City Council
City Council
lun, 4 de mayo de 2026
Puntos de agenda
Registros de votación
Resumen del debate
Transcripción
RESUMEN DE REUNIÓNGenerado por IA
Concejo Municipal y Comité de Supervisión — 4 de mayo de 2026
Esta fue una sesión doble vespertina: el Comité de Supervisión se reunió primero para examinar el edificio Monroe, luego el Concejo Municipal en pleno celebró su sesión ordinaria (incluyendo comentarios del público y diez puntos sustantivos en el orden del día), y el Comité de Supervisión volvió a reunirse brevemente al final. La sesión se destacó por la presentación del presupuesto del año fiscal 2027, la propuesta de adquisición de terrenos de Eastern Nazarene College, y las nuevas resoluciones relativas al contrato de arrendamiento del campo de golf de Quarry Hills y a los datos de vivienda para adultos mayores.
Comité de Supervisión — Revisión del Edificio Monroe
El Concejal Jacobs presidió una audiencia en respuesta a la Orden 2026-032, revisando las operaciones del edificio Monroe, propiedad municipal ubicado en 1229–1259 Hancock Street. El Comisionado de Edificios Públicos Paul Hines y Joseph Shay de Granite City Partners (la empresa administradora del edificio) presentaron un informe detallado.
Descripción del edificio: Un edificio comercial neto de dos pisos y 43,500 pies cuadrados, adquirido por la ciudad en julio de 2021 mediante fondos ARPA y el apoyo del Congresista Stephen Lynch. Actualmente alberga a 12 inquilinos comerciales que pagan cargos de uso y ocupación (bajo contratos vencidos, técnicamente "inquilinos en tolerancia"), 2 inquilinos gubernamentales no pertenecientes a Quincy con contratos formales (la oficina del Congresista Lynch y el Sheriff del Condado de Norfolk), 19 usuarios del gobierno de la ciudad de Quincy que no pagan nada, 3 titulares de licencias y 8 espacios vacantes. El edificio es administrado por Granite City Partners por aproximadamente $60,000 al año.
Finanzas: Los ingresos y gastos anuales han tendido a equilibrarse, pero la tendencia es a la baja. Año fiscal 2022: $495K en ingresos, $226K en gastos. Año fiscal 2024 (punto máximo): $525K en ingresos, $340K en gastos. Año fiscal 2025: $389K en ingresos, $574K en gastos (saldo negativo neto debido principalmente a los costos de limpieza del inquilino del restaurante, reparaciones de HVAC y una contribución única de $55K para la habilitación del Visitor Center). Año fiscal 2026 hasta la fecha: $246K en ingresos, $224K en gastos.
Principales asuntos planteados por los concejales:
El Concejal McKee cuestionó por qué los alquileres varían tan ampliamente — desde $0.83/pie cuadrado/mes para algunos inquilinos hasta $5.33 para el Congresista Lynch — señalando que las tarifas de mercado cercanas rondan los ~$3/pie cuadrado. Hines explicó que la ciudad deliberadamente evitó los contratos formales para preservar la flexibilidad ante una posible reurbanización futura, lo que perjudica a los inquilinos comerciales (sin capacidad de financiamiento) y resulta en tarifas heredadas de la propietaria anterior. McKee también señaló que un inquilino, Simorian Office Storage (que paga $240/mes), está vinculado a un donante que ha realizado contribuciones políticas al máximo permitido al Alcalde Koch en años recientes. Hines indicó que ese inquilino ya estaba antes de que la ciudad adquiriera el edificio.
La Concejal Riley señaló que el valor catastral del edificio implica ~$188,000 al año en ingresos por impuesto a la propiedad no percibidos (solo la parcela comercial está valuada en $7.29M). Observó que no existe un proceso formal ni de difusión pública para obtener un espacio — los posibles inquilinos se acercan a la administración de manera informal — calificando esto de inequitativo y señalando que es poco probable que atraiga a inquilinos serios dada la política de no arrendamientos a largo plazo.
El Presidente del Concejo Mahoney cuestionó el acuerdo popup con Two Trunks y Compass Beauty, cuyas licencias han sido renovadas en tres ocasiones sucesivas de 90 días desde octubre de 2025. Señaló que aparentemente los negocios estaban subarrendando espacio a vendedores y cobrándoles tarifas a terceros; Shay aclaró que cualquier subocupante debe ser aprobado por la ciudad y pagarle a ella, no a los licenciatarios existentes. Jennifer O'Brien, propietaria de Two Trunks, se presentó durante el período de comentarios públicos del Concejo para aclarar que las tarifas cobradas a los vendedores cubren mano de obra e insumos, no alquiler, y que los negocios han acogido más de 30 tiendas emergentes de pequeñas empresas y más de 12 organizaciones sin fines de lucro.
El Presidente del Concejo Mahoney señaló que el propósito original declarado para la compra de Monroe (un campus del Quincy College o anexo del ayuntamiento) nunca se materializó, y que el edificio costó ~$15M en fondos federales, con $188K anuales en impuestos no percibidos y sin un plan claro a largo plazo.
El Concejal Yuan destacó la "ubicación privilegiada" del edificio pero su alta tasa de vacancia, preguntando por qué la ciudad no maximizaba los ingresos. Hines reiteró el argumento de la flexibilidad vinculado a una posible demolición o reurbanización futura para el complejo Adams Presidential Center.
Respecto al restaurante que abandonó el local (Cherry Punch, que desocupó en junio de 2025), Hines confirmó que fue efectivamente obligado a irse tras verter repetidamente grasa en el sistema de alcantarillado del edificio, a pesar de múltiples advertencias y una intervención de la junta de salud.
No se realizó ninguna votación — esta fue una audiencia de asesoramiento y supervisión. El comité se levantó tras una breve sesión de retorno después de la reunión principal del Concejo.
Foro Abierto para Residentes
Los comentarios públicos abarcaron varios temas:
La adquisición de Eastern Nazarene College generó opiniones encontradas. Un residente (Jacob Lavine, 34 años) apoyó la vivienda para adultos mayores en principio, pero advirtió en contra de "conservar el campus tal como está" e instó a que cualquier plan de vivienda agregue unidades netas nuevas. Joanne Collins expresó preocupación por la obligación de bonos de $22.5M, la falta de un plan concreto y la historia de "favoritismo político" de la ciudad. Mike Carter apoyó la auditoría pendiente de Quarry Hills y planteó inquietudes sobre el acceso a los senderos peatonales y la supervisión del contrato de arrendamiento del campo de golf.
Facturas de agua de Quarry Hills/Granite Links — Heather Dhoni presentó registros públicos que muestran que Quarry Hills recibió una reducción de ~$24,000 en su factura de agua en 2025 sobre una factura de más de $100K por riego del campo de golf durante una sequía, pagada por los contribuyentes ordinarios. Instó a los concejales a aprobar la resolución de auditoría.
Preocupaciones presupuestarias — Bill Zanzo, citando sus propias proyecciones financieras, advirtió sobre un posible aumento del 16% en el impuesto a la propiedad durante dos años, debido a que la ciudad ha utilizado $34M en reservas no recurrentes para financiar el año fiscal 2026. Criticó la caracterización de la administración de la capacidad impositiva no utilizada como una "reserva" y cuestionó la afirmación de que el bono de obligación de pensiones no es deuda.
Orgullo cívico general frente al escrutinio — Varios residentes (Hank Dondo, James Dunn, Jeff Sullivan) defendieron la dirección de la ciudad y el historial del alcalde, advirtiendo contra recortes presupuestarios que reducirían los servicios de policía, bomberos y el Departamento de Obras Públicas. Otros (incluido un residente que se mudó a Quincy en 1999) pidieron más vivienda asequible y expresaron desconfianza en el proceso de compra de ENC.
Presupuesto del Fondo General para el Año Fiscal 2027 (2026-073)
El Alcalde Koch presentó una propuesta de presupuesto del Fondo General para el año fiscal 2027 de $491,849,750, un aumento del 2.9% con respecto al año fiscal 2026. Los componentes principales incluyen: Quincy Public Schools con $148.4M (más ~$7.5M en financiamiento federal directo y subvenciones), un aumento del 4.5% en seguridad pública, un incremento de $5.5M en el servicio de la deuda (prácticamente estable después del alza del año fiscal 2026 provocada por el bono de obligación de pensiones) y aportaciones adicionales a los fondos de reserva. Los ingresos provienen del gravamen sobre la propiedad, la ayuda estatal (Chapter 70 aumenta ~$2M, la ayuda no restringida se mantiene aproximadamente igual) y los ingresos locales.
El Concejal Yuan pidió a la administración que proporcionara las cifras certificadas de ingresos del DIF (District Improvement Financing) para el año fiscal 2025 — un dato que ni la oficina del Asesor ni el Departamento de Finanzas pudieron proporcionar el día que lo visitó. El Presidente del Concejo Mahoney solicitó por separado los cronogramas de los bonos individuales que conforman la partida de $14M del DIF y los ingresos anuales del DIF desde el año fiscal 2022 al 2026. El Alcalde Koch reconoció que estos datos deberían estar disponibles a través de Municipal Finance.
Votación: Moción de la Concejal Riley, con segunda del Concejal Ash, para aceptar y remitir al Comité de Finanzas. Aprobada por unanimidad (9-0).
Presupuesto Empresarial de Alcantarillado para el Año Fiscal 2027 (2026-074) y Presupuesto Empresarial de Agua para el Año Fiscal 2027 (2026-075)
Tanto el presupuesto empresarial de alcantarillado ($31.7M) como el presupuesto empresarial de agua ($27.6M) fueron presentados sin mayor debate y remitidos al Comité de Finanzas.
Votación (Alcantarillado): Moción de Riley, con segunda de DiBona. Aprobada por unanimidad.
Votación (Agua): Moción de Riley, con segunda de Jacobs. Aprobada por unanimidad.
Adquisición de Terrenos de Eastern Nazarene College — Orden y Asignación de Fondos (2026-076 y 2026-077)
El Alcalde Koch presentó la propuesta de adquisición del antiguo campus de Eastern Nazarene College — aproximadamente 20 acres en un barrio residencial — por $22.5 millones, a financiarse mediante bonos o pagarés. El terreno fue valuado en ~$58M y había estado bajo contrato con un desarrollador privado por ~$31M antes de que la ciudad interviniera.
El alcalde delineó posibles usos: venta de las ~14 viviendas unifamiliares en el perímetro del campus (con un retorno estimado de $7–9M), desarrollo de vivienda para adultos mayores de 55 años o más en el área central (para residentes de Quincy que vendan sus casas actuales), posible uso del gimnasio y las canchas por parte de Quincy College, un centro de artes escénicas y comunitario en el Cove Center, y espacio para educación preescolar o actividades extraescolares en el edificio de la biblioteca. Reconoció que partes del terreno están en una llanura de inundación y sugirió que algunas áreas sean devueltas a humedales.
Los concejales plantearon preocupaciones significativas. El Concejal Yuan argumentó que el reemplazo del malecón y las reparaciones de los techos de las escuelas son más urgentes y pidió a la ciudad que priorice los bonos en consecuencia. El Concejal Jacobs dijo que los residentes del Distrito 1 están "agotados" por promesas incumplidas (citando el centro marítimo del Distrito 1 y una escuela primaria prometida) y cuestionó si la zonificación residencial existente ya limita el desarrollo denso en el terreno. El Presidente del Concejo Mahoney y la Concejal Riley plantearon preocupaciones sobre el propósito original no cumplido del edificio Monroe como un ejemplo de advertencia, y solicitaron el informe previamente ordenado sobre todas las adquisiciones de propiedad municipal, sus propósitos originales y su estado actual. El Alcalde Koch reconoció esas solicitudes de información y se comprometió a proporcionarlas.
Votación (Orden 2026-076): Moción de Riley, con segunda de Ryan. Remitida al Comité de Finanzas, aprobada.
Votación (Asignación de Fondos 2026-077): Moción de remisión al Comité de Finanzas. Aprobada. *(Esto autoriza una emisión de bonos por $22.5 millones para la adquisición del terreno de ENC, sujeta a revisión del comité.)*
Cierre de Proyectos de Preservación Comunitaria (2026-078)
Una asignación de $322,377.03, correspondiente a saldos no utilizados de proyectos de Community Preservation cerrados, fue devuelta al fondo general de Community Preservation.
Votación: Moción de Riley, con segunda de DiBona. Votación nominal: 9-0.
Programa de Reparación Acelerada de MSBA — Fase de Viabilidad (2026-079)
El concejo autorizó a la ciudad a ingresar a la fase de viabilidad del Programa de Reparación Acelerada de la Massachusetts School Building Authority para cuatro escuelas, asignando hasta $500,000 para el estudio de viabilidad. El Director de Finanzas Municipales confirmó que esto cubre únicamente la fase del estudio; la construcción real (cuyo inicio se estima para el verano de 2028) requerirá una asignación separada una vez que se conozcan los costos. La MSBA ahora acepta solicitudes solo cada dos años, lo que hace que actuar a tiempo sea importante. Cualquier costo que supere las subvenciones de MSBA será responsabilidad de la ciudad.
El Concejal DiBona advirtió al Concejal Yuan (quien hizo preguntas detalladas sobre costos) que perder el plazo de la MSBA retrasaría el proyecto cuatro o más años. El Concejal Yuan respondió que estaba haciendo preguntas legítimas de supervisión, no oponiéndose a los proyectos, lo que derivó en un breve intercambio interpersonal abordado más adelante en los asuntos varios.
Votación: Votación nominal, 9-0.
Datos de Vacancia de QHA para la Evaluación de Vivienda para Adultos Mayores de 55+ (2026-080)
Una resolución patrocinada por los Concejales Ryan, Jacobs, McKee y Riley insta a la Quincy Housing Authority a presentar un informe en un plazo de 30 días con las tasas de vacancia actuales, la extensión de las listas de espera y los datos de rotación en su cartera de viviendas para adultos mayores y personas con discapacidad, desglosados por los umbrales de elegibilidad de 55 años o más y 62 años o más. Los datos tienen como objetivo informar la viabilidad del componente de vivienda para adultos mayores propuesto por el alcalde en el campus de ENC.
Votación: Moción de Ryan, con segunda de Jacobs. Remitida al Comité de Supervisión. Votación nominal: 8-0 (un miembro aparentemente no quedó registrado en la transcripción).
Auditoría Formal del Contrato de Arrendamiento de Quarry Hills Associates (2026-081)
Una resolución patrocinada por los Concejales Ryan, Mahoney y Riley solicita una auditoría independiente de terceros sobre los pagos de arrendamiento, las deducciones de gastos y los ingresos de Quarry Hills Associates LP, de conformidad con la Sección 15.7 del contrato de arrendamiento de 2002 de la ciudad con Quarry Hills (Granite Links Golf Course). La auditoría se financiaría con el fondo de supervisión del contrato, se completaría en seis meses y sería seguida por una audiencia pública. El Concejal Ryan señaló que el fondo de supervisión parece tener un saldo negativo de aproximadamente $168,000, lo que significa que el financiamiento deberá resolverse en el Comité de Finanzas. El Alcalde Koch ya se había comprometido verbalmente a realizar una auditoría de Quarry Hills durante el debate presupuestario.
Votación: Moción de Ryan, con segunda de Yuan. Votación nominal: 9-0. Remitida al Comité de Finanzas.
Otros Asuntos
Las solicitudes de tráfico fueron remitidas al Comité de Ordenanzas: una señal de alto en Alton Road en dirección sur en la intersección con Nickel Street (Distrito 2, Concejal Ash) y una señal de alto en Birnam Avenue en dirección norte en la intersección con Hill Street (Distrito 3, Concejal Hubley).
Informe del Comité de Servicios para Veteranos (Concejal Hubley): 98 reclamaciones ante la VA presentadas en el primer trimestre de 2026; 120 veteranos y dependientes recibiendo asistencia financiera del Chapter 115; 8 planes de empleo activos. Los próximos eventos incluyen el desfile del Día de los Caídos (25 de mayo, salida a las 10:30 a.m. desde Quincy Credit Union) y una Veterans Expo el 18 de julio.
Incidente interpersonal: El Concejal Yuan objetó formalmente en el registro lo que describió como insultos e intimidación por parte del Concejal DiBona durante el debate de MSBA, y solicitó que el asunto fuera remitido al Comité de Supervisión. El Concejal DiBona se disculpó y el Concejal Yuan aceptó la disculpa. El Presidente del Concejo Mahoney pidió decoro de todas las partes. No se votó ninguna remisión formal.
Calendario del Comité de Finanzas para las audiencias presupuestarias: 11 de mayo (7:30 p.m., audiencia pública + comité), 19 de mayo (7:00 p.m.), 2 de junio (7:00 p.m.), 10 de junio (7:30 p.m.), con una quinta fecha disponible si fuera necesario. El calendario de jefes de departamento será publicado antes del jueves.
Puntos clave
El presupuesto del año fiscal 2027 ($491.8M, +2.9%) fue remitido al Comité de Finanzas para una revisión detallada departamento por departamento en cuatro audiencias programadas entre mayo y junio; múltiples concejales y un orador público plantearon preocupaciones sobre brechas fiscales estructurales, uso de reservas no recurrentes y la carga de deuda de la ciudad.
La adquisición de Eastern Nazarene College por $22.5 millones — potencialmente financiada en su totalidad mediante bonos — fue remitida al Comité de Finanzas con un escepticismo considerable por parte de los concejales sobre si la ciudad tiene un plan concreto, si proyectos más urgentes (el malecón, los techos de las escuelas) deberían tener prioridad en la emisión de bonos, y si adquisiciones anteriores de gran envergadura ofrecen lecciones de advertencia.
Una auditoría independiente formal del contrato de arrendamiento del campo de golf Quarry Hills/Granite Links fue aprobada por 9-0 y remitida al Comité de Finanzas; el propio fondo de supervisión de la ciudad para el contrato parece estar en déficit, y los comentarios públicos destacaron que el campo de golf recibió reducciones en la factura de agua subsidiadas por los contribuyentes ordinarios.
La revisión del edificio Monroe reveló una disminución de ingresos, un espacio vacante significativo, la ausencia de un proceso formal para atraer inquilinos y la falta de un plan claro a largo plazo — con los concejales cuestionando si la ciudad está dejando pasar ingresos considerables provenientes de una adquisición federal de $15M.
La votación sobre la viabilidad de reparación escolar de MSBA fue aprobada por 9-0, autorizando hasta $500,000 para la fase del estudio que cubre cuatro edificios escolares, con construcción no esperada antes del verano de 2028.
Resumen generado por IA a partir de una transcripción de voz a texto. No es el registro oficial. Verifique los detalles importantes con los documentos fuente vinculados arriba.
Qué ocurrió en esta reunión
Foro Abierto de Residentes y Comentarios Públicos – President Mahoney
# Summary: Residents Open Forum and Public Comment
During the Residents Open Forum and Public Comment period, speakers presented diverse perspectives on Quincy's development and city priorities. Hank Dondo praised the Mayor's downtown revitalization vision and the shift away from unrealistic Street Works proposals toward genuine developers. However, other residents raised concerns, including one speaker who criticized the city council for approving nearly a 50% raise while proposing budget cuts to police and fire services, and another who questioned the affordability and community impact of the Eastern Nazarene College purchase. On a positive note, Kylie commended the city's school programs, summer services, parks and recreation offerings, and community volunteer initiatives, while another resident highlighted Quincy's transformation from a city with a negative reputation to one perceived as beautiful and progressive. President Mahoney closed the open forum after confirming no additional speakers wished to address the council.
During the Residents Open Forum and Public Comment period, speakers presented diverse perspectives on Quincy's development and city priorities. Hank Dondo praised the Mayor's downtown revitalization vision and the shift away from unrealistic Street Works proposals toward genuine developers. However, other residents raised concerns, including one speaker who criticized the city council for approving nearly a 50% raise while proposing budget cuts to police and fire services, and another who questioned the affordability and community impact of the Eastern Nazarene College purchase. On a positive note, Kylie commended the city's school programs, summer services, parks and recreation offerings, and community volunteer initiatives, while another resident highlighted Quincy's transformation from a city with a negative reputation to one perceived as beautiful and progressive. President Mahoney closed the open forum after confirming no additional speakers wished to address the council.
2026-073 – Apropiación – Presupuesto del Fondo General del Año Fiscal 2027 – Mayor Koch
# Summary: 2026-073 – Appropriation - Fiscal 2027 General Fund Budget
Mayor Koch presented the Fiscal 2027 General Fund Budget appropriation of $491,849,750, a 2.9% increase from 2026, which includes negotiated salary increases, $2 million in additional reserves, and fixed cost increases for essential services like health insurance, debt service, and public safety, with the Quincy Public Schools budget comprising the largest component at $148,419,432. Public commenter Bill Zanzo criticized the budget's fiscal sustainability, projecting a 16% property tax increase over two years and warning that using $34 million in one-time reserves and underfunding obligated reserves amounts to "eating seed corn." Mayor Koch addressed the budget's revenue strategy (tax levy, property taxes, state aid, and local receipts) and explained the decision to move unfunded pension liabilities to the debt side, projecting savings of $100-180 million to solidify the pension system as required by state law. Councillor Riley and other councillors raised concerns about obtaining certified revenue figures and detailed financial data, indicating that meaningful fiscal oversight requires better access to historical information spanning multiple fiscal years. A motion by Councillor Riley, seconded by Councillor Ash, to move the budget into finance committee passed.
