City Council

City of Salem, Massachusetts “Know Your Rights Under the Open Meeting Law, M.G.L. c. 30A ss. 18-25 and City Ordinance Sections 2-2028 through 2-2033.” The City Council Committee on ____Government Services co-posted with Committee of the Whole______________ met remotely via zoom on __ Thursday, February 3, 2022________________ at ____6:00 P.M._______________ for the purpose of discussing the matters(s) listed below. Notice of this meeting was posted on ____February 1, 2022________________ at __2:31 P.M.____________________________ (This meeting is being recorded) ATTENDANCE ABSENT WERE: ____________none______________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________________________________ SUBJECT(S) #25 – Reviewing Sec. 31A of the City Council Rules and Orders relative to City Council Liaisons for Salem Community Organizaitons___________________________________________________________________________________________ All members of committee present Councillors McCarthy, Morsillo, vickie caldwell VC - Advisory boards, some have liaisons some don’t Non profits, such as salem united. This is outside the box in terms of our role as councillors. We don’t coordinate as a city with non profits. This may not serve the board, as it creates conflict of interest. Non profits should invite Caution against council placing members on boards City is prevented from providing public benefits to non profits. If the institution of the council gets involved in non profits it could create issues JC - I don’t beleve it appropriate for council to appoint liaisons to non profits. WE all are already liaisons, it's difficult to attend everything we would like to. Salem Human Rights Coalition has many liaisons. Impossible to do this in an equitable way BM - 14 years ago I was liaison to the SRA, you are the go to person, you don’t sit on that board. Liaison is the appointee of the city council president only. LM - My experience is divergent, some involve me others don't. LM - If we are considering updates, we should consider clarifying the relationships between boards and liaisons JC - Move that we as a committee should not consider liaisons for TH should we update Ordinance VC - I think the way it's written now has enough flexibility, internally the council may want to keep track AV - motion to discharge from committee, councillor cohen seconds CW - I'm in agreement, there is no other way to do this LM - Do we want to discharge this or specifically eliminating non profits or outside agencies CW - Councillor McClain makes an important point, ensure we are distinguishing between a rep of the body vs our own personal involvement. I would hesitate to add exclusionary language JC - Agreement, non profits shouldn't need liaison. Councillors will help if non profits reach out. There are some issues if we do this CW Yes Cohen Yes McClain Yes Varella Yes Hapworth Yes Doreen Wade - 62 Frederick St Dracut, MA Voted on and approved by mayor and solicitor that Salem United have a liaison due to confusion. Can't remember who voted on it JC - Move that we discharge with a recommendation to not appoint a liaison Second Varella CW - Echo sentiments that we are accessible to discuss with Salem United CW - yes Cohen - Yes McClain - Present Varella - yes LM - Wanted clarity around what a previous city council did or didn't do based on DW's comment CW - Why is this in front of us? (Salem Human Rights Coalition) JC - further clarification, it's an advisory board. We made a mistake of not going through council to have council president designate. Every other organization that has a liaison designated their liaison. IT is appropriate to have a council liaison, it's great to have representatives. Should be a liaison, should be die CW - appoint a liaison Second by councillor varella CW - Yes Cohen - Yes McClain - Yes Varella - Yes Hapworth - yes On the motion of C. Varella the meeting adjourned at ____6:51___________P.M. ________________________________________________________ (Chairperson)