City Council

METHUEN CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING TUESDAY, JUNE 18, 2024 @ 6:00 P.M. GREAT HALL, SEARLES BUILDING Chairperson Faretra called the special meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Members present: Councilor Marsan, Councilor Pesce, Councilor DiZoglio, Councilor Valley, Councilor Soto, Chair Faretra, Councilor Saffie and Councilor Beauregard. Councilor Campagnone was absent. Acceptance of the Agenda - MOTION BY: Councilor DiZoglio, seconded by Councilor Soto to accept the agenda. UPON VOTE: UNANIMOUS. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION: None Consideration of Appointments: Fire Department – Ryan Sullivan – Promotion to Fire Lieutenant – MOTION TO APPROVE: Councilor DiZoglio, seconded by Councilor Saffie. Chair Faretra recognized Fire Chief John T. Sheehy to say a few words. Chief Sheehy came before the Council tonight to recommend Firefighter Ryan Sullivan to be promoted to MFD Lieutenant. Ryan was raised in Methuen, went to Methuen High School, got his associate’s degree in Fire Science from North Shore Community College, been at MFD for 12 years, graduated from the Fire Academy in Stow, MA in 2013. He’s a second-generation FF. He’s the son of MFD Deputy Chief Scott Sullivan. He also served in an acting role as Lieutenant for 10 months. He’s been married for 8 years to his wife Ashley and has a 2-year-old daughter Stella and 4-year-old daughter Sophia who are with us in attendance tonight. I strongly recommend Ryan for the open position of Lieutenant. MOTION TO APPOINT: ROLL CALL - UNANIMOUS – (Councilor Campagnone absent) Fire Fighter Ryan Sullivan came to the podium. He thanked the Council for their consideration and looks forward to serving the MFD in a leadership role. Assessing Department Re-Appointment of Assessor Suzanne Doherty to 3-year term as City Assessor – MOTION TO APPOINT – Councilor Soto, seconded by Councilor DiZoglio – Mayor Perry addressed the Council: He said Suzanne has been with us for about 3 + years. She’s done an outstanding job. She has implemented a number of strategic measures that have saved us financially and otherwise. She is a true leader. You can go to her day or night. She’s always on point when it comes to answering questions. I will have her back on my show in a couple of months. Everybody is not clear on when the tax bills go out – if you look at the tape that Suzanne did last year – magnificent. Aside from the Superintendent of Schools, it had the most viewer participation of all of his shows. Does a great job explaining what you’re seeing on your bill, why it’s 2 quarters versus 1. He highly endorses her for reappointment to City Assessor. MOTION TO REAPPOINT ROLL CALL – UNANIMOUS – (Councilor Campagnone absent) Theresa Solomon for Assistant Assessor – MOTION TO APPOINT - Councilor Soto, seconded by Councilor Pesce – Assessor Doherty addressed the Council – Theresa has been a valued employee of the Assessing office for the past 8 years. She’s the front-line person. She has incredible customer service skills. She has a bachelor's degree in Business Administration and is looking to advance herself in the role in the Assessing METHUEN CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING TUESDAY, JUNE 18, 2024 @ 6:00 P.M. GREAT HALL, SEARLES BUILDING Department. I highly recommend her for this position. MOTION TO APPOINT – ROLL CALL – UNANIMOUS (Councilor Campagnone absent). Theresa Solomon addressed the Council. She just wanted to thank the Council and is looking forward to continuing to serve the City of Methuen. Health Department Caeli Tegan Zampach – Director of Public Health – MOTION TO APPOINT - Councilor Soto, seconded by Councilor Beauregard. Mayor Perry addressed the Council. Mayor said Caeli is in the audience tonight. She originally came in to interview for a different position when she met with HR. They went over her resume. They strongly recommended that she apply for the position of Director of Public Health. There were 9 applicants, 5 of whom they interviewed. This young lady lapped the field. I’ve spoken to MA DPH. They are over the rainbow that we’re picking this candidate with her extensive experience with shared services grants. We’re participating in a very large grant with the City of Lawrence. It hasn’t been easy. Lawrence was dragging their feet a little bit and resisting. At one point, DPH almost took the $1 million grant away. They sat with DPH – and talked about $1 million – a million dollars in sanitarians, code responders, health – things we don’t have to fund in our city budget and really can’t afford to at this time. It’s an enormous opportunity. Caeli has experience doing this in Natick and several other cities. She’s a wealth of information. For me, four people that I intimately trust – Gina, Director of HR, Tina Conway, my Chief of Staff, Maggie Duprey, our CAFO and Jack Wilson, head of Community Development Department interviewed her and made a recommendation. Subsequent