Mayor Koch presented the Fiscal 2027 General Fund Budget appropriation of $491,849,750, a 2.9% increase from 2026, which includes negotiated salary increases, $2 million in additional reserves, and fixed cost increases for essential services like health insurance, debt service, and public safety, with the Quincy Public Schools budget comprising the largest component at $148,419,432. Public commenter Bill Zanzo criticized the budget's fiscal sustainability, projecting a 16% property tax increase over two years and warning that using $34 million in one-time reserves and underfunding obligated reserves amounts to "eating seed corn." Mayor Koch addressed the budget's revenue strategy (tax levy, property taxes, state aid, and local receipts) and explained the decision to move unfunded pension liabilities to the debt side, projecting savings of $100-180 million to solidify the pension system as required by state law. Councillor Riley and other councillors raised concerns about obtaining certified revenue figures and detailed financial data, indicating that meaningful fiscal oversight requires better access to historical information spanning multiple fiscal years. A motion by Councillor Riley, seconded by Councillor Ash, to move the budget into finance committee passed.
2026-074 – Apropiación – Presupuesto Empresarial de Alcantarillado del Año Fiscal 2027 – Mayor Koch
Item 2026-074, the Fiscal 2027 Sewer Enterprise Budget Appropriation, was presented. Councillor Riley made a motion to accept it and move it into finance committee, seconded by Councillor Deona. The motion passed with no reported opposition.
2026-075 – Apropiación – Presupuesto Empresarial de Agua del Año Fiscal 2027 – Mayor Koch
Item 2026-075, the Fiscal 2027 Water Enterprise Budget Appropriation, was presented. Councillor Riley made a motion to approve and move it into finance committee, seconded by Councillor Jacobs. The motion passed unanimously and the budget was referred to finance committee.
2026-076 – Orden – Adquisición de Terrenos de Eastern Nazarene College – Mayor Koch
# Summary: Eastern Nazarene College Land Acquisition Discussion
Mayor Koch presented the proposed $31 million purchase of Eastern Nazarene College's 20-acre campus, outlining potential uses including affordable housing, recreational facilities, cultural venues, and community programs. Public commenters and councillors raised multiple concerns: Jacob Lavine and Joanne Collins questioned whether the project would genuinely add housing units and expressed concerns about the city's $22.5 million affordability and long-term financial commitment; Taylor Campbell advocated for low-density, mixed-use development that preserved the campus's character; and Councillors Jacobs and Riley prioritized urgent infrastructure needs like school roof repairs and seawall replacement ($17 million combined) before pursuing major developments. Speakers emphasized the need for detailed development and maintenance plans, transparent financial accounting, and comprehensive reporting on previous city property purchases before proceeding, with the matter referred to committee for further discussion.
Mayor Koch presented the proposed $31 million purchase of Eastern Nazarene College's 20-acre campus, outlining potential uses including affordable housing, recreational facilities, cultural venues, and community programs. Public commenters and councillors raised multiple concerns: Jacob Lavine and Joanne Collins questioned whether the project would genuinely add housing units and expressed concerns about the city's $22.5 million affordability and long-term financial commitment; Taylor Campbell advocated for low-density, mixed-use development that preserved the campus's character; and Councillors Jacobs and Riley prioritized urgent infrastructure needs like school roof repairs and seawall replacement ($17 million combined) before pursuing major developments. Speakers emphasized the need for detailed development and maintenance plans, transparent financial accounting, and comprehensive reporting on previous city property purchases before proceeding, with the matter referred to committee for further discussion.
Puntos de agenda (10)
Procedural (1)
1ProceduralForo Abierto de Residentes y Comentarios Públicos – President Mahoney
Members of the public will have the opportunity to speak directly to the city council about issues of concern during the open forum period.
Qué ocurrió
# Summary: Residents Open Forum and Public CommentDuring the Residents Open Forum and Public Comment period, speakers presented diverse perspectives on Quincy's development and city priorities. Hank Dondo praised the Mayor's downtown revitalization vision and the shift away from unrealistic Street Works proposals toward genuine developers. However, other residents raised concerns, including one speaker who criticized the city council for approving nearly a 50% raise while proposing budget cuts to police and fire services, and another who questioned the affordability and community impact of the Eastern Nazarene College purchase. On a positive note, Kylie commended the city's school programs, summer services, parks and recreation offerings, and community volunteer initiatives, while another resident highlighted Quincy's transformation from a city with a negative reputation to one perceived as beautiful and progressive. President Mahoney closed the open forum after confirming no additional speakers wished to address the council.
Appropriation
2Appropriation2026-073 – Apropiación – Presupuesto del Fondo General del Año Fiscal 2027 – Mayor Koch
The city is requesting approval of its general operating budget for fiscal year 2027, which covers basic city services and operations.
Qué ocurrió
# Summary: 2026-073 – Appropriation - Fiscal 2027 General Fund BudgetMayor Koch presented the Fiscal 2027 General Fund Budget appropriation of $491,849,750, a 2.9% increase from 2026, which includes negotiated salary increases, $2 million in additional reserves, and fixed cost increases for essential services like health insurance, debt service, and public safety, with the Quincy Public Schools budget comprising the largest component at $148,419,432. Public commenter Bill Zanzo criticized the budget's fiscal sustainability, projecting a 16% property tax increase over two years and warning that using $34 million in one-time reserves and underfunding obligated reserves amounts to "eating seed corn." Mayor Koch addressed the budget's revenue strategy (tax levy, property taxes, state aid, and local receipts) and explained the decision to move unfunded pension liabilities to the debt side, projecting savings of $100-180 million to solidify the pension system as required by state law. Councillor Riley and other councillors raised concerns about obtaining certified revenue figures and detailed financial data, indicating that meaningful fiscal oversight requires better access to historical information spanning multiple fiscal years. A motion by Councillor Riley, seconded by Councillor Ash, to move the budget into finance committee passed.
3Appropriation2026-074 – Apropiación – Presupuesto Empresarial de Alcantarillado del Año Fiscal 2027 – Mayor Koch
The city is requesting approval of its sewer system budget for fiscal year 2027, which funds wastewater collection and treatment services.
Qué ocurrió
Item 2026-074, the Fiscal 2027 Sewer Enterprise Budget Appropriation, was presented. Councillor Riley made a motion to accept it and move it into finance committee, seconded by Councillor Deona. The motion passed with no reported opposition.4Appropriation2026-075 – Apropiación – Presupuesto Empresarial de Agua del Año Fiscal 2027 – Mayor Koch
The city is requesting approval of its water system budget for fiscal year 2027, which funds drinking water supply and distribution services.
Qué ocurrió
Item 2026-075, the Fiscal 2027 Water Enterprise Budget Appropriation, was presented. Councillor Riley made a motion to approve and move it into finance committee, seconded by Councillor Jacobs. The motion passed unanimously and the budget was referred to finance committee.6Appropriation2026-077 – Apropiación – $22,500,000 para la Adquisición de Terrenos de Eastern Nazarene College – Mayor Koch
The city is requesting $22.5 million in funding to acquire the Eastern Nazarene College property.
Qué ocurrió
# Summary: 2026-077 – Appropriation - $22,500,000 for Eastern Nazarene College Land AcquisitionPublic commenters Jacob Lavine and Joanne Collins addressed concerns about the $22.5 million appropriation for Eastern Nazarene College land acquisition, with Lavine advocating for multi-unit housing and private development to increase housing units, while Collins questioned the city's financial capacity and demanded full transparency, a detailed public land-use plan, and independent oversight to prevent political patronage. Jennifer O'Brien, co-owner of Two Trunks Permanent Jewelry and Boutique near the site, clarified her business's community contributions, including support for over 30 small business pop-ups and 12 nonprofits with no fees charged to nonprofit organizations. Mayor Koch presented the order as part of a two-part proposal, noting the negotiated deal with ENC is finalized at approximately $31 million, while Councillor McKay questioned the need for executive session given that negotiations are complete. Councilor Riley moved to send the item to finance committee, which passed unanimously, moving the matter forward for further detailed review.
7Appropriation2026-078 – Apropiación – $322,377.03 para el Cierre de Proyectos de Community Preservation – Mayor Koch
The city is closing out its Community Preservation Projects account and appropriating the remaining balance of $322,377.03.
Qué ocurrió
# Summary: 2026-078 – Appropriation – $322,377.03 Community Preservation Projects Mayor Koch CloseoutMayor Koch presented an appropriation of $322,377.03 for Community Preservation Projects Closeout, which Councilor Riley explained represents the second wave of recaptured projects with leftover funds or projects that did not proceed. Councilor Riley motioned to return the funds to the community preservation general fund, seconded by Councilor Dona, and the motion passed unanimously with all nine council members voting yes. Separately, Councilor Ryan raised concerns about proper sequencing of city projects, requesting that the council first understand the full costs and bonding requirements for other major projects like seawall replacement and school repairs before proceeding with appropriations.
Order
5Order2026-076 – Orden – Adquisición de Terrenos de Eastern Nazarene College – Mayor Koch
The city is seeking authorization to purchase land currently occupied by Eastern Nazarene College.
Qué ocurrió
# Summary: Eastern Nazarene College Land Acquisition DiscussionMayor Koch presented the proposed $31 million purchase of Eastern Nazarene College's 20-acre campus, outlining potential uses including affordable housing, recreational facilities, cultural venues, and community programs. Public commenters and councillors raised multiple concerns: Jacob Lavine and Joanne Collins questioned whether the project would genuinely add housing units and expressed concerns about the city's $22.5 million affordability and long-term financial commitment; Taylor Campbell advocated for low-density, mixed-use development that preserved the campus's character; and Councillors Jacobs and Riley prioritized urgent infrastructure needs like school roof repairs and seawall replacement ($17 million combined) before pursuing major developments. Speakers emphasized the need for detailed development and maintenance plans, transparent financial accounting, and comprehensive reporting on previous city property purchases before proceeding, with the matter referred to committee for further discussion.
8Order2026-079 – Orden – Programa de Reparación Acelerada de Massachusetts School Building Authority, Fase de Viabilidad – Mayor Koch
The city is seeking approval to participate in the state's accelerated school repair program and move forward with feasibility studies for qualifying school building projects.
Qué ocurrió
# Summary: 2026-079 – Massachusetts School Building Authority Accelerated Repair ProgramThe council unanimously approved (9-0) the Massachusetts School Building Authority Accelerated Repair Program Feasibility Phase order, with multiple councillors emphasizing school building repairs as the top infrastructure priority. The feasibility study will cost $500,000 as the city's maximum exposure for this phase, with MSBA operating as a reimbursement program; staff clarified that the city must cover any costs exceeding grant approval, though Councillor Yen questioned the timeline and bond amounts. Councillor Deon stressed the urgency of acting within the available funding window before other communities claim resources, as MSBA's shift to a two-year application cycle means missing this window would delay future projects by four years. The project encompasses four schools across 11 elementary, five middle, and two high schools plus a special needs center, with feasibility work anticipated by December 2026, design development in 2027, and construction potentially beginning summer 2028. Councillor Riley requested a comprehensive breakdown of needed repairs by school and facility, separated into emergency and planned maintenance categories.
Resolution
9Resolution2026-080 – Resolución – Solicitud de Datos de Vacantes de Quincy Housing Authority (QHA) para Evaluar la Viabilidad de Iniciativas de Vivienda para Mayores de 55 Años – Councillor Ryan, Councillor Jacobs, Councillor McKee, Councillor Riley
The city council is requesting that the Quincy Housing Authority examine the feasibility and viability of developing housing specifically designed for residents age 55 and older.
Qué ocurrió
# Summary: 2026-080 – Quincy Housing Authority Vacancy Assessment ResolveCouncillor Ryan presented a resolve (2026-080) requesting comprehensive Quincy Housing Authority data on vacancy rates, waitlist lengths, unit turnover, and eligibility requirements across elderly and disabled housing developments to evaluate the viability of expanding 55+ housing initiatives, potentially in conjunction with the proposed Eastern Nazarene College property acquisition. Councillor Ryan also raised concerns about the city's management of the Monroe building (1255 Hancock Street), which was taken offline as a city asset in 2020 without public disclosure of its use or financial performance until 2026, noting the assessed value of $7,291,700 and an annual loss of approximately $168,000 in real estate tax revenue. Councillor Wood criticized the lack of a formal application process for entities seeking space in the building, arguing that the current ad-hoc administrative approach is inequitable and prevents potential tenants from securing long-term financing for buildouts. The motion to pass and move to oversight was seconded by Councillor Jacobs and passed unanimously 8-0.
10Resolution2026-081 – Resolución – Solicitud de Auditoría Formal de Deducciones de Arrendamiento, Gastos y Pagos por Quarry Hills Associates, LP – Councillor Ryan, Councillor Mahoney, Councillor Riley
The city council is requesting a formal independent audit of lease deductions, expenses, and payments made by Quarry Hills Associates, LP to ensure proper financial management.
Qué ocurrió
# Summary: 2026-081 – Resolve Seeking Formal Audit of Quarry Hills Associates LeaseCouncillor Ryan presented a resolve requesting a formal audit of lease deductions, expenses, and payments by Quarry Hills Associates LP for the Quarry Hills Golf Course property, citing a November 2024 letter from Pace and Sullivan LLC recommending annual audits and noting they had not audited the operator's calculations. Mike Carter spoke in support, stating the audit would ensure citizens receive the fair amount owed by Quarry Hills Associates and would inform the legislature's consideration of a home rule petition to extend the lease to 2106. Public commenter Heather Dhoni raised concerns about water bill abatements for Granite Links Golf Course ($24,000 abated in 2025, $28,000 in 2022) subsidizing a multi-million dollar golf course while residents with high water bills struggle, and expressed support for the audit to examine the city's partnership and determine public return on investment. Councillor Ryan moved the item to finance committee with Mayor Koch's support, noting that an independent certified auditor would inspect all records with results due within six months and a public hearing to follow. The motion passed unanimously 9-0, though the city auditor indicated the oversight fund had a negative balance of $168,000, requiring city funds to cover audit costs.
Votos adicionales registrados en actas
Move fiscal 2027 general fund budget to finance committee
aye 1
voice voteaye
Move fiscal 2027 sewer enterprise budget to finance committee
aye 1
voice voteaye
Move fiscal 2027 water enterprise budget to finance committee
aye 1
voice voteaye
Move Eastern Nazarene College land acquisition order to committee
aye 1
voice voteaye
Move appropriation of $22,500,000 for Eastern Nazarene College land acquisition to finance committee
aye 1
voice voteaye
Approve appropriation for community preservation projects close out ($322,377.03) and return to community preservation general fund
aye 9
Anne Mahoneyaye
David Jacobsaye
Deborah Rileyaye
Maggie McKeeaye
Noel DiBonaaye
Richard Ashaye
Virginia Ryanaye
Walter Hubleyaye
Ziqiang Yuanaye
Approve MSBA Accelerated Repair Program feasibility phase order
aye 9
Anne Mahoneyaye
David Jacobsaye
Deborah Rileyaye
Maggie McKeeaye
Noel DiBonaaye
Richard Ashaye
Virginia Ryanaye
Walter Hubleyaye
Ziqiang Yuanaye
Pass resolve calling for QHA vacancy data and move to oversight committee
aye 9
Anne Mahoneyaye
David Jacobsaye
Deborah Rileyaye
Maggie McKeeaye
Noel DiBonaaye
Richard Ashaye
Virginia Ryanaye
Walter Hubleyaye
Ziqiang Yuanaye
Pass resolve seeking formal audit of Quarry Hills Associates lease and move to finance committee
aye 9
Anne Mahoneyaye
David Jacobsaye
Deborah Rileyaye
Maggie McKeeaye
Noel DiBonaaye
Richard Ashaye
Virginia Ryanaye
Walter Hubleyaye
Ziqiang Yuanaye
Adjourn oversight committee meeting
aye 1
voice voteaye
Adjourn city council meeting
aye 1
voice voteaye
Transcripción literal disponible
671 segmentos de transcripción indexados
Good evening. I'd like to um call this meeting of the over the May 4th oversight committee um to order. I'm David Jacobs. I'm the chair of the oversight committee. I'm going to read the open meeting law.
Pursuant to the open meeting law, any person may make audio or video recording of this public meeting or may transmit the meeting through any medium. Attendees are therefore advised that such recordings or transmissions are being made whether perceived or unpersceived by those present and are deemed acknowledgeable and permissible.
Can you please call the role? Councelor Ash. Council Gabono. Council Hubley. Council Mahoney present. Council McKe. Council Riley present. Council Ryan present. Councilman. Chairman Jacobs present. Seven members.
Present. Seven members. Seven members. All right. The purpose of tonight's meeting is to review and to better understand the current operations and tenency and financial performance of the city-owned Monroe building in response to council order uh 2026-032 and the report submitted by the department of public buildings.
The Monroe building is an important municipal asset and serves a wide range of uses housing small businesses, nonprofits, and uh city offices as well as pop-up shops while also playing a role in activating the downtown and supporting econom economic activity um along Hancock Street.
At the same time, this report raises a number of questions that fall squarely within this committee's responsibility, include the structure of tenant agreements and use of tenant at will arrangements and current vacancy levels in the overall financial framework under which the building is being managed.
It's important to note that the building is operationally stable and has over time covered its costs. However, stability alone is not the only measure of success. As a council, we have an obligation to understand whether this asset is being managed in ways that align with the city's broader goals and whether those goals are economic development, community use, revenue generation, or balanced combination of all three.
Uh tonight's discussion is not about criticism. Um it is is about clarity. We're here to better understand the administration's strategy and reasoning behind the current practices and what the vision is for this property.
Um, you know, tonight we're going to hear from, uh, Paul Hines, uh, public buildings and, uh, Joe Sha Jr. of, um, Granite Partners, um, who is the or their company is the one who manages the building, uh, for the city.
I want to thank you all and I look forward to a productive discussion. At this time, I will uh, call forth Mr. Hines, the director of public buildings, and Mr. Sheay of Granite City Partners uh, to entertain questions from my colleagues.
Mr. Mr. Hines and Mr. Sheay, thank you for joining us tonight. Good evening, Mr. Chairman, members of the committee. Pleasure to be before you. As was announced, I'm Paul Hines, commissioner of the Department of Public Buildings.
I believe you do have before you or have received previously through Jen Manning in the in the council office uh my report of um the operations of the Monunroe building. uh both the narrative and a number of tables uh detailing financial information and others uh and a rather voluminous attachment or one drive link to about 200 pages of current leases, agreements, licenses, and uh operating memoranda.
Um so, uh if you want me to read through the report again, my my narrative. Yep. Um, the Monunroe building in downtown Quinsey is a two-story 65,000 ft gross uh 43,500 ft net commercial building on parcel ID 1151-16-2.
It houses businesses addressing addresses ranging from 1229A to 1259B Hancock Street. The building was acquired by the city of Quinsey in July of 2021 via the use of ARPA funds and through financial support of the office of congress Steven Lynch.
The building has been operated by the city as a mix of commercial and governmental uses supporting the commercial tenants who are present at the time of acquisition and supporting new governmental, nonprofit and temporary popup uses.
These governmental, nonprofit, and temporary popup uses are specifically intended to enliven the street front along Hancock Street in accordance with the city's urban renewal goals. The Monroe building is one of nearly 100 public buildings and structures under the jurisdiction of the Department of Public Buildings.
It has been managed by Gren City Partners LLC on behalf of my department uh providing the need of 247 property management services to its occupants. The current status of the building is the current occupancies and uses of the Monroe building are detailed within the report.
The uses are listed below in the report and each use is further detailed on accompanying tables A and B. in some 12 occupants paying use and occupancy charges under tenant at sufference status. Uh and on the legal side that means a a lease that expired by its terms uh and still holding over.
Two nonquinsey governmental occupants paying government leases, 19 city of Quinsey government occupants, divisions, groups and users. three occupants with annual licenses or temporary use licenses and eight vacant spaces.
The covered spatial areas for these 44 occupants and uses are summarized. 18,860 ft are occupied by commercial, nonquinsey government, nonprofit and popups. 15,160 ft is occupied by the city of Quinsey governmental users, not including the basement.
and 8,410 square feet are vacant. It comprises of two street level storefronts and six second floor office spaces. The unfinished basement provides 22,000 gross square ft of space which is partially included in a portion of the commercial occupancies from above and the aerial calculations for those occupants who previously had basement spaces in their original lease.
Quinsey's governmental storage space in the unfinished basement is not in the calculation of the above table B. The Monroe building has collected use and occupancy charges on a monthly basis since its acquisition.
These charges are recorded as revenues collected in Munis and used to fund the operation and maintenance of the building. The annual financials have been for FY22 the first year. Uh revenues collected $495,000, operating and maintenance expenses of $225,910,000 and the end of the year uh account balance of $269,90 for fiscal year 23.
$477,590 in use and occurrency revenues, $560,812 in expenses paid with the net account balance of $185,868. For fiscal 2024, the use and occupancy revenues collected totaled $525,11. The operation maintenance expenses totaled $339,545 for the net difference at the end of the year balance actually is $371,423.
For fiscal 25, the most uh recent completed fiscal year, the use and occupancy revenues collected total $388,772. The operation and maintenance expenses paid out were $574,175. The end of the year balance of the account is $186,19.
And for the current fiscal year of 2026, the year-to- date operation uh the revenues collected is $245,555. the operation and maintenance and management uh expenses paid out is $224,243. So the balance to date in that account is $27,340.
Currently the Monroe Building Operations collects $225$36 per month in use and occupancy charges. The Monroe building account balance at the end of February 2026 was just over $200,000. The use and occupancy charge for each individually paying occupant is detailed in table A as was requested as detailed above in the accompanying tables.
The annual fiscal performance of the Monroe building overall has been net positive, meaning that the building has paid for its routine annual operating costs. The current express break expense breakdown for fiscal year 2026 year-to- date plus a full set of data for fiscal year 2025 are detailed in table C as requested.
The sole capital expense incurred by the department of public buildings to date was the installation of a new boiler at a cost of $199. Excuse me, I wish $199,000 260. Uh, and that was funded in 2024 by a specific vote from the city council for CIP funding plus an expenditure of $900 in air monitoring for the asbestous removal portion of the project.
Uh, the boiler replacement work was awarded to Enterprise Equipment Corporation after public bid. Uh, some of the specifically requested information addition to the tables and stuff attached are summed up.
