9.23.2025 Fall River City Council

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hey.

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We're coming.

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City Council Committ will come to order.

Clerk will call the role.

Council Scadin here.

Dion here.

Hart here.

Kilby here.

Carrera.

Ponty here.

Raposo here.

President Chimera here. Pursuant to the open meeting law, any person may make an audio or video recording of this public hearing or may transmit this hearing through any medium. Attendees are therefore advised that such recordings or transmissions are being made whether perceived or unpreceived by those present now deemed acknowledged and permissible.

We have item number one. There are two individuals that signed up for citizen input time. I'll remind those individuals that have a threeminute limit. First, we have Renee Brown.

subject matter fso.

So, three minutes doesn't stop till I get there, right?

Correct.

Thank you, Mr. President.

You're welcome. All right, your time's up.

Ladies and gentlemen of the city council, thank you for having me. Thank you, Mr. President. I come to you tonight as the commander of the Fall River War Veterans Council and I'll speak to you on my own behalf and on behalf of our membership. Um, in January of this year, I was honored to be elected as the commander of the Fall River War Veterans Council. And if you don't know what the Fall River War

Veterans Council is, it's a nonprofit entity in good standing in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and it's comprised of other nonprofit veteran organizations. They select delegates.

They come to our meeting. We meet once a month and we do a variety of activities.

We raise money for a scholarship fund.

Sometimes the VSO will call and there's a family in need. We'll donate funds for that. We maintain accounts that um are responsible for maintaining uh the cleaning of the Vietnam wall down at the park or the Hiroima monument or the Korean War monument. So, the Fall River Veterans Council, for those of you that don't know what it is, um if you are more interested and want to meet our

membership, we meet on Thursday nights.

Reach out to me and you can come before the meeting starts and meet some of our membership. I encourage you to I'm here tonight uh in support of Talos Ferris, the VSO. And um over the years, the membership of the Fall River War Veterans Council has declined. and it declined due to some internal issues, a lot of bickering. They didn't have the greatest relationship with the veteran

service office. And I can't blame just one person. I can tell you that a lot of personalities over the principle of helping veterans prevailed. And you know, uh there were a lot of rumors and gossip about the VSO. And over the last few years, because of this turbulent relationship between the Fall River War Veterans Council and every single veteran service officer that ever filled

that role, uh we lost members and um and I am happy to say that with the help of Talos, right, personally with the help of Talos, when I was elected commander, I reached out to the VSO and up until that point, I have to admit that all I was educated on were rumors and gossip about Talos Ferris and people said, you know, mean insulting things about him and but I'm an educated woman and you

know, I'm not a kid anymore. I don't listen to rumors and gossip. My first phone call was to Talos Ferris and I asked him to lunch because I wanted to know who he was and and get a feel for, you know, how committed is he to helping our local veterans. I can tell you as a council that the sentiment a lot among a lot of our Bristol County veterans is that the administration doesn't care

about them and they say that because they don't see all of you visit their functions sometimes. I can tell you that a lot of you do attend or you donate but I would encourage you um Ken Lec from the Bristol County Veterans Association is here tonight just three minutes is here and they always have events. I would encourage you to find out and go.

But I want to tell you that if it wasn't for Talos, the Fore River War Veterans Council would not have a working relationship with a lot of these organizations. They had alienated themselves from a lot of the organizations and and they were losing members. Talos met with me and the first thing he did was set me up with a meeting with the presidents and vice presidents and commanders of most

of the local groups that didn't want anything to do with them.

Needs more time.

Motion to wave the rules for another three minutes.

Rules are made and second additional.

All in favor?

I thank you.

Three minutes. I but I I I'm proud to say with Talos's help, singlehandedly, the Fall River War Veterans Council works hand inand with some of the largest veteran organizations in Bristol County. And I can tell you that we're excited to be working with the Bristol County Veterans Association. They got a new place. We're excited over that. We support them. They support us. You know,

the 207 has 64 members of Vietnam vets, right? Their headquarters is located in Fall River. I mean, twice a week or twice a month, John processes appeals for veterans at the Disabled Veterans Organization down at Bristol County. There are hundreds of veterans out there that need support. I'm here to say that the Fall River War Veterans Council is excited that Talos Ferris is finally finally before you and you get

to learn about him, too. He waited too long to come before you. He was intentionally delayed in ordinance. I thank councilors Reposo and Kadeim for pulling that out of ordinance and bringing it here before the city council. I would encourage you to take a minute to visit him at his office. He's a wonderful guy. We have a working relationship with the Student Veterans of America. There's a group of them at

BCC. I mean, there are organizations I didn't know existed until I sat down and made an educated adult decision to work with Talos Ferris. So, on behalf of my membership and many veterans in the area, we support him. We thank you. We hope you support him. and we invite you to come meet some of the veterans that live, work, and especially vote in Bristol County. Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Next, we have Jordan Sylvia. Subject matter, City of Fall River.