to that, I had a follow-up interview with Caeli. I talked at length about my desire for how we want to change the group and what we want to see and the problems we’ve experienced – I don’t want any candidate not knowing the pluses and not so plus worthy stuff. I asked her a number of questions related to managing people, some of whom have significant experience. Her answers were right on point. I am extremely confident in this young lady’s ability to carry out this position if the Council finds it their will to approve. Chair Faretra recognized Councilor Marsan. He spoke to Mayor Perry today and spoke with Caeli before. He said he has some concerns about her experience in leading a group this size. He’s concerned she doesn’t know enough about the building portion about it. She’s going to head the whole building department and has no experience with that. She explained some of the codes overlap so she feels she has enough experience there. He’s concerned about Zoning. Until we get a new commissioner or she’s going to oversee the existing commissioner, she’s going to have to rely on him but she’s the boss. If you’re the boss, people come to you for answers not the other way around. He knows there’s an acclamation period and that’s how you get experience. He’s not sure about her pay or if she’s getting paid more than others in the office. Not that it really matters, it’s up to her and the Mayor. He just has concerns about the building portion and the reorganization plan. As the Mayor knows, he didn’t support the reorganization plan. Those are his reservations and he’s still undecided. Chair Faretra recognized Mayor Perry. The Mayor appreciates Councilor Marsan’s perspective. He comes from a world where he is the Mayor. If you think he knows how to manage the Building Inspectors, you’re wrong. Our intent is and has been all along to hiring a Building Commissioner. As the Councilors know, we’re losing money, because we’re not responding to building METHUEN CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING TUESDAY, JUNE 18, 2024 @ 6:00 P.M. GREAT HALL, SEARLES BUILDING inspections requests fast enough. We had an individual who was the Director of Public Health and had the all the necessary criteria from a building commissioner’s standpoint too. He was a nightmare. He caused more issues than he resolved. And that’s unfortunate. He mentioned Councilor’s DiZoglio’s former question of what if we have another pandemic? His point is that now we have someone with experience. Last time the pandemic hit, we had a Community Development Director who managed the whole process. He did a fairly good job managing it through other people he hired. It’s a failure mode to think we can hire any one person with all of the qualifications we require. Our intent has been all along, after we lost Felix, to hire a building commissioner, who yes, would report to Caeli, who would be the subject matter expert in their area. We have 2 building inspectors who are very knowledgeable and we’re working on the customer service part of the deal. I’d like this to be more collaboratively involved versus – this is not a slam to Gene or Bob – sometimes there’s a mentality that comes with a badge and we’re trying to overcome that. Mayor has had discussions, for example, with Madame Vice Chair Soto, to try to get people out there who are willing to work with our businesses on what they need to do. Will we have businesses who try to resist? Absolutely. Just like we also have residents who try to resist. About a year ago, when Felix left, they went to 8 sessions at the UMASS Collins Center. They developed and recommended new organizational charts. Mayor passed it around to the Councilors. As you can see, the chart recommended both sides – the building and health side is overseen by the Public Health Director. It would benefit the city if we could work toward having a much stronger building side. Mayor Perry got recommendations from 4 people that Caeli is their number one pick and she’s standing before you as my nominee for the Director of Public Health. Chair Faretra recognized Councilor DiZoglio. Mayor, thank you for taking my calls this week and thank you to HR Director for taking my calls and questions. Councilor DiZoglio shares the same concerns. Due to the dynamic of the reorganization, he was under the impression that we were going to hire someone with reorganization experience in this large of a size of an organization. There’s a lot of dynamics in this role that I think someone who has experience needs to come with. Education is very important, to this young professional in front of me. I don’t know you, but I think you have a great background and a great future ahead of you and if this passes tonight, I wish you the best of luck. Because that’s the point here. I always want the person in this role or any role here in Methuen where I vote to appoint to succeed. He’s looking at the wholistic view. 9 people applied and the top candidate out of those 9 got