the city with union negotiations.
1:33:22Why are we still funding the firm— I forget the name off the top of my head— that deals with that to the tune of a quarter of a million dollars if our in-house counsel is handling the majority of that?
1:33:34We should reduce this budget by $150,000, allowing them still $100,000 with VHR or something like that, I forget the name, and allowing them to still use that.
1:33:47At the end of the day, they can still come to us and say, councilor, we're running out of money to look at our legal situation, and we can make a determination if it is necessary.
1:33:55We get one shot to take it away.
1:33:57We should reduce this over a $500,000 budget, by the way, in outside legal counsel, most of which is meritable, some of which is an exaggeration.
1:34:08So let's reduce it.
1:34:09We can add it a little back later if needed.
1:34:11Thank you.
1:34:14Councilor Abram.
1:34:17No.
1:34:17No.
1:34:18Councilor Baptiste.
1:34:19No.
1:34:19No.
1:34:20Councilor Burgow.
1:34:21Yes.
1:34:21Yes.
1:34:22Councilor Carney.
1:34:23No.
1:34:23No.
1:34:24Councilor Chauquet.
1:34:25No.
1:34:25No.
1:34:26Councilor Gomes.
1:34:31Yes.
1:34:32Yes.
1:34:33Councilor Lopes.
1:34:34No.
1:34:34No.
1:34:35Councilor Oliver.
1:34:36No.
1:34:37No.
1:34:37Councilor Pemberton.
1:34:38Yes.
1:34:39Yes.
1:34:39Councilor Pereira.
1:34:40Yes.
1:34:40Yes.
1:34:41Councilor Roy?
1:34:43No.
1:34:43No.
1:34:43Fails 4 to 7.
1:34:45Item fails 4 to 7.
1:34:46That brings us to number 101.
1:34:52Mr. President, item 101 is a cut to the solicitor's office in the 200 account in the amount of $125,000, sponsored by Councilors Pereira and Burgo.
1:35:00Councilor Abril?
1:35:03No.
1:35:03Councilor Baptiste?
1:35:04No.
1:35:05Councilor Burgo?
1:35:06Yes.
1:35:07Yes.
1:35:07Carnie?
1:35:08No.
1:35:09No.
1:35:09Councilor Chauquette?
1:35:10No.
1:35:11No.
1:35:11Councilor Gomes?
1:35:12No.
1:35:13Councilor Lopes?
1:35:14No.
1:35:14No.
1:35:15Councilor Oliver?
1:35:17Yeah, uh, no.
1:35:19No.
1:35:19Councilor Pemberton?
1:35:20Yes.
1:35:21Yes.
1:35:22Councilor Pereira?
1:35:23Yes.
1:35:24Yes.
1:35:24Councilor Roy?
1:35:26No.
1:35:26No.
1:35:26Fails 3 to 8.
1:35:28Item fails 3 to 8.
1:35:30Number 102 is before us, and I just would like to reiterate again, we have an opportunity to reduce.
1:35:36We can always add back a budget of over half a million dollars for outside legal counsel.
1:35:41Chair recognizes Councilor Bergo.
1:35:43Thank you for mentioning that.
1:35:44I was just going to reiterate that point, and I guess we lost someone in the last vote, um, at 150 to 125.
1:35:51Um, again, in a situation like this, I guess the council doesn't want to have the oversight to determine when we add money to the tax levy.
1:36:00This is one of those situations.
1:36:02I'm concerned that we, we don't want to have this option when it comes to fiscal management.
1:36:09If and when, just as Mr. President, you just mentioned, the solicitor can prove to us, oh yes, we're running out of money, we need these extra funds, and here's why, we can add the money back.
1:36:20So don't be squeamish in this moment, colleagues, especially when we hear people in this very chamber crying out all the time about where we need to make these cuts to save different priorities in this city.
1:36:34This is the moment, in moments like this, where we can make these cuts and restore them if this administration can come back and prove that.
1:36:41Please vote yes.
1:36:44Thank you, Councilor.
1:36:45Anyone else?
1:36:46I'll ask the clerk to call the roll.
1:36:48Number 102, Councilor Abril.
1:36:51Yes.
1:36:51Councilor Baptiste.
1:36:53Yes, Councilor Burgos.
1:36:55Yes.
1:36:55Yes, Councilor Carney.
1:36:56Yes.
1:36:57Yes, Councilor Chauquette.
1:36:59Yes.
1:37:00Yes, Councilor Gomes.
1:37:07Yes, Councilor Lopes.
1:37:08No.
1:37:09No, Councilor Oliver.
1:37:10Yes.
1:37:11Yes, Councilor Pemberton.
1:37:13Yes.
1:37:14Yes, Councilor Pereira.
1:37:15Yes.
1:37:15Yes, Councilor Roy.
1:37:17No.
1:37:18No.
1:37:18Passes 9 to 2, Mr. President.
1:37:20Item passes.
1:37:21Item passes 9 to 2.
1:37:23That brings us to number 106.
1:37:27Mr. President, item 106 is a cut to the solicitor's office in the 700 account in the amount of $1,800, proposed by Councilors Choquette, Abru, Pemberton, and Burgo.
1:37:37Councilor Abru?
1:37:38Yes.
1:37:39Councilor Baptiste?
1:37:40No.
1:37:40Councilor Burgo?
1:37:42Yes.
1:37:42Councilor Carney?
1:37:43No.
1:37:44No.
1:37:44Councilor Chouquette?
1:37:45Yes.
1:37:46Yes.
1:37:46Councilor Gomes?
1:37:48No.
1:37:49No.
1:37:49Councilor Lopes?
1:37:50No.
1:37:51No.
1:37:51Councilor Oliver?
1:37:53Yes.
1:37:53Yes.
1:37:54Councilor Pemberton?
1:37:55Yes.
1:37:55Yes.
1:37:55Councilor Pereira?
1:37:56Yes.
1:37:57Yes.
1:37:57Councilor Roy?
1:37:58No.
1:37:59No.
1:37:59Passes 6 to 5.
1:38:00Item passes 6 to 5.
1:38:05Number 107 is before us.
1:38:06Mr. President, item 107 is a cut to the Tourism and Marketing Office in the 100 account in the amount of $177,226 from Councillors Oliver, Chauquet, and Pemberton.
1:38:17On the question, Chair recognizes Councillor Oliver.
1:38:22Oh, is he first?
1:38:23Yes.
1:38:23Oh, sorry, because you guys just go right into the voting and I'm like, you never— okay.
1:38:27Oh, okay.
1:38:28Thank you.
1:38:30Uh, this, this reduction is not about whether tourism has value or whether the taxpayers can afford every program the city would like to fund this year.
1:38:39But the proposal also is not a reflection of the hard work of everyone that's involved in promoting the city.
1:38:45New Bedford, as we know, has a rich history and a vibrant culture, and we obviously always would like to promote that.
1:38:52But this is something that's not unheard of.
1:38:55Our neighboring town of Fairhaven was proposing a similar measure Where in times of restraint— I mean, times in fiscal hardship, cities and towns are faced with making difficult decisions.
1:39:11I believe that the Economic Development Council that we have could do a little bit more to promote our tourism and working with the state's office and MassDOT to make sure that the city of New Bedford is prominently known across across the state.
1:39:28At this point, I just don't see the value in which they speak of, because some of the numbers that they speak of are based on numbers that everybody uses that says that they're generating revenue and generating people to come into the city of New Bedford.
1:39:44Most of those same metrics are due in part to— half of that, I believe, is— well, a good percentage of that is from things like the Feast and the Veterans Museums and the Whaling Museum.
1:40:06Not so much the work of the Tourism and Marketing Department, although I do see its merit.
1:40:11I just don't think at this time the city of New Bedford can afford to fund that.
1:40:16Thank you.
1:40:17Thank you, Councilor.
1:40:17Councilor Berg.
1:40:22Thank you.
1:40:23I just wanted to note, for those who might not realize, that 107, 108, 109, and 110— obviously we're speaking on 107— but they are all 100% of the account.
1:40:34So in this case, if you are to vote yes on this particular cut that we're speaking on, 107, a reduction of $177,226 to the 100 account, which is salaries and wages.
1:40:46It is effectively eliminating the A-team, is what I refer to them.
1:40:51I think everyone in City Hall, not because their first names start with the letter A, but because of the caliber of work that they bring to our city.
1:40:59And I think you don't need to just listen to them and the numbers and the annual report.
1:41:04I don't know if anyone actually reads the annual report of what they actually do for our city.
1:41:09If you listen to the the, the events and the individuals that they collaborate with, both public and private sectors.
1:41:15The Tourism and Marketing Department does a lot of work to promote the city of New Bedford and to help collaborate with, uh, those individuals you speak of— the, the, uh, Portuguese Feast, or even recently the Cabo Verdean Heritage Month— helping them get, uh, organized online on our city website to advertise the events that they're they were hosting last year when this council established that as a month.
1:41:40The work that they do is often sometimes immeasurable.
1:41:45To completely eliminate an entire department without having that discussion goes against the very things that we criticize this administration on.
1:41:55I think it's irresponsible.
1:41:57I think it's ridiculous.
1:41:59And I would hope that this council has the foresight to see that the return on investment that we get for the total combined budget of this department far outweighs what we would save.
1:42:11So again, I'm asking my colleagues to pay attention here, not only for 107 but on 108, 109, and 110.
1:42:18Any yes vote to this would be a complete elimination of our Tourism and Marketing Department.
1:42:25I urge my colleagues to vote no.
1:42:27Thank you.
1:42:28Thank you.
1:42:29Chair recognizes Councillor Pemberton.
1:42:34Thank you, Mr. President.
1:42:36Um, I just want to say I agree with the, uh, my colleague before, the, uh, from Ward 3.
1:42:44Um, you know, I haven't seen too much of it myself.
1:42:47I've been doing the, uh, '50s nights for 4 years, and not once I've ever seen them down there helping and promoting.
1:42:56Now I've been on the phone and I've called them and asked, but I still got nothing.
1:43:01Um, so there's a— that's just one example, uh, that I see that I, I really don't see anything going on.
1:43:08And you can ask some of the businesses as well.
1:43:12Uh, right now it's summertime, we should be getting a lot of tourism, but you know, the business don't even— they make less money in the summertime than they do in the fall/winter because our people go away, so they're not spending any money in here.
1:43:28But so where is the tourism?
1:43:30Why aren't we having any money from— so that's just where I stand.
1:43:34Thank you.
1:43:35Thank you, Councilor.
1:43:37Chair recognizes Councilor Gomes.
1:43:42Thank you, Mr. President.
1:43:44Well, you know, the A-team isn't my favorite A-team in this city.
1:43:49And I've been kind of watching it, and I don't quite like how we come to the conclusion of the tourism in this city.
1:43:55You know, counting the kids from the school going to the Zaitarian, counting people's credit cards who come from Dartmouth, Westport, Fair Haven, or Cushionett, Mattapoisett to have dinner in our city, you count that as tourism numbers.
1:44:07I said to you almost a month ago, I said to this body during the budget hearings, where is the red, white, and blue in this city?
1:44:16Where is the tourism?
1:44:18Where is the tourism?
1:44:20July 4th is fast approaching.
1:44:21Yes, if it wasn't for the Cape Verdean Recognition Parade and some of these other organizations that have been named in this day, they've been around forever and a day.
1:44:31I don't see how we quite promote them.
1:44:33They promote themselves.
1:44:35Yes, there can be a helping hand out of the tourism book or whatever.
1:44:38But I don't find that the tourism numbers are there.
1:44:41And you know what?
1:44:42You have to hang around downtown.
1:44:44See, I have the opportunity to hang around downtown on a Saturday and Sunday because I have a building that I have to come and check.
1:44:50HVAC system, the compressors or whatever.
1:44:54And I don't quite see those numbers that we're speaking of.
1:44:59They're two nice people, but I don't believe we're doing the job the way it should be to draw tourism to the city.
1:45:05And again, no red, white, and blue in this city.
1:45:08You only got a week and a half, Mr. Mayor, and your tourism directors.
1:45:13I don't see anything.
1:45:15And you know the funniest thing?
1:45:18Is that we— they act like they're drawing people here, but they're not.
1:45:31They're really not.
1:45:32And I'm going to agree with one of my colleagues who has spoke.
1:45:35You absolutely don't see them.
1:45:38You don't see them.
1:45:39That script that was given to us during budget hearing, if you listened to last year's, it's a good part of it.
1:45:44If you listened to the year before, nice part of it.
1:45:46You understand?
1:45:48I'm sick of nice parts.
1:45:50Nice parts that give us nothing.
1:45:52I'm going to vote for this.
1:45:54And it's not because I want to get rid of— because I want to do this, but I feel that we're getting nothing out of this.
1:46:00We're really getting nothing out of this, and the city deserves better.
1:46:06And again, no red, white, and blue.
1:46:08This is the same organization that told me when I gave them an idea about stimulating and getting money by banners on the, on the poles out there, I was told by some law or some historical thing we can't do that, only to find those banners up.
1:46:24And you know, someday we'll get into that, how, you know, some people have said, including in this building, I like to talk about things but don't want to get it done.
1:46:33All I got to do is open my mouth sometime and it gets done.
1:46:36And this is one of them examples.
1:46:38It got done, but shh, we'll do it on the QT.
1:46:41Now we can do it.