Uh the name or name of tenant or occupant is in all of the tables. The suite or unit identification number is in all of the tables. The use of the space meaning the nature being municipal, educational, office, commercial, storage or other are detailed in tables A and B.
The approximate square footage for each usage of occupied is in again tables A and B. The lease and occupancy start and end dates including renewal options. Uh there are no renewal options in expired leases or current licenses, so they're not listed.
Current bases are rent, rent escalation schedule, and any additional recurring charges. For the record, there are no escalation schedules or recurring charges currently. Concessions, abatements, or rent forgivenesses are detailed in table D.
uh security deposit or guarantee terms held. They're detailed in the individual formal leases and licenses and are summarized in table D. Any aras or outstanding balances owed to the city are not detailed because there are none.
All occupants are current to date. Copies of all former leases, executed leases, amendments, licenses, and occupancy agreements governing the use of the remote building as provided with the report. Uh I trust that the information was comprehensive and complete and uh in full conformance with the request.
It was certainly intended to be so. Um so that is the summation of the report as submitted. Very good. Thank you, Mr. Hines. At this time, I'd like to open it up for questions from the counselors. I just also want to say that um myself, councelor Ryan, um councelor Riley, and councelor Huby just went on a tour of the Monroe building with Mr.
Shay and Mr. Hines and it was um it was interesting as someone never really been in the building. It was interesting to uh to see the building. So um but any counselors? Yeah, Mrs. Councelor McKe. Thank you so much.
Um I have a long list of questions. So um if you could keep your answers relatively short, that would be helpful. Um so you mentioned Granite City Partners is the administrator, the managing for it. Yes.
It's under the jurisdiction of my department on a day-to-day basis. They've been engaged to manage it. So, the cost, the $60,000 cost in 2025 that was for managing the property was for Granite City Partners.
Yes. Okay. Um and they would be responsible for advertising vacancies um in the building if we were to do so. Yes, they would. If you were So, you haven't done that? We have not. Okay. Um, I'm wondering about how the rents are calculated because I went to the website showcase.com um, which lists um, kind of nearby properties, commercial properties, uh, for rent, including one next door at Monroe Place and then one across uh, four across the street at 1212 Hancock Street.
um those are showing $3 per square foot per month, but only one of the tenants in this list is paying at least that much, which is Congressman Lynch, who's actually paying $5.33 per square foot per month.
Um while the lowest commercial rent um is being paid by Two Trunks and Compass Beauty for 83 cents per square foot per month. Um so I'm just wondering if someone can help clarify how that is calculated.
I would I would um first I'd like to say I have not been in some of the buildings you referenced. My doctor is in 1212. My dentist uh I see that as a well-kept building. So the class of the office space plays into the rent demanded um the amenities provided and and and such whether the uh it's the triple net with the rent for covers the heat electricity and all of that.
Um at the Monroe building electricity is not covered by the use and occupancy fee. Um the heat is there's one common boiler that heats the entire building regardless of who's in it. Um, a number of the occupants have held over from when we uh acquired the property and when they had leases that were negotiated by the former owners.
Um, we as the city elected not to have leases uh with the individual occupants, the commercial occupants uh for a couple of reasons. Um, and one of the consequences of that is that the individual commercial occupants are at a disadvantage.
Uh, without a lease, they can't get financing. they can't uh go to the bank and get a loan to and have their leaseold interest held as collateral. Uh they're non-existent. Uh and there is a variety of uses.
Thankfully, Congress Lynch's office was done through the general services in the federal government and they were willing to pay that amount of money. Um they have very nice office. Um the North County Sheriff's Office went through DAM their negotiations, their uh their procurement process uh or disposition process.
Um and and we came to the dollar value with that would across the table of real conversation more than negotiation. Um the use and occupancies of the commercial tenants are as I described there are there are adjustment downwards actually of their the former rents.
Um and for the licensed places the nonprofits um the Quincy Art Association doesn't pay anything. Um, it's a civic space that we and the mayor elected to give. The uh the Dragon Boat Museum pays a small amount.
Same thing. It's a nonprofit civic. It's Houston occupancy through a license agreement which isn't a formal disposition of real estate. Similarly, the pop-up shops uh two trunk and I believe it's compass beauty.
They are licenses uh 90-day licenses renewable at the will of the city, terminable by the will of the city. So, they're not actually formal leases. Um, and so they don't demand the rent that uh somebody with a more concrete and substantial interest would pay.
But some But there are some leases going into next year, right? So, so there could be I'm just thinking that since I mean nothing's going to be done with the building for anyway some months. It seems like there could be um more income coming in for the city and for taxpayers.
Um that's what I I guess my some of the units that are listed as unoccupied are actually on the second floor which face the Monroe Tower the residences and it built up against it. So they no longer have outside windows, so they don't have proper ventilation.
So although they're vacant, they're really not habitable. So we use them for municipal storage and Quincy Symphony Orchestra uses them for storage of their gear. Um some of the other spaces, the one the dentist office in the back corner at Monroe just vacated maybe a month ago.
Uh we're looking at uses for that. Um it hasn't been determined what it is, but the decision was made. It's in best interest of the city and our flexibility moving forward to not have long-term leases.
So that's why those that had leases and expired, they're tenants at will. The only two that actually have leased leases again are Congressman Lynch and the sheriff's office. Everybody else is a tenant at sufference, a tenant at will under the terms of their former leases that have expired.
Right. So um I have so many questions. So, um I'm glad to see that the city is bringing in more revenue than uh than it's spending on just like monthly costs, I guess. But that doesn't take into account the $15 million or so that um the building and um nearby parking lot um cost.
And so if 20 $200,000 is the return per year, it would take 75 years to pay off $15 million. So I know that, you know, plans there might, you know, there's discussion of potentially having, you know, knocking down Monroe building and putting up something else.
So things are up in up in the air, but I guess it it still just feels like we're kind of leaving a lot of money on the table with the vacancies and the rent amounts that were um selling. And I I wondered um you know what there used to be a restaurant there.
Um what was the decision to move that restaurant out? The cherry punch restaurant. Yeah. Um that was a landlord decision mine. I'll take responsibility for it. They're a very difficult tenant. Uh a number of times we're pouring grease down the sanitary source system.
You may be familiar with the consequences from recent discussions here. We continuously had backups of surge into the building. Um plumbing fixtures were taken off the wall in their spaces to facilitate the dumping of grease and there was a consequences paid by all tenants of the building.
Uh it was a public health crisis. It was a management crisis. Um it was disgusting. Uh and we worked tirelessly with them to address that. Put them on a type of a per performance improvement plan. We asked for logs from the cleaning of their grease traps.
We asked for logs for the emptying of their fat vats and all those things which went by the wayside. They went, you know, went back to to uh to dump into the into the sanitary saw. The problem started back again.
So, we had a very frank, we had to close them down. The board of health became involved, the building department, we all got together, spoke to them, we closed them down until the immediate needs were met.
Um, and that lasted for a very short term. They fell back to previous behaviors. So, we had a very frank conversation. We're like, "This is it. You're not opening again." So, they chose and thankfully to our to our happy uh result, they chose to move.
Okay. Thank you. Um, I don't want to I I have more questions, but does anyone should I keep going for now or does anyone else have any questions they want to ask? Yeah. Well, she's she's Yeah. So, just keep So, I'll keep going.
Um, so it looks like FY2024 was the peak year for revenues collected, uh, bringing in $525,000. Why did the revenue drop so much the following year when the revenues reached only $389,000? You're saying 2025 was the peak year?
Uh, 24. 24. So that that was 525,000 and then the next year it was 389,000. I'm sorry. Which table are you looking at please? Um I'm looking at um the financial summary on the second page. Okay. So total uses and occupancy revenues collected.
I'm sorry I jumped ahead to the tables. I apologize. U so in fiscal 2024 um that restaurant use was in the building and and uh in operational and paying u and I believe that's prior to when Dr. Ryan moved as well.
Yeah, there's a dentist Dr. Ryan uh who moved across the street to 1212 Hancock to a space that he bought. Okay. The two commercial tenants left were there that became not there. Okay. Um and then one thing that so when I was looking at the list of commercial property um well the list table A of occupants um one thing that gave me some pause was that the some of the tenants paying the lowest rents in the Monroe building um have ties to Mayor Ko.
Um, one example is Simorian Office Storage, um, which pays just $240 per month at a rate of $1 per square foot per month. And its lei, Greg Samoran, has donated $10,000 $10,565 to the mayor since 2010, maxing out the legal limit for political contributions in each of the last three years, according to the OCPF.
Councelor, that occupant was a hold over from when we purchased it. They did not come in during the term of it. Um, and beyond that, and what that person's interests are, I have no information. Okay. Um, all right.
Why did the city spend $147,000 for contractor work in 2025? um which is 37 times the amount that we've spent so far this year, $4,000. Um in that fiscal year, we had um the $52,000 and the $21,000. The $21,000 was directly one of the opportunity, one of the occasions for custodial service in in cleaning after the storage backups owing to the restaurant's uh use of the so for the SOA.
What was the um what was the amount that you just said? Uh well, admittedly I'm looking at it's in a different column, but 21,000 went to one of the occasions that happened to clean up the bra storage.
Um but in January of that year, the $52,000 unrelated to that restaurant, uh there is a quasi public bathroom uh kind of back a house on the first floor that is used by those retail spaces and includes um like the customers of Gatudies and would have at the time included the customers of Sura.
Um and somebody got in there and completely physically destroyed the bathroom uh causing major damage. Um, it had to be sat down and rebuilt. Um, Joe, can I ask you, refresh me, what's the in the October is 55,000?
Okay. Uh, the 55,000 from October of 2025 fiscal year uh was, by understanding a a contribution towards the buildout of the city of Quinsey's welcome center at the corner of Savile and uh Hancock Street there.
Okay. Um and um and then why did the city spend $63,000 on legal and insurance fees in 20 fiscal year 25? Um the largest of the 599 was for commercial insurance policy uh to ensure the building and the residents and such.
Um but with the passage of time and the shift from more commercial to more municipal use uh Jim Tibons the city of solicero opined that because the pendulum had swung more towards municipal use that we were not obligated to get the commercial insurance policy.
Okay. So we did not do so in fiscal 2026. Okay. That's what I was wondering because it's zero right now. Um okay. Um, so about 20 uh city-owned units don't collect any rent. Um, many but not all of them are are city employees.
Um, I'm wondering where did these employees work before they got offices here? Um, presumably after the city purchased the property in 2021. There are some new uses in there that weren't weren't present.
uh one of which is the citiz citizen technology initiative headed by John Kaine. It's got a large portion on the second floor of the building. Um the more recently established grants department under Jim Scribby is up there as well.
They've got several of the spaces. um downtown committee, not downtown uh operation and I believe the TPAL operation, administrative sides, uh were on one of the uh buildings on Chestnut Street owned by Quinsey Mutual Fire Insurance Company that they vacated because they were tearing down and that site's now being redeveloped.
So, they re were relocated from the privately owned uh building to the Monroe building. Um that's the ones off the top of my head. Uh, okay. Obviously, the visitor center is new. That wasn't housed anywhere before.
The Quinsey 400 space was there. Um, and then the Quinsey Police Department, community police in the downtown, they they have units. They keep their bicycles and other equipment in. Um, they would have been wherever at the time.
Okay. Um, and I wondered about there's a couple of units devoted to historic and heritage resources. Yes. Um, so the local community of Native Americans uh have been used in a space utilized space um to have, you know, some some degree of storage and and like an office space type thing.
Um, and that was done, you know, through the generosity of the city at the direction of the administration. Um, I saw a separate one for the Massachusetts tribe, but there's two for um, historic and heritage resources by Bob Damon.
Bob Damon. Yes. Is that So, he's a city employee. Okay. So, that's another city function that's in there. And what is what are the historic what what are those uses? I guess he he has a I I don't know what is his job description.
He doesn't work in my department. He has kind of a general oversight of the Hancock cemetery and other things. You know, some of the things I have I'm responsible for taking care of and doing. His is like, "All right, you got to do it, but do it to the the national standards of historic preservation, things like that." So, it's another set of eyes on a lot of those projects.
Um and things that we never touch like the training mill or the the granite rail incline, things like that. Okay. Um and then there were three units that um John Kaine has in this building. Um you were just talking about uh for community technology integration and support.
Um and I guess I'm wondering how how often are these spaces used? All of them for the city. Um but those in particular the totality of them I really don't know. It's quite likely more 9 to5 Monday to to Friday.
John Kane seems to kind of always be there. He's on Saturdays and Sundays. Uh he has more of a public face than most of the other uh uses of the building. He's got a large like kind of training room set up with computer stations that we just were marveled at some of the stuff he had.
Um so he uses that much more frequently. Okay. Um, and who decides which non- city employees get to be in this list of of non-paying non city employees, you say? That would be the administration. The administration.
Okay. Um, and then I noticed there was one company that um had its rent reduced uh for five months. Yes. because someone was out of the country. Yes, there was a uh single proprietor, another local uh woman business that is housed there.
Um she had a death in the family back in her homeland and and went back and and helped the family adjust to whatever. Um rather than kicking out and closing up shop, we gave the concession and she's back at it and operating again.
And uh you know, thankfully she's rebounded and she's operating her business again. Okay. Um All right. I think that pretty much does it for my questions, but I I do see a lot of of things where I feel like we could be maximizing um revenue coming in in this building um that we're not.
But do any other council members have any questions? President Mahoney. Thank you. Um, I don't want to repeat the questions, but I What's the policy that determines when a tenant is in place for a formal lease versus the licenses versus a tenant at will agreement?
Okay. And is that decided by you or is that decided by the management of granted partners? Just curious. Management carries out the city's directives. Okay. Um, so again, the only ones that actually have physical leases, like legally binding leases, are the two governmental uses, the sheriff's office because that was insisted by DAM.
Um, and Congressman Lynch because that was insisted on by General Services Administration at the federal level. Um, the tenants at will or the tenants and sufference, those are holdovers that had written lease agreements with the former owner, which by their terms have expired.
uh and we have not renewed them. So they hold over as a matter of property law under the terms of their former agreements on So they're still paying the same amount of rent under their former agreements.
Okay. Prated. Yeah. Okay. Uh but again, as I mentioned earlier, some of them have been reduced down from what had been the appropriated rent um because of the consequence in their business of not giving a lease, not having that security.
Okay. And could you just explain the popup piece a little bit more to me? The pop-up uh piece was vacant. Uh it's where the restaurant moved out of uh not long after the restaurant moved out. Um when did they move after when did the restaurant move out and when did it get occupied again?
They moved out in 2024. June. Yeah. June of 2024 they were out. Um they if anyone it is good food they were down at Newport Plaza in North Quincsey. Um, so individuals came came to the administration.
Uh, they were referred to go up to the mayor's office and speak. At that time, the space was vacant. Um, I had not yet received direction on what we were going to do with it. Okay. Uh, I've been told many times I'm not the policy maker.
Um, and so the idea was hatched about this incubation space. Short-term, come in, set up your shop, you know, get your business going. uh much like was done at u the old 180 old colony by the Quincy Chamber of Commerce did it there and somewhat like uh the tents at Kilway Square with the winter markets.
So the decision was made you know 3 month or 90-day uh licenses which is not a devolution or conveyance of real estate. It's just the allowance of a use uh to help incubate those businesses and get them up and running.
Um, and that directive came from the administration. We carried it out. Any expenses for making the place ready or fitting it out for those popups were paid for by the popup uh proprietors or uh operators.
It was not paid for by the city. So, the buildouts were paid for by the proprietors that moved in, not by the city. Correct. Okay. So, so on the two pop-ups I say. And were there two pop-ups? Just so I know.
So, there's only two pop-ups in all of the building. So, it's the compass beauty and the two trunks. Those are the pop-ups. Okay. And do they open at the same time? I'm just They It was a common scheme.
I don't really know who approached first, but from my perspective, we dealt with the uh simultaneously. So, I know that there was a ribbon cutting. I don't remember for Compass Compass, but I know there's a ribbon cutting around October.
Um and the license just went into effect in January. So, just to clarify, were they paying rent since last October or did they not start paying rent until January? I would refer to the schedules, but I believe they the ribbon cutting was at the finish or when they moved in to start their fit outs in October.
Is that Joe speaking? If he wants to come up to the microphone because I can't hear him. Sorry. Thank you. Thank you, Madam President. Uh Joseph Shay with Granite City Partners, the property manager for the Monroe building.
Um, one clarification, we just quickly said June of 24 was June of 25, uh, that the restaurant vacated, just for clarification. So, June of 25, the restaurant left, not 25. June of 25, the restaurant vacated.
Um, the license agreements with the temporary pop-ups, I believe, were October, November, December of 25. Okay. then renewed uh through the Christmas season because the original push was a Christmas popup sale.
Renewed for January, February, March of 2026, then renewed on April 1st. So, they're currently in a the third 90-day renewal. When does a popup because it's the same businesses, right? So, it's two trunks and compass, but they're not other businesses coming in.
When does a popup become a not a popup? Just curious. Um, a little step back. Uh, that that storefront that the pop-ups are in, their licenses are non-exclusive. So, could you repeat that? I missed what you said.
The space that they're in, the storefront that they are in, the two popups, their agreements, their licenses with the city are non-exclusive licenses. if another entity were to come to us wanted to do the same thing to open up a uh a popup, you know, the those people are obligated to move their stuff aside and make room for another.
Um, and if they don't do that, they don't get renewed. Um, we've I'm not aware of anyone else that has come for the popup concept. Um, I will say that I am aware that a restaurant operation came in who needed a minimum of a 5-year lease in order to get the financing and stuff for the buildout.
Mhm. Um but again, the decision was made not to entertain long-term licenses. Um so they were uh given contacts of Quinsey Chamber and some others uh to hopefully find another space in the downtown because there's an advertisement saying the storefront of Two Trunks and Come Beauty is more than one just home of our own brands.
It's the space for building community creativity. I was just curious if they're having other pop-ups come in. Do they also pay rent to the city or do they pay rents to the pop-up? I'm sorry. So, the storefronts from 1237 Hancock Street have an advertisement that's out saying two trunks and Compass Beauty is more than just one home for our brands.
It's a space to build on community creativity and collaboration, which is great. So, they're basically saying that they have shared space where local marketers and entrepreneurs can shine. So, they're leasing it.
If they're bringing in other pop-ups, the other pop-ups pay rent to the city or do they pay rent to the loca like to the two businesses? Just curious. They're not in a position to be able to sub it. Uh any uh others added into that space would be by agreement with the city and payments would be to the city, not to the two existings.
Okay. We feature two rotating vendor spaces available for rent, giving local businesses the opportunity to showcase their products, connect with new customers, and grow alongside us. Our mission is to create Sorry about that.
That's work. Our mission is to create I can't make it go away. Sorry. Just shut it off. Our mission is to create Where am I now? Our mission is to create a welcoming destination in Quinsey where shoppers can discover unique highquality pieces while supporting local and small business communities.
So they're basically saying that they have they rent out their space. But you're saying that they can't that they should come to the city and they'd have to work it out with the city. Correct. So, I point out that they're using the word rental.
I have no control over that, but it's legally not not a lease. Um, so, and again, I can't control their message, but I can control. Okay, you answered it. So, you basically said if they're doing other pop-ups, they should be coming to the city.
They shouldn't be renting out, potentially lowering their own rent. So, they may also be realizing they don't need the full square footage and realize there's room. It's just a question because it because I was just curious about I thought there might be more space for the popups.
So, we don't ensure consistency when it comes to occupancy occupancy charges beginning. Um, and specifically when it comes to tenants, how much is a small commercial tenant like Gridly Tax and Accounting paying monthly for their space?
Just curious. Uh, that is in the tables. And Gridley is another one of the holdovers from prior to the purchase, right? Um, and I will say on the record, I apologize to Mr. Grimley for spelling his name wrong.
Oh, did I spell it wrong? Is it I might have said it wrong. So he's paying1250 a month. How much square feet does he does he have? Cuz he's just a little accounting business, right? For him it's 640 ft.
Okay. And then comparison to just the pop-ups. Again, I'm just curious. Two trunks. That's 1,800 square feet for a combined six $1,500 a month. Okay. All right. And then this is just a so a clarifying question.
This is really for Joe Shay. So Joe Joe, you're the management services for the building, correct? Correct. What other buildings do you manage or what other properties are you overseeing in the city of Quinsey for us?
Um, currently we oversee Town River Marina. Where is it? Town River Marina. Town River Marina, Southern Arty for the city. This is our only other current open building that we manage. uh we had previously managed um many of the buildings in the downtown when they were vacated prior to urban renewal activities.
Okay. So um and this is just a question because I remember this so just to just to level set for a second. So, we bought this building in 2020 approximately, right, with CO money and the idea that it was, you know, CO money was supposed to be used for public investments for to to help get people through CO, but we used CO money, which was really not a correct use for it, but we did anyway to purchase this building and the marina.
So, those two things, and we've been paying Granite Partners to be the management facility for it. So, we took two businesses, a marina and the Monroe building off the This is probably less of a question for you, off the tax roles.
How much did that take off the tax roles approximately? You might know. I don't know, Joe, if you know. Okay. Um, that not within the purview of the request, so I didn't gather that information. I don't know.
So, you have no idea. I didn't look for it. I wasn't asked to. So, I don't know. So, it's probably around 200,000 at least, I would imagine. Um, so then the other question I do have for Joe Sha Joe, I think at the time, and this might just be this is kind of the tenants have changed, right?
So, there's tenants and spaces that changed. I think both you your granite partners had space in that building at one time. Is that correct? No, we've never been attended in that building. Did Did your dad from the there's a Joe Sha in that building back when before all the other stuff was going through?
I remember having it listed at the Monroe building. Was your dad maybe in there? Uh the city clerk's office was in the Monroe building long before the the city clerk's office. So he he wasn't there for a commissioner like the the Norolk commissioner maybe.
