City Council Standing Committee of the Whole Meeting

The Committee of the Whole spent significant time on Ordinance 2026-128 (City Clerk Salary Ordinance). KP Law (Mark Rich) provided a legal opinion explaining how the charter, the mayor's human-resources rules, and the budget process limit the council's options for setting compensation and for structuring performance evaluations. The committee concluded it needed further work on process and evaluation mechanics (council rules/rubric rather than ordinance language) and voted unanimously to return the ordinance to the full City Council with a negative recommendation so the matter can be refined.

The committee also acted on multiple grant and program items. It unanimously recommended returning Order 2026-151 to City Council with a positive recommendation to accept a $9,020 MEMA grant for radiological EOC preparedness. The committee voted 5–1 to return a revised version of Order 2026-152 (FFY27 Municipal Road Safety Grant, $25,200) with a positive recommendation after discussing grant wording and non-discrimination guidance; the police chief outlined allowable uses and program reporting. Order 2026-154 (a $146,653 FY27 BHOAP award amendment) was recommended positively to fund two LICSW positions and clerical support for elder behavioral health services; staff reported 598 older adults served since 2018 and plans to reapply for continued funding. Finally, the committee supported returning Order 2026-155 with a positive recommendation to accept a MassDOT Shared Streets grant to fund pre-construction work for replacement of the Upper Millyard Pedestrian Bridge; staff reported immediate coordination with MassDOT, planned removal in early November, a target spring installation, and use of an existing $200,000 appropriation with grant reimbursement mechanics discussed.

Public comment at the start of the meeting was closed with no speakers. City Clerk staff indicated they would present fuller comments at the next City Council meeting. The meeting included detailed operational Q&A with department heads (police, DPW, public wellness) on grant implementation, prior-year invoice processing, bridge replacement timing and funding, and behavioral health service delivery.