1:46:43Why couldn't we do it when I asked you that right here in this building, if you could sell those banners along Route 18, in downtown New Bedford?
1:46:53Think about it.
1:46:55Think about what downtown looks like.
1:46:57You want to see some pictures?
1:46:59You want to hang around me about 10:30, 11 o'clock at night, maybe even a little later?
1:47:04You're all welcome, because I'll take you places downtown that you'll go, what the hell?
1:47:09What is going on here?
1:47:11It's all part of the tourism.
1:47:12It's all part of tourism to keep downtown clean, keep them cobblestones scrubbed up.
1:47:17I know I'm stretching it, but I'm putting up— I'm making a point.
1:47:20You're part of tourism, you're in charge of that tourism.
1:47:23You got some other work that has to be done in this city.
1:47:26It can't be just when the Zaiterian's running and you count that as a big night, or Aha is running, or the '50s night.
1:47:34It's got to be a big night every night in the city of New Bedford for the tourism to catch on.
1:47:38Thank you.
1:47:40Thank you.
1:47:40Anyone else on that first?
1:47:43And the second, I have Councilor Oliver.
1:47:46Thank you, Mr. President.
1:47:47The good thing— the good news is regardless of the action that we take tonight, we're not the ones that are going to be making that decision that who goes, who doesn't go, because the administration's already told us they're only going to uphold the cuts that they've deemed necessary or they deem to not be ridiculous or whatever, you know, adjectives that we want to give some of, some of the cuts.
1:48:11Make the cut, that the administration is going to show us what his sacred cows are, what their sacred cows are, and they'll find the money elsewhere.
1:48:20So this is an opportunity where the council can act in a big way and be able to be fiscally responsible at the same time.
1:48:27Thank you.
1:48:28Thank you, Councilor Oliver.
1:48:30Chair recognizes Councilor Pemberton on his second.
1:48:33Thank you again, Mr. President.
1:48:35I just want to say, just add to what I previously said.
1:48:38Right now we have a big thing that's going on, right?
1:48:41It's soccer.
1:48:42We have a big soccer— we're a big soccer city.
1:48:45We play soccer at Riverside, we play soccer at Brooklawn, and we play at the Dyers Field.
1:48:51You know, they could have— we could have had a big powwow with the soccer thing.
1:48:57We could have been at the Fort Tabor, maybe with a big TV showing the games, have some food trucks down there and whatever.
1:49:05We could have made some money on this, but we didn't.
1:49:08We dropped the ball once again.
1:49:10Thank you.
1:49:12Thank you, Councilor.
1:49:15Anyone else on that first?
1:49:15Chair recognizes Councilor Burgo on a second.
1:49:19Uh, first I just want to mention I totally agree with the councilor from Ward 3.
1:49:25You're absolutely right.
1:49:25I wish that he had that same stance back when we were voting on the cuts to the solicitor's office, he seemed very squeamish with $150,000 versus $100,000.
1:49:33But regardless, although there is an argument to say we should just cut it all because the mayor is going to ignore it all, there needs to be some protections from the adults in the room realizing that this mayor is ridiculous.
1:49:49Because, for example, last year when we made reasonable cuts to, for example, the energy costs, the electricity costs at the library, which we haven't talked about the fact that they had a surplus in their electricity account this year.
1:50:03The mayor had these austerity measures that were out of whack, and he had the public outraged that we closed these libraries, which we know is not the case.
1:50:13So because the public doesn't pay attention oftentimes to cut night and to what's really going on, if we effectively make these cuts, the mayor may fire these 2 individuals who, to my next point here that my colleagues mentioned, it is not their job to do the marketing for these businesses or for '50s Night.
1:50:33Or as you all know, I've been a longtime member of the Cape Verdean Recognition Committee.
1:50:37My family started Cape Verdean Recognition Day, which led into week.
1:50:41We would not want the city to take over our cultural events.
1:50:46Those are our cultural events.
1:50:47The Madeira Feast, the Feast of the Blessed Sacrament.
1:50:50They wouldn't want the city to come in and take it over.
1:50:52No.
1:50:53Yes, they'd want the city to support it.
1:50:55And just like that, these city events, DPI, DFFM, they'll tell you at all these events, they thank the city departments that have assisted with these events.
1:51:07And I'm sure as a previous organizer of 50s on— I don't know if you're going to do it again this year, my colleague from Ward 5.
1:51:14I'm sure you had collaboration with the city.
1:51:17That does not happen without tourism and marketing, without DFFM, without DPI.
1:51:22So this again, please do not be short-sighted in this moment.
1:51:28I ask you.
1:51:28Thank you.
1:51:29Thank you.
1:51:30Anyone else?
1:51:32Just from the chair, I can't support the cuts to them, this, these accounts.
1:51:36I just would like to reiterate I would just like to reiterate that the— if they bring in $1 million worth of tourism to our city, it is worth it.
1:51:49I do think to operate a better tourism and marketing team, that would need to grow.
1:51:55It is— we are in no position to grow that at this time.
1:51:58However, I can't support eliminating that because even though they might not bring in the sizable amount of tourism we think that city deserves.
1:52:06We know that this city deserves the amount that they do.
1:52:10It well warrants their expense.
1:52:13That's a high ROI on, on, on that department.
1:52:17Thank you.
1:52:18Anyone else?
1:52:20I'll ask the clerk to call the— oh, Councilor Gomes on his second.
1:52:25Thank you very much, Mr. President.
1:52:27And, and I understand what you're saying, and maybe, maybe I'm a little harsh on this But I'm looking for more out of that office.
1:52:35And I understand it's 2 individuals, but I'm looking for more.
1:52:39And I think it was said here just a short time ago, many of these organizations have been established long before this tourism office came.
1:52:47They're established.
1:52:48They're going to be here anyway.
1:52:49What the city does is jump on that and they make the book look good and it's this and that.
1:52:55Yeah, okay.
1:52:57I need more than that.
1:52:59I need— I'm sorry, you can't put us in a book and expect that the numbers are there.
1:53:05You've got to be creative besides what is already established and what is going on.
1:53:09So it's tourism time here all the time.
1:53:14You remember back when we were, um, during the COVID thing, I, I, they talked about them heated lamps, some heated trees.
1:53:23And if any of you were here, you remember when I said, as many as we could purchase, purchase them.
1:53:30Why?
1:53:30Well, at the time they could be used outside of the restaurants and places like we wanted to use them.
1:53:35But then we could take those back.
1:53:37We don't have water running through this damn city, but we do have a historical area, and we could have historical fires.
1:53:43You understand?
1:53:44You've got to set the atmosphere.
1:53:46You've got to set the atmosphere for people to be here.
1:53:49You have to set the atmosphere if you put a band playing on the corner in front of the art museum.
1:53:54And I'm not talking about a rock and roll band, I'm talking about a jazz band or something.
1:53:58A stimulator like we see in other towns where we go.
1:54:01That has to be done here.
1:54:02This can't be done in them one-shot deals and— we did a great job.
1:54:08'Cause we didn't do a good job.
1:54:10And we pay you a lot of damn money.
1:54:13And when you give me an idea and I don't see anything back from it, I've got a real problem.
1:54:18And I'm going to still tell you, I have a problem when I don't see red, white, and blue throughout this city right now.
1:54:23And maybe some will feel different about that, but I'm into America.
1:54:26I love America, and this is the second one I'm getting to go through.
1:54:29And maybe if I'm lucky, I'll do a third one.
1:54:31I don't know, you know.
1:54:33You know, it's been said around here, Gomes was around then, he'll be around again.
1:54:37Dennis is laughing.
1:54:38It's a joke.
1:54:39I hope you all can take it.
1:54:41The whole thing is, I'd just like to see more come out of that office.
1:54:45More tourism for this city all the time.
1:54:48Remember them fires, remember them food trucks that you could put down there with entertainment or whatever, keeping the place a little clean, driving out some of the vagrants that we see, some of the garbage in the trash that you see.
1:54:59That's part of tourism, isn't it, Mr. President?
1:55:02Thanks for the opportunity.
1:55:04Thank you, Councilor.
1:55:06Councilor Choquette on his first.
1:55:08Thank you, Mr. President.
1:55:09All I would say to to this is simply this: in Ward 1, there are far more Save Station 9 signs out than there are American flags or, or Fourth of July decorations out right now.
1:55:25So vote accordingly.
1:55:27Thank you.
1:55:31Thank you.
1:55:32Anyone else?
1:55:36Okay, I'll ask the clerk to call the roll.
1:55:39Councilor Abram.
1:55:41No.
1:55:41Councilor Baptiste.
1:55:43No.
1:55:43Councilor Burgoyne.
1:55:44No.
1:55:45Councilor Carney.
1:55:45No.
1:55:46No.
1:55:46Councilor Chouquette.
1:55:48Yes.
1:55:49Councilor Gomes.
1:55:50I'll meet you halfway.
1:55:51No.
1:55:52No.
1:55:53Councilor Lopes.
1:55:54No.
1:55:54No.
1:55:55Councilor Oliver.
1:55:56Yes.
1:55:56Yes.
1:55:57Councilor Pemberton.
1:55:58Yes.
1:55:58Councilor Pereira.
1:56:00No.
1:56:00No.
1:56:00Councilor Roy.
1:56:02No, no, no.
1:56:04Fails 3 to 8, Mr. President.
1:56:05Item fails 3 to 8.
1:56:07Number 108 is before us, Mr. President.
1:56:11108 is a cut to the Tourism Marketing Office in the 200 account in the amount of $58,828, sponsored by Councillors Oliver, Chauquet, and Pemberton.
1:56:19Councillor Abreu?
1:56:21No.
1:56:21No.
1:56:22Councillor Baptiste?
1:56:22No.
1:56:23No.
1:56:23Councillor Burgos?
1:56:24No.
1:56:24No.
1:56:25Councillor Carney?
1:56:26No.
1:56:26No.
1:56:27Councillor Chauquet?
1:56:29Yes, Councilor Gomes.
1:56:30A little less than halfway.
1:56:31Yes.
1:56:32Yes, Councilor Lopes.
1:56:33No.
1:56:34No, Councilor Oliver.
1:56:35Yes.
1:56:36Yes, Councilor Pemberton.
1:56:37Yes.
1:56:38Yes, Councilor Pemberton— uh, Pereira.
1:56:39No.
1:56:40No, Councilor Roy.
1:56:41No.
1:56:42No, fails 4 to 7.
1:56:44Item fails 4 to 7.
1:56:45109 is before us.
1:56:47Mr. President, 109 is cut to the tourism and marketing in the 400 account in the amount of $3,000, sponsored by Councilors Oliver, Choquette, Hemmerton and Abril.
1:56:55Chair recognizes Councillor Burgos.
1:56:57Really quickly, just, uh, because we see a number that's $3,000 and we think like, oh, it's not that bad.
1:57:03Again, I just want to remind colleagues, this 400 account, the total amount of the 400 account is $3,000.
1:57:10So if we— if you are to vote yes to eliminate this $3,000, it is effectively zeroing out that account, 100% of it.
1:57:17So although you see the number is $3,000, and it seems small and insignificant, it is completely wiping it out.
1:57:24I just wanted to make that note.
1:57:25Thank you.
1:57:26Thank you.
1:57:27Anyone else?
1:57:28Clerk of Councilor Oliver.
1:57:30Thank you, Mr. President.
1:57:32Yes, it is a complete elimination.
1:57:33We're not eliminating the entire, uh, department as, as we see.
1:57:38He can move it from somewhere else.
1:57:39Let it get him from somewhere else.
1:57:41Thank you.
1:57:42Thank you.
1:57:43Anyone else?
1:57:45Number 109.
1:57:46I'll ask the clerk to call the roll.
1:57:48Councilor Abreu.
1:57:50I'm sorry.
1:57:51Yes.
1:57:51Councilor Baptiste.
1:57:53No.
1:57:53Councilor Burgos.
1:57:54No.
1:57:55Councilor Carney.
1:57:55Yes.
1:57:56Yes.
1:57:56Councilor Choquette.
1:57:57Yes.
1:57:58Yes.
1:57:58Councilor Gomes.
1:57:59No.
1:58:00No.
1:58:00Councilor Lopes.
1:58:01Yes.
1:58:02Yes.
1:58:02Councilor Oliver.
1:58:04Yes.
1:58:04Yes.
1:58:04Councilor Pemberton.
1:58:05Yes.
1:58:06Yes.
1:58:06Councilor Pereira.
1:58:07No.
1:58:08No.
1:58:08Councilor Roy.
1:58:09No.
1:58:10No.
1:58:10Passes 6 to 5.
1:58:12Item passes 6 to 5.
1:58:15110 is before us.
1:58:17Mr. President, 110 is a cut to the Tourism and Marketing Office and 700 account in the amount of $16,034, sponsored by Councillors Oliver, Choquette, Abreu, Pemberton, and Carney.
1:58:29Councillor Abreu?
1:58:31Yes.
1:58:31Councillor Baptiste?
1:58:33No.
1:58:33Councillor Burgos?
1:58:35No.
1:58:35Councillor Carney?
1:58:36Yes.
1:58:37Yes.
1:58:37Councillor Choquette?
1:58:39Yes.
1:58:39Councilor Gomes?
1:58:40Yes.
1:58:40Yes.
1:58:41Councilor Lopes?
1:58:42No.
1:58:42No.
1:58:43Councilor Oliver?
1:58:44Yes.
1:58:44Yes.