No. Okay. I just remember seeing a Joe Shay on the list. So that's that was my question. No, that was me. I I was on the list so people who came to the door to buzz in could reach us as a property manager.
So you are correct at the time. So I just remember Yeah. I just thought maybe you were. So I just was questioning because maybe at the time and you do a lot of work in the city. So you do have an office in the city, don't you?
We do. We have an office in a different building. In what building are you in? We are in the Adams building. Okay. 1354 handcuff. I just thought maybe you might have been there for a short period of time while you were there, but that makes sense, too.
So, so I guess the reason why I'm asking all these questions is just simply, you know, the financial framing for what I'm thinking. We took a property, two properties, the marina and the Monroe building.
We used COVID money, emergency money to purchase those buildings because it was a purpose. The purpose of the building that we bought this for was for a Quinsey College campus/ city hall. That's what we bought the Monroe building for.
You're going to say, "No, that is very well publicized." So I think that's very that was an original an earlier request to the council that was not uh supported. So the use of the IRA money for the purchase of the Monroe building was to allow the use of the visitor center which wasn't appropriate in audited use and approved.
Um and the so you purchased a whole building just for the Okay, so that's fine. That that's your co that's your co answer. But what we purchased it for, what we purchased for and what the press release was for was that it was going to be used for a college and for potentially the new home for city hall employees, which it sounds like we have a lot of city hall employees that are already there.
Um, and at the same time, we took those properties off our tax roles, meaning we gave up significant and stable income to the taxpayers of the city of Quincy when we took those off the rolls. And now we're have a system where we're charging um people all different amounts and the revenues appear to be going away and they're not going to be able they can't possibly make up the $15 million that it took that we used to to buy this.
And now we're talking about the use of this building for something completely different. And there was a meeting I think it was last Monday night at the same time we were having our council meeting. I think it was last Monday night.
I was sick. I can't remember. But I think it was for the the historic commission was having a meeting and they were talking about the use of the Monroe building and they were basically saying that everything there was they were talking about the um John Quinsey John Adams library.
They were talking about the performance center. They were talking about Quinsey um Quincy Discover Quinsey and they were talking about the national um the national parks going in. And then they came back and said everything could fit there except for the performing arts, which I think is just kind of funny.
So it's too small. They basically said it was too small. I wasn't at the meeting. Somebody sent me the notes. They said it was too small. So now the building that they're talking about is too small, but we've bought it and we're leasing it out and we're not really making any money off of it and there's no taxes coming in for it.
So, and we have no plan. And this is another thing that was asked by another council. I can't remember who asked for it. that we purchased all of these properties throughout the whole city of Quinsey for the use of one thing potentially that never ended up fulfilling its dreams and they just sit there collecting dust waiting for another use.
We've come up with another use for the Monroe building, but we are losing money off of that that building too. And it's really based on seeing there really inconsistency on how we're defining tenants, how we're agreeing to tenants, and how we're managing it.
We also have um we're paying a management company to take care of it, but they're not actually proactively leasing it. They're just managing it. Um and we're seeing in like there's just a lot a lot of things going on.
This responsible this this this board, this this committee, the council is responsible for the checks and balances of the city and the mayor can make the policies, but when I'm looking at this and what I'm seeing back, we're losing money off of it.
And the plans changed for what the use is going to be. And the plans may not even be that. And there was plans for the presidential library going down the street at the Adams Academy. Remember that? And how we own the land, but they own the building and it got went to the Supreme SJC and they lost three times in it.
Do you remember that? So I do. So and that cost a lot of money for the taxpayers. So our job is to kind of go back and historically look at what we're doing and question it. And we have another one in front of us tonight that will go into committee for the ENC.
And these are all great plans, but if you don't actually have uh perspectives of what you're going to use the properties for and you take them offline, you're taking tax dollars, valuable tax dollars offline.
And it's concerning to me, especially where we're headed in the city. Um, fortunately, the NC is already not paying taxes. Yeah. No, that that one's not paying taxes, fortunately. Fortunately, so thank God for that, right?
So, but all the other ones were paying taxes. Also, thank God for that. We can buy that one. No worries. Now, the money to the 15 million to purchase the Monroe is not at a cost of the city. We It's not a loan.
We're not paying it back. What's that? Say that again. It was a grant. What was a grant? The $15 million. It was a grant. You were so cute when you say that because you know what that is? That's federal money.
So, I pay taxes on my federal money. Do I? Yeah. So do I. So, it is taxes. It's not free grant money. And it wasn't meant to be used for that. So, I'm going to stop you right now because I'm not asking that question.
But, you know, it's cute that you that you can sit there and say that's not real. That's not tax money. That's not coming from the city of Quincy. It's coming from everybody else's pocket. Your left side is your federal, your right side is your city.
So that's it's coming out of our pockets. Um we made significant um investments though. This is what I'm trying to get at. We're managing the asset in a way that's financially sound, consistent, and transparent.
I don't think so because at the end of the day, the public here, the city of Quinsey, we need to we need to make sure that what we're told is true that what you know what we've had a change in purpose again, what it's costing us and what we're getting in return for those investments.
So, we need to make this very clear that we didn't make a stable we're not making stable tax revenue and it's clear purpose for less less consistent and less transparent. It I will tell you that I was on the I was on the committee.
I was on the on the council and I asked about this and you had it since 2020. It's 2026 and this is the first time anybody's hearing what's being rented in the in the Monroe building, how much we're getting for it, and how we're actually losing money in it.
And we have two of those. Now, the next one I'll be bringing in is the marina because I'm curious to know who's docking their boats at the marina. Do you dock your boat at the marina? I do not. I would not.
That's good because you used to have your car in another property. Thank you very much. I'm aware of that. Are there any other counselors who'd like to ask questions on this? Yeah. Uh, councelor Riley Wood6.
Thank you. Thank you, Commissioner, for being here. Um, you know, you did put together a very comprehensive package and I appreciate that you I think you provided all of the information that was asked.
Um, and I appreciated the tour of the building. It is a beautiful old building and it's very surprisingly very well-maintained. Um, I've been in some scary basements in real estate and that wasn't too scary.
So, um, thank you for that. But a couple of questions that I did have. So, there is no formal pro process nor has there been, um, for anyone any entities who wanted to apply for space or make use for storage or try to get some um, street frontage or an office space.
There's really no formal process for people to be able to do that. The process to date has been they've approached the city and it's been what they've approached the city. Uh people with interest have approached the city and through the administration.
I thought it was again engaged civic purpose alive in the street or not. Um and by the time all of that's done, it's done by the time I get involved. I'm not I'm not privy to that. I'm not part of that.
Well, I' I'd argue that's not very equitable because 90% of the people in the city probably don't know who to call or who who to reach out to. You know, it's it's um it's it's not easy if you don't know who to engage.
So, um but we're it's also not going to be very attractive because you're not going to commit to anybody for a long-term lease. You know, they can't get any financing for any buildouts or anything like that.
Um but in terms of the the financing as an as an investment um to answer your question, President Mahoney, um the assessed value on 1255 Hancock Street is 7,291,700. So at the commercial tax rate of 2301, that would be $168,000 in real estate taxes that are no longer being collected.
The parking lot at 1177 Hancock Street has an assessed value of 872,400. So that's another $20,000. So that's $188,000 in in revenue um that's being forfeited since it's no longer privately owned. Um and you know, if somebody were to spend $15 million on a building, they would expect their return to have to um take into you know, they'd be looking for a return on that.
So although we're covering our expenses um and a little bit better than that and and covering the maintenance and utilities, you know, from a from a financial perspective, this is not a winning formula.
So um you know, I I agree that it was purchased with one potential vision and now there's another potential vision. But I guess the question is what is the long-term plan for this for this building? Personally, I think it'd be a shame to demo it.
It it is a beautiful building. That decision is still being made whether it's salvageable in its entirety or the facade or whatever. Um it's not a class A space. It would take a full gut rehab which would be very difficult to do in the way that building is constructed.
But that doesn't mean it's fatality. I don't know. The longer term what you know at this point is what I know at this point is proposed for the uh Adams Presidential Center and the performing arts center which all these sharets and and the surveys for Quincsey 400 requested uh the discover quizzy or the city of Quinsey welcome center would be there potentially the national park service literally tonight is the first time anyone has uttered to me that the proposed building wasn't large enough for the performing arts center I don't know who raised that spectre I can't speak to it, but it's the first time I've heard that.
Um, believe me, I will I will inquire of of my representatives at that meeting where that came from and what the basis of it and if there's any veracity to it. Thank you. Um, I guess I would just conclude by saying that, you know, it's not prudent to purchase property and then kind of figure it out.
So, I would hope that if we're going to entertain um real estate purchases in the future that we would have a little bit more of an understanding of what our plan is. Thank you. Uh any other questions from any of the counselors?
Uh councelor Yuan, I just have a general comment from the data you show the Monroe building is in a golden location but still have such huge vacancy rate. So I'm wondering why and it's a it's clear this building is not well used to generate any revenue for the city and the city spend a lot of money to purchase it.
So I I want the explanation. Okay. Again as we just discussed it may be the potential site of the Adams Presidential Center and the Performing Arts Center and other municipal uses. Um, so it's not in our best interest to get a long-term lease because then we would have to pay to relocate any leased tenant.
Uh, if it came time to take the building down or renovate it, we would have to pay to re relocate those those businesses. Um, that's probably for foremost the reason. Um, a number of the tenants have held over.
They're still there. We do have revenues. It's paying for itself. There are factors in municipal own building has factors other than just the bottom line dollar amount. And I get that the oversight committee and we concerned about the taxpayer.
I pay over $30,000 in real estate taxes to the city of Quinsey. I'm concerned about taxes in Quinsey, but there are other bases of municipal policy. It's the startup of the businesses. It's the urban renewal.
It's providing the event space. So that's a larger conversation that is going on within the administration and I will be told what that result is when it's done. Um my followup question is when did the city already start to thinking about uh tear down the Monroe building to make a performance center?
So you so it you not give the long-term lease. I mean how many years has been doing like that? I I have not been told that yet. I don't have that answer. I haven't been told it. Yeah. Any other counselors want to speak on this matter?
Councelor Ash 2. Thank you. Thank you, Commissioner Hines. Um a very concise report. Um, I have a couple quick questions with respect to the oldest tenant. Do you know who the oldest tenant that that is under a TAW is?
I I think it's almost Yeah, it's Samorian. Okay. Maybe like 2014, I believe. So with respect to the tenants at will, the amounts that they're being charged now for use and occupancy, they would presumably go up over the years, right?
So when they signed their first lease in 2014, uh samorans paying $240 versus and I won't ask for each one, but we would we would think or we would it would suggest that say uh artistic threading LLC at 2300 for tenant at will.
That's a a more recent tenant pri right prior to um to the sale of the property. Correct. Thank you. Um my question is actually with respect to insurance. So if we have a uh a and it it may be outside of the purview of the request.
I know uh it just was something I was thinking when you were uh going over the presentation. If the building is if if it's a municipal building and there are commercial tenants, do are all of those commercial tenants required to obtain commercial tenant insurance or My fear is that we're ensuring things or uh something that may happen inside of one's office.
I don't think that's the case, but I think it may be beneficial for folks uh listening. Maybe if um if you know the answer to that with respect to who ensures the actual uh inside of the offices that we rent to.
So the the tenants have been encouraged to get tenant insurance much like you would if you rented an apartment for residents. Uh and the city of Quinsey selfinsures the building now that it is swung to primarily municipal use.
So much like city hall, the high schools, the schools um there's only two or three buildings that we have a commercial policy on. Um this building, the Monroe building, and the Adams Academy. Um all the rest and all the vehicles the city is self-insured.
Okay. Thank you. Any of the other counselors just very quick question. We are going to we are going to take a brief recess in a minute to go into the general council meeting do the open forum and um have the presentation from on the budget um and then we'll come back to this meeting.
But we have about two minutes left in this hour. So, Councelor McKe, I just have a follow-up question to councelor Ash. Um, so, oh, sorry. Um, I just had a follow-up question about that. So when you say the city self-insures, if the tenants don't get their own kind of voluntary insurance and there's um a fire or something like that and one of them, the city's on the hook to pay for the damage if they if they don't have their own insurance.
It depends upon the circumstance of the fire. If the fire was caused by the city of Quinsey or the you know acts of employees of the city of Quinsey then we would potentially have liability but we also have u governmental or sovereign immunity and our liabilities are capped.
Um so we would not be in the we first of all we would have to have caused the fire or the building systems itself caused the fire. we would have had known about those defects to create a liability on the city before there would be any liability to the individual tenants.
So, but I mean if this if the tenant doesn't have insurance, you could try to charge them for damage. Let's say that that wasn't due to the city's faulty wiring or something like that. If if they caused something, but if they couldn't pay, then the city would pay.
So, if you're suggesting if that tenant caused the fire, that's different from what I was just describing. I I was styling it as dam someone's damages to the tenant. Uh we would not generally be responsible as to whether that tenant caused the fire and they were then liable to the city of Quinsey, they don't have charal immunity and they could be sued for the silver the full value of the damages to the building.
Okay. And the other tenants technically. Okay. Thank you. Yes, thank you. We're going to recess uh this meeting um until um so we can start the general council meeting um and we'll reconvene um following the um the mayor's budget proposal.
Good evening. I'm going to call the city council meeting Monday, May 4th, 7:30 meeting to attendance. If we could call the role, call the role, please, madam, city clerk. Councelor Ash, councelor Debana, present.
Council Hubley, present. Councelor Jacobs, present. Council McKe, present. Council Riley, present. Council Ryan, Council Yen, President Mahoney, present. Nine members, share the quarum. If we could stand for a moment of silence.
And if we could turn to pledge allegiance to the flag. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
Sounds nice when everybody's in the room. Madam clerk, clerk, can you please read the open meeting law? Pursuant to the open meeting law, any person may make an audio or video recording of this public meeting or may transmit the meeting through any medium.
Attendees are therefore advised that such recordings or transmissions are being made whether perceived or unproceived by those present and are deemed acknowledged impermissible. And we are moving on. Thank you very much.
We're going to move on to the open forum and public comments. I just want to remind everybody if you're from Quinsey, you'll be able to go first. If you're outside of Quinsey, you can go after. It's three minutes and if we could try to keep to that, that would be great.
Do you want to go fast? Yeah. Give me the second sheet. All right. By the time I get back, that's really that's that was all those people. Tell me when you're ready. Let's go. Okay. So, the first person we are coming up is Hank Dondo.
and John C5 minute a quinsey mass 02169. Uh before I address real topics uh show a while ago about two months ago there was a uh demonstration out on the plaza there and uh it was a no kings protest. Well I understand the rumor mill is active and they're talking about no queens protest.
Okay, not mine. I'm just letting you know it's out there and it's happening. uh life in the city then and now uh Sharpest Town USA back in the 40s and 50s and then suddenly the plaza developed and what do you have?
You have uh downtown that's slowly but surely dying. Uh safety became an issue and has become an issue prior to uh what's going on now. And uh if you look at what went on back then it was safer to walk downtown at night than it was during the day.
All right, very clear, very simple. What's going on downtown now is an enhancement. It's an enhancement of livability and it's a an enhancement of property values in the city. Uh the the mayor has a vision.
He's had a vision from the beginning. The city uh originally was tied in with a organization called Street Works. The mayor when he came in, it was already in motion after six years of dealing with them.
He dumped them. Why'd he dump them? Because first of all, they only had a history of $200 million construction projects. They were talking about $1.2 billion that was or was not ever going to happen. Get out, get lost.
Took it in a new direction with developers that have the city of interest in in in mind. Uh I'm not going to comment about budget rate uh uh city ratings. As far as the budget is concerned, that's not in my uh uh my endeavor, not in my belly whack.
But I'll tell you something. Uh you can start cutting because 90% of the city budget is fixed. You start cutting 10% of the budget, what's going to happen? You're going to start losing services. You're going to browning out police stations, browning out uh firemen, you're going to browning out DPW.
All right, cut it. Cut it. Go ahead. Cut it. You're going to turn the city back in the way it was before. And if you uh like or if you've ever been to downtown crossing the place is a dump, a lot of vacant stores, very high crime rate.
And is this what you want to envision for the city? Not me. I've lived here all my life. And it's really going it'll go down fast. So if you want to brown out fire stations and brown out police, DPW, go ahead and cut.
You can start talking about credit ratings. as far as I can see, you don't make money without investing it. You don't save property without buying it. So, thank you very much. And uh by the way, someone referenced me as a Clint Eastwood, and I I really appreciate that because he's a little bit older than I am, but uh he's probably got a better attitude than I do.
So, good night. Adios. Thank you. Next up is Jacob Lavine. I believe I'm I'm not sure if it's Lavine. I apologize. Looks like Wayne. You're correct. Uh Jacob Lavine, 140 Quincy Avenue, 02169. I'd like to talk about the East Nazarine proposal.
I moved to Quinsey in 2020. I'm 34 years old and I would like to stay here for a few decades. Like many people, I came to Quinsey looking for an affordable city, affordable private private city. And like many people, I fear if I start a family, I may have to leave Quinsey.
To that end, I'm keeping a close eye out on housing projects. I think senior housing can be a win-win for residents in the city by allowing resident empty nesters currently in family houses to stay to stay in the city they live in.
They can both enjoy that and put their houses on the market to bring in new families done correctly. My fear, however, is the proposal as it is will become an attempt to preserve the campus in amber to stop development and to limit new residents only those deemed less trouble or cheaper.
With that in mind, I ask the council and the mayor to uh make sure that any housing proposal, senior otherwise, adds more units to the city includes multi-units and if money be spent or if money needs to be spent to offset the cost of purchasing that some of that be used as private development to also build more housing.
Thank you. Thank you. Next up, we have Joanne Collins. Good evening. Joanne Collins, 88 Hillside A. I'm here tonight as a concerned taxpayer and resident of Quinsey. I want to speak about the proposed acquisition of Eastern Nazarene College by the city of Quinsey.
This is an enormous financial decision and many residents are asking the very basic question, how can we afford this? The ordinance before you proposes appropriating 22.5 million to purchase ENC along with all incidental and related costs while authorizing the city to borrow the full two 22.5 million through bonds or notes.
This means taxpayers are not simply discussing a purchase price. We are potentially committing to decades of debt, interest payments, and additional associated expenses at a time when taxpayers are already facing rising costs, major upcoming financial obligations like a seaw wall repair and school related expenses along with existing infrastruct infrastructure concerns and other pressing budget priorities.
Taking on this level of borrowing demands complete transparency and accountability. But more before moving forward, the public deserves clear answers about the true long-term cost, including debt service and interest, the full scope of incidental and related expenses, the city's concrete plan for the land, and how this purchase directly benefits Quinsey residents.
My second concern is trust. Once this land is purchased, what safeguards are in place to ensure it's used responsibly and in the best interest of the public? Many residents have seen patterns of political favoritism, insider deals, and benefits that too often seem to flow towards well-connected individuals rather than everyday taxpayers.
That history makes it difficult for the public to simply trust the process without a firm oversight. Quinsey residents deserve a detailed public plan for the land's future use, full financial transparency, independent oversight, protect proje protections against political patronage or backroom deals.
This land purchase should not become a blank check. We are talking about 22.5 million taxpayer obligations plus long-term borrowing costs at a time when Quinsey faces numerous other critical financial responsibilities.
I urge this council to proceed cautiously, demand transparency from the administration, and ensure that any decision made serves the people of Quinsey, not private interests or political networks. Thank you for your time.
Thank you. Um Mike Carter is up next. Hi, good evening. Uh Mike Carter, five Post Island Road. Um, thank you to the councilors for your ongoing renewed efforts at uh, transparency, accessibility, and responsive government here in Quinsey.
Uh, I'm speaking to support the resolve that will be made tonight by councilors Ryan Mahoney and Riley uh, seeking that formal audit of the current uh, lease deductions, expenses, and payments by Quarry Hills Associates.
The terms of this resolution, which are very specific and detailed, will do much to asssure that the citizens of Quinsey receive the fair and exact amount that should be paid by Quarry Hills Associates for the lease of this public land.
This also this audit is also essential to the to enlighten the legislature which is considering the home rule petition uh which would uh wave two state laws. one regarding 30-year leases and the other uh that has to deal with competitive bidding and it would grant QA a substantially new lease until the year 21006.
Also essential to the current lease and any future lease uh are the following restoration of the required oversight committee comprised of independent members that are more representative of the city population.
public access to the city-owned land, including the originally agreed upon walking trails uh around the golf course, proper maintenance and improvements to the ball fields, and responsible uh environmental stewardship of this land that is leased from the city and the the um residents of Quinsey on Eastern Nazarene.
Um the um we've read of a a price tag of about $22.5 million, but I'd echo that sentiment with no definite specifics of development or maintenance of this uh once the city owns this property. Uh we have great suggestions that have emerged from the first public meeting, but the specific plan should come before the purchase.
Thank you. Thank you. And next up is Heather Dovy. Hi, I'm Heather Dhoni and I live at 912 Southern Arty. Um, I'm here tonight to speak about Granite Link's use of city approved water abatements and the large amounts of Quinsey's public drinking water to hydrate their golf course grass during droughts.
As I understand it, the golf course typically uses rain water saved in the old quaries. But in times of drought, they tap into public drinking water that comes from the MWR, which as anyone who has a water bill in the city can tell you is good and clean, but not cheap.
A public records request shows that in October 2025, Cory Hills racked up a water bill for over $100,000 with fees and interest for being late multiple times, paid $44,000 of it, leaving $58,000 due. They applied for an abatement on this $58,000 balance which was approved and then they only owed and paid $34,000.
The abated $24,000 was paid for by us, the ordinary residents of Quinzy, people with brown lawns and our own high water bills, people who can't afford a trip to Granite Links Green. Yet, in the written request for the 2025 abatement, it said in part, "Water is purchased and used for the operation of Granite Links Golf Course and Recreation Facility on land owned by the city of Quinsey.