put in front of us. Does that mean that’s the best person out there right now? I’m overall concerned about the dynamic of that group. I’m overall concerned about the emotional headaches that have come from situations in the city that are starting to bubble over. We now have more sober homes than carwashes in the city. Let’s add the migrant situation to this list. And I’m glad DPH gave a great recommendation, but they’ve also had problems with us here in the city too in recent years. I still have a concern overall. If it passes tonight, I will back this person all the way. Because that’s what Methuen needs is success. My vote tonight is based on my belief that I don’t want to set anyone up for failure. Chair Faretra recognizes Councilor Soto. Councilor Soto asked for clarification. HR Director Gina said there were 9 applicants and they interviewed 5 candidates. Councilor Soto said after hearing the concerns of her fellow councilors, she asked if they were quick to hire and quick to fire if it doesn’t work out? As councilors, it is not their job to micromanage the METHUEN CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING TUESDAY, JUNE 18, 2024 @ 6:00 P.M. GREAT HALL, SEARLES BUILDING Mayor, however, she understands their concerns. Visually, she understands the dynamics of someone older reporting to someone younger. Again, you guys run Methuen and understand the dynamics of working in this building. Again, her question is - if it doesn’t work out with Ms. Zampach, what is the process? Will she be demoted? Mayor Perry said it would depend on the circumstances surrounding why it didn’t work out and what the City’s response was. Both myself and the HR Director are fully committed to working with her every step of the way. It is a tough department. I personally think we are getting better. I want to caution the Council, we don’t want to talk in an open forum regarding group homes. Mayor Perry told a personal story about his journey at Raytheon. He was promoted at 29 years old and became his co-worker’s boss. His co-worker was 22 years older than him. He thinks Raytheon made the right decision. He learned a lot and expects Caeli will learn a lot on the Health side as well as the Building side. On the building side, he sees her job as management and leadership. How egregious is what happens? Is it because it didn’t work out and that was on us? If we find a quality employee, we try to find another spot for them. As he said, initially she interviewed for another city position. Mayor Perry said it is incumbent upon him to spend every ounce of sweat he has to make this work. For people like Councilors Faretra, Beauregard, Saffie and DiZoglio who have been in office for a number of years, he can only count 2 times he’s made a mistake on an appointment. In the Mayor’s tenure, he’s replaced every department head in the City of Methuen except Fire Chief Tim Sheehy. And almost all of those appointments have been excellent. In an interview, you see their best side. When he sat with Caeli, he said he had to pick, and he picked her. Chair Faretra recognized Councilor Beauregard. He stated that for the record, he has confidence in the hiring process, confidence in the committee selection and he has confidence in the Mayor’s decision and he looks forward to seeing the work that the candidate does for the people of Methuen. Chair Faretra recognized Councilor Pesce. She stated that she has a run her own business for 15 years, granted not near anything the size of Methuen. She’s seen both sides of the hiring process in a much smaller scale. She understands her fellow councilor’s positions with their concerns, however, on the other end of that, she thinks there’s something to be said about growing into a position. She, too, has faith in the hiring process. And she doesn't like micromanaging people. She hears the Mayor when he says he’ll arm Caeli with what she needs to become adept at this position. And she thinks that’s what they need because sometimes when we hire someone who checks all the boxes and has years and years of experience, might not be exactly what our city needs. And especially with the reorganization, she’s not sure we’d find someone with those qualifications anyway. She’s OK with the selection and she understands that it’s not their position. And please don’t take this personally, she hopes the salary would reflect with room to grow understanding that this position may be a larger position than it’s starting out to be right now because of that steeper learning curve that she has ahead of her. She wishes Caeli luck, and she has her support for the appointment. Chair Faretra recognized Councilor Saffie. She said that in the past, she’s been critical of some of the Mayor’s appointments, especially in the DPW, and honestly, the Mayor has proven her wrong. They’ve turned out to be fabulous superintendents. She is fully supportive of the appointment. She thinks she’ll do a great job. She thinks the Mayor is here to back her up