1:58:44Councilor Pemberton?
1:58:45Yes.
1:58:46Yes.
1:58:46Councilor Pereira?
1:58:48No.
1:58:48No.
1:58:48Councilor Roy?
1:58:49No.
1:58:50No.
1:58:50Passes 6 to 5.
1:58:51Item passes 6 to 5.
1:58:54That brings us to 114.
1:58:58Mr. President, item 114 is a cut to the Treasurer and Collector's Office in the 700 account in the amount of $2,500.
1:59:03Dollars, proposed by Councillors Lopes, Choquette, Abreu, Pemberton, and Pereira.
1:59:08Councillor Abreu?
1:59:10Yes.
1:59:10Councillor Baptiste?
1:59:12No.
1:59:13Councillor Burgos?
1:59:14No.
1:59:14Councillor Carney?
1:59:16No.
1:59:17No.
1:59:17Councillor Choquette?
1:59:18Yes.
1:59:19Yes.
1:59:19Councillor Gomes?
1:59:20No.
1:59:21Councillor Lopes?
1:59:21Yes.
1:59:22Yes.
1:59:22Councillor Oliver?
1:59:23Yes.
1:59:24Yes.
1:59:24Councillor Pemberton?
1:59:25Yes.
1:59:26Yes.
1:59:26Councillor Pereira?
1:59:27Yes.
1:59:28Yes.
1:59:28Councillor Roy?
1:59:30No, no, passes 6 to 5.
1:59:31Item passes 6 to 5.
1:59:34That brings us to number 117.
1:59:40Mr. President, item 117 is cut to the zoo, the personal services.
1:59:45All right, just 117 for now.
1:59:50Um, there is a co-sponsor.
1:59:51Would Councilor Pemberton also withdraw his name?
1:59:54Yes.
1:59:55All right, 117 has been withdrawn.
1:59:58118 is now before— Mr. President, in 118 is a cut to the zoo in the 200 account in the amount of $25,000, proposed by Councilor Carney.
2:00:07Councilor Abramowicz?
2:00:08No.
2:00:08Councilor Baptiste?
2:00:09No.
2:00:10Councilor Burgos?
2:00:11No.
2:00:12Councilor Carney?
2:00:13Yes.
2:00:13Yes.
2:00:14Councilor Choquette?
2:00:15No.
2:00:16No.
2:00:16Councilor Gomes?
2:00:17No.
2:00:17Councilor Lopes?
2:00:18No.
2:00:19No.
2:00:19Councilor Oliver?
2:00:21Yes.
2:00:21Councilor Pemberton?
2:00:22Yes.
2:00:23Yes.
2:00:23Councilor Pereira?
2:00:24No.
2:00:25No.
2:00:25Councilor Roy?
2:00:26No.
2:00:26No.
2:00:27Fails 3 to 8.
2:00:28Item fails 3 to 8.
2:00:30119 is before us.
2:00:32Mr. President, item 119 is a cut to the zoo in the 200 account in the amount of $20,000, sponsored by Councilor Carney.
2:00:39Councilor Abreu?
2:00:40No.
2:00:40Councilor Baptiste?
2:00:42No.
2:00:42Councilor Burgos?
2:00:44No.
2:00:44Councilor Carney?
2:00:45Yes.
2:00:46Yes.
2:00:46Councilor Choquette?
2:00:47No.
2:00:48No.
2:00:48Councilor Gomes?
2:00:49No.
2:00:49No.
2:00:50Councilor Lopes?
2:00:51No.
2:00:51No.
2:00:51Councilor Oliver?
2:00:52Yes.
2:00:53Yes.
2:00:53Councilor Pemberton?
2:00:54Yes.
2:00:54Yes.
2:00:55Councilor Pereira?
2:00:55No.
2:00:56No.
2:00:57Councilor Roy?
2:00:57No.
2:00:58No.
2:00:58Fails 3 to 8.
2:00:59Item fails 3 to 8.
2:01:00120 is before us.
2:01:02Mr., uh, Mr. President, I'd like to withdraw 120.
2:01:06All right, 120 has been withdrawn.
2:01:08And 120— Mr. President, I would like to withdraw And I approve as well.
2:01:16All right, with item 121 is withdrawn, so we are at 122.
2:01:22Number 122, Mr. President.
2:01:25Item 122 is cut the city utilities and a 200 account in the amount of $500,000, sponsored by Councilor Lopes.
2:01:32On the question, Councilor Lopes.
2:01:33On the question.
2:01:34So if we all picked up our mayor's papers, you will calculate there's almost $500,000 in transfers to the city's utilities.
2:01:40We were told during the budget process that we were probably going to run into a deficit this year, but miraculously there's a surplus, almost to the same exact amount that I'm cutting for next year.
2:01:51And the Straits of Hormuz are opening up, gas is already coming down in price, so the argument that was presented to us was, let's build a cushion into it just in case.
2:02:00Well, they built a cushion last year, and now we're transferring it out.
2:02:03So instead of giving them a cushion this year, let's Let's make it— cut it out.
2:02:07And as the council president has said, if we need to make additional adds later on, we can do it when we need to.
2:02:12Thank you.
2:02:17Anyone else?
2:02:19I will ask the clerk to call the roll.
2:02:21Councilor Abril?
2:02:22No.
2:02:22Councilor Baptiste?
2:02:24Yes.
2:02:24Councilor Bruggo?
2:02:25Yes.
2:02:26Yes.
2:02:26Councilor Carney?
2:02:27No.
2:02:28No.
2:02:28Councilor Choquette?
2:02:30No.
2:02:32Councillor Gomes?
2:02:33Yes.
2:02:33Yes.
2:02:34Councillor Lopes?
2:02:35Yes.
2:02:35Yes.
2:02:36Councillor Oliver?
2:02:36Yes.
2:02:37Yes.
2:02:37Councillor Pemberton?
2:02:38Yes.
2:02:39Yes.
2:02:39Councillor Pereira?
2:02:40No.
2:02:41No.
2:02:41Councillor Roy?
2:02:42No.
2:02:43No.
2:02:43Passes 6 to 5.
2:02:46Item passes 6 to 5.
2:02:50Brings us to 132.
2:02:52That's right, Mr. President.
2:02:55Item 132 is a cut to the debt services in the amount of $500,000, sponsored by Councillor Carney.
2:03:02Councilor Abramowicz?
2:03:03No.
2:03:04Councilor Baptiste?
2:03:05No.
2:03:05Councilor Burgos?
2:03:06No.
2:03:06Councilor Carney?
2:03:08Yes.
2:03:09Councilor Chauquette?
2:03:10No.
2:03:11Councilor Gomes?
2:03:12No.
2:03:12Councilor Lopes?
2:03:13No.
2:03:14Councilor Oliver?
2:03:16No.
2:03:16Councilor Pemberton?
2:03:17No.
2:03:17Councilor Pereira?
2:03:19No.
2:03:19Councilor Roy?
2:03:22No.
2:03:23Item fails 1 to 10.
2:03:24I will ask the clerk to call call to read number 133.
2:03:28Mr. President, item 133 is a cut to the debt services department in the amount of $400,000, sponsored by Councilor Carney.
2:03:36Councilor Abreu?
2:03:37No.
2:03:37Councilor Baptiste?
2:03:38No.
2:03:39Councilor Burgos?
2:03:40No.
2:03:40Councilor Carney?
2:03:42Yes.
2:03:43Yes.
2:03:43Councilor Chilquette?
2:03:44No.
2:03:45Councilor Gomes?
2:03:46No.
2:03:47Councilor Lopes?
2:03:48No.
2:03:49Councilor Oliver?
2:03:50No.
2:03:50Councilor Pemberton?
2:03:51No.
2:03:52No.
2:03:52Councilor Pereira?
2:03:53No.
2:03:53No.
2:03:54Councilor Roy?
2:03:55No.
2:03:55No.
2:03:56Fails 1 to 10.
2:03:57Item fails 1 to 10.
2:04:00No.
2:04:01Good.
2:04:02Thank you though.
2:04:02All right, 134.
2:04:04Mr. President, item 134 is a cut to debt services in the amount of $300,000 sponsored by Councilor Carney.
2:04:11Councilor Abram?
2:04:14No.
2:04:15Councilor Baptiste?
2:04:16No.
2:04:17Councilor Burgo?
2:04:18No.
2:04:19Councilor Carney?
2:04:20Yes.
2:04:20Yes.
2:04:21Councilor Choquette?
2:04:22No.
2:04:23Councilor Gomes?
2:04:24No.
2:04:24Councilor Lopes?
2:04:25No.
2:04:26No.
2:04:26Councilor Oliver?
2:04:27No.
2:04:28No.
2:04:28Councilor Pemberton?
2:04:29No.
2:04:29No.
2:04:30Councilor Pereira?
2:04:31No.
2:04:31No.
2:04:31Councilor Roy?
2:04:33No.
2:04:33No.
2:04:331 to 10.
2:04:35Item fails 1 to 10.
2:04:37135 is before us.
2:04:39Mr. President, item 135 is a cut to debt services in the amount of $200,000.
2:04:43Sponsored by Council Carney.
2:04:44Councilor Avery?
2:04:45No.
2:04:46No.
2:04:46Councilor Baptiste?
2:04:47No.
2:04:47No.
2:04:48Councilor Burgow?
2:04:49No.
2:04:49Councilor Carney?
2:04:50Yes.
2:04:51Yes.
2:04:51Councilor Chauquette?
2:04:53No.
2:04:53Councilor Gomes?
2:04:54No.
2:04:55Councilor Lopes?
2:04:55No.
2:04:56No.
2:04:56Councilor Oliver?
2:04:57No.
2:04:57No.
2:04:58Councilor Pemberton?
2:04:59No.
2:04:59No.
2:04:59Councilor Pereira?
2:05:00No.
2:05:01No.
2:05:01Councilor Roy?
2:05:02No.
2:05:03No.
2:05:031 to 10 fails.
2:05:051 to 10.
2:05:06Now brings us to 136.
2:05:09Mr. President, item 136 is cut the unemployment compensation, the 200 account, in the amount of $150,000, sponsored by Councilor Lopes.
2:05:17I would just like to— okay, I would just like to say, uh, you know, there was a large increase in the unemployment insurance account number.
2:05:28Now I understand that there will be layoffs as a result of budget cuts, uh, that the administration has made.
2:05:36In presenting the budget.
2:05:37However, we are now hearing of numerous individuals who are going to be selecting retirement.
2:05:44They will not need unemployment insurance because they are going to retire and collect their benefits.
2:05:48They have age, they have tenure.
2:05:53As it was said by the CFO, that this was an estimating all employees took unemployment insurance and a buffer.
2:06:01I support the councilor's cut.
2:06:04We have employees that are going to retire, and hopefully the work here tonight results in less layoffs in the future.
2:06:10So I, I expect the city to absolutely accommodate a $150,000 reduction in unemployment insurance, and I encourage my colleagues to do so because I know of at least 5 individuals retiring.
2:06:23That's 5 unemployment insurance payments we do not have to make.
2:06:26They are choosing retirement.
2:06:27It makes sense.
2:06:29Thank you very much.
2:06:30Anyone else?
2:06:31I'll ask the clerk to call the roll.
2:06:34Councilor Abramowicz?
2:06:35Yes.
2:06:36Councilor Baptiste?
2:06:38Yes.
2:06:38Councilor Burgow?
2:06:39Yes.
2:06:40Councilor Carney?
2:06:41No.
2:06:41No.
2:06:42Councilor Choquette?
2:06:43Yes.
2:06:44Yes.
2:06:44Councilor Gomes?
2:06:45Yes.
2:06:46Yes.
2:06:46Councilor Lopes?
2:06:47Yes.
2:06:48Yes.
2:06:48Councilor Oliver?
2:06:49Yes.
2:06:50Yes.
2:06:50Councilor Pemberton?
2:06:51Yes.
2:06:51Yes.
2:06:52Councilor Pereira?
2:06:52Yes.
2:06:53Yes.
2:06:53Councilor Roy?
2:06:55Yes.
2:06:55Yes.
2:06:56Passes 10 to 1, Mr. President.
2:06:58Item passes 10 to 1.
2:07:02That brings us to number 141.
2:07:08Mr. President, item 141 is to cut the waste collection, the 200 account, in the amount of $1 million, sponsored by Councilor Carney.
2:07:15Councilor Abril?
2:07:17No.
2:07:17Councilor Baptiste?
2:07:19No.
2:07:19Councilor Burgos?
2:07:20No.
2:07:21Councilor Carney?
2:07:22Yes.
2:07:22Yes.
2:07:23Councilor Choquette?
2:07:25No.
2:07:26Councilor Gomes?
2:07:27No.
2:07:27No.
2:07:27Councilor Lopes?
2:07:28No.
2:07:29No.
2:07:29Councilor Oliver?
2:07:30No.
2:07:31No.
2:07:31Councilor Pemberton?
2:07:32No.
2:07:33No.
2:07:33Councilor Pereira?
2:07:34No.
2:07:35No.
2:07:35Councilor Roy?
2:07:36No.
2:07:36No.
2:07:36Fails 1 to 10.
2:07:39Item fails 1 to 10.
2:07:46Number 142.
2:07:47Mr. President, item 142 is a cut to waste collection in the 200 account in the amount of $900,000, sponsored by Councilor Carney.
2:07:55Councilor Raybould?
2:07:57No.