Granite Links leases the land to operate the golf course, which generates rental income based on the city of Quinsey." It also said that this abatement is essential to maintain the aesthetics of Granite Links course as one of the best in the United States.
Granite Links and the city of Quinsey have a unique partnership and the success of the golf course is mutually beneficial to Granite Links and the city. In 2022, there was another water bill that was adjusted down from $70,000 to $42,000 using a water abatement with a note saying it was a 30 the note from the city saying it was a 39% reduction to current charges with all fees and interest on the account waved upon payment.
This leaves me with a lot of questions. I hope it also leaves you with a lot of questions, but I'm glad to hear that an audit of Cory Hills Granite Links Golf Course is being prop is being proposed by councilors Ryan Mahoney and Riley tonight.
And I hope all of our city councilors will vote yes on getting some clear answers on what exactly the people of Quinsey are and are not getting out of this unique partnership where all of us pay their Quinsey water, all of us who pay a Quinsey water bill are subsidizing a multi-million dollar golf course.
Thank you for your time. Thank you. Next up is Bill Zanzo. Good evening, councilors. Um, as last week's administration representatives failed to provide you with projections on how they plan to fund the FY27 budget, much less going forward, please consider my projections for 27 and 28.
Given a conservatively projected 1 and a.5% spending increase for 27 and assuming level spending in total in 2028, my proform indicates a 16% property tax increase over the next two years. The need to take down all the current $24 million in unpaid levy capacity and also the needed availability of $9 million in reserves.
Further note that there is some flexibility as the allocation of the projected tax increase over the next two years. And as for a dollar amount figure on a bit over $1,300 property tax increase on the median assessed value of a residence in Quinsey over the next two years.
The reason for such a considerable tax increase going forward in spite of but minimal projected spending increases is carried the need to replace fund the allocation of over $34 million in one-time only use of reserves to fund the current fiscal year.
At the same time there is more than $9 million. If there is more than $9 million of ex available revenue reserves to tap figure on a.32% and $25re decrease in tax bills for each million in additional reserves tapped.
However, it is reasonable to suspect the $9 million in available reserves could well be an optimistic projection given last week's assembling by administration officials. Next up, the mayor's chief of staff described untapped property tax levy as a reserve as a misnomer.
Reality, untapped levy is actually the ability to tax more than the usual prop 2 and a half limit given taxing less than previous years. Further problematic, the reason Quinsey has 24 million in untapped levy is the administration has failed to duly fund $57 million in standard and obligated reserves.
In other words, the administration has been eating seed corn and so compounding the city's financial problems. For example, how the city opted to fend a mere 2.3 million dollar buy of emergency gear for local firefighters via costly bond funding.
Next up, the mayor's chief of staff also asserted that the $475 million in pension obligation bond is not debt. So what for the fact that the debt service expense on the 475 million is yet again accounted for as debt in the proposed budget.
Further, even if the pension bond were to be curiously excluded as a debt obligation, Quinsey so revised debt load would be over a million three billion three with local taxpayers still facing the highest debt load in the Commonwealth.
In closing, I thus wish you all good luck dealing with a mess not of your doing. Thank you for your time. Thank you. Next up, we have Taylor Campbell. Hi. Uh my name is Taylor Campbell. I live at 133 Willow Street and I'm here to talk about the um proposed uh plans or the the discussions that have been going on around uh Eastern Nazarine campus.
Uh I understand there's been a lot of um uh comments about uh density and traffic and parking and I want to share my experience living across the street from a highdensity development with uh parking ratio of about 30% um per resident and that development is Eastern Nazarine.
It is in fact a fairly high density plot of land uh there uh while there were students there. Uh there are about 700 students at uh at Eastern Nazarine in a uh living in a land of about 7 acres. If you do the math, that's about 60,000 people per square mile if you were to expand it out.
That's higher density than Paris. That's um that's almost the density of Manhattan, which is interesting because if you go there, you don't you might not think of it as a highdensity place. Even while school was in session, it looks like a you know, nice lush greenery and a few sparse buildings.
And of course, it's not a an entirely fair comparison to put just residences in in the scale of of Paris because you also need other amenities in a city. You need places to eat like a dining hall as Eastern Nazarine had.
You need administration buildings. You need other things which Eastern Nazarine had. Um and and in spite of this, they only had about I I counted on the the zoning map. It's a little hard to tell exactly, but around uh 150 or so parking spaces for uh maybe 15200 or so parking spaces in a land where 700 people lived.
Now, my understanding is that the school actually prohibited uh the residents from owning cars at all. Uh and and and as a result, uh there was there was very little traffic that came in uh by use of use of the students.
Uh in contrast, if you go into North Quinsey at the uh the um uh M North Quinsey parking parking lot, North Quincy uh uh T station development of the Abbey, there's about 600 units there and 1,600 parking spaces and the landscape is a desolate concrete, you know, concrete jungle.
It's a terrible place to be. I wouldn't want to hang out in in that in that parking garage, uh sit down and read a book the way I would want to do that at Eastern Nazarine. Um so I think uh uh in order to um uh avoid concerns with traffic uh with uh creating a demand for new parking spaces ever rails in Quinsey um it's it it is important for uh any future development to preserve the character of the neighborhood of the highdensity neighborhood with very low parking per resident um and uh make sure that there's there's space for a lot of people to live uh and create a market for commercial properties.
properties perhaps in mixeduse development uh so that we can have say a grocery store there the residents can walk to. I'd love to walk walk across the street to a grocery store. That'd be great. Um thank you.
Thank you. Next up we have Jennifer O'Brien. Hi, good evening. I'm Jennifer O'Brien. I live at 9 Samet A in Quinsey. I'm also one of the owners of Two Trunks Permanent Jewelry and Boutique. Um, I was at home watching, but because our store name got brought up several times, I felt the need to come in and speak.
Um, first of all, Council Mahoney, I want to thank you for reading our mission statement and what our business stands for word for word off of our website. Um, we support small businesses and we support local.
That's important to us. My sister and I who own the business are both um, Quinsey residents born and raised. Um, we do share the space with Compass Beauty. Um, our hours vary depending upon because we all have other jobs.
We leased the property. We did approach the city. We leased it as is. As spoken about before, it was in disarray. It was a public health hazard and it was disgusting. We, the four of us, put a lot of armwork into it and grease and money and we flipped it for some of you that did tour the building to what you see today.
Um that was important to us to make it welcoming to others me the Quinsey residents and the visitors to the city. Regarding the popups, we have managed over 30 small business popups in our shop. That was not mentioned earlier.
That is 30 small businesses that do not have storefronts that have come into our shop. We do charge a small fee. It is not a lease. It is not going towards rent. We do public advertising on all our social media.
We man the shelves ourselves. Those people do not have to come in and work. We sell their products. So, we're being paid for that time. We're using our own bags and anything to package their product. And that's where that small fee goes.
So, it was stated as if we're taking money, we're paying lease, and we're making money off of this. We're not, but we do have to be compensated in some way when we have businesses come in for two weeks to a month and we're the ones running the shop in setting everything up for them.
Um, with regards to not just that, but we also have had over 12 nonprofits and foundations in our storefront. We're very big on um not only small businesses, but supporting causes. We've had a lot of different causes set up in our shop and sell their products.
We do not charge them. We do not take a fee. 100% of the money we collect off of what we sell for them goes towards their nonprofit and their organization. So again, we've opened the space up. We're doing the best we can with it.
We can't thank the city enough for the opportunity and the feedback from the residents has been nothing but positive because they have somewhere to come. They take classes. We do candle making, wreath making.
Um we had macaroon class the other day and these are the things that people in the city are loving. They're loving to come in somewhere. So we're working hard managing that schedule between just the four of us.
Thank you. Thank you. Stuart Row. Stuart Row is next. Uh, good evening, council. Um, Steuart Row, 53 Woodbine Street, Apartment 20 in Wallist. Um, I wanted to thank the members of the city and their adviserss for taking the time to present at last week's meeting, and I'm looking forward to tonight's presentations.
Last week, the city's bond council uh in a discussion about what the city does with additional incremental tax revenue from the diff uh the district improvement financing uh district said it's not been set aside per se.
There's not a syncing fund or anything. There can be funds like that set up when you do a diff financing. Most communities haven't done that. In fact, I know of only one that has done that and I've worked on probably a dozen.
Later in the meeting, um I believe it was the director of municipal finance clarified there was a time when the diff revenue was coming in and going into the diff scing fund. I believe it was up until like 2022, but at some point, you know, the city decided that those revenues were going to come in and go through the general fund.
And according to our bond council, we're doing it the exact, you know, perfect way according to the way the law is written. We don't have to exclude and have the diff scing fund. we can have those revenues come right into the general fund.
Though the bond council um this is you know though the bond council cited that the city's current practice of diff revenue flowing directly to the general fund aligns with other communities he has worked with.
I want to request that the council request from the bond council. The council request from the bond council um and department of m municipal finance request uh clarification of which specific statute permits flow flow of diff revenues directly to the general fund before servicing diff debt via the syncing fund as required in mass general law 4Q and Quinsey's own development and invested revenue plan.
Thank you. Thank you. James Dunn is up next. Good evening. James Dunn, 167 Babcock Street, Quinsey. I hear a lot of the comments this evening, the young girl about Quarry Hills water and everything. I would guarantee that abatement is because of the sewage charge.
Everybody knows you pay three times as much for sewer as water. And if they're water and grass wouldn't be going in the sewer. Everything everybody talks about is negative. Why can't we change the position here?
Let's face it, Quinsey is an expensive city to live in. It's a beautiful city and I choose to live here. I've lived here my whole life. My business is here. My son's business is here. I have thanked the mayor many times for my family's prosperity because of his outlook on the city of Quinsey.
We hear inside developers, inside deals with Eastern Nazarene College. We're already calling it a a crime before it even happens. Okay, let's Why can't we change the atmosphere and let's be joyous? Okay, let's see what comes of it.
Let's talk about, you know, maybe firsttime home buyers program for young families in Quinsey for it. Let's let's put some thought into that instead of thinking about, oh, this is going to be an inside deal.
The connected people are going to get it. Well, those people that you think are connected are why we have a beautiful downtown and a beautiful city of Quinsey. Okay. Yes, I'd like to see the costs go down, but it's also the infrastructure that's done in this city of Quinzy.
Stuff people don't see underground. I know cuz I do the work. Not in this city. Okay, this my daughter's moving out of Abington. She can't even use the water to cook food with how I'm working down in the old Paragon Park.
The water comes out of the 10-in pipe brown. You'd think you've struck struck something. We live in a beautiful city. Let's give credit where credit's due. And that's all I have to say. Thank you for your time.
So, we have Leah Dloria next. Hello. Um, I'm Leah Del Gloria and I live in Weimoth, Massachusetts. So, as I watch these council meetings, there seems to be a similar move where we or you people on the council like to look at what other towns and cities are doing.
And so, I'd like to do a comparison. Um, do you realize that you're almost 40% higher paid than the average city council members in the state of Massachusetts? So, you are potentially 40% overpaid compared to almost every other town in this state.
You are at the top of the list for part-time officials. But I don't ever hear anybody mention that comparison at all. Um, what's really offputting is the moral outrage you used to get those seats. You terrorize the previous city council.
You use the media. You stage protests to single-handedly run two counselors out of office with constant emails and borderline harassment. All under the guise of civic engagement. You called them lame ducks.
You told the public the raises were betrayal. you were you single-handedly are responsible for people stepping down because you wouldn't stop hounding them, but suddenly you got into those seats and the betrayal is looking like a fair wage for all your hard work and it's complete and utter nonsense.
As I look around this room tonight, the irony is deafening. I I can identify at least 15 people in the audience right now who are out on the street corner right outside Hancock Commons holding signs and screaming about the raise and now nothing.
It's like a silent agreement that you have because your voters, the taxpayers that you think support you have stopped screaming and you think the rest of the city doesn't notice, but you're only listening to the people who you think got you into office.
They're the ones who are telling you that you're so hardworking that you deserve the raise and it was all about profit pro uh process. And I'm here to tell you that you are delusional if you think the city of Quinsey doesn't see the hypocrisy of pocketing a 50% raise while you're trying to talk about the budget and cut police and fire overtime or the whole time that you were haggling over the bond or any time that you talk about fiscal responsibility.
So you sit there and I hear all these comments about you think that you're more deserving because I don't know sometimes the media are long the the the meetings are longer. I don't believe and I think there's a lot of people who would agree with me that you haven't earned an almost 40% markup over the rest of the state just by dragging out meetings for four hours.
A 4-hour meeting isn't a sign of hard work. It's a sign that you don't know what you're doing. So if you even have a fraction of the integrity you talked about on the campaign trails. So at this point is there anybody else that would like to speak for open forum?
Come on up. There's anybody else other than this person if you want to line up because we have a lot to work to get to tonight. Hello. Hi. My name is Sudari. I live at 922C Street and um I don't have anything prepared.
I just want to speak generally about the budget and about my experiences in Quinsey as someone who moved here in 1999 and um you know when I hear people say I was born and raised here like that's a very exclusive phrase and I hear that a lot in this space and you know oh um so people who've moved here more recently don't count right so what I'm I'm kind of here to say is I'm glad we're looking at the bud budget and that um this city council is actually looking at the budget for everyone in the city and thinking about um the fact that so when I moved here um I'm just kind of rambling now but I I I really want to make these points.
When I moved here in 1999 it was because I it was affordable. I was a teacher. I had no money. My brother lived here. I wanted to be kind of near family but I've seen like we're building building and who can really live here.
It's a churn, right? So you're going to get people to move in and out. It's not a community. It's not a way to build a community. I don't trust this mayor. I'm sorry. I'm going to be honest to to do the right thing with um you know with this college buy.
So I lived in Wallist and it was walkable. I'm here in the people who live in Wallist. That's where I first lived when I moved here was in Wallist and um it was walkable and yeah you could you could re-energize it in lots of different ways but again the developers come in, they don't bring in any affordable housing.
They're making it really hard for people to live here to for people to stay here. Um, and so I I I ask that you do look at all the budget items, especially the um ENC purchase with the idea, is this going to help our community or is it going to just create more density that the city really can't handle?
And when people say like, you know, about the city, the old city, the real people from the city are Native American. Unfortunately, this has been taken over by colonialists and people can laugh and I hear that behind me.
And I do want to say this to the president of the firefighters union. I'm a unionist. That's how I got became an activist. And if my president was saying that everyone wanted a saint on the building, I would be beside myself.
I would be like, why the hell is the president of my union doing that? And they're not saying that to you. And the fact that you have the ne the mayor's nephew on top of it, that's what we need to stop.
And that's why I appreciate the city council because it's about the whole city, not this. Oh, and the last thing is the mayor actually had people screw a sign to my fence one time because I had asked them to take the sign out of my lawn because I was I didn't like something.
He called me up. I said, "Oh, yeah, you can put it back." You know what? They came back and they actually screwed it to my fence. And that's the feeling I get from that kind of like, "Oh, we were born and raised here.
We love the mayor." So, that's my little rant. I'm going to stop now. Thank you. Thanks. Welcome. Good evening, Madame President. Uh my name is Kylie from 42 President's A. Um I've lived there for 20 something years.
Um also not born and raised there, but my kids are. Um uh I've been at a lot of the school committee meetings. Uh my kids take advantage of a lot of the programs, the arts, the wreck program. Um, so I want to let you guys know from a parents point of view some of the things that I like and would like to see continued uh being funded.
So the school programs, the summer program, the parks and wreck. Um, one of the things that recently opened up was Bradford Park that was part of the summer program and uh there's a gaga ball kit uh pit.
Uh my kids and their cousins, my nephews, niece, they love going to it. Um and then sense of uh community, I'm on also on the PTO and we helped Brian up the Southwest Middle School last week over the weekend and then also part of youth group.
It's so um counselor Jacobs was there too. We went to uh Bethany um helped spruce that area up and we're looking to work with other areas to do so as well. Um thank you. You're welcome. Does anybody else want to come up?
Hi, city council. My name is Jeff Sullivan. I live at one chestnut place up the square. I was born and raised there. I I say that with with a a full heart and I also say it as everyone that says they were born and raised here because at 54 years of age, we know what Quinsey was before you showed up.
Quincy was a dump. We had a $50 million dump up the street called Quincy City Hospital. By the way, I was raised I was born there. Now, we look around and we see a beautiful city that we're proud of. I'll share a quick story.
I lived in New York City for a long time. I met someone out. They said, "How do you get here in this beautiful apartment from Quinzy?" I said, "Excuse me? What do you mean? How did I get here?" She goes, "You're from Quinsey." I said, "Oh, God, that's right.
You're from Welssley." She couldn't understand how a kid from Quinsey had a nice apartment. kid that was born and raised here. Now we have a beautiful city that we look around and see all the beautiful progress that's happening.
And as Mr. Dunn said earlier, let's get along. Let's talk about the positives. This is a great city. We're moving in the right direction. And I know you all were voted in to continue to move it in the right direction.
Thank you so much. Anybody else for open forum? Any takers? All right. So, we're going to close open forum now. So, we're going to move on. We're going to do the general form. We're not calling. Okay.
So, we're going to move on to Can you read the Thanks. Number two, 2026 073 an appropriation fiscal 2027 general fund budget. Mayor Coke, thanks. Good evening, uh, Madame President, members of Quincy City Council.
It's an honor to be here to present the annual budget, our fiscal 2027 proposed budget. Go through a few slides here uh which is also I think helpful to the public as we go through this process. Before I get into the numbers, uh I'd like to to just take a moment and thank um the city department, the department managers, our city employees uh in all the departments, the great work they do each and every day providing the best of services in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Also want to give a shout out and thank my chief of staff, Chris Walker, Paul Debra, director of municipal finance, and Michael Roland from municipal finance for the work they did on putting the document you have before you together.
I also want to thank uh almost 200 members of the boards and commissions that serve in a volunteer basis uh in so many different capacities. I'm grateful for their work and they do it because they love the city.
So tonight before you we have a budget number of $491,849,75. It's a 2.9% increase in 2026. In addition, attached to the packet is the water budget of 27.6 million and the sewer budget at 31.7 million.
Uh as we know um those revenues come from direct users uh and pay for those uh department costs uh to run them. So, as you know, we're part of the MW district, uh, but we run the local, uh, system itself.
So, I know that's in the packet a little bit later. Um, talking about tonight is really a strength through stability, if you will. Um, I've seen, uh, a number of cycles over the years. I've been in a few years.
Uh, we've been through difficult times. We've been through challenges. And, uh, we continue to make what I think are smart decisions for the good of the city long term. This budget includes the negotiated salary increases for all our employees.
It adds 2 million to the reserve funds. It includes the fixed cost increases for areas like health insurance, debt service, contracted services like trash, recycling, energy costs, and fleet fuel. Next up, uh the largest budget within a city budget of course is our investment in education, the Quindy public schools budget, which you see here, 148, million419432.
Uh that's not inclusive of all the money that comes in to the school department. There are uh federal dollars and grant programs go directly to the schools that would add probably 7.5 million more uh to that number.
Uh it's a pretty good increase. I said oftentimes after public safety, there's nothing more important we do than educating our children. And I think this city does a great job at that. I'm grateful. I don't know if any of my colleagues of the school committee here, the superintendent's leadership team, administration, t uh teachers and staff do outstanding work.
I want to thank our state legislators. Our chapter 70 money, which goes directly to the uh schools, education is up about $2 million. unrestricted aid is is about level. Go to the next slide. Uh next item is public safety which obviously is inclusive of our police and fire departments.
This represents a 4 and a half uh% increase over the 26 level. You know, um I I would put our departments I'd put any of our departments up against any across the Commonwealth. We have the most manpower, men and women, police and fire since before Prop 2 and a half.
It's um it's great to see when you drive by a station the shiny engine sitting in the bay, but if you don't have the appropriate manpower, that's not what what good is it? You know, we used to have more two, three, four alarm fires, and that was just to get more manpower uh to the site.
Uh the last couple of years um the multi- alarm fires are minimal if any because we have the appropriate manpower on the equipment which is good for the residents because they're responding to people in need emergency also good for the department because guys aren't overextending in creating injuries for themselves.
Um we as you know we have eight stations that serve the city and we uh we have less than I think a response time is about less than four minutes in most cases. There's always exceptions, but both police and fire um is in pretty amazing.
Um we're joined, as you know, by Brewster Ambulance with the ambulance service. Uh they do an outstanding job with our departments. Uh as you know, the public safety headquarters has opened. We're waiting for the uh old building to be completely mitigated from the hazardous materials and then we'll see uh that building come down the area landscape and we'll probably have a nice public celebration uh and and certainly let the public take tours of that investment.
I'd also suggest because of the manpower, our safety rating uh is one of the best and uh people pay less insurance because of the manpower we have for fire insurance. So that is a good stat to have. I'd also suggest uh that you know I always brag and I'm I get around the state a little bit being on the MBTA board, the Masto board uh and people are commenting frequently about Quinsey and what's going on here.
Um and we have uh truly the most professional people which results in low safe low crime rate. uh and want to put myself up against any city in Massachusetts and this department. If a crime happens, you're going to get caught in Quinsey.
So, I give great credit to the men and women of our Quincsey Police Department, the job they do. Um and that's one of the most important issues I think anyone looks at when moving to a community. How safe is it?
How are the schools? How are the open spaces? And uh I think we stand high and tall in all of those areas. Uh we provide services that uh many communities do not. Um sure we can we can discuss uh comparisons on taxes, we can compare on excess levy capacity, we can compare on debt.
uh but day-to-day services and what we're doing for the city going forward preparing it for the next 50 to 100 years uh I don't think anybody has kept up with Quinsey because of the uh infrastructure slide this includes several departments um and I know that um I've talked about it before but when you come when it comes to infrastructure uh there's a lot of pipes under the ground infrastructure is not a sexy topic but it has to be done we have spent spent uh millions over the years replacing water lines, sewer lines, working with National Grid on replacing gas lines, fixing drain lines.