and so is Gina. She looks forward to voting for her. Mayor Perry stated that he wanted to be clear. There’s a 3-month (probationary period) window when you start working for the METHUEN CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING TUESDAY, JUNE 18, 2024 @ 6:00 P.M. GREAT HALL, SEARLES BUILDING city of Methuen. The city is free to say if things aren’t working out without unintended consequences. Chair Faretra stated that he understands that this has not been fun for Caeli and has been uncomfortable. Just to clarify, Chair Faretra lived through the past regime of the Director of Public Health and hearing from those employees what the aftermath of that was and what that department needs is for someone to lead and facilitate. She needs to let that department know that she’s there for them and to help them understand what roles they’re filling. This department needs a leader and not someone who’s going to take everything and do everything themselves. He’s hopeful she’s going to be that person and he looks forward to working with her in the future. Chair Faretra recognized Councilor Valley. She said she trusts the interview panel and trusts the hiring process. She said she knows Caeli is young, but she has the credentials and the education. And she’s pretty sure she can learn the building part of the job. And if things don’t work out, what’s the worst thing that can happen? MOTION TO APPROVE – ROLL CALL – 7 yes 1 no (DiZoglio) 1 absent (Campagnone) PUBLIC SERVICE: A) Contract(s): C-24-78 Apple Financial Services, 8377 East Hartford Drive, Suite 115, Scottsdale, AZ 85255 for Class of 228 – Purchase and Financing of 600 Ipads and 550 Dux Ox Cases Amount: Annual Payment: $66,742.50; Lease Term: 48 Months Lease Rate Factor: 0% Payment Frequency: Annual – MOTION TO APPROVE – Councilor Soto, seconded by Councilor Valley – DISCUSSION Chair Faretra recognized MPS Business Manager Ian Gosselin – Councilor DiZoglio asked if this contract is for 4 years? Mr. Gosselin said yes, 4 annual payments. Councilor DiZoglio asked if this was a lease term? Mr. Gosselin said it’s a lease to own contract. At the end, we have the option of turning them in for approximately $39,000. We have found that we can put them out to auction and maybe get a little more money so we’re not locked in to giving them back to them if we can get more elsewhere. Councilor DiZoglio asked if we’re selling them to the seniors. Mr. Gosselin said no, not that he’s aware. Councilor Marsan asked why this was coming before the City Council? Mr. Gosselin said that any contract that they entered into that affects future budgets must go before the City Council. Mayor Perry said that any contract that costs more than $25,000.00 goes before the City Council. Councilor Valley asked if the seniors could keep their iPads after they graduate and Mr. Gosselin said no, they collect them when they graduate and sell them to electronic companies who will give more money to offset other expenses in the school’s IT department. Councilor Pesce asked if the price has gone way up. Mr. Gosselin said no, it’s $45,000 less than last year’s total. Chair Faretra asked if the upcoming class is going to be larger than last year and Mr. Gosselin said yes. MOTION TO APPROVE – UNANIMOUS C-24-79 Waste Management of Londonderry, Inc. $603,600.00 ($200.00 per ton est. 3000 tons $600,000.00 plus a $50 fee per container @6 containers =$3,600.00) (Requested by the Mayor and Director of DPW, Funded by Annual Operating Budget) - MOTION TO APPROVE – Councilor Valley, seconded by Councilor Beauregard. DISCUSSION: Chair Faretra asked CAFO Maggie Duprey what’s the current rate we’re charging right now for construction and demolition debris at the transfer station? Needs a minute – FYI, they are planning to come before the council at the METHUEN CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING TUESDAY, JUNE 18, 2024 @ 6:00 P.M. GREAT HALL, SEARLES BUILDING July 1st meeting to ask to increase these rates. Councilor Marsan asked Mayor Perry what if we need more containers? CAFO Duprey said if we need more containers based on the usage of how much we’re taken in, it would be an additional per unit cost for another one. There are containers available. Councilor Marsan said there are issues at the transfer station – sometimes they have to shut down early. CAFO Duprey said this contract is an estimate for containers and tonnage but the ability to more or less depending on what our needs are. Councilor Marsan asked about the fuel charge. will this be monitored? CAFO Duprey said they do provide the details behind that, and we can then see how it compares to the index. CAFO Duprey said they get monthly details when they get the invoices, and they can share that information with the Council. MOTION TO APPROVE – UNANIMOUS 1. Unfinished Business Resolutions: TR-24-43 Resolution to Modify the Percentage of the Methuen Restaurant Meals Tax Revenues Dedicated to the General Stabilization Fund (Requested by Mayor