2:07:57Councilor Baptiste?
2:07:58No.
2:07:59Councilor Burgos?
2:08:00No.
2:08:00No.
2:08:01Councilor Carney?
2:08:02Yes.
2:08:03Yes.
2:08:03Councilor Choquette?
2:08:05No.
2:08:05Councilor Gomes?
2:08:07No.
2:08:07Councilor Lopes?
2:08:08No.
2:08:09No.
2:08:09Councilor Oliver?
2:08:11No.
2:08:12No.
2:08:12Councilor Pemberton?
2:08:13No.
2:08:13No.
2:08:13Councilor Pereira?
2:08:15No.
2:08:15No.
2:08:15Councilor Roy?
2:08:16No.
2:08:17No.
2:08:17Fails 1 to 10.
2:08:19Item fails 1 to 10.
2:08:21Mr. President, item 143 is a cut to the waste collection in the 200 account in the amount of $800,000, sponsored by Councilor Carney.
2:08:27Councilor Abram?
2:08:28No.
2:08:28Councilor Baptiste?
2:08:30Councilor Burgo?
2:08:32No.
2:08:32Councilor Carney?
2:08:34Yes.
2:08:34Yes.
2:08:35Councilor Choquette?
2:08:37No.
2:08:37Councilor Gomes?
2:08:39No.
2:08:40No.
2:08:40Councilor Lopes?
2:08:41No.
2:08:41No.
2:08:42Councilor Oliver?
2:08:43No.
2:08:43No.
2:08:44Councilor Pemberton?
2:08:44No.
2:08:45No.
2:08:45Councilor Pereira?
2:08:46No.
2:08:47No.
2:08:47Councilor Roy?
2:08:48No.
2:08:49No.
2:08:49Fails 1 to 9.
2:08:51Fails 1 to 9.
2:08:53Mr. President, item 144 is a cut to waste collection, a 200 account, the amount of $700,000, offered by Councilor Carney.
2:09:00Councilor Abril?
2:09:02No, Councilor Baptiste.
2:09:03No, Councilor Burgos.
2:09:05No, Councilor Carney.
2:09:06Yes.
2:09:07Yes, Councilor Choquette.
2:09:09No, Councilor Gomes.
2:09:11No.
2:09:12No, Councilor Lopes.
2:09:13No.
2:09:13No, Councilor Oliver.
2:09:14No.
2:09:15No, Councilor Pemberton.
2:09:16No.
2:09:17No, Councilor Pereira.
2:09:18No.
2:09:18No, Councilor Roy.
2:09:19No.
2:09:20No, fails 1 to 10.
2:09:22Item fails 1 to 10.
2:09:25Mr. President, item 145 is a cut to the Waste Collection Department in 200 account in the amount of $600,000 offered by Councilor Carney.
2:09:33Councilor Abril?
2:09:35No.
2:09:35Councilor Baptiste?
2:09:37No.
2:09:37Councilor Burgos?
2:09:38No.
2:09:38Councilor Carney?
2:09:40Yes.
2:09:40Yes.
2:09:41Councilor Choquette?
2:09:42No.
2:09:42Councilor Gomes?
2:09:44No.
2:09:44Councilor Lopes?
2:09:45No.
2:09:46No.
2:09:46Councilor Oliver?
2:09:47No.
2:09:47No.
2:09:48Councilor Pemberton?
2:09:48Nope.
2:09:49No.
2:09:49Councilor Pereira?
2:09:50No.
2:09:50No.
2:09:51Councilor Roy?
2:09:51No.
2:09:52No.
2:09:53Fails 1 to 10.
2:09:54Item fails 1 to 10.
2:09:57Mr. President, item 146 is the cut waste collection, the 200-count, amount of $500,000.
2:10:03It's offered by Councilor Carney.
2:10:05On the question, Councilor Carney.
2:10:07So I like my little exercise here.
2:10:11Um, our waste collection went up by 39% this year.
2:10:15We went up 3— over $3 million from last year.
2:10:19I put this in there because we have not settled the collection— the, but the, uh, contract yet.
2:10:26And they were talking about reducing something, reducing one item or whatever, the, um, yard collection to a few days and whatever.
2:10:35So I think people can live with that if we could take— shave a little bit off this.
2:10:40But I think we never get a chance as a council to even debate or even talk about the waste collection and the trash collections.
2:10:50And I think it's a shame, and we should be involved in that, to that conversation since it's so big.
2:10:54So anyways, that's why we're in there, so we can just bring it down to bring to the attention that we are over $3 million more from last year and our waste collection.
2:11:02Thank you.
2:11:03Thank you.
2:11:03Council Oliver, did you want to speak?
2:11:15Councilor Abrams?
2:11:17No.
2:11:17Councilor Baptiste?
2:11:18No.
2:11:19Councilor Burgos?
2:11:20No.
2:11:21Councilor Carney?
2:11:22Yes.
2:11:22Yes.
2:11:23Councilor Choquette?
2:11:24No.
2:11:24Councilor Gomes?
2:11:26No.
2:11:26Councilor Lopes?
2:11:27No.
2:11:29No.
2:11:30Councilor Oliver?
2:11:31No.
2:11:31No.
2:11:31Councilor Pemberton?
2:11:32No.
2:11:33No.
2:11:33Councilor Ferreira?
2:11:35No.
2:11:35Councilor Roy?
2:11:36No.
2:11:37Fails 1 to 10, Mr. President.
2:11:38Item fails 1 to 10.
2:11:40All right, 147, the Zaitarian Theater 200 account for $395,000.
2:11:46Councilor Oliver, the sponsor.
2:11:48Chair recognizes Councilor Oliver.
2:11:50Thank you, Mr. President.
2:11:52Um, I, you know, I don't know what the, uh, the headlines will read tomorrow.
2:11:57Councilor Oliver hates tourism and hates the Zaitarian and the arts.
2:12:01Whatever.
2:12:01I assure you that's not the case.
2:12:04These— no, there's no doubt that the Zytarian is doing, you know, some of what in which they spoke about bringing people downtown, filling the eateries and some of the shops on a Z night.
2:12:20This is a contractual obligation that we've entered into with the Zytarian.
2:12:25I am well aware that we are contractually obligated to pay for this.
2:12:29Just like we did last year, we cut it.
2:12:32The administration found the money elsewhere, or attempted to find the money elsewhere.
2:12:40But the money is in the budget.
2:12:43The money is here.
2:12:44I think we have an opportunity to take that bite out of the apple, like I said last time when we started.
2:12:50This is our opportunity here to be able to give the taxpayers at least a little bit of a cushion.
2:12:57Because not so much a cushion, but we're ultimately looking for the monies, like I said, to keep that fire station open.
2:13:05Whether the police— whether the administration acts accordingly with the work that we've done tonight, we don't know.
2:13:13But we need to be able to cut as much money as possible to ensure that we have the biggest opportunity to do so.
2:13:18So with that that, I yield.
2:13:19Thank you.
2:13:20Thank you.
2:13:20Councilor Burgel.
2:13:24Thank you so much, Mr. President.
2:13:27Doing an excellent job tonight.
2:13:29Um, I just wanted to say that headline would be way too long, Councilor Oliver.
2:13:33Um, and I— they're not doing some of which, they're doing all of which they said they would do with the $395,000 and with the $495,000 they had last year.
2:13:44It's a reduction from last year, because this was all in the support agreement.
2:13:47This is not a surprise gotcha amount of money.
2:13:51This is not an investment.
2:13:52This is, as you pointed out, a contractual obligation, just like all those ridiculous waste collection cuts that we all voted no on and we laughed at Councilor Carney on, was because we know we have to pay the waste contract, just like we have to pay the Z contract.
2:14:07And the reason why that is, is because we can't rely on the corner office to do what's right.
2:14:12This is why he took this out of DFFM.
2:14:15And I understand, I agree with your point that we shouldn't reward this administration this way because they find ways to steal the taxpayer dollars to spend the way they want to spend.
2:14:26But we saw what happened last year when this council erroneously cut and zeroed out the Z budget, the backlash that came.
2:14:33And the reason why I typically would go with that approach and say the administration will find the money somewhere else if it was in a department that could absorb it.
2:14:41But because it's on its standalone, it jeopardizes the historical tax credits that they receive.
2:14:48And it would jeopardize the project.
2:14:49Right now they're open and we see the tangible effects of what they're doing now.
2:14:55But make no mistake, they're still under construction.
2:14:57They're still making further improvements to— again, you're going to know what I'm going to say— A city-owned building.
2:15:03You already knew it, right?
2:15:04A city-owned building.
2:15:06She has it written right there.
2:15:07We know that this is our building.
2:15:09It's New Bedford's building, and we are essentially paying them to be a custodian for this building.
2:15:15So again, I urge my colleagues, we— the mayor didn't find the money.
2:15:19He— we restored it, rightfully so, and I'm proud of this body for doing that last year.
2:15:24Please do not make the mistake that we made last year.
2:15:28By reducing this down to zero, because we know we cannot count on this administration to be the adult in the room.
2:15:34Unfortunately, we have to be the adults right now.
2:15:37Do not reduce this line item.
2:15:39Protect the Z and the resource that it has been for our local businesses and the visitors of New Bedford.
2:15:45Thank you.
2:15:46Thank you, Councilor Raybroux.
2:15:48Thank you, Mr. President.
2:15:50You break it, you buy it, okay?
2:15:52$36 million is what we sunk into Zyterian Theatre.
2:15:56Local money, local receipts, state money, CDBG money, CPA money, CIP money, anything else of the alphabet soup you want to put in there.
2:16:05The reality is that we continued to fund the Z because we knew that there was going to be a return on the investment, but just not the downtown, but for the, the greater South Coast region.
2:16:15And I understand my esteemed colleague from Ward 3's point, I really do.
2:16:21He makes some really tangible, cogent points.
2:16:24However, let's not let private industry suffer as a result of our opinion of this Zaitarian theater.
2:16:34Just go talk to any restaurant downtown right now.
2:16:37Talk to any retailer, but we'll stick on the restaurants.
2:16:40Their receipts, their gross revenue receipts are up 30% on show nights.
2:16:44They were down almost half, 50% almost, throughout those show nights that would have been show nights when it was shuttered.
2:16:51Again, we talked about it on the council floor.
2:16:54It was like death by a thousand cuts for this downtown.
2:16:57You had the Z shuttered for over 2 years.
2:17:00You had the closing of the Star Store, and it goes on and on and on and on.
2:17:06So, um, I mean, you look at the Zaitarian Theater, there's no performing arts center anywhere else in Bristol County between here and Brockton and the South Shore.
2:17:18There's nothing between the Cape all the way to Providence, Rhode Island.
2:17:22This Criterion Theater is the arts and creative economy hub of the entire southeastern Mass corridor.
2:17:30We own her, as Councilor Burgos mentioned.
2:17:34Got to take care of her.
2:17:35Thank you.
2:17:36Thank you.
2:17:37Anyone else?
2:17:39Okay, just from the chair, my concern is if we do cut this, that a supplemental appropriation will come back.
2:17:46We will vote and pass a supplemental appropriation, which is essentially putting it on the taxpayers.
2:17:52I don't think we should operate that way.
2:17:54We should not be rolling the dice on something in which this body approved.
2:18:00We have the, we have the contract with them.
2:18:02I do not believe there will be enough money for, for transfers into this account to fund it.
2:18:07I do think at the end of the day that the safest bet is to fund this contract like we said, like we agreed to, uh, as a group previously.
2:18:17Thank you.
2:18:19Councilor Gomes.
2:18:20Sorry, I didn't know if you were waving before, Councilor.
2:18:22I apologize, I didn't see you.
2:18:23Thank you very much, Mr. President.
2:18:25No, I, I hear what you're saying.
2:18:27I'm one of them guys that went after the Zaitieri Theater.
2:18:31Now continues to go after the Zaiterian Theater, and I'll tell you why.
2:18:34Yes, it's our baby.
2:18:36Yes, a lot of money was sunk into it.
2:18:38But you know what?
2:18:41I'm going to leave that alone for a minute.
2:18:44The building has the power to make money, to make lots of money.
2:18:53When are you going to start scheduling so that you're open 5 days a week.
2:18:57If this helps downtown so much and receipts are up and all that, then we gotta get this place open 5, 6 days a week to draw what they have.
2:19:06And there are other entertainment venues between here and Providence, Rhode Island, and down the South End, and down in the Cape area.
2:19:15But the Zaiterian has an opportunity to do it by themselves.
2:19:21And I want to see that someday, to where they don't come to us for a dime.
2:19:26It should be self-sufficient.
2:19:27When you're charging what you're charging to get a drink and what's going on in the building, I understand the cost and all that, but it's our baby.
2:19:36Why can't it fund itself?
2:19:38Why can't you have more shows?
2:19:39Why can't you do more things, maybe movies on the weekends when you do— when you don't have anything scheduled?
2:19:45Open the building for some— for a reason.
2:19:48And I don't mean just like for a reason, for a reason that would support the public, to support the public money that went in there, to support the people who will never see the inside of that Zaiterion.
2:19:58And I'm going to say that again.
2:19:59Do you know how many people in this city have not seen the inside of the Zaiterion since it was— what was the theater before?
2:20:08Thank you very much.
2:20:09State Theater.
2:20:12They haven't been in there.
2:20:14Have no clue.
2:20:19I'm not going to cut this up here, but I'm going to cut this later on, and it's just sending a message.