Uh it's an old city with old infrastructure. We just can't keep kicking it down the road. So, we've been very aggressive over the last several years. And people don't think about that until the toilet doesn't flush or the water doesn't come on and then it's too late.
Um so, I'm proud of the work that uh each of our departments do. Uh public works literally maintains hundreds of miles of road, sidewalks, and all kinds of pipes. As I described, um they do outstanding work keeping the city clean.
A public buildings department has more than 80 buildings that they maintain. Um I don't know if any of you were around a few years back when we created that public buildings department. Not much was getting done to buildings prior to that.
It was literally uh uh bailing wire and and tape on things. We now now have an incredible professional department with the right trades people that can keep up and maintain uh those assets because those are public assets.
And just as we look at what a debt service is outside investors look at how we're maintaining those public assets. uh natural resources department. Uh they maintain, as you know, hundreds of acres of land, uh marshland, parks, open spaces, um ponds.
Uh they do outstanding work maintaining the city's tree inventory. Um the recreation division provides some of the best services for rec free recreation for our citizens, whether it's at the playgrounds or whether it's at the gyms after school.
Do outstanding work. Many communities don't have that. Um traffic, parking, and lighting. They maintain 7,800 street lights, uh 200 miles of fiber, traffic lights, street signs everywhere. Uh they do an outstanding job.
We can go to the next one. We'll go to the human services and cultural side slide. These are departments that duh directly deal with folks. Um, you know, we we come here with a budget that includes several departments and we look at the big picture and we fund the big picture.
Uh, there are many people that uh are loyal to the libraries. Maybe that's the only city service they use. Perhaps it's veteran services uh that somebody uses and you know don't necessarily have kids in the schools and all.
Um, but every department in the city has a mission and each of these departments do an outstanding job at their mission. Our library system, for example, um has almost 400,000 visits annually. Um I mentioned the recreation department.
The health department does pretty amazing work uh in many areas keeping the city healthy, including rent, rodent control, restaurant inspections, making sure everything is clean um and people are safe from food, etc.
Veteran services. I think about 1500 veterans depend on our veterans department helping them with their services. And by the way, uh, as you probably are aware, for every dollar we spend on a veteran, we get 75 cents back from the call at the Massachusetts.
Uh, Council on Aging has tens of thousands of visits at the Kennedy Center and another tens of thousands that take advantage of the VAN program getting to medical services uh, in hospitals. So these departments are do great work and and truly are essential.
Our next slide is managing our debt portfolio. Uh this budget has a $5.5 million increase for our debt. Uh substantial increase in the debt. Fiscal 26 was the big jump in the pension obligation bond which now will be leveled going forward to 2040.
I know that uh this has been a touchy subject with some folks um and a lot of people have weighed in. I just want to emphasize and I know this is all going into committee and there'll be robust discussions on all of these things.
But pension obligation bond, note the word obligation. And if you look at the graph on the next page, if we didn't do the pension obligation bond, we'd be making a lot tougher decisions every year what not to fund in order to fund the unfunded liability that we had uh with our pension system.
It was 43% funded when we took advantage of the pension obligation bond and we did this at historic low rates of 2.6%. it uh it received a high praise from a lot of financial experts across the country.
So I we put what was an unfunded liability here and moved it to the debt side. In doing so, we're going to say between 100 and 180 million during that time frame. I still stand by it. It was a great decision.
We solidified the pension system which the city is obligated to do under state law. We can't walk from this. Uh so it's a very important note. I know there's been discussions about the diff district improvement financing.
Uh had we not done that, we wouldn't see the improvements in the downtown. Uh we've we've I I think we've done a masterful job using the diff model uh investing hundreds of millions and the private sector match in that in hundreds of millions providing jobs providing much neededed housing uh for this region uh providing jobs in the construction business and beyond.
Um, so I I think it's always um fair to say that you got three different pieces here. The regular debt, which is the schools, uh, and other projects like Seaw Walls, and then the DIFF, which is the downtown, and then the pension obligation.
But I think it's important we break those down and remind folks, uh, what each of them are for. Um so I look forward uh to our department heads and managers coming before you uh to discuss these in in further detail.
But that that slide really emphasizes that uh the spread that would uh we would needed to come up with uh a lot more dollars each and every year which would have resulted in cuts in a lot of our department.
So I think it was a brilliant move uh if I do say so myself. The next slide talks about our revenues. Um I know maybe some folks may be tuning in for the first time. I know this body knows what uh what receipts are.
Um we break it down into tax levy, property taxes, state aid, and then local receipts. Those are the three major revenue categories. Um you know, obviously every year every city and town goes up on their taxes to fund their budgets.
That's how it's built in Massachusetts. The state then provides state aid, local aid we call it uh in fashion. This year, as I mentioned, it's up in the chapter 70 line. Uh it's pretty level on the un unrestricted line.
Local receipts are all those other items. Um uh when they call marry somebody and uh marriage certificates, birth certificates, building permit fees, all those other fees that come in through departments that go into the general fund are called local receipts.
Um, so those are the three major categories we depend on. And I do want to thank our state legislature for advocating for us on the local aid side. If you look at the the local aid over the years, whether it's chapter 90, whether it's chapter 70, whether it's unrestricted, it really hasn't kept up with inflation.
So, I'm certainly hopeful that we can look at um some of these formulas and make some changes that may benefit the city a little bit uh healthier. Um so those are the categories. So chapter 90 as you know is is for roads.
Uh that comes in not through the budget but through a separate line item by the legislature. Uh and as you know we've been undergoing under the the wise department of public works commissioner a lot of road work in conjunction with the pipe work.
So we're we're grateful for that. Um that concludes my remarks on the on the budget itself. Let me just let me just say this that the people of this city have high expect high expectations of what we do.
Whether it's rubbish collection, whether it's snow, whether it's our schools, whether it's 911, whether it's our libraries, whatever department you pick, there's high expectations and I think we meet those expectations because I think we have a shared value on what government is supposed to do.
Uh in addition to all the work we do as a municipality, we're blessed to have some incredible incredible nonprofits that work with us uh to help uh help the needs of many of our residents that know not government not necessarily can help them, but uh we work with those depart those nonprofits.
Uh in some cases they receive community development block grant money uh and we help them along the way. and whether it's the food pantries or or other areas. Uh I just want to give them a shout out. They do great work for us on a daily basis.
Um so with that uh madam president that completes my my presentation on the budget. I know that uh under the finance year there'll be several meetings held in the coming weeks uh where department heads will be up here to answer any questions and probably expand on what they do in more detail.
Uh but that's the general overview uh regarding our municipal budget for 2027. Thank you very much, Mayor. Does anybody So at this point, I'd like to open it up to see if any of the counselors have any questions before we move it into committee.
Any questions? Council Deona. Thank you, Madam President. Just have a comment as well as a question. Um, mayor, good to see you tonight. Thank you for your presentation. I'm consecutively now with you 11 straight years in the budget, two on the school committee and 14 and 15.
So, 13 straight years here. Um, I think about the vision of Quinsey and where we've come from over the years. Uh, the Hancock Adams Common right out here where you had the vision and sold it to the city council and we have what we have today.
It's beautiful out there. And I remember you coming to us councilors back then, the the Joe Fins, the Brian Palucci, the Chuck Failins, um that are no longer here. We have a totally different council.
Um just thinking back of the TPAL, the traffic park and alarm and lighting division. Um that new department, the natural resources, which you went back to, which is a great model. Uh the grant writing, some of these things we we didn't have at one point.
We didn't have the tree warden. um you've really helped us um counselors over the years by your departments helping us attack and and really be do good constituency work. I want to thank you for that.
Um just looking back on COVID time 2020 2021 coming out of those times 115 111 ines in 2015 with the snow removal which you had a little taste of this year just looking at chapter 70 and chapter 90. Um how are we looking in position to or federally um how does it impact Quinzy with some of the stuff not keeping up with what you said with the uh inflationary times?
Um, how do we sustain that as a city? Well, those are the decisions we have to make uh together. Uh, Title One, for example, is is federal money to the schools. I know we're going to be getting cut about 380,000 in that program.
Um, you know, if the income tax question passes, if rent control passes, that's going to have an impact on the values and cities and towns. It's going to put more pressure on municipalities. Uh I've certainly observed across the Commonwealth.
You go back 20 years, most cities and towns were doing overrides for projects, for schools, for special projects. Now they're doing them for operations, just operate to keep the budget going with overrides.
So I I do think that's a discussion uh that we have to have in in Massachusetts going forward. uh how we best continue to serve the people in our cities and towns with the best of services recognizing some of the challenges on the revenue side.
I was driving over here tonight from a baseball game and Bishop Field. Um I coached Babe Ruth and I was over there and I remember as a kid when I was growing up talking some people coming up here talking about Bishop Field and I played on that field when I was a kid.
Um but the tennis courts are all done over. They're revitalized. There was two batting cages that we were able to hit in before the game. We didn't have that when I was a kid. The playground adjacent to it was not price spiced up like it is today.
We I saw a lot of people today. It was a beautiful day out. They were walking. They were saying hi. Um we got to keep the positive thing going here in the Quinsey. And as for the city council and the mayor, we have to work collaboratively to get things done.
So I want to thank you for coming in tonight. Thank you, Madam Chair. Madam President, thank you. Um, does anybody have a motion? Oh, council, you're on. Do you have a motion? No. Through you, Madame President.
I I I have a question to uh Mr. Mayor. So, this afternoon, this afternoon, I went to city hall. I basically just want to get one number. I I want to ask what's the certified revenue of fiscal year 2025 of DEF.
So I went to first I went to assessor department and he hasn't that number and he pointed me to the finance department then I went to finance department the finance director also doesn't have this number but my question is the diff stat to requires a new certification of the incremental assessed value of the assessing authority by the assessing authority then finance applies the tax rate to derive that revenue.
So fiscal year 2025 ended the June 30th last year. We are now discussing fiscal year 2027 budget. How do we not have the fiscal year 2025 def revenue and which department is responsible for producing that number?
And if the city council can't obtain basic financial information like this, meaningful financial oversight is impossible. So I would like to ask which department is responsible for producing that number the revenue um certified the revenue of a fiscal year 2025 in def which department can finance department should be able to pro provide that to you.
finance department. Municipal finance department. Yes. Today, this afternoon, I went to finance department and he he doesn't well he might not have it in his fingertips. I might have to do a little little research on it.
He pointed me to assessor department. I said I just came from assessor department because he's assessor tell me to go to finance department. So I went to finance department and he said you should go to assessor department.
Then and and I asked the bound specialist Rick Rick what's what's his name? recosure and he doesn't know know that and then chief of staff Chris worker worked in I asked him he didn't also didn't give me this answer I just asked this simple number 2025 physical year 2025 certified revenue inde which department can give you I'm sure we can get that to you okay thank you municipal finance state department should be able to get that pull that together the assessor department is involved in the process, but municipal finance should be able to get that number to you.
Okay. Thank you, Council Riley. Yes. I'd like Thank you. I'd like to make a motion that we um accept this and move it into finance committee for further discussion. Do we have a second? Second by council Ash.
I do want to actually add um President, you question. Okay. I'm gonna let you go first then, Council McGee, and then I have a question. Okay. Mayor Cook, while we have you here, um I know that the you know, sometimes there's uh pros and cons and risks and benefits to to everything.
Um with the pension obligation bond, you know, there's it's you know, there's the the the graph that you pointed to, we might have been spending much more. Um so anyway, my point is um sometimes you have to spend a little money and then it might work out better in the long run.
One of the things that people have been raising to me um that I think makes sense is to have a city audit of so that it might cost you know some money to do but as we've seen from last week a lot of these things are very complicated and it's hard to get answers on them.
Where would you stand on getting a city audit? Either through the uh state auditor's office or through a separate firm? We're required by law to do a city audit every year and we do that. Uh and I think we share those results with the body uh including the auditor.
Um so I'm not clear on your question. I guess a a kind of a more indepth audit of everything that's going on and how the processes of various uh departments if if you want to get specific we'll we can get more specific uh but um you know we have an audit every year every city and town does that um and I know you mentioned the the pros and cons and people can differ on opinion The pension obligation bond idea actually came from this body a number of years ago.
It was actually city councelor John Keenan that pushed the passage of getting the authorization ready because he felt at that time and him and I don't agree on a lot but he felt at that time at some point if the interest rates are right it might make sense to do it.
Um so of course we we followed through on that was a lot of work with a lot of outside advisors as long as as well as internal our auditors everybody was involved in looking at all of that uh that piece and again uh we'd be dealing with much higher numbers in this budget um to deal with the pensions if we didn't do that.
Uh we do an audit every year. I'm not really clear beyond what the audit is. I know that um Quarry Hills is a separate item and I'll commit tonight that we'll have an audit done in Quarry Hills uh for sure.
A separate item. It doesn't get the detail in the regular city audit. Uh so we can we can have an audit on that. That's not an issue. But we do a city audit every year. I'm not really clear. Sure. What you're looking for.
I guess I'm thinking as I am starting to look into things, there may be like um questions about procurement or um purchasing or something like that or just accounting that we're having with um you know, elder services that might be helpful to have more oversight on and more clarity into.
Um so anyway, we can talk about that individually uh later. I know that some work has been done. We've heard about that, but we haven't yet seen some of that. But anyway, I'm glad that you're open to it and it makes me really happy to hear about um Corey Hills.
Thank you. Yes. I I you know, I hear the word transparency thrown around all the time. Our books are open. We come to this body every year for budget. We have public hearings. We have a complete audit.
The state has to certify our tax rate. They look at all our numbers in all the various areas as well. So, uh, if there's certain things you're looking for, we will certainly provide the information to each and every one of you, uh, as as needed.
Absolutely. Okay. Anybody else? So, I do have a quick question. So, and it does it and it I did go to So, I I asked after our presentation last week, I was hoping for five-year projections and just a little bit more information that we didn't get.
And with the diff, I was asking specifically, I reached out to the CFO, Paul de Laara, and asked for the schedule on the individual notes that make up the 14 million that was in the budget last year, as well as the um fiscal year 23, 24, 25, and all receipts to date in fiscal year 2026.
And what I received back, and I was basically saying if I could have it before this meeting tonight, and what I received back was that from the um CFO, I can certainly send you a schedule of the individual notes that make up the $14 million by Monday morning, which I didn't get.
As far as the diff, John Roland, the assessor, is out of the office having knee surgery. I sent him your request. He'll circle back. My confusion with this is that the chief financial officer should be able to provide that to me, especially the certified.
And yes, both the assessor and the chief financial officer play a part in uploading our final numbers at the end of the year um for our taxes, but this is certified information that we should easily be able to have access to and it would be the tax collector that would work with the assessor to make sure that we're billing out those diff um incremental taxes that we're looking for.
So, if we could get that, I think that would probably clear up counselor UN's question there. And I think it's it's just a matter of just sharing it with everybody. But the other thing that I would ask just because in the on the the fact that we're going to be going into this the I was unaware and I should have probably been because it sounds like it was in 2022 that we're no longer using a scing fund for the diff and it's being gen all of the um money is going into the general fund.
So, I would really like to see the bond authorization for those diffs, the specific expenditures in each of those diffs broken out for everybody for this finance committee, as well as any revenues um realized from any of the seals of bonds that would go to pay off the diff for the pond premiums and then again the incremental taxes from the diff.
I figured I would just ask it here tonight, Mr. Mr. Mayor, because we're having this conversation. I think it will help many of the people and maybe clear up some of the questions that we have, but I'm certainly happy to reach out to Paul tomorrow.
So the the money comes in and uh and the money goes out. Yep. There's there's different ways that we can book it. Um you know in some ways you can completely separate the diff some and and others you can just write it through the general fund but it is tracked.
Yeah. No, that's what I was asking for and and specifically I was asking specifically from the diff and I was asking it to the chief financial officer and I wasn't just asking for fiscal year 26 which we we should at this point have build out Q4 at this point of of the fiscal year for the taxes but I was looking for the fiscal year 20 22 23 24 25 and then fiscal year 26 so that we can take a look at and then also the short-term notes and how that expenditure because when you make that that debt up you're probably applying it to your bonds to make sure we understood that because it was a question I asked as well last week for the $14 million and they basically said it was made up of the $58 million that you just took out this year which was probably made up of the short-term notes that were taken out last year.
Just again just looking for that information so we can tie tick and tie back together. Yeah, I I think during the finance committee meetings I'm sure we can get into those details. I just figured we just ask ask tonight and I appreciate the presentation.
I appreciate all your department heads being here this evening and I know that we will work our way through the budget. I don't think anybody has cut anything yet, but I do appreciate the passion that people bring up telling us what we're doing and we haven't done anything yet.
So, we have a motion on the floor from councelor Riley, seconded by councelor Ash. All those in favor to move us into finance. All those in favor? I. Any of those against? Yep. So, this successfully moves into the finance committee.
And I thank you again, Mayor Cook, for coming. It was a pleasure to see you. I think I'm here for the next item. Yep. Next is number three, 2026 074 an appropriation fiscal 2027 sewer enterprise budget.
Yes. I'd like to make a motion accept it and move it into finance committee, please. Motion made by councelor Riley, seconded by councelor Deona. All those in favor? I. Any any against? Again, thank you very much, Mr.
Mayor. Okay, moving on to the next one. Next is number four, 2026 075, an appropriation fiscal 2027 water enterprise budget. Motion to approve and move into finance committee, please. Seconded by motion made by councelor Riley, seconded by councel Jacobs.
All those in favor? Any against? Eyes have it. We'll bring that into finance. All right, moving on. Next is number five. 2026 076 order Eastern Nazarene College Land Acquisition Mayor Co. Okay. Thank you, Madam President.
Um, we've seen a lot in the news about Eastern Nazarene College over the last couple of years. U let me first say that Eastern Nazarene has been an important institution in this community for over 100 years.
uh thousands of young people were educated there. Uh a lot of people that taught there, invested there, lived in the neighborhoods, and were part of the city in many, many ways. Uh we saw it uh the sale play out with a developer who came forth with some uh pretty dense proposals for a couple of major buildings on that site.
And uh you know, we weren't too happy with that. And uh that message was delivered. Um after analyzing and looking at the property, we set up a community meeting. Many of you were there uh opened it up to the community to get their thoughts on whether we should buy it and what should we do with it.
Uh we had I think 383 people signed in and of course we had hundreds of other emails and calls and um comments uh throughout that process. And uh the only thing we've ruled out is somebody suggested a casino on the site.
So So we we're not we're not going to proceed with that. Having said that, um I give you a general overview of what I think could very well happen there. First of all, we'll we'll create our own destiny if we purchase this this site.
How often does 20 acres of land come up in a urban setting uh to be available? That's number one. Number two is what what kind of things could we do with that pro uh that property? We've got some challenges.
Uh you know, we we hear frequently about the cost of housing. Uh and um that's that is a challenge. Uh we hear about um other groups that uh the nonprofits who are challenged. Quincy After School Daycare, for example, they have hundreds of kids on a waiting list.
They serve our kids. They work in our schools. Um there's a there's a a lot of need out there in a lot of different ways. Now, as you all know, Eastern Nazarene is surrounded by uh mostly single family neighborhoods and anything we do there, we want to do it in a way that would protect the neighborhood and enhance the neighborhood, not to bring a burden uh to that area.
But let me rattle off a couple of options, couple of ideas. Um, and again, I know this is going to be going into committee and we'll have a robust discussion in detail on that. There's 14 single family homes that are owned by ACNC on the perimeter of that site.
Uh, we would be looking essentially to sell most of those, if not all of them off, which would then return uh somewhere around 7 to9 million back into the till, which then could be used against uh the purchase of the property.
We would look at probably try to do something for a first-time home buyer for Quinsey kits. Um something that we we we're not a developer coming in and knocking them down, putting town houses. We want single family homes to stay and we want those Quinzy kids to have that opportunity because we know breaking into the housing market is very very difficult.
We've also talked about perhaps at the core of the site we build 55 and over uh type housing and uh that has a couple of things. One is I've talked to a lot of seniors who they struggle to stay in their home because they're houserich uh and cash poor and they don't have the funds to maintain their properties.
So there aren't many options out there. Uh not everyone wants to go to public housing. So, uh, this would be an option for for that that group, that demographic. But I would add to that that if you had and part of the requirement I would suggest would be these would have to be Quinsey people selling their home in Quinsey to be eligible to go into this program.
And then that frees up housing stock for the younger families who we know are looking to uh purchase a home and raise their families here for all the right reasons. Um those are a couple of possibilities.
The gym and the field uh are on one side. We believe that uh Quinsey College would use the gym and use the fields with their programs. Uh and additionally perhaps the wreck programs at nights and so forth when the gym's not used, they could use it.
So, um they they would help fund uh the purchase of this property with an offset. If we if we do the um if we do the housing piece, we would use affordable housing fund and also other uh grants that are out there for affordable housing.
That would then help offset uh the cost of the project. The Cove Center, we had a lot of interest. Uh I'm sure councelor McKay you heard it. A lot of local theater groups, dance groups, cultural groups that would like to have use of that facility.
Um and of course they would pay some fees to do that. They're going to have to pay towards the rent and the carrying costs. Uh so I think that's something that is doable. Um the administration building which is connected to the Nice Library building which is the newest building on the campus.
um both pretty good shape buildings. Uh I think a number of the buildings on the campus generally are not in that great a shape. Uh but these are and and I think there's some potential great uses for those.
And I think that the if the library it's it's a very big library. The space there I don't see that continuing as just a library use. Uh perhaps a couple of flaws of that could be that after school day program or prek with our school system.