and CAFO) (Remove from the table) MOTION TO REMOVE FROM TABLE – Motion by Councilor Soto, seconded by Councilor Saffie. UNANIMOUS – MOTION TO APPROVE – Motion by Councilor Saffie, seconded by Councilor Soto. DISCUSSION – Chair Faretra recognized Councilor Pesce. She has said it before. She doesn’t like earmarking any part of this for a specific category because she feels like it goes against the intent of what it was set up for initially. CAFO Duprey said she wanted to provide some history for this resolution. In June of 2019, 100% of the meals tax income was going into the General Fund to fund the General Fund Budget. What happened in June of 2019 is that the School Budget went into deficit, we had negative Free Cash, we only had $1.5 million in our Stabilization Fund, we had no reserves, and that’s why we had to borrow money from the State and create her (CAFO) position, etc. In TR- 19-66 we created a funding source for the Stabilization Fund to create those reserves and, at that time, we said 100% of the meals tax funds, which is acceptable by MA General Law, would go directly into the General Stabilization Fund to build our reserves. This revenue would no longer fund the General Fund. Over the last 5 years, we have spent much time and effort to do just that – to build reserves – and right now, in Fiscal’24, we were able to certify $18 million of Free Cash, which was negative 5 years ago. We’re going to end the year with over $7 million in our Stabilization Fund, which, again, 5 years ago was at $1.5 million. Also, we’ve been able to add multiple other Stabilization Funds that have specific reasons and money set aside for those purposes as well which is not included in the $7 million Stabilization Fund number. All of that being said and looking at the type of increases that we’re seeing and the necessary budget increases that we’re seeing and trying to balance that with tax increases. She and Mayor Perry have had extensive conversations on when to back off from 100% that’s going into the Stabilization Fund and bring some of that back to the General Fund in order to offset that Budget. So, we feel like this is the time; we’re in a good place from a reserves stand-point. Between our Free Cash and Stabilization Fund we at about 12% of our annual budget in reserves. METHUEN CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING TUESDAY, JUNE 18, 2024 @ 6:00 P.M. GREAT HALL, SEARLES BUILDING That’s not to say that we don’t want to continue to move that forward, which is why I am not suggesting that we take 100% back into the General Fund. I don’t know that I would ever suggest that at this point. I think that keeping that standard amount going into the Stabilization Fund allows us to continue to fund that at an appropriate level. Right now, in the last couple of years, we’re averaging about $1.1 million that we’re taking in right now, 100% is going to meals tax which is how we’ve been able to bolster that up so quickly. We’re suggesting here, in this resolution to alter, not take it away, and let’s move that down to 25%. So $250,000 to $300,000 is going to continue to go to the Stabilization Fund and we can add anything else, in addition to, if we choose to later, but for now, put that in and have 75% go back to the General Fund where we could use that bolster of revenues at this point. We have not expanded our revenue base – revenue drives a budget and trying to balance those reserves with also making sure that we have what we need in the General Fund and not need to go to tax for everything. She also wanted to note, this changes this for the next fiscal year and so on, however, just as she’s asking for this change right now, we can come back and, at the will of the Council, change this percentage back to 100% or any other percentage that we think is appropriate at that time. She just wanted to give some background to make sure everyone understands what they’re trying to do. Chair Faretra recognized that Councilor Pesce still has the floor. Councilor Pesce asked CAFO Duprey, as a follow-up question, if she’s understanding this correctly, does that means that this was originally set up as she’s proposing now to set up now was changed in 2019 and now you’re asking to put it back? CAFO Duprey said originally, there was no money going into the Stabilization Fund. This did not exist prior to 2019. Prior to 2019, 100% of the meals tax revenues went into the General Fund. Then we needed a resource to increase our reserves, which was absolutely appropriate. What she is asking for is not to go back to what we did before. I think it’s critical that we leave a stream going into the Stabilization Fund and continue to work on keeping our reserves where they need to be and continuing to grow. What she’s suggesting is we don’t put 100% of our meals tax there any longer because we have been able to get to a good level – is to back that off a little bit and say 25% of it is going to go in there and we’re going to take the rest of it – 75% - and put that into the General Fund. Councilor Pesce asked if what CAFO Duprey is proposing is more closely to what was originally designed to do in 2019? CAFO Duprey said yes it would be more of a percentage going to the General Fund. Councilor DiZoglio asked if 75% was captured in the FY2025 budget? CAFO Duprey said yes. Councilor DiZoglio asked, before this change went to the Council to pass, we’ve already said that this would pass and that money was already in the revenue stream? Is that what the CAFO is saying? CAFO Duprey said in the budget process, we had noted that this was coming forward to Council. And, yes, we included that revenue in the General Fund. Councilor DiZoglio stated that we’re anticipating votes and we’re anticipating hikes in the budget. Again, that’s why he voted no on the Water Fund last night. Just in case people were wondering about that. Because we’re anticipating this Council voting yes on this stuff. That, to him, is a concern down the road because if this doesn’t pass tonight, then the CAFO has to go back and change the budget, correct? Or you’ll have to go to Free Cash? CAFO would have to reassess the budget when it METHUEN CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING TUESDAY, JUNE 18, 2024 @ 6:00 P.M. GREAT HALL, SEARLES BUILDING comes to setting the tax rate in November. Councilor DiZoglio said that concerns him for the long term. What else in the budget are we going to have to come back to? Are there any other pending votes that we’re going to have to vote on? CAFO Duprey said the only thing is for the revenue on the General Fund side and the water-sewer rates on the water-sewer side. Chair Faretra stated that these changes have been discussed many times in the budget process. Mayor Perry stated that anything the Council sees fit to cut from the budget is no different. So we propose a budget to you. You approve or cut – you made a few cuts last night in the budget. We have to go back to the drawing board to make sure we’re OK. Based on what we’ve looked at – does he think we’re OK? The answer is yes. But, any cuts you make in the budget, we’ve really got to go back and take a look. They’re not handed frivolously. This is a difficult year for revenues. Holy Family is gone. That’s a given. The likeliness of us getting our $1.5 million in tax revenue is nil – not going to happen. He said the CAFO is trying to find other ways to or options to raise that revenue. Chair Faretra recognized Councilor Soto. She asked CAFO Duprey if she previously stated that it’s $1 million per year we receive from the meals tax and $250,000 to $300,000 will go to the Stabilization Fund? CAFO said yes, it’s whatever the percentage of actual meals tax that we receive. Chair Faretra asked CAFO a question - Earlier this year, Governor Healey’s proposed ideas to municipalities to raise revenue. In one of the proposals, she was going to allow cities to raise the meals tax rate from .75% to 1%. Do we have any idea where that is budget-wise? And, if we do raise the meals tax rate from .75% to 1%, does that mean we’d have to revisit this resolution? CAFO Duprey said it would be a two-piece answer. First, we would need to bring in front of the Council that change – to increase the meals tax rate from .75% to 1%. Then, if the Council agreed, we would have to change the .75% to 1% in a new resolution. MOTION TO APPROVE – UNANIMOUS Ordinances: none New Business: Resolutions: TR-24-44 Resolution Authorizing Transfer $5,000 from Legal Personal Service Expense to be transferred to Treasurer/Collector Personal Service Expense to fund necessary year-end personnel expenditure projections (Requested by Mayor and CAFO) – MOTION TO APPROVE - Motion by Councilor Soto, seconded by Councilor Saffie – DISCUSSION - Chair Faretra recognized Councilor Soto – she wanted to ask CAFO question. What kind of year end expenses are there in the Treasurer’s office that you would make a last-minute transfer? CAFO Duprey said this is related to personnel. So, we had a vacant position in the Treasurer’s office and we were able to fill it sooner than we had anticipated so there was a little bit of a short fall in that budget line coming into the end of the year. So, that’s what this transfer will cover. ROLL CALL – UNANIMOUS – 8-0 – (Councilor Campagnone absent) Ordinance(s): None METHUEN CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING TUESDAY, JUNE 18, 2024 @ 6:00 P.M. GREAT HALL, SEARLES BUILDING 2. Any Other Business for the Good and Welfare of the Community – • Mayor talked about cooling stations throughout the city during the heat wave. • Councilor Soto asked about the 911 Alert. Mayor Perry said 911 is now up and running. 3. MOTION TO ADJOURN – Motion by Councilor DiZoglio, seconded by Councilor Saffie. UNANIMOUS Adjourn – 7:01 PM I do hereby certify that at a meeting of which a quorum was present the foregoing minutes were approved by an 8 to 1 vote (Clr. DiZoglio absent) on July 1, 2024. Linda Gagnon COUNCIL CLERK