2:20:25You got to get— stand on your own.
2:20:26You've gotten a lot of money.
2:20:28We were told how many things had to be repaired so long ago right here in the Smith Building by Rosemary, and that the money that they had was enough.
2:20:39You know, sometimes I keep my mouth shut when I really want to open my mouth and I want to ask, when was the last time everybody got a raise down at the Zaiterian?
2:20:48Maybe you ought to look into that.
2:20:50Okay?
2:20:51But we keep giving money.
2:20:53Find out what the staff's all making.
2:20:54Find out when's the last time she gave out the raises.
2:20:57See, I don't want to go there, but sometimes it just ticks me off because the way we fly about these places like it's the— it is the capital of the city.
2:21:05It's a good thing in the city, but it's also costed us, and also people have made money while they're telling us they need money.
2:21:17But we'll— one more thing.
2:21:20Shh, Brian, shh.
2:21:22You won't have anybody challenge this.
2:21:23You won't have anybody ask about those pays.
2:21:25Watch.
2:21:27Thank you, Councilor.
2:21:29Anyone else?
2:21:31I'll ask the clerk to call the roll on item 147.
2:21:34Councilor Abreu?
2:21:35No.
2:21:35Councilor Baptiste?
2:21:37No.
2:21:38Councilor Burgos?
2:21:39No.
2:21:39Councilor Carney?
2:21:40No.
2:21:41No.
2:21:41Councilor Choquette?
2:21:42No.
2:21:43No.
2:21:43Councilor Gomes?
2:21:45No.
2:21:45Councilor Lopez?
2:21:46No.
2:21:47No.
2:21:47Councilor Oliver?
2:21:48Yes.
2:21:49Yes.
2:21:49Councilor Pemberton?
2:21:50No.
2:21:51No.
2:21:51Councilor Pereira?
2:21:52No.
2:21:52No.
2:21:53Councilor Roy?
2:21:55No.
2:21:55Item fails 1 to 10.
2:21:56Item 10, 148, is the Zatarian Theater 200 account in the amount of $375,000, sponsored by Councilor Oliver.
2:22:06Councilor Abril?
2:22:07No.
2:22:07Councilor Baptiste?
2:22:09No.
2:22:09Councilor Bruggo?
2:22:10No.
2:22:10Councilor Carney?
2:22:12No.
2:22:13Councilor Chauquette?
2:22:14No.
2:22:15Councilor Gomes?
2:22:16No.
2:22:16Councilor Lopes?
2:22:17No.
2:22:18Councilor Oliver?
2:22:19Yes.
2:22:19Councilor Pemberton?
2:22:21No.
2:22:21Councilor Pereira?
2:22:22No.
2:22:23No.
2:22:23Councilor Roy?
2:22:24No.
2:22:24No.
2:22:251 to 10.
2:22:26Item fails 1 to 10.
2:22:27Motion to withdraw 149 and 150.
2:22:31Motion has been made to withdraw 149, 150.
2:22:35Okay, thank you.
2:22:37151.
2:22:38Thank you.
2:22:40151, Zaitarian Theater 200 account in the amount of $300,000, made by Councilor Oliver.
2:22:47Councilor Abreu?
2:22:49No.
2:22:49Councilor Baptiste?
2:22:51No.
2:22:51Councilor Burgum?
2:22:52No.
2:22:52Councilor Carney?
2:22:53No.
2:22:54No.
2:22:54Councilor Chilcutt?
2:22:56No.
2:22:56No.
2:22:57Councilor Gomes?
2:22:57No.
2:22:58No.
2:22:58Councilor Lopes?
2:22:59No.
2:22:59No.
2:23:00Councilor Oliver?
2:23:01Yes.
2:23:01Yes.
2:23:02Councilor Pemberton?
2:23:02No.
2:23:03No.
2:23:03Councilor Pereira?
2:23:04No.
2:23:05No.
2:23:05Councilor Roy?
2:23:06No.
2:23:06No.
2:23:071 to 10.
2:23:08Item fails 1 to 10.
2:23:10Motion to withdraw 152, 153.
2:23:14152, 153 have been withdrawn.
2:23:19Item 154, Zaitarian Theater 200 account, $225,000, made by Councilor Oliver.
2:23:26Councilor Abramowicz?
2:23:27No.
2:23:27Councilor Baptiste?
2:23:28No.
2:23:29Councilor Burgos?
2:23:30No.
2:23:30Councilor Carney?
2:23:32No.
2:23:32No.
2:23:33Councilor Chauquette?
2:23:34No.
2:23:34No.
2:23:35Councilor Gomes?
2:23:36We're almost there.
2:23:37No.
2:23:37No.
2:23:37Councilor Lopez?
2:23:38No.
2:23:39No.
2:23:39Oliver?
2:23:40Yes.
2:23:40Yes.
2:23:41Councilor Pemberton?
2:23:42No.
2:23:42No.
2:23:42Councilor Pereira?
2:23:43No.
2:23:44No.
2:23:44Councilor Roy?
2:23:45No.
2:23:46No.
2:23:46Fails 1 to 10.
2:23:47Item fails 1 to 10.
2:23:49Number 155, Zaitarian Theater 200 account in the amount of $200,000, sponsored by Councilors Oliver and Gomes.
2:23:56Councilor Abreu?
2:23:58No.
2:23:58Councilor Baptiste?
2:24:00No.
2:24:00Councilor Burgos?
2:24:01No.
2:24:02Councilor Carney?
2:24:02Yes.
2:24:03Yes.
2:24:03Councilor Choquette?
2:24:04No.
2:24:05No.
2:24:05Councilor Holmes?
2:24:06Yes.
2:24:07Yes.
2:24:07Councilor Lopes?
2:24:08No.
2:24:09No.
2:24:09Councilor Oliver?
2:24:10Yes.
2:24:10Yes.
2:24:11Councilor Pemberton?
2:24:12Yes.
2:24:12Yes.
2:24:13Councilor Pereira?
2:24:14No.
2:24:15No.
2:24:15Councilor Roy?
2:24:16No.
2:24:16No.
2:24:17Fails 4 to 7.
2:24:18Item fails 4 to 7.
2:24:20156, Criterion Theater 200 account in the amount of $175,000.
2:24:25Councilor Abreu?
2:24:27No.
2:24:27Councilor Baptiste?
2:24:28No.
2:24:29Councilor Bruggo?
2:24:30No.
2:24:30Councilor Carney?
2:24:31Yes.
2:24:32Yes.
2:24:32Councilor Chauquette?
2:24:33No.
2:24:34No.
2:24:34Councilor Gomes?
2:24:35No.
2:24:36No.
2:24:36Councilor Lopes?
2:24:37No.
2:24:38No.
2:24:38Councilor Oliver?
2:24:39Yes.
2:24:40Yes.
2:24:40Councilor Pemberton?
2:24:41No.
2:24:42No.
2:24:42Councilor Pereira?
2:24:44No.
2:24:44No.
2:24:44Councilor Roy?
2:24:45No.
2:24:46No.
2:24:46Fails 2 to 9.
2:24:47Fails 2 to 9.
2:24:51That was 156.
2:24:53I'm sorry, Mr. President, 157 is cut at this Zaiterian Theater in the 200 account in the amount of $150,000, sponsored by Councilor Oliver.
2:25:03Councilor Abril?
2:25:05No.
2:25:05Councilor Baptiste?
2:25:06No.
2:25:07Councilor Brigo?
2:25:08No.
2:25:08Councilor Carney?
2:25:10No.
2:25:10Councilor Chilcott?
2:25:12No.
2:25:12Councilor Gomes?
2:25:14Yes.
2:25:15Councilor Lopes?
2:25:17No.
2:25:18Councilor Oliver?
2:25:19Yes.
2:25:20Councilor Pemberton?
2:25:21Yes.
2:25:22Councilor Pereira?
2:25:23No.
2:25:24No.
2:25:24Councilor Roy.
2:25:25No.
2:25:26No.
2:25:26Fails 3 to 8.
2:25:28Item fails 3 to 8.
2:25:30Mr. President, 158 is a cut to the Zaitarian Theater in the 200 account in the amount of $125,000.
2:25:37Councilor Abram.
2:25:38No.
2:25:38Councilor Baptiste.
2:25:40No.
2:25:40Councilor Burgos.
2:25:42No.
2:25:42Councilor Carney.
2:25:43No.
2:25:43No.
2:25:44Councilor Choquette.
2:25:45No.
2:25:45No.
2:25:46Councilor Gomes.
2:25:51Yes.
2:25:51Councilor Lopes?
2:25:52No.
2:25:53No.
2:25:53Councilor Oliver?
2:25:54Yes.
2:25:54Yes.
2:25:55Councilor Pemberton?
2:25:56Yes.
2:25:56Yes.
2:25:57Councilor Pereira?
2:25:58No.
2:25:58No.
2:25:59Councilor Roy?
2:25:59No.
2:26:00No.
2:26:02Item fails 3 to 8.
2:26:03159.
2:26:05159, Mr. President, is a cut to the Zaitarian's 200 account in the amount of $100,000 offered by Councilor Oliver.
2:26:11Councilor Abreu?
2:26:12Councilor Oliver, did you want the floor?
2:26:14Okay.
2:26:14You mean no?
2:26:18Uh, okay, I'll give— maybe, uh, we couldn't do the whole amount.
2:26:22We can do a little bit here, give him some operating money, let the administration do the work.
2:26:28Maybe he doesn't have to come for a supplemental, can ask for a transfer.
2:26:32Um, I think $100,000, that's fair.
2:26:35I think it's— the money's in there.
2:26:37Um, I don't— I, I, I know the money's in there.
2:26:40We just have to force this administration to make the tough decisions, and the council has to stay steady in their decision and not bend to a supplemental or anything like that.
2:26:52So if he puts in a transfer, I'll support a transfer because I want to know where the money's coming from.
2:26:56Thank you.
2:27:03Councilor Abrams?
2:27:04No.
2:27:04Councilor Baptiste?
2:27:06No.
2:27:07No.
2:27:07Councilor Bruggo?
2:27:09No.
2:27:09Councilor Carney?
2:27:10Yes.
2:27:10Yes.
2:27:11Councilor Choquette?
2:27:12No.
2:27:13No.
2:27:13Councilor Gomes?
2:27:14Yes.
2:27:14Yes.
2:27:15Councilor Lopes?
2:27:16No.
2:27:16No.
2:27:17Councilor Oliver?
2:27:18Yes.
2:27:18Yes.
2:27:19Councilor Pemberton?
2:27:19Yes.
2:27:20Yes.
2:27:20Councilor Pereira?
2:27:21No.
2:27:22No.
2:27:22Councilor Roy?
2:27:23No.
2:27:23No.
2:27:24Fails 4 to 7.
2:27:25Item fails 4 to 7.
2:27:28We're not going to take a break, but I am going to see— David, do you have the numbers so far?
2:27:33It's just because we ended the general fund, so I just wanted to see if we could— thank you.
2:27:46So the total cut, colleagues, for ordinary revenue is $1,746,618.
2:27:57That is the cut for ordinary revenue.
2:28:00The general funded accounts.
2:28:03David, you want that back?
2:28:05Yeah.
2:28:06Thank you.
2:28:08All right, we'll move on now to the enterprise accounts.
2:28:14Mr. President, item 160 is a cut to the airport in the 400 account in the amount of $500 offered by Scott Pemberton, uh, Councilor Pemberton.
2:28:23Oh, sorry, Councilor Abril.
2:28:26Yes.
2:28:26Councilor Baptiste?
2:28:28No.
2:28:28Councilor Bruggo?
2:28:29No.
2:28:30No.
2:28:30Councilor Carney?
2:28:32No.
2:28:33No.
2:28:33Councilor Choquette?
2:28:35No.
2:28:35No.
2:28:36Councilor Gomes?
2:28:37No.
2:28:37Councilor Lopes?
2:28:38No.
2:28:39No.
2:28:39Councilor Oliver?
2:28:43Councilor Pemberton?
2:28:44Yes.
2:28:44Yes.
2:28:44Councilor Pereira?
2:28:45No.
2:28:46No.
2:28:46Councilor Roy?
2:28:47No.
2:28:48No.
2:28:49Fails 2 to 8.
2:28:51Item fails 2 to 8.
2:28:52Mr. President, item 161 is cut to the airport, the 700 account, in the amount of $5,100, offered by Councilors Choquette, Abreu, and Pemberton.
2:29:03Councilor Abreu?
2:29:04Yes.
2:29:05Councilor Baptiste?
2:29:06No.
2:29:07Councilor Brigo?
2:29:08No.
2:29:09No.
2:29:09Councilor Carney?
2:29:10No.
2:29:10No.
2:29:11Councilor Choquette?
2:29:12Yes.
2:29:13Yes.
2:29:13Councilor Gomes?
2:29:15No.
2:29:15Councilor Lopez?
2:29:16No.
2:29:16No.
2:29:17Councilor Oliver?
2:29:18Yes.
2:29:18Yes.
2:29:19Councilor Pemberton?
2:29:20Yes.
2:29:20Yes.
2:29:21Councilor Pereira?
2:29:21Yes.
2:29:22Yes.
2:29:23Councilor Roy?
2:29:24No.
2:29:24No.
2:29:25Fails 5 to 6.
2:29:27Fails 5 to 6.
2:29:28162 is before us.