Uh we just got a 500,000 grant on the school side looking at preK. Um these are some of the challenges as a community we're facing to try to deal with and this property will give us some options to perhaps not completely solve them but certainly make a dent uh in these issues.
Um so I I think there's there's a lot of work to be done. There's no question about it. there would be uh additional engagement with the community and um you know there's there's there's there's no right or wrong here.
Uh there's just opinions on what we should do with it. Uh the other thing I will say is that a number of the acreage is in flood plane and there's areas on the site that ought to be returned to nature quite frankly uh where the tennis courts are over in the backside not far from Ebav.
uh that area could be restored into a real wetland and then help alleviate the flooding in the neighborhood. So perhaps there's some additional house lots that are created in addition to the homes that are already there for single family homes and we can uh sell those off.
Not only do we bring the money in but then they go on the tax rolls that property is not on the tax roles today uh as a educational institution. So we're at the beginning stages. the the uh the challenges with dealing with Eastern Nazarene College.
Obviously, they they want to move on. They've got debt on the property. They want to pay the debt uh and move on. Um so, we've we've been working with them and we we certainly appreciate that. So, that is the general idea of why we're in front of you.
Somebody said a long time ago, buying land, they ain't making any more of it. I think it's a great opportunity for the city. The land was uh assessed at approximately 58 million. The deal with the developer was in the $31 million range.
So, I think we're getting this property at a reasonable price uh to pursue some great program for our city. Any questions? I'd be happy to answer them. I know it'll go into committee and have a more detailed discussion.
Any questions? Council McKe. Hi, Mayor Ko. Um, just this is I don't know if this is a question for you or or um uh Chief Staff Walker, but um I'm wondering about putting this into executive session. I'm wondering about whether discussions in the council would affect the negotiation price.
What you have before you is a deal that's been made with ANC. Negotiations are done. Okay. So there should be a vote to authorize the purchase and then the appropriation to pay for that purchase. So I don't think there's a need for executive session.
Okay. Um yes, I see the letter of intent is in our packets. I hadn't seen that before. So is that also public or is that the letter of intent? Sure. That's also public. Okay. Yes. Anybody else? Council through you present council.
So I think before we talk about buying ENC let's look at the other major projects that will require boundary issues this year would one seaw wall replacement there was a community meeting on this just last Tuesday a few years ago another section of the seaw wall cost about 17 17 million with several million from the states so what's the estimated cost of this new project.
Also, um on the agenda there is a ordinance like say the school repair projects, repair roofs and windows and on the agenda if state grounds don't cover the full cost the city will have to make up the difference for these four schools how much will the city need to contribute and how big a bond is that?
So school repairs and civil replacement are far more important and urgent than UNCC. Let's understand how much bonding will be required for this project this year. Prioritize them then talk about ENC.
Also I heard the water four has has planned for the renovation of amino dea and kisa early childhood center to accommodate overflow students from other school. That's a project is about $4 million. So we should let the resident know how how many bonds are down the road waiting for us and then we should prioritize them to see if we if if we have some money we should do something most urgent then so I mean the I just want to the resident to know like and I would ask mayor how many bigger projects planned for this year that need to issue bonds and how much are those bonds?
Well, let let me say a couple of things because I I probably should have said it earlier, but we've leveraged hundreds of millions of dollars from state and federal government on a lot of projects. So, school projects that we've done, we've received tens of millions of dollars to reimburse on those on those schools.
So, um my job is to put things before you and make the case for those uh projects before you. We're an old city and we're catching up with a lot of old infrastructure and if you don't keep up with the infrastructure, you're going to pay a hell of a lot more money down the road.
We did 8,000 linear feet of seaw walls atam shore uh roughly to the rock at house neck by the willows started in Mry Mountain Arganset Road. It was a complicated project. There were a lot of community meetings and a lot of sidewalks superintendent, but we got it done.
It raised the seaw wall by two feet because that part of the city used to get inundated uh with major coastal storms. The next phase is the Manet AB piece Manet and Babcock uh going down to Brinsley. That's about half the length.
It's about 4,000 linear feet. It'll be about the same height. We already have a $3 million MIMA grant and we're fund we're looking for other funding uh grants as well. We don't have a price yet on it.
we we're going to bid it this summer, come back to this body uh and have those discussions. Yes, I fully supported for school repairs and the civil replacements. I I think that should be uh on the top of the priority list.
So I would like the resident know and what's the project down the road we should think about this year we should do if we if residents still can afford then you should do the most urgent most necessary project first like a repairing the roof of the school building and replace the seaw walls and after that if residents still can afford the issue more bonds then we talk about buying NC or build a performance center.
That's my point. I appreciate your point. I'll reiterate that what we've been doing for the last 10 years is rebuilding our city that had been let go for a long time. We're in our fifth new school. It's uh unmatched in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Um I could go on and on about all the projects we're doing. that first uh seaw wall section was very important to those neighbors. Maybe people in West Quinsey or other parts I don't care about that. But West Quinsey had major flooding in 2010.
We made major improvements to the Culvers and Furnacebrook uh that helped mitigate going forward some of those challenges. So, you know, everybody in this room might have a different opinion on each of those projects.
That's part of life and that's part of the discussion we'll have going forward. My guess is if you were here, you wouldn't have voted for half of them. Yeah, I I mean my point is I think that's on the top of the priority like repairing schools like a seaw wall placement or flooding issues.
I I'm I I want to I think I made it clear that should be ahead of thinking about purchase ENC and the performance center. So I fully support the infrastructure and like update and repairing the roof of school buildings and the civil replacements.
I I I think that those are the top priorities. If we have to issue bonds, then we issue bonds to those project first. If residents still can afford to issue more bonds, then we think about issue bonds to buy by by ENC or performance center.
That's my point. Councelor Jacobs. Good evening, Mr. Mayor. How are you, Council? Thank you for your presentation tonight. It's much appreciated. Thank you for all your work. Um, Eastern Nazarene College.
It was also nice seeing you out there a lot in Ward One over Cleaner Greener. I saw you a few times. Um, my concern here is people are fatigued. People have Sorry. Fatigued. I'm fatigued looking at these projects.
You did a video the other day online. It was it was very well done about all the things going on downtown. And I think everything going on downtown is great. But there are residents in Ward One right now still waiting for their maritime center that you took away and it's not there.
And that was a project that was promised to the people of Ward One and it's still not there. And there's projects like that all over the city. pie in the sky projects that were promised to the residents of Quinzy.
Give me another example. Uh an elementary school, an elementary school in in West Quinzy that wasn't We purchased the property for a future elementary school, which is called good planning. Okay. I'm I'm just telling you as a tax, you're fatigued.
You're in my office for 6 months. Are you fatigued? So, I I just want to remind you that I represent, you know, the people who put me into office. There's a lot of people my age who are living paycheck to paycheck, paying mortgages on 7 $800,000 houses, you know, a married couple making less than $150,000 a year and and you're we're raising our kids.
And I think sometimes and as I look around this room, a lot of people aren't doing that right now. So I'm I'm just saying I know we want to control the the um development going on in this area. We have zoning in this area.
According to the zoning map online, this is all zoned res A and res B. So the the the density shouldn't be that high as long as our zoning board uh you know controls you know properly what's going in um in these place in in these lots if they were to be sold privately.
That's all I'm saying. I look forward to the further discussion about this project. But there are a lot of projects that are not that are unfinished. And that's that's what I'm here. And I'm here to represent the people who are who are living here, raising their families here, sending their kids to school here.
They they they don't have the money to pay for this. Thank you. Anybody else? Council Riley. Yes. I'd like to make a motion to approve this and send it to the finance committee. No, just Oh, sorry. I could again not to create this, but I do believe and I can't remember where it went into, but I think it was councelor McKe who asked before this came before us this that we knew Eastern Asia was coming.
You told us in February when you did your state of the address, I think it was councelor McKe that asked for all of the properties that have been purchased by the city of Quinsey, how much they were purchased for, what they're being used for, have we sold them off?
I it did it go into oversight. I was trying to look quickly. So oversight and it was also I think if I if I remember correctly, I think there was also kind of the deadline if you could just give the report to us.
So we were hoping we would have that. So hopefully we'll have that soon too. And the reason why we're asking that and um it's been 20 years that we've been doing these projects. So I appreciate the last 10 years we've got a lot done but it's been 20 years and I'm I'm just saying that and there's a lot of changes that have happened.
There's a lot of there's a lot of purchase has been 20 years council president 18. Okay. So there's been a it will be 20 when you're done. But when when here's the thing there have been a lot of purchases.
The Monroe building was discussed earlier. It was purchased for a specific use and we've changed the use. We purchased two properties down the street with the hope that we were going to buy or not buy, we were going to win in court the Adams Academy, which we didn't.
And I think that was going to be the land of the Adams Academy. So, there's been a lot of moving parts in the city of Quinsey and you are absolutely right. They are not making more land in the city of Quinsey, but we have to be careful about what we're I think what council UN is simply saying is that there's a lot of stacking of projects that are happening being talked about oneoff and it is your vision to bring it to us but it's also our responsibility to make sure that we're looking at all the projects that we need to get done and also making sure that we're making it affordable for the taxpayers in the city of Quinsey and you know saying things like you know you're you're houserich and cash poor sounds great for those poor people that are or the new families that are moving in and it all sounds great right now from what we're hearing we're going to create a 55 and older.
So, it's going to be Quinsey residents that get to move in to those and it's going to be used by the Quinsey Housing Trust. We These are all just pie in the sky things right now. And I'm sure you're going to have a complete plan, but we also should have had a complete plan for the Monroe building.
It didn't turn out to what that was supposed to be. The Msina block down the street where we were buying that for a a creative arts facility that we were going to have. That dream is over that down there, too.
So, we have had a lot of things that we've purchased with taxpayers money that didn't come to fruition and we just want to make sure that before we make any decisions that we have a lock lock and loaded plan for this because there have been plenty of things and I have supported them that didn't turn out the way we were thinking they're going to turn out and that does happen and this is no this is not meant to be a criticism it's just meant to be a conversation where we can work together if we have that information was asked from this council it wasn't n't provided.
Information was asked from this council to the finance department. It wasn't provided. There seems to be a trend of the door is always open except for when you ask for something, we'll get it to you tomorrow.
We need these things promptly so that we can make these decisions together. And I think if we had those then maybe we wouldn't be having the next question of like how we pay for the seaw walls. Those are fair.
Those are fair. I I I would like to say a couple of things though. Um I wouldn't suggest I don't like the term pie in the sky. Um, number one is the same terms. We have been building projects for 18 years because my first two terms were making major cuts.
We're laying people off because we went through the worst recessions depression. We also then went through the COVID period which was also very challenging time to get through as a city as construction.
So, I'd be happy to make have discussions on each of particular projects. We'll get the information that you've asked. I'll make sure that our team provides that uh to you uh promptly. Um, and we can go back and forth on this truthfully because co money was used to purchase the Monroe building because it was before this body and this body was going to say no to the purchase of that building and magically it turned into a co purchase.
I'm just saying there coke with all these magically it was federal money. We applied for magic because we used co money for the wrong purpose and we we based it on having it be a tourism event but that's not what it was used for and now it's being rented out to next to nothing.
We're not making the profit and it's off the tax roles. We can go back and forth and do these things but I don't want to. So, we have a motion to put it into committee by councelor um Riley, second by who do we have?
Second. Second by Ryan. All those in favor? Any against? So, we have now moved into committee and I appreciate the back and forth. Thank you, councilors. Have a great evening. Next December 6, 2026 077 appropriation for 22,500,000 for Eastern Nazarin College land acquisition.
Let me just motion to move to finance committee second. All those in favor? Any opposed? Moving on. Number seven, 2026 078 appropriation for $322,377.3 community preservation projects close out. Councelor Riley.
Yes, thank you. Um so this is the second wave of recaptured projects that either um had money left over or did not um get off the ground. So the total of 300 and how much is it where is again 322 37703.
I motion that we return that back to the community preservation general. And do we have a second? Do we have a second on the motion first? We have a motion on the floor. Do we have a second? Second by councelor Bona on the motion.
constitution. I thought this was um like over 500,000 initially. That was last week. That was the last one. Oh, this is a different one. These are the ones that the POS weren't closed yet, so we had to hold them back.
Yep. Okay. So, we have a motion on the floor from Council Riley. Seconded by Council Dona. Can we have a roll call vote for that, please? Council Rash. Council Deborah? Yes. Council Hubley? Yes. Council Jacobs?
Yes. Council McKe? Yes. Council Riley? Yes. Council Ryan, yes. Council Yen, President Mahoney. Yes. Nine members. Next is number 8, 2026 079 order. Massachusetts School Building Author Authority Accelerated Repair Program Fasibility Phase.
Okay. Um, so we need Do we have a motion on that first? Okay. Because this ordinance was not uploaded on the city website. So resident haven't a chance to see what's what's this ordinance about. Uh can city clerk read this this ordinance aloud so residents know what's that about?
Councor Brad, would you like to read it first? The school building authority accelerated repair program feasibility phase. That that's actually the ordinance I talked about. Like if a state grants couldn't cover the all the cost for rep repairing roof and the windows of the those four schools, the city has to come up with the money.
That means we issue bounds again and I would like to know what's the estimated amount of those bonds because the resident should should know that down the road what what are waiting for them. Okay. Council if you could um Mr.
Walker because it came in late. I think you asked me if it was okay to go on. Could you just tell us what's what's why did it come in late? I'm gonna ask you because you asked me first. Yeah, it came in so why just just was it forgotten?
I think it was just forgotten. I mean it it came in Thursday. The order was done on Friday. It was after our agenda meeting, but we it was discussed prior to that. This is a typical order that we've done um I don't know 18 to 20 times in the past.
This is the Massachusetts School Building Authority Accelerated Repair Program. This is just the feasibility phase. The school committee has taken a similar vote. This enters us into the feasibility phase.
Um once we're accepted into that part of the process, the schematic design is done and approved by the MSBA, then we come back to this body for a full appropriation request with a substantial reimbursement as the mayor had mentioned from the state that goes along with these projects.
It was my intention uh in communications with you and councelor Riley that this would go straight to committee in part because um the order was on Friday that you received it. Um is it posted on the website?
That's okay. Okay, I can update that. Okay, councilman. So, uh to chief of staff, so are those repairing project are expected to be done this year or next year? And if city have to issue bonds to repair those building is will be this year or next year.
M um council I may director. Thank you. As Mr. Walker suggested, this appropriation is simply to get us into the feasibility study where the MSBA will appoint an architect and an oldest project manager to create uh a study to see if the roofs do need the repairs, if the windows do need to be replaced.
I can tell you the result will be yes. Um and then that's the next phase. So this 500,000 isn't intended as our contribution to the construction. I understand that initial design. So by the time we go through the MSBA process, we're not even technically fully in it.
We've only been invited into feasibility. Uh it is somewhat of a lengthy I'll use the word bureaucratic process, but is a good process. There's a lot of input. Uh I would not anticipate construction of those roofs, I would say, till 2028.
calendar 2028. Okay. Thank you. Do I have a motion? Do I have a motion? Council Deon. Thank you, Madam President. I just I'm listening to Council Yarn and um I'm hearing you all night and I I understand where you're coming from, but you're a little inexperienced at times and you you don't fully understand everything.
Okay. I just want to say just these these type of pro Hold on. Hold on. I got I got I got I got the privilege to say what I want to say. Okay. No, no, I have the I've been up here and I've I've you know, so here here's the situation.
This is this is school buildings. These are we have 11 elementaryaries. We have five middles. We have two high schools. We have a special needs center. We have a window of time to put these feasible studies in.
If we miss that window of time, there's 351 communities throughout the Commonwealth. Other people, other towns and cities are going to take that funding. It's his responsibility as public buildings commissioner to do a spot check in each facility, each school.
We have to present this in front of the council and I understand your bonding, but the will be issued and how much will be is a projection. I'm not what you are talking about is not my question at all.
You're talking about this is the why we do a feasible study. That's why we present this in front of us. The feasibility study, but it clearly said the last sentence any project costs the city of Quincy incurs in excess of any grant that may be approved by and received from MSBA shall be the sole responsibility of the city of Quincy.
That's my question. So how much money will be that? How much money city of Queens have to come up to cover that? That's my question. What you are talking about is not my question at all. My question back to you is J down a couple of notches.
My question back to you is is a lot of these programs are reimbursement programs where we get funding back from the MSBA. So you have to do the process first. And that's what we're doing here tonight.
We're trying to get the process If I thank you president sorry on the short term for this schematic design phase I've budgeted I ant I anticipate that 500,000 um that doesn't make it 1.5 million u I anticipate the 500,000 will cover all of the costs of this feasibility study um so that for the feasibility phase that's our maximum exposure That language that you're reading is typical of an MSBA mandated language of any council order.
You'll find that in every M MSBA related order that comes before you. Um and it's it's somewhat of of their protection of their program. Um it's to set our expectations that we would never um anticipate them paying 100% of any project.
Uh and quite frankly, even when we get fully developed budgets and even bids for projects, they don't pay 100%. They have disallowed costs. They have excluded costs. They have caps on square footage. So before there's the vote that appropriates the construction money by this body, we will know what the MSBA has given us for funds and we will know what the city's obligation is at the time of that future vote.
Like uh I just want to know the time frame. Okay. I wish I did, but and and I don't mean to be wise with that, but it it is a long process. Um, so we'll get into this feasibility study. The the next MSBA board meeting, I believe, is in August, where they they'll say, "Yes, you're invited in or no, have a good day." Then we'll we'll actually physically do the feasibility study and the and the I call it cartoon because they're very very uh sparse and not detailed plans to give an understanding of what the future project will be.
And then the MSBA board will vote on that and invite us to the design development phase where the plans become more robust. Um and of course the price goes up when that happens. So there'll be funding requests for the design development.
Um and that really sends this whole project down this the slippery slope until the construction cost is known and requested for appropriation by the council. So I would anticipate feasibility being done completed maybe like December of 26.
Um and then the next phase to be happening in calendar 27. Um which is likely when we come back to you either fall of of 207 or spring of 28. And that's how I anticipate the summer of 2028 to start the construction.
Um the roof projects generally take the summer and then a couple months into the fall. The window projects are likely to take longer. Uh and we have done them before and we've worked with the educational community to uh to adapt to that.
Thank you very much for detailed explanation. I really appreciate it. Um because I don't want to sit here pre if I something I don't understand I want to ask. I don't want to pretend that I understand everything and just sitting there don't don't say anything.
Don't ask question because I'm elected to do checks and balance on the administration. So it's my job my duty to ask a question to make it clear and let resident to hear that too. Thank you very much.
I fully understand. Thank you. So councelor Mr. Hines does have one quick question. Yeah. Um, and if I could, Madam President, I have a responsibility for the children in these schools, too. So, I just want to make reiterate a little bit of we've been through this procedure before.
It's a feasibility study. I don't want to miss the window of time, and if we miss that window of time, other communities are going to take him. That's all. Thanks. Can Can I add one other comment, too?
Okay, we're going to stop. So, I President, before your question, just one other comment. For this round of accelerated repair projects, the MSBA has changed up their process. They've now gone rather than an annual application process, it's every two years.
So, if we as a city don't engage and follow through, now we can't even put in another application for another two years. And then on top of that would be about that same two-year design, construction, bid process.
Um, so we're talking like four years out. I just want to add that to quick question. So this we're going to just be approving tonight to go into the feasibility into the so this is just the the school committee has voted we're voting this will go into the feasibility correct and second to that this is for four schools is that correct I'm sorry is it for four schools four schools yes so and we have and now because the MSBA has changed because feasibilities can only go in they have a window of two years is that correct window of two years is that what you just said every two years for applications applications we're putting it in and it's due when's it due is it due when's the application do we're in.
So that our current application is what trigger this feasibility phase. Okay. So we'll be in it. So my only question for you is that we have a lot of schools with a lot of needs and these are the four that we have.
Do we have any other ones that will that that so it would be great if we could just get I always say this every time you know a public facility kind of an idea of what everything needs to be done broken up by schools and by now we have like the Monroe building we have to look at too.
So, if we could get that just from you as a committee, I think it would be very helpful. And also because usually, you know, these things happen. Sometimes they're emergency. You know, things happen when there's emergency and things happen when we're planning.
So, we'd like to have those plans. So, on this, do I have a motion to approve the visibility of the city? Councelor R. Councelor Riley. I think we should motion just to approve this tonight and move it along.
Seconded by councelor Jacobs. And we need a Do we need a roll call on this one? Roll call on this one, please. Thank you. Councelor Ash. Yes. Council Deborna, yes. Council Hubley, yes. Council Jacobs, yes.
Council McKe, yes. Council Riley, yes. Council Ryan, yes. Councelor Yen, yes. President Mahoney, yes. Nine members. Thank you. All right. So, moving on to number nine. Number nine, 2026 080. A resolve calling for the city Quinsey Housing Authority.
QHA vacancy data to access viability of 55 plus housing incentives. Councelor Ryan. Thank you, Madame President. So, this is order number 202680 resolution calling for Quinsey Housing Authority QHA vacancy data to assess viability of 55 plus housing initiatives.
Whereas the city of Quinsey is committed to addressing the evolving housing needs of its senior population, ensuring that residents can age in place with dignity and security. And whereas in an interview with Quinsey Access Television QAV on March 31st, 2026, Mayor Thomas P.
Coke discussed the future of city-owned and managed properties, including the strategic plan for the former Eastern Nazarene College property and the potential for expanding 55 plus housing options. And whereas current eligibility requirements, inventory, and demand for QHA housing may vary between its 55 plus and 62 plus developments, which could affect the feasibility of such a transition.
And whereas datadriven policy requires an accurate accounting of current vacancy rates, weight list lengths, and unit turnover within QHA's elig elderly and disabled housing portfolio. Now therefore, be it resolved that the Quinsey Housing Authority provide a comprehensive report detailing the current vacancy rates across all elderly disabled designated developments.
that this report includes a breakdown of units currently restricted to 62 plus versus 55 plus to assist in determining the viability of the mayor's proposed expansion of 55 plus housing. That a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the office of the mayor and the executive director of the Quinsey Housing Authority for a response within 30 days.