2:29:29Mr. President, item 162 is a cut to cable access in the 700 account in the amount of $4,000 offered by Councilor Choquette, Abram, Pemberton.
2:29:37Councilor— on the question, I would just like to say, uh, out of all of the enterprise accounts, this one receives no appropriation from the general fund.
2:29:48It is fully self-sufficient off of its receipts from Comcast and its internal savings account.
2:29:56They take not one dollar from the taxpayers of this city.
2:30:00A cut here does not make sense.
2:30:01Thank you.
2:30:03Councillor Abreu?
2:30:05Yes.
2:30:06Councillor Baptiste?
2:30:07No.
2:30:08Councilor Borgo?
2:30:09No.
2:30:09No.
2:30:09Councilor Carney?
2:30:10No.
2:30:10No.
2:30:11Councilor Choquette?
2:30:12Yes.
2:30:12Yes.
2:30:13Councilor Gomes?
2:30:14No.
2:30:14Councilor Lopes?
2:30:16No.
2:30:16No.
2:30:17Councilor Oliver?
2:30:17No.
2:30:18No.
2:30:18Councilor Pemberton?
2:30:19Yes.
2:30:20Yes.
2:30:20Councilor Ferreira?
2:30:21No.
2:30:21No.
2:30:22Councilor Roy?
2:30:23No.
2:30:23No.
2:30:23Fails 3 to 8.
2:30:24Item fails 3 to 8.
2:30:26163 is before us.
2:30:27Mr. President, 163 is a cut to wastewater in the 200 account in the amount of $300,000 offered by Councilor Chauquette, Abreu, and Pemberton.
2:30:35Councilor Abreu?
2:30:37Yes.
2:30:37Councilor Baptiste?
2:30:38No.
2:30:39Councilor Burgos?
2:30:42No.
2:30:43No.
2:30:43Councilor Carney?
2:30:44No.
2:30:44No.
2:30:45Councilor Chauquette?
2:30:46Yes.
2:30:47Yes.
2:30:47Councilor Gomes?
2:30:48No.
2:30:49Councilor Lopes?
2:30:49No.
2:30:50No.
2:30:50Councilor Oliver?
2:30:52No.
2:30:52No.
2:30:53Councilor Pemberton?
2:30:54Yes.
2:30:54Yes.
2:30:55Councilor Pereira?
2:30:56No.
2:30:57No.
2:30:57Councilor Roy?
2:30:58No.
2:30:58No, fails 3 to 8.
2:31:02Mr. President, item 164 is a cut to wastewater in the 400 account in the amount of $58,486, uh, offered by Councillors Burgo and Abreu.
2:31:12Councillor Abreu?
2:31:15Yes.
2:31:15Councillor Baptiste?
2:31:17No.
2:31:17Councillor Burgo?
2:31:18Yes.
2:31:19Councillor Carney?
2:31:20No.
2:31:21No.
2:31:21Councillor Choquette?
2:31:22Yes.
2:31:23Yes.
2:31:23Councillor Gomes?
2:31:24No.
2:31:25No.
2:31:25Councilor Lopes?
2:31:26No.
2:31:27No.
2:31:27Councilor Oliver?
2:31:29Yes.
2:31:29Yes.
2:31:30Councilor Pemberton?
2:31:30Yes.
2:31:31Yes.
2:31:31Councilor Pereira?
2:31:32No.
2:31:33No.
2:31:34Councilor Roy?
2:31:34No.
2:31:35No.
2:31:35Fails 5 to 6.
2:31:37Item fails 5 to 6.
2:31:39165 is before us.
2:31:41Mr. President, 165 is a cut to wastewater in the 400 account in the amount of $29,243, offered by Councilors Burgo and Avery.
2:31:50Councilor Abram.
2:31:51Yes.
2:31:52Councilor Baptiste.
2:31:53No.
2:31:53Councilor Burgos.
2:31:54Yes.
2:31:55Yes.
2:31:55Councilor Carney.
2:31:56No.
2:31:57No.
2:31:57Councilor Choquette.
2:31:58Yes.
2:31:59Yes.
2:31:59Councilor Gomes.
2:32:00No.
2:32:01No.
2:32:01Councilor Lopes.
2:32:02No.
2:32:03No.
2:32:03Councilor Oliver.
2:32:04Yes.
2:32:04Yes.
2:32:05Councilor Pemberton.
2:32:05Yes.
2:32:06Yes.
2:32:07Councilor Pereira.
2:32:07Yes.
2:32:08Yes.
2:32:08Councilor Roy.
2:32:10No.
2:32:11No.
2:32:11Passes 6 to 5.
2:32:13Item passes 6 to 5.
2:32:15That's going to take you 167.
2:32:18167.
2:32:19Mr. President, item 167, that's a cut to wastewater in the 700 account in the amount of $25,000, offered by Councilor Choquette and Burgo.
2:32:27Councilor Abrud?
2:32:29No.
2:32:29Councilor Baptiste?
2:32:31No.
2:32:31Councilor Burgo?
2:32:33Yes.
2:32:33Yes.
2:32:34Councilor Carney?
2:32:35No.
2:32:35No.
2:32:36Councilor Choquette?
2:32:37Yes.
2:32:37Yes.
2:32:38Councilor Gomes?
2:32:39No.
2:32:40Councilor Lopes?
2:32:41No.
2:32:42Councilor Oliver?
2:32:43Yes.
2:32:43Yes.
2:32:43Councilor Pemberton?
2:32:44Yes.
2:32:45Yes.
2:32:45Councilor Pereira?
2:32:46Yes.
2:32:47Yes.
2:32:47Councilor Roy?
2:32:48No.
2:32:49No.
2:32:49Fails 5 to 6.
2:32:51Item fails 5 to 6.
2:32:52168 is before us.
2:32:55Mr. President, item 168 is a cut to wastewater in the 700 account in the amount of $5,000 offered by Councilors Lopes, Abreu, and Pemberton.
2:33:03Councilor Abreu?
2:33:04Yes.
2:33:04Councilor Baptiste?
2:33:05No.
2:33:06Councilor Bergo?
2:33:07Yes.
2:33:08Yes.
2:33:08Councilor Carney?
2:33:09No.
2:33:09No.
2:33:10Councilor Chauquette?
2:33:11Yes.
2:33:11Yes.
2:33:12Councilor Gomes?
2:33:13No.
2:33:13No.
2:33:13Councilor Lopes?
2:33:15No.
2:33:16No.
2:33:16Councilor Oliver?
2:33:17Yes.
2:33:18Yes.
2:33:19Councilor Pemberton?
2:33:20Yes.
2:33:21Yes.
2:33:21Councilor Pereira?
2:33:22Yes.
2:33:22Yes.
2:33:23Councilor Roy?
2:33:23No.
2:33:24No.
2:33:24Passes 6 to 5.
2:33:25Item passes 6 to 5.
2:33:28169.
2:33:29Mr. President, item 169 is a cut to wastewater on the 800 account in the amount amount of $100,000 offered by Councillors Pereira, Oliver, and Burgo.
2:33:38From the chair, uh, this is a new addition to the budget, and we saw the projections of the wastewater rates coming up.
2:33:46They are going to be expensive.
2:33:48And while I understand, as the commissioner explained here before us, the need to have some working capital to make repairs when needed, I do think in a tight fiscal year We should be— I don't know if it's feedback from both mics, sorry.
2:34:03In a tight fiscal year, we should be looking to not give a full ask in this, allow some capital.
2:34:11This will still allow $150,000 worth of capital.
2:34:14We're reducing it $100,000.
2:34:16He still will have room to work with if things break, and they will break.
2:34:21He went from having no capital in his budget to a quarter of a million dollars in a year when we're expecting a double-digit rate increase.
2:34:28Increase.
2:34:29I think we should just ease into it, allow $150,000 for capital expense, reduce the total ask from a quarter of a million dollars to $150,000.
2:34:38Thank you, colleagues.
2:34:42Councilor Abramowicz?
2:34:44No.
2:34:44Councilor Baptiste?
2:34:48Councilor— I can't hear him.
2:34:50Okay.
2:34:50No.
2:34:51Councilor Burgos?
2:34:52Yes.
2:34:53Councilor Carney?
2:34:54No.
2:34:54No.
2:34:55Councilor Choquette?
2:34:56No.
2:34:57No.
2:34:57Councilor Gomes?
2:34:58No.
2:34:59No.
2:34:59Councilor Lopes?
2:35:00No.
2:35:01No.
2:35:01Councilor Oliver?
2:35:02Yes.
2:35:02Yes.
2:35:03Councilor Pemberton?
2:35:04Yes.
2:35:05Yes.
2:35:05Councilor Pereira?
2:35:06Yes.
2:35:07Yes.
2:35:07Councilor Roy?
2:35:08No.
2:35:08No.
2:35:09Fails 4 to 7, Mr. President.
2:35:10Item fails 4 to 7.
2:35:13Number 170 is before us.
2:35:17Mr. President, item 170 is a cut to wastewater in the 800 account.
2:35:21In the amount of $75,000 offered by Councillors Pereira and Oliver.
2:35:25Councillor Abreu?
2:35:26No.
2:35:27Councillor Baptiste?
2:35:28No.
2:35:29Councillor Burgos?
2:35:30Yes.
2:35:31Councillor Carney?
2:35:33No.
2:35:33No.
2:35:34Councillor Chilcott?
2:35:35No.
2:35:36Councillor Gomes?
2:35:37No.
2:35:37Councillor Lopes?
2:35:39No.
2:35:39Councillor Oliver?
2:35:40Yes.
2:35:41Yes.
2:35:41Councillor Pemberton?
2:35:42Yes.
2:35:43Yes.
2:35:43Councillor Pereira?
2:35:44Yes.
2:35:45Yes.
2:35:45Councillor Roy?
2:35:47No, fails 4 to 7.
2:35:49Fails 4 to 7.
2:35:51171 is before us.
2:35:52Mr. President, item 171 is a cut to wastewater in the amount of— in the 800 account, the amount of $50,000 offered by Councilors Choquette, Abreu, Pemberton, Pereira, and Oliver.
2:36:02Councilor Abreu?
2:36:03Yes.
2:36:03Councilor Baptiste?
2:36:05No.
2:36:06Councilor Burgos?
2:36:06Yes.
2:36:07Councilor Carney?
2:36:09No.
2:36:09No.
2:36:10Councilor Choquette?
2:36:11Yes.
2:36:11Yes.
2:36:12Councilor Gomes?
2:36:14No.
2:36:14No.
2:36:14Councilor Lopes.
2:36:15No.
2:36:16No.
2:36:16Councilor Oliver.
2:36:17Yes.
2:36:18Yes.
2:36:18Councilor Pemberton.
2:36:19Yes.
2:36:20Yes.
2:36:20Councilor Pereira.
2:36:21See.
2:36:22Yes.
2:36:22Councilor Roy.
2:36:27Yes.
2:36:28Yes.
2:36:29Passes 7 to 4.
2:36:31Justice Kennedy.
2:36:33Passes 7 to 4.
2:36:35That takes care of— that takes care of 179.
2:36:40Mr. President, item 173 is a cut to water in the 100 account in the amount of $76,776, offered by Councilor Burgo.
2:36:52On the question?
2:36:53Yes, thank you.
2:36:56Um, Mr. President, this again, um, oh, I didn't mention this in my remarks, sorry, I had to trim some of my speech.
2:37:02Um, this assistant superintendent of green space space was introduced to us back in FY26, but it was— some of this, uh, water, uh, budget was eliminated.
2:37:17The reduction in the 100 account, um, we know of course we can eliminate from the 100 account, doesn't mean that they're going to do what we tell them to do.
2:37:24The unique part of this position is back to the point that I was making earlier about why the mayor appoints chief of staffs everywhere in these different departments.
2:37:36In order for this person to be hired, we have to create the position within the Code of Ordinances.
2:37:42That's why this was referred back.
2:37:44I'm sure the— my colleagues know this was referred to the Committee on Ordinances in order for it to become ordained.
2:37:51So this position, you can't even hire an assistant superintendent of green space until we ordain it be so.
2:37:58So that's why a year ago when this was introduced, they couldn't hire anyone for this position because it didn't exist in our code of ordinances.
2:38:05So even if you all vote no to cut this, they still can't hire this person.
2:38:12So I hope that you will cut out this $77,000 for this new person because we haven't even created the position yet.
2:38:19And I hope that you agree that we should not be hiring any new positions at a time when we've eliminated 94 positions.
2:38:26Thank you.
2:38:28Councilor Raybould, very brief.
2:38:30Not the time or the place for this.
2:38:32It just isn't.
2:38:33The optics on this are just horrible right now, uh, based on some of the points that the speaker before me raised.
2:38:39But also, I just— we're consolidating, we're telling firefighters to hit the bricks, we're telling 24 police officers you can't come to the academy, and then we're going to create these positions I'm not saying it's not warranted.
2:38:51I'm not saying it's not necessary.
2:38:53But the optics and the timing on this are just horrible.
2:38:56Again, not the time, not the place.
2:39:00I will be voting yes to cut this for the time being.
2:39:02Thank you.
2:39:04Thank you.
2:39:05Anyone else?
2:39:06Councillor Chauket.
2:39:08Thank you, Mr. President.
2:39:10I concur with my colleague from Ricketson Street.
2:39:15Sometimes it's not the actual math, rather the optics.
2:39:19And, um, you know, having this position be brought up in a time when the mayor just moved to cut 25 firefighters, um, again, it speaks for itself.
2:39:33It's just, it's just silly.
2:39:35So I will be voting as the councilor of Ricketts and Street will also.
2:39:40Thank you.
2:39:40All right, anyone else?
2:39:42Councilor Gomes.
2:39:45I just want to rise to— earlier I said this, you got to be out of your cotton-picking mind if you thought you were getting a vote from me for this.
2:39:55Thank you, Councilor.
2:39:58Anyone else?
2:40:00All right, I will ask the clerk to call the roll.
2:40:03Councilor Abram.
2:40:04Yep.
2:40:05Yes.
2:40:05Councilor Baptiste.
2:40:07Yes.
2:40:07Councilor Brigo.
2:40:08Yes.
2:40:09Yes.
2:40:09Councilor Carney.
2:40:10Yes.
2:40:10Yes.
2:40:11Councilor Chauquette.
2:40:12Yes.
2:40:13Yes.
2:40:13Councilor Gomes.
2:40:15Yes.
2:40:15Councilor Lopes.
2:40:17Yes.
2:40:17Councilor Oliver.
2:40:19Yes.
2:40:19Yes.
2:40:20Councilor Pemberton.
2:40:20Yes.
2:40:21Yes.
2:40:21Councilor Pereira.
2:40:22Yes.
2:40:23Yes.
2:40:23Councilor Roy.
2:40:25Yes.
2:40:25Yes.
2:40:26Passes 11 to 0.
2:40:28First unanimous vote of the night.
2:40:31All right, all right, all right.
2:40:32Thank you.
2:40:33I'll ask the clerk to call 174.
2:40:35Mr. President, 174 is a cut to water on the 200 account in the amount of $353,813, offered by Councilor Burgo.
2:40:43Councilor Burgo.
2:40:45Thank you, and thank you to my colleagues for being brave enough.
2:40:50Um, I'm sorry, I couldn't hear you, Councilor.
2:40:53Um, anyway, um, I rise again for this account because this is only 10% I know the number seems large, $353,000, but 10% of this account they can absorb.
2:41:03And again, I want to— I want you all to understand that although this is an enterprise account, the funds are raised through the ratepayer.
2:41:12If we don't reduce the expenses in this account, the ratepayer will pay for it.
2:41:17So although in the ideas of some people it doesn't cost the taxpayers because it's not raising taxes, it raises on the water bills.
2:41:25So I just— I want to put that out there for individuals that are okay eliminating tourism and marketing because they don't see red, white, and blue flags in Ward 1.
2:41:34But, you know, when there's water issues in Ward 1, hopefully they'll vote to make some reductions in services that they're not seeing in that area.
2:41:42So just wanted to point that out for those— when we have to make some cuts, when we see the double-digit increases, we have to find savings somewhere.
2:41:49Thank you.
2:41:52Yeah, I just wanted to say that that comment was in poor taste, because if there is no fire station in Ward 1, then you're going to be wishing there was water in Ward 1.
2:42:05Councillor Gomes.
2:42:22I don't know what happened with the red, white, and blue, and what the red, white, and blue has to do with this.
2:42:28But I've never tried to hurt the people of this city in any vote that I take, especially when we're taking money from them.
2:42:34But when you've sat down with the commissioner and you understand exactly what's going on with the system, And with everything from water to wastewater, I kind of— I understand what he's saying, but I also, on the other side, feel for the taxpayers.
2:42:53And that's the only reason that you'll see me give you a yes vote tonight, not because of my red, white, and blue.
2:43:00Some of you don't like red, white, and blue in this room, and I know you don't, but I do, and I love it.
2:43:08I'm one of them guys who wrap myself in the cloth, just like I would wrap myself in the cloth of my cultural flag.
2:43:16I didn't appreciate that comment either.
2:43:23Anyone else?
2:43:26Clerk will call the roll.
2:43:27Councilor Abril?
2:43:29No.
2:43:29Councilor Baptiste?
2:43:31No.
2:43:32Councilor Bruggo?
2:43:32Yes.
2:43:33Yes.
2:43:33Councilor Carney?
2:43:34No.
2:43:35No.
2:43:35Councilor Chauquette?
2:43:37No.
2:43:37Councilor Gomes?
2:43:40No.
2:43:40Councilor Lopes?
2:43:41No.
2:43:42Councilor Oliver?
2:43:44No.
2:43:44Councilor Pemberton?
2:43:46No.
2:43:46Councilor Pereira?
2:43:48No.
2:43:48Councilor Roy?
2:43:49No.
2:43:49No.
2:43:50Fails 1 to 10.
2:43:51Item fails 1 to 10.
2:43:52175 is before us.
2:43:53Mr. President, item 175 is a cut to water in the 200 account in the amount of $176,907.
2:44:00$100 offered by Councilor Burgos.
2:44:03Councilor Abril?
2:44:04No.
2:44:04Councilor Baptiste?
2:44:05No.
2:44:06Councilor Burgos?
2:44:07Yes.
2:44:08Yes.
2:44:08Councilor Carney?
2:44:09No.
2:44:09No.
2:44:10Councilor Choquette?
2:44:11No.
2:44:11Councilor Gomes?
2:44:13No.
2:44:13Councilor Lopes?
2:44:14No.
2:44:14Councilor Oliver?
2:44:16No.
2:44:16Councilor Pemberton?
2:44:17No.
2:44:18No.
2:44:19Councilor Pereira?
2:44:20No.
2:44:20No.
2:44:21Councilor Roy?
2:44:22No.
2:44:22No.
2:44:23Fails 1 to 10.
2:44:24Item fails 1.
2:44:25Item fails 1 to 10.
2:44:26176 is for us.
2:44:28Mr. President, item 176 is a cut to the Water Department in the amount— in the 200 account, the amount of $70,763 offered by Councilor Burgo.
2:44:37Councilor Abreu?
2:44:38No.
2:44:38Councilor Baptiste?
2:44:39No.
2:44:40Councilor Burgo?
2:44:41Yes.
2:44:42Yes.
2:44:42Councilor Carney?
2:44:43No.
2:44:43No.
2:44:44Councilor Choquette?
2:44:45No.
2:44:45Councilor Gomes?
2:44:47No.
2:44:47Councilor Lopes?
2:44:49No.
2:44:49Councilor Oliver?
2:44:50No.
2:44:50Councilor Pemberton?
2:44:51No.
2:44:52No.
2:44:52Councilor Pereira?
2:44:54Yes.
2:44:54Yes.
2:44:54Councilor Roy?
2:44:55No.
2:44:55No.
2:44:56Fails 2 to 9.
2:44:57Item fails 2 to 9.
2:44:59177.
2:45:01Mr. President, 177 is a cut to water in the 700 account in the amount of $35,000 offered by Councilors Choquette, Abreu, and Burgo.
2:45:09Councilor Abreu?
2:45:09Yes.
2:45:11Councilor Baptiste?
2:45:12No.
2:45:13Councilor Burgo?
2:45:14Yes.
2:45:14Yes.
2:45:15Councilor Carney?
2:45:16No.
2:45:16No.
2:45:17Councilor Choquette?
2:45:18Yes.
2:45:19Councilor Gomes?
2:45:20No.
2:45:20Councilor Lopes?
2:45:21No.
2:45:22Councilor Oliver?
2:45:23Yes.
2:45:24Yes.
2:45:24Councilor Pemberton?
2:45:25Yes.
2:45:26Yes.
2:45:26Councilor Pereira?
2:45:27No.
2:45:28No.
2:45:28Councilor Roy?
2:45:29No.
2:45:29No.
2:45:30Fails 5 to 6.
2:45:31Item fails 5 to 6.
2:45:32178.
2:45:33Mr. President, 178 is cut to water in the 700 account in the amount of $5,000 offered by Councilors Lopes and Abreu.
2:45:40Councilor Abreu?
2:45:40Yes.
2:45:41Councilor Baptiste?
2:45:42No.
2:45:43Councilor Burgos?
2:45:44Yes.
2:45:45Yes.
2:45:45Councilor Carney?
2:45:46No.
2:45:47No.
2:45:47Councilor Chouquette?
2:45:48Yes.
2:45:49Yes.
2:45:49Councilor Gomes?
2:45:51No.
2:45:51Councilor Lopes?
2:45:52Yes.
2:45:53Councilor Oliver?
2:45:53Yes.
2:45:54Yes.
2:45:54Councilor Pemberton?
2:45:55Yes.
2:45:56Yes.
2:45:56Councilor Pereira?
2:45:57Yes.
2:45:57Yes.
2:45:58Councilor Roy?
2:45:59No.
2:45:59No.
2:46:00Passes 7 to 4.
2:46:01Item passes 7 to 4.
2:46:03179.
2:46:04Mr. President, item 179 is cut from water in the capital outlay 900 account in the amount of $100,000.
2:46:10$250,000 offered by Councillors Pereira and Oliver.
2:46:13So again, colleagues, much like in wastewater, a department had— this department never has had any capital money in the budget.
2:46:22It went from zero to $250,000.
2:46:26I do understand the commissioner's need, as he explained it here before us, for some capital outlay.
2:46:33And as I explained to him, I don't think we can go from zero to a quarter quarter of a million dollars in a tight fiscal year.
2:46:39He kind of agreed.
2:46:41And if you recall back, he said that some capital is better than nothing considering the new CIP process in which a lot of his capital equipment goes through.
2:46:49But there is still a need to have some cash on hand.
2:46:52I do think $150,000 is equitable, is enough in his account.
2:46:58That's a reduction of $100,000 proposed before you.
2:47:01Thank you.
2:47:04Councilor Abram.
2:47:06No.
2:47:07No.
2:47:07Councilor Baptiste.
2:47:08No.
2:47:09Councilor Burgow.
2:47:10Yes.
2:47:11Councilor Carney.
2:47:11No.
2:47:12No.
2:47:12Councilor Chauquet.
2:47:14No.
2:47:14Councilor Gomes.
2:47:16No.
2:47:16Councilor Lopes.
2:47:18No.
2:47:18Councilor Oliver.
2:47:19Yes.
2:47:20Yes.
2:47:20Councilor Pemberton.
2:47:21Yes.
2:47:22Yes.
2:47:22Councilor Pereira.
2:47:23Yes.
2:47:23Yes.
2:47:24Councilor Roy.
2:47:25No.
2:47:25No.
2:47:26Fails 4 to 7.
2:47:27Item fails 4 to 7, 180.
2:47:29Mr. President, 180 is a cut to water in 900 account in the amount of $75,000 offered by Councilors Pereira and Oliver.
2:47:37Councilor Abreu?
2:47:38No.
2:47:38Councilor Baptiste?
2:47:39No.
2:47:40Councilor Burgos?
2:47:41Yes.
2:47:42Councilor Carney?
2:47:43No.
2:47:43No.
2:47:44Councilor Chouquette?
2:47:45No.
2:47:45Councilor Gomes?
2:47:46No.
2:47:47Councilor Lopes?
2:47:48No.
2:47:48Councilor Oliver?
2:47:50Yes.
2:47:51Yes.
2:47:51Councilor Pemberton?
2:47:52Yes.
2:47:52Yes.
2:47:53Councilor Pereira?
2:47:53Yes.
2:47:54Yes.
2:47:54Councilor Roy?
2:47:57No, fails 4 to 7.
2:47:58Item fails 4 to 7.
2:47:59181 is before us.
2:48:01Mr. President, item 181 is a cut to water in the 900 account in the amount of $50,000 offered by Councilors Choquette, Abreu, Pemberton, Pereira, and Oliver.
2:48:10Councilor Abreu?
2:48:11Yes.
2:48:12Councilor Baptiste?
2:48:13No.
2:48:14Councilor Burgos?
2:48:15Yes.
2:48:16Councilor Carney?
2:48:17No.
2:48:18No.
2:48:18Councilor Choquette?
2:48:20Yes.
2:48:20Councilor Gomes?
2:48:22No.
2:48:22Councilor Lopes?
2:48:23No.
2:48:24Councilor Oliver?
2:48:25Yes.
2:48:25Yes.
2:48:25Councilor Pemberton?
2:48:26Yes.
2:48:27Yes.
2:48:27Councilor Pereira?
2:48:28Yes.
2:48:28Yes.
2:48:29Councilor Roy?
2:48:30No.
2:48:30No.
2:48:30Passes 6 to 5.
2:48:32Item passes 6 to 5.
2:48:35All right, do not go anywhere.
2:48:36We're going to take a quick little break.
2:48:38Do not leave.
2:48:38Oh, I'm sorry.
2:48:40No, do not leave your seats.
2:48:42We're going to just put a quick recess.
2:48:44Do not leave.
2:48:44We'll be right back.
2:51:28All right, so, okay, okay, read B please.
2:51:40Mr. President, item B is an order appropriating $491,000— I'm sorry, $491,393,000 $2,868 from ordinary revenue and municipal receipts of FY beginning July 1st, 2026, and ending June 30th, 2027, for the payment of current expenses of various municipal departments.
2:52:01So colleagues, that was $1,746,618 in cuts, which— one more time, please, please repeat.
2:52:11$1,746,618 $618 in cuts, for a total $491,392,868.
2:52:30Please repeat it.
2:52:32$491,392,868.
2:52:38Thank you.
2:52:39Thank you.
2:52:40Thank you.
2:52:41All right, so the order has been read into the record before us.