I I Okay. So, one other item is we could use this report in concert with the proposed acquisition of ENC. And I would like to move this resolution forward to oversight. Motion to pass and move to oversight.
There's a motion on the table. Is there a second? Councelor Jacobs on the motion. Anybody have any questions or concerns? Roll call vote. Council Ash. Council Debana. Yes. Council Hubley. Yes. Council Jacobs.
Yes. Council McKe. Yes. Council Riley. Yes. Council Ryan. Yes. Council Yen. Yes. President Mahoney. Yes. Eight members. Moving on to item number 10. Number 10. 2026 081. resolve seeking formal audit of lease deductions, expenses, and payments by Quarry Hills Association LP.
Council Ryan. Thank you, Madam President. This is order number 202681, resolution for the formal audit of lease deductions, expenses, and payments by Quarry Hills Associates LP. Whereas the city of Quinsey maintains a long-term lease agreement, the lease for the operation and management of the Quarry Hills Golf Course amended and restated development lease and operating agreement dated December 20th, 20, 2002.
And whereas Pace and Sullivan LLC in a letter dated November 20th, 2024 to Mr. Paul Delababa stated they did not do an audit or provide any of the insuranceances on the calculations in its report to Mr.
Delibaba and recommended that the city have an audit performed on an annual basis. And whereas section 15.7 of the lease allows the city to conduct periodic audits. And whereas section 14.2F 2F of the lease established the oversight fund for the purpose of negotiation, oversight and enforcement of the lease terms.
And whereas since F fiscal year 2006, the oversight fund has received 1.071.20932 from the lease for payment of such expenses. And whereas the fiscal health of municipal assets depends upon the transparent reporting of all gross revenues, operating expenses, and any subsequent deductions that impact the final lease payments owed to the city.
And whereas public oversight of municipal contracts is essential to ensure that the terms of the lease are being executed in a manner that maximizes the public benefit and adheres to established accounting standards.
And whereas quarterly financial reports provided to the city list a breakdown of expense categories not spec specified in the lease. And whereas the office of inspector general for the commonwealth of Massachusetts issued an advisory on municipal golf course contracts.
In this advisory, the inspector general recommended as follows. Vendor oversight by municipalities. Municipalities must ensure that vendors comply with all contractual requirements. Municipalities should not rely on vendor relationships or a belief that the legal and moral weight of a contract by itself will ensure compliance.
Revenue share agreements. Trust but verify. In revenue share agreements. Without adequate reporting and controls, municipalities have no asurances that they are receiving a fair and complete share of revenue.
Whereas the audit shall include an inspection of Quarry Hills records, including all files and records of LE and vendors deemed reasonably necessary to document LE's expenses. Now, therefore, be it resolved that the city council hereby calls upon the city of Quinsey to initiate said audit pursuant to section 15.7 of the lease conducted by an independent third-party certified auditor selected by the city council.
The city shall pay for the audit from the oversight fund. The results of said audit shall be completed within six months after the passage of this resolution. Be it further resolved that the city council schedule a public hearing following the submission of the audit to allow for an explanation of the audit results and to ensure that the city's interests are being fully protected under the terms of the existing lease.
So I would like to move this to finance. Okay. So we have you need passage a motion to pass and move to finance. Motion made by councelor Ryan, seconded by councelor UN on the motion. Does anybody have any questions?
I wouldn't mind making a few statements. Um I was I was happy to hear um Mayor Ko express support for this. Um that was very encouraging. You know audit isn't a dirty word. We should not be um it would be irresponsible of us as the lesser of this property to not be doing um audits.
I don't know if any audits have been done in the past. There doesn't seem to be any readily available. Um if I could ask um our auditor, do we know how much money is in that oversight fund to cover this?
I don't have any records in front of me right now, but the last time I looked it was in a negative negative 168,000. Okay. Um Okay. Well, I guess we can hammer that out in finance committee, but we're going to have to allocate some money for this.
Not us, the city. Not Not the city, but No, city. We're going to have to figure out where that went. So, a motion by councelor Ryan, seconded by council. Anybody else on the motion? Okay. Can we move to a roll call vote?
Council Ash, yes. Council Deorna, yes. Council Hubley, yes. Council Jacobs, yes. Council McKe, yes. Council Riley, yes. Council Ryan, yes. Council Yuan, yes. President Mahoney, yes. Nine members. So, now we're going to move back into the oversight meeting.
I'm going to switch places. All right, we're continuing the oversight committee um from earlier today um where we've been talking about the um Monroe building which is next door. It's been used for you know private business, some public business, some nonprofit type stuff.
Um and we're just going to continue that conversation and we still have it open to anybody. I think President Mahoney was no sorry councelor McKe was the last one to um be involved in discussion. Is there any other disc is anyone else who'd like to ask any questions um of our two guests?
uh building commissioner Hines and um the property manager um Granite Street Partners um Joe Sha. All right, great. I just had a a few questions. Um when we took the tour and I thank you so much again for the tour was great.
Anytime, any building. Yeah. Um um it was also nice that we talked about the school across the street from my house and you knew everything about that school and it just was interesting. It was scary just standing um like you were there like we were standing right there.
Um so the restaurant that was um you know uh over at the Monroe building. What was the name of that restaurant? probably shouldn't because I was trashing them earlier but yeah I just remember so you were saying that they moved out in in 200 um 25 and that was probably one of the reasons why the amount of money that we took in um went down.
Um and you said the reason that we moved them out of there or kind of pushed them out was that they were causing a lot of those fog issues that we kind of talked about um previously in another meeting.
Well, I guess if they if they had these issues, right, and we moved them, I shouldn't say we moved them, but they moved down to Southern Arty, right? That's where they are now. No. Uh they moved to Newport Avenue.
Uh the Newport uh Plaza, I believe it's called, right? So, they're at the Newport. Why if they were having these issues, why would we reissue their um you know, certification to continue to operate a restaurant in Quinsey when they're like a habitual offender?
uh when they were my tenant, I'll call them in the Monroe, I worked with several city departments um and the health department, other various departments were aware of what they were doing um and and what my concerns were when they chose to leave.
I was happy um but um I suppose they couldn't summarily assume they were going to continue the bad habits um and had to give them the chance. Um, I quite honestly don't know how they're performing down there.
Yeah. Um, I I wish them well. I wish their landlord well, and I wish the city's pipes well. Um, another question I had that's kind of it's not uh related to that restaurant, but when we were speaking um over at the building, we were talking about that bottom kind of west southwest corner where the dental office was.
In our discussions in this meeting, you had said that um we had no outstanding you know um debts from people from our renters. Um but in our meeting over there um you had mentioned that the dental office was upwards of 5 months in the rear.
So I just want to confirm that the city actually did acquire that 5 months worth of rent. Y uh we tried the Mr. Nice person approach for a number of months. uh heightened our concern, heightened our communications.
They were ignoring us. Uh when it got to that five-month thing, they got the the legal, you know, notice to quit for non-payment of rent uh document. And lo and behold, the next day there was an envelope in my office with five checks for the five missing months.
And fortunate part is they already gone past their statutory right to cure. So we accepted the money. We put it in our account gladly. Uh and we still caused them to go. Okay. But so we we did a collect but we did collect those.
We did collect in full. All right. Great. And um I want I have a question for um Mr. Shay I guess for both of you. So, Granite Street Partners is um you know managing this building for us for the last let's say five years 2021, right?
What is that? Can you explain like on a day-to-day basis? Like we're paying you $60,000 a year to manage this building. So over the last 5 years that's like upwards of $300,000. So, what is it exactly on the day-to-day that the taxpayer is getting for the $300,000 that we've spent over the last five years?
Absolutely. Uh, thank you. And just just to be clear, it's Granite City Partners. Sorry. Sorry. Sorry. It's okay. Happy to be Granite City Partners. Um, the city solicits real estate support services on three-year contracts through the purchasing department.
uh we were selected and then we were reselected um and given the assignment of the Monroe building through that we manage the portion of the the spreadsheet that I I understand is probably 300 different numbers on it over the course of the last 18 months that is ours is that we have a superintendent who spends time in the building every day.
Can you can you say like how much like is how much time is he spending that? So it is budgeted on 4 hours a day. Okay. 4 hours a day for him to be in the building, work with the tenants, make sure that the building is clean, work with our vendors when our vendors need to be there.
So whether that is custodial services or as we talked about the boiler um and HVAC contractors who are in the other columns on your spreadsheet um really facilitate and coordinates the management of that building.
Now, what we've learned is the that's budgeted at four hours, the way that it actually unfolds is sometimes it's a full day and sometimes only needs to be be there for an hour. Um, what we also do with that budget is we are 24/7 as discussed.
We're we're in the on call box uh outside of the building. So um when called in on a Saturday night for some reason uh often in the winter time we will be called in uh people who are not part of that building may have gotten into the building trying to get warm uh or looking for a place to sleep.
So we get called in for uh effectively managing and tending to that building uh through the on call contract through the the funds that are put into the revolving account by use and occupancy charges.
Okay. Um and then we also end up managing or coordinating some capital projects. The replacement of the boiler is a great example. Right. So you you we pay like the city pays for it, but you you make the calls like to the people who actually you know uh the contractor who's putting in the boiler.
We did a great job by the way as we all saw. Thank you. Thank you very much. We do. Yeah, we do. and uh you know and and tenant relationships, being a tenant liaison, um checking in on various items uh when someone leaves the building or when someone comes into the building.
Uh we facilitate all of those processes as well. Do you feel that part of your $60,000 fee that you're getting every year, you should be advertising that the space is available even if it's for no, you know, a non lease?
I mean, I it seems like we're not really doing that. I mean, is that is that part of your agreement that you are you are supposed to kind of um you know, find I don't want to say find tenants, but like attract help attract tenants to the to the building.
Um if we were directed to do so by the administration, we'd be happy to. We we really would we want to enliven that building too. Um as indicated, the this corner you just called out, kind of the closest corner to where we stand, is a beautiful corner.
We would be happy to assist the city in trying to find a vibrant use to keep that corner going, but right now the city is not asking you to do that. Uh, not not at this moment. We haven't been asked. We've heard discussions about some internal uses for that corner as concepts, and I'd refer back to the commissioner on those.
I just want to remind both of you and everybody who was in this room that we're counting on you to make the best use of that building because those people were in here today because their budgets are coming up and they want to make sure that their firehouses are staffed and we want to make sure that our classrooms are full and we want to make sure that our roofs are new.
Everything we do here, okay, is dependent upon the two of you making sure that we're getting the most money from that building that we can. And I don't think we are. And I'm not saying it's it's anybody sitting here's fault, but I do think that, you know, again, I know what we don't want to do leases because we have potential future plans for that building, but I do think it is possible to bring in more revenue, you know, to that building.
I just um just as an example uh down on the corner where Steven Lee Jewelers was. I'm also a lifelong Quinsey person so I know where Steven Lee Jewelers was. um you know, but there was a store that was recently in there the last couple of months um run by a gentleman who lives up in North Quinsey and uh it was I think a good business idea to really try to foster, you know, a a community um in Quinsey and it was really geared towards like bringing kids in, you know, playing board games.
They had, you know, Nintendo set up and I went into his store and I spoke to him and he was paying almost $10,000 a month and had he know I mean it was I think it was a great business venture and I think that you know that is something that should have probably been in the Monroe building um because we are using it as a space like the two trunks you know to really build a you know a community and I feel terrible for that person, you know, who spent thousands and thousands of dollars and had he only known had we only, you know, been advertising that space as available for a community center like that.
Um, I do think, you know, even that dental office, although you said maybe it was going to be used for inter office space, but could have been something really great and beneficial to the community that, you know, that was lost.
So again, just when I started off this meeting, this was not uh to be, you know, pointing fingers. It was just a a conversation. Um we just and again, we just want to make sure, you know, we're counting on you, you know, to make sure that, you know, said we bring in the most amount of money to fill our classrooms with with teachers, right?
to fill our fire trucks with firefighters, to fill our police cars with police officers, you know, to pay for the materials that are going, you know, in the the manhole that I saw them rebuilding down on Edgewater Drive today.
And I know it's just maybe it's a couple hundred, it's a $100,000 here. It doesn't seem like a lot, but again, when you add it up time over time over time, you know, it it it really does add up. So, I just want to I want to thank you, you know, for the work that you have done there.
I'm hoping that uh we can get, you know, uh more short-term tenants, you know, in the short term um to fill those vacant storefronts. So, thank you so much. Thank you. Yeah. Any other questions? All right.
I'd like to make I'd like to entertain a motion to adjourn this uh subcommittee hearing of the oversight committee. Motion uh President Mahoney and a second award three counselor Hubley uh all in favor.
Very good. Thank you very much and have a good night. Okay, we're going to go back back into the city council meeting and we do not have any minutes tonight. So, we're going to move on to communications of reports from the mayor and other city officers and city boards clerk.
Sorry, I didn't see you weren't waving. I'm sorry. I do have um a couple of traffic requests to refer to ordinance committee for advertising. Ward two, councelor at add stop sign on Alton Road southbound intersecting with Nickel Street.
W three council Hubley add stop sign at Birham A northbound intersecting with Hill Street. Is that Nancy in advertising? Okay. Thanks. Anybody else? Anybody else? Nope. Doesn't look like anybody else.
All right. Moving on to unfinished business and proceeding minute meetings. Nothing. Okay. Reports of committees. Councelor Hubley. Thank you, President Mahoney. Um, so unfortunately, Director Kini uh was here earlier.
I was hoping to give her a little shout out, but she I guess had to leave. Um this is our veteran services committee. So for the past quarter which is January 1st through March 31st uh the department filed 98 VA claims.
Each claim comes and requires a significant staff support and up to two to three office appointments. Uh many follow-up calls and so forth. uh a lot of work goes into to servicing each of these claims because each situation is unique and special and important to the family that it pertains to.
With respect to chapter 115 financial assistance, um 120 veterans and eligible dependents, including non-medical medical only cases. Um this is a state funded program that supports low-income veterans, supporting spouses, and eligible dependent children.
Um let's see. Enrollment fluctuates based upon changes in eligibility and financial status. During this reporting period, eight new applications were submitted and three were closed due to uh relocation or their passing.
The third section, employment support. So there are currently eight active employment plans. Participating veterans are required to attend weekly meetings through this program. Uh provide documented search uh efforts and submit regular updates.
The program's goal is to promote long-term self-sufficiency and successful reintegration into the workforce. And with section four, um, burial assistance and grave marker submissions, the department provides assistance to families during times of loss by coordinating burial benefits and facilitating grave marker applications for eligible veterans.
Um services include processing requests for burial and funeral reimbursements. Uh assisting with applicants of VA issues, headstones and markers, coordinating with se cemeteries and vendors to ensure proper placement and documentation, and providing guidance to families on eligibility and required documentation.
Uh this work ensures that veterans are honored appropriately while easing administrative burdens on their families. Um there's been uh a couple events coming up, but first I'll talk about an event that just happened.
So this past week on the 30th at 2:30 in the afternoon at the Marina Bay Clock Tower, uh Lieutenant Colonel retired uh James Walsh from the US Marine Corps, um P was a keynote speaker. Uh anytime you think you're having a tough day, when you hear uh remarks like this um from uh Lieutenant Colonel James Wal, retired Lieutenant Colonel James Walsh, it makes you kind of realize how fortunate you are.
Just an amazing story of perseverance and I just stuff I I couldn't personally imagine. Um it was a great ceremony. Uh director Kjini did a wonderful job um orchestrating everything and we had a great uh lunchon afterwards.
And so for upcoming events, we have uh Christopher Chow Hill, Captain U United States Navy, North Quinsey, class of 1992. Um there'll be events happening throughout the week, um May 11th through May 15th.
Then we have our Memorial Day parade and ceremony on May 25th. Uh 9 sorry 10:30 a.m. step off. And the parade begins at the Quinsey Credit Union and the ceremony immediately follows. And then lastly, there'll be the Veterans Expo on June 18th.
And that goes from 10:00 a.m. to 3 oh sorry, July 18th. Thank you. Um 10:00 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Pageants Field. So this uh report's available on website and that's all I have for that. Thank you. Thank you very much.
You're all set. Council, you all set? Yep. So, we're going to move on to um presentations of petitions, memorials, and monstrouses. Councelor Hubi. Thank you, President Mahoney. Um so, May is foster care awareness month and um so I wanted to say a few things about that.
My parents were foster parents for about 30 years and uh many kids went through their home. I was among the final kids that they cared for and then eventually adopted. Uh later in life, I became a foster parent myself back when my wife and I were starting our family.
And then again more recently during COVID for about four years, we cared for a number of children from Quinsey and and throughout the community. Um let's see. Uh, okay. So, just some statistics. Currently, there are over about 8,500 um people in care in foster care.
Among those 8,500, 6,953 are under 18. Um, let's see. So there's a there's a great need out there for foster parents. And a lot of the kids who run into challenges are because oftent times they're getting moved from different homes or different facilities or different placements.
And what really drives home and helps success stories like many of the people in my family um is when they have consistency of care. And so the state does need foster parents. So my wife and I are going to be hosting an information session.
We're still working out the details. We'll be working with representatives from DCF. And the idea is um anyone who's interested in learning more about becoming a foster parent, what's involved, what's the process, what it's like, uh you'll be able to join us and and hear firsthand from foster parents as well as the Department of Children and Family.
We're currently looking at scheduling this for um let's see, June Monday, June 29, June 29th. I promised myself I would not add one more thing to my calendar that happened before Porchfest, so I pushed it out a couple of days.
Um, we uh we have the common market reserved at 6 p.m. If anyone's interested in learning about this process, please reach out to me by email or social media or or whatever mechanism you'd like to choose.
I'll get you on the list and let you know uh about the logistics and the final date and time and location. Um, you can really make a difference. And uh, thank you. Thank you. Thank you very much. Councelor Hubley, is there anybody else for pres um anybody else for presentations and petitions, memorials for monstrouses?
Counc I have a comment for all my colleagues and to the resident. I want to say city councilors are elected to do checks in the balance. It's their duty to ask questions and get answers for residents.
Today at this meeting, a senior counselors insulted and intimidate another counselor just for asking questions. This behave is totally unacceptable. To prevent such in incident happen again, I strongly rec strongly suggest we should put this instance in writing put on in the record and I would want to put this issue in the oversight committee committee and let all the counselors to discuss how to prevent such kind of things happen again.
Councelor Deona publicly apologized to to me for insulting and intimidating me just for asking questions. Wow. There'll be no commentation from the please. This is a meeting and no I'm talking to both of you.
I'm talking to both of you. You are booing and I'm talking to this side too. So, I'm asking no from either sides. Okay. Thank you. Yep. Council Deona. Thank you, Madam President. Uh, Council Yan, if I came off across a little too strong for you, I understand.
I apologize. However, there you accept. Yeah. Thank you. Thank you. Much any other presentations of petitions, memorials, ores? Seeing none. Oh, seeing one. Council Jacobs. Sorry. I just want to um let folks know if they don't already know um this Wednesday night there's going to be a school committee meeting uh where they'll be addressing um the Lunar New Year holiday.
Um if that's something there is a group who wants to make that a holiday on the calendar. Um if that's something you support or you don't support, um you should know that um there is going to be an open meeting.
You'll be able to voice your concerns. you can also do so in writing. And that's going to be uh this Wednesday. So today's Star Wars day, May 4th. Um so it's going to be on May 6th and it's going to be here at city hall.
Uh I think it's at 6 or 6. I'm not sure. Um I think it's 6 though. Anybody else for presentations of petitions, memorials, or ammonstrases? Seeing none, moving on to motions, orders, and resolution. Seeing none, moving on to upcoming meetings.
Councelor Riley. Yes. Thank you, President Mahoney. We have a schedule for um our finance committee meetings to review the department budgets. Um Monday, May 11th at 7:30 will be the public hearing and followed at 8:00 by the finance committee meeting.
Uh, the next instance will be on Tuesday, May 19th at 7:00 p.m., Tuesday, June 2nd at 7 p.m. and Wednesday, June 10th at 7:30 p.m. Okay. Yes. Wednesday, June 10th. 7:30. Yes. I'm sure Jen's going to be sending this out.
Yeah. Council Deon backup one. June 10th. The backup one. No, we have a full schedule. Full schedule. So, you're going to break them up into four? We have four currently scheduled and we have a fifth day if needed or I guess the council meeting, right?
Yeah. Yep. When are you going to have the schedule uh ready for us to find out which department and just waiting for the uh department heads to confirm? It needs to be posted by Thursday. So, I'm hoping to do it tomorrow or Wednesday morning.
Um if I could, I know you've already scheduled some of these for 7:30. It it'd be better to do them later since you're going to do 4. Um 7:30 is better for me. We do. Um is that accommodating? Yeah. The 6:30 just doesn't work at all.
It's just don't have any 6:30. Okay. 7:30. 7 7 and 7:30. Okay. So 7:30 and the last one. Okay, that's fair enough. Thank you. Any other committees? Council McKe. I think we need to have an ordinance committee meeting.
So, I'd like to have that for um next Monday at 6:30. What's the date? Uh May 11th. We have budgets that we have budget here. Is that But that starts at 7:30. Yeah, but we start at 7:30 because people aren't available.
Oh, okay. So, um I guess do we need to do it on a different night then? Okay. All right. I'll get in touch with you then and we'll schedule that. Yep. Anybody else for scheduling committees? No. So, I guess the only thing I'd say is that there was a lot of asks tonight from this council to the administration.
Um, some came about dips, some came about projects, some came about extended projects. So, I'm hoping that through Mr. Walker will be able to get all that information hopefully first thing tomorrow morning because I was waiting for it all day today.