2:52:46Oh, should I refer to the quasi— nope.
2:52:49Motion to adopt.
2:52:50Motion to adopt.
2:52:53Correct.
2:52:54Motion to adopt as amended, made by Councilor Abreu, seconded by Councilor Baptiste.
2:52:59On the question, Councilor Gomes.
2:53:05Thank you, Mr. President.
2:53:06Mr. President, as you know, for the past 4 years I have not voted, and I will not vote tonight because— and you can call it what you want it.
2:53:15You call it grandstanding.
2:53:16You call me standing up for the people of this city, standing up for what's right, standing up for a balanced budget, standing up for lower taxes.
2:53:26My vote will be no tonight.
2:53:32For the past 5 years, I've sent a clear message that the people can't take it.
2:53:37And again, there's no grandstanding.
2:53:39People of this city can't take it.
2:53:41My vote will be no.
2:53:42Thank you.
2:53:44Thank you, Councilor.
2:53:45Anyone else?
2:53:50Okay, on adoption of the order, I'll ask the clerk to call the roll.
2:53:56Councilor Abram.
2:53:57Yes.
2:53:58Councilor Baptiste.
2:53:59Yes.
2:53:59Yes.
2:53:59Councilor Burgos?
2:54:01Yes.
2:54:01Councilor Carney?
2:54:02Yes.
2:54:03Yes.
2:54:03Councilor Choquette?
2:54:04Yes.
2:54:05Yes.
2:54:05Councilor Gomes?
2:54:06No.
2:54:07Councilor Lopes?
2:54:09Yes.
2:54:09Councilor Oliver?
2:54:10Yes.
2:54:11Yes.
2:54:11Councilor Pemberton?
2:54:12Yes.
2:54:12Yes.
2:54:13Councilor Pereira?
2:54:14Yes.
2:54:15Yes.
2:54:15Councilor Roy?
2:54:16Yes.
2:54:17Yes.
2:54:17Passes 10 to 1, Mr. President.
2:54:19Item passes 10 to 1.
2:54:21I'll ask the clerk to read Item C. Mr. President, Item C is an order appropriating $1 million $408,557 in 12 equal monthly increments from airport receipts of FY27 in the airport budget.
2:54:33Motion to adopt.
2:54:35Motion to adopt made by Councilor Roy, seconded by Councilor Choquette.
2:54:39Anyone on the question?
2:54:41I'll ask the clerk to call the roll.
2:54:43Councilor Ebru?
2:54:44Yes.
2:54:45Councilor Baptiste?
2:54:46Yes.
2:54:47Councilor Virgo?
2:54:48Yes.
2:54:49Councilor Carney?
2:54:49Yes.
2:54:50Councilor Choquette?
2:54:52Yes.
2:54:52Councilor Gomes.
2:54:54Yes.
2:54:54Councilor Lopes.
2:54:56Yes.
2:54:56Councilor Oliver.
2:54:57Yes.
2:54:58Yes.
2:54:58Councilor Pemberton.
2:54:59Yes.
2:55:00Councilor Pereira.
2:55:01Yes.
2:55:01Yes.
2:55:02Councilor Roy.
2:55:03Yes.
2:55:03Yes.
2:55:0411-0.
2:55:05Item passes 11-0.
2:55:06I will ask the clerk to read Item D. Mr. President, Item D is an order appropriating $133,747 from the hotel and lodging tax and the arts Culture and Tourism Fund in 12 equal monthly increments for— from FY27 municipal receipts.
2:55:24Motion to adopt.
2:55:27Motion to adopt made by Councilor Roy, seconded by Councilor Burgo.
2:55:31On the question, I will ask the clerk to call the roll.
2:55:34Councilor Abram.
2:55:35Yes.
2:55:36Councilor Baptiste.
2:55:36Yes.
2:55:37Yes.
2:55:37Councilor Burgo.
2:55:39Yes.
2:55:39Councilor Carney.
2:55:40Yes.
2:55:41Yes.
2:55:41Councilor Choquette.
2:55:42Yes.
2:55:43Yes.
2:55:43Yes.
2:55:43Yes.
2:55:43Councillor Gomes?
2:55:44Yes.
2:55:45Yes.
2:55:45Councillor Lopes?
2:55:46Yes.
2:55:47Yes.
2:55:47Councillor Oliver?
2:55:48Yes.
2:55:48Yes.
2:55:49Councillor Pemberton?
2:55:50Yes.
2:55:50Yes.
2:55:51Councillor Pereira?
2:55:52Yes.
2:55:52Yes.
2:55:52Councillor Roy?
2:55:53Yes.
2:55:54Yes.
2:55:5411-0.
2:55:56Item passes 11-0.
2:55:58I will ask the clerk to read Item E. Mr. President, Item E is an order appropriating $1,492,045 in 12 equal monthly increments from the enterprise fund receipts of FY 2017.
2:56:087 in the Cable Access Enterprise Fund.
2:56:11Adoption of the order.
2:56:13Second.
2:56:14Move adoption of the order made by Councilor Gomes, seconded by Councilor Roy.
2:56:17Anyone on the question?
2:56:19I'll ask the clerk to call the roll.
2:56:20Councilor Abreu?
2:56:22Yes.
2:56:22Councilor Baptiste?
2:56:23Yes.
2:56:24Councilor Burgos?
2:56:25Yes.
2:56:25Councilor Carney?
2:56:26Yes.
2:56:27Yes.
2:56:27Councilor Chauquette?
2:56:28Yes.
2:56:29Yes.
2:56:29Councilor Gomes?
2:56:31Yes.
2:56:31Yes.
2:56:31Councilor Lopes?
2:56:32Yes.
2:56:33Yes.
2:56:33Councilor Oliver?
2:56:34Yes.
2:56:35Yes.
2:56:35Councillor Pemberton?
2:56:36Yes.
2:56:37Yes.
2:56:37Councillor Pereira?
2:56:38Yes.
2:56:38Yes.
2:56:39Councillor Roy?
2:56:40Yes.
2:56:40Item passes 11 to 0.
2:56:43Item F is before us.
2:56:44Mr. President, Item F is an order appropriating $68,500 now standing to the credit of the account of the CCDA Traffic Handicap Parking as follows: $64,000 to Commission for Citizens with Disabilities for purchase of services and $4,500 Commission for Citizens citizens with disabilities and supplies.
2:57:03Second.
2:57:03Motion to adopt the order made by Councilor Abreu, seconded by Councilor LaRoy.
2:57:07Anyone on the question?
2:57:08I will ask the clerk to call the roll.
2:57:10Councilor Abreu?
2:57:11Yes.
2:57:11Councilor Baptiste?
2:57:12Yes.
2:57:13Yes.
2:57:13Councilor Burgos?
2:57:14Yes.
2:57:15Councilor Carney?
2:57:16Yes.
2:57:16Yes.
2:57:17Councilor Choquette?
2:57:18Yes.
2:57:19Councilor Gomes?
2:57:20Yes.
2:57:20Yes.
2:57:20Councilor Lopes?
2:57:21Yes.
2:57:22Yes.
2:57:22Councilor Oliver?
2:57:23Yes.
2:57:23Yes.
2:57:24Councilor Pemberton?
2:57:25Yes.
2:57:26Councilor Pereira?
2:57:26Yes.
2:57:27Yes.
2:57:27Councilor Roy?
2:57:28Yes.
2:57:29Yes.
2:57:30Item passes 11 to 0.
2:57:31I'll ask the clerk to call Item G. Mr. President, Item G is an order appropriating $1,124,735 in 12 equal monthly increments from the Enterprise Fund receipts of FY27 in the downtown parking account.
2:57:50Motion to adopt the order made by Councilor Abreu, seconded by Councilor Bergo.
2:57:53Anyone on the question?
2:57:55We'll ask the clerk to call the roll.
2:57:56Councilor Abram, yes.
2:57:58Councilor Baptiste, yes.
2:58:00Councilor Bergo, yes.
2:58:01Councilor Carney, yes.
2:58:03Yes.
2:58:03Councilor Choquette, yes.
2:58:05Yes.
2:58:05Councilor Gomes, yes.
2:58:07Yes.
2:58:07Councilor Lopes, yes.
2:58:08Yes.
2:58:09Councilor Oliver, yes.
2:58:10Yes.
2:58:10Councilor Pemberton, yes.
2:58:12Yes.
2:58:12Councilor Pereira, yes.
2:58:14Yes.
2:58:14Councilor Roy, yes.
2:58:15Yes.
2:58:1611-0.
2:58:17Item passes 11-0.
2:58:20We'll ask the clerk to read item H. Mr. President, item H is an order appropriating $33,705,409 in 12 equal monthly increments from wastewater receipts of FY27 in the DPI wastewater budget.
2:58:35Motion to adopt the order.
2:58:36Uh, just really, before we get to the motion, I just would like to clarify that it is an $84,243 cut.
2:58:44That's $84,243 cut, which the new total is $33,705,409.
2:58:57Make a motion to adopt the order as amended.
2:59:00Sorry, $33,705,409.
2:59:07Motion to adopt as amended was made by Councilor Lopes.
2:59:10Seconded by Councilor Roy.
2:59:13Anyone on the question?
2:59:14I will ask the clerk to call the roll.
2:59:16Councilor Abril?
2:59:17Yes.
2:59:17Yes.
2:59:17Councilor Baptiste?
2:59:19Yes.
2:59:19Councilor Brego?
2:59:21Yes.
2:59:22Councilor Carney?
2:59:22Yep.
2:59:23Yes.
2:59:24Councilor Choquette?
2:59:25Yes.
2:59:26Yes.
2:59:26Councilor Gomes?
2:59:27Yes.
2:59:28Yes.
2:59:28Councilor Lopes?
2:59:29Yes.
2:59:30Yes.
2:59:30Councilor Oliver?
2:59:32Yes.
2:59:32Yes.
2:59:33Councilor Pepperdine?
2:59:34Yes.
2:59:34Yes.
2:59:35Councilor Pereira?
2:59:36Yes.
2:59:36Yes.
2:59:37Councilor Roy.
2:59:37Yes.
2:59:38Yes.
2:59:39Item passes 11 to 0.
2:59:43I will ask the clerk to read item I. Mr. President, item I is an order appropriating $23,103,096 in 12 equal monthly increments from water receipts of FY27 in the DPI water budget.
2:59:58So that amount has been cut by $131,000 $131,776, which brings our total to $23,103,096.
3:00:16Motion to adopt— excuse me, the amount is $23,103,096.
3:00:26Everyone good?
3:00:27Motion to adopt the amended order.
3:00:29Motion to adopt the amended order made by Councilor Roy, seconded by Councilor Abreu.
3:00:34Anyone on the question?
3:00:35On the question, Chair recognizes Councilor Vargo.
3:00:37I just wanted to make a note.
3:00:38Obviously, these numbers that we've reduced the wastewater and water by will not affect, uh, the, the rate significantly like we have in the past.
3:00:47We have made significant cuts in the past.
3:00:50I'm sure we might not remember that.
3:00:52I'm not sure why some in this body were squeamish tonight to cut from the wastewater and water budget.
3:00:59They have been able to absorb these cuts in the past.
3:01:02Um, I just wanted to mention that, uh, we're gonna vote on this tonight.
3:01:06Uh, there's been comments about wanting to control increase in taxes.
3:01:09Again, that's why I mentioned during my proposed cut for wastewater and water was that although this doesn't go towards, uh, the, the taxes, it goes towards the, the water rate and the, the ratepayer for wastewater and water and the water bills that are going to have a significant increase.
3:01:27And we missed our opportunity tonight, uh, to provide some relief to the ratepayer.
3:01:33So for those who might have thought they were sticking it to me somehow by voting no on my proposed cut, I hope that you enjoy this.
3:01:40Thank you.
3:01:42Thank you.
3:01:42Anyone else?
3:01:44I'll ask the clerk to call the roll.
3:01:47Councilor Abreu?
3:01:48Yes.
3:01:49Councilor Baptiste?
3:01:50Yes.
3:01:51Councilor Burgos?
3:01:52Yes.
3:01:53Councilor Carney?
3:01:53Yes.
3:01:54Yes.
3:01:55Councilor Choquette?
3:01:56Yes.
3:01:57Councilor Gomes?
3:01:58Yep.
3:01:58Yes.
3:01:59Councilor Lopes?
3:02:00Yes.
3:02:00Yes.
3:02:00Councilor Oliver?
3:02:01Yes.
3:02:02Yes.
3:02:02Councilor Pemberton?
3:02:03Yes.
3:02:04Yes.
3:02:04Councilor Pereira?
3:02:05Yes.
3:02:06Yes.
3:02:06Councilor Roy?
3:02:07Yes.
3:02:08Yes.
3:02:09Motion to dissolve the Quasi-Committee of the Whole.
3:02:22Motion to dissolve the Quasi-Committee of the Whole made by Councilor Burgos, seconded by Councilor Baptiste.
3:02:27Anyone on the question?
3:02:28All those in favor say aye.
3:02:30Aye.
3:02:30Opposed?
3:02:31The ayes have it.
3:02:32Seeing no further business before the committee, motion to adjourn made by Councilor Abrams, seconded by Councilor Pemberton.
3:02:38Anyone on the question?
3:02:39All those in favor say aye.
3:02:41Opposed?
3:02:42The ayes have it.
3:02:43We are adjourned at 10:10 PM.
3:02:44Thank you.