Good evening, everybody. Um, I'm willing to pass my phone around to show. She just took a couple words like right out of my mouth. It's It's uncanny. I wrote this at 11 in the morning. It's timestamped. But from the commander of the Fall River Veterans um board, War Council to a Fall River uh war veteran, right? Uh Jordan, Sylvia, great to be here again. But I'm I'm a little blown away. I see my kids over here,

right? So, it's my son Wyatt's birthday today. turns 12 and all of this stuff is coming back to uh full circle cuz I remember sitting here one time and me and Linda were going back and forth laughing about it where one time I came here when my son was Charlotte's age when she he was like this and I left his shoe up here. It was always like a good

moment. Uh here we are 10 years later my my kid turns 12 today. But so back to the point about the more things change uh the more they stay the same. Reena great uh speaking. I wanted to speak about Tallos too because when he came up here um you know he made his comments about city councilors uh meddling in the administration and I've I don't know if people how much people will pay attention to what's

going on with me but I have this little quarrel with the local radio thing. Um, but I remember years ago, you guys, some of you guys may remember, some of you guys are young to be on here, but I remember um Joe Camarra, Linda Pereira, I believe it was a domestic call. I'm not sure what it was, but it was a FRPD response for service to to Mike Herren's was at was at the

location, Michael Herren. And there were two city councilors sitting there waiting to talk to the FRPD. So, the meddling from the from the city council in Forever, this, you know what I mean?

It's just, it's been going on about as old as my son is, and I'm sure it probably predates that as well. Um, so, and again, Mr. Ferris, he's a he's a veteran, and he's saying he's being retaliated by all these people who say they love veterans.

They say that stuff, but they in their actions, you know what I mean? That's not how they conduct themselves. Like, it's pretty much obvious. um over the years and I've always say the election happens early November, Veterans Day comes right after and then they raise everyone every veteran in Fall River's taxes like right after that like the next city council meeting just kind of

the way the the timeline goes but um I don't I wish I wanted to honestly speak to councelor Perh Pereira today. She's not here. I don't know if it was an excused absence, but I seen her watching my video that I posted last night about this woman who died at the rail trail.

That's been something kicked around a little bit in the news and in Fall River lately. I think you guys passed ordinance about it. But allegedly that, you know, someone reaches out to me and says, "Hey, this woman was treated as an OD down at the rail trail." Which again happens, right? It's a it's a tragedy, but the woman says actually she was like raped and murdered down there.

Try to wrap it up. Your three minutes are up.

Yep. Any Can I get a little more time?

It's a very serious topic. I know the person in front of me. give you our time.

Motion to wave the rules for another three minutes.

Second.

Motion to wave rules for three minutes.

Made in second. All in favor?

I.

Any opposed? You have another three minutes.

I know that breaks shahajo. I appreciate it. Uh my fine esteemed counselors here giving me the extra time. There's only two people here. So again, if people want if people want the city allegedly to participate and citizens to participate, 6,000 people showed up to vote. No one cares about the electoral process. forever. I know firsthand I've had to try to get signatures and try to

get people to vote for me. Um maybe they should be more I've always said when I come down here it should be citizens discussion. It shouldn't be because I normally I talk to the wall but when I came I know I' I have relationships with some of you guys over the years.

Friendly relationships. I appreciate what you do. These two young men are very intelligent guys. Obviously take the political stuff aside. Ricky, I love you. I voted for you but you quickly came in and raised my taxes immediately.

But that's all right. Everyone does that. Everyone else did it, too. But just on the point of the city, um it's it's again back to things. I can't even say things stay the same. They're actually getting super worse, right? So, $500 million budget. I think there's 130 police officers. That's like as someone who worked the job, who knows like what it takes to have a a safely staffed department. That's like extremely

concerning for my children, right, who live in the city. Uh it's a complete waste of money. Then the let's go to the fire department. The Gabriel fire. 10 Fall River citizens that you know you guys represent pass away. We saw how that was handled. The fire department um union chief had to come out and beg for more money and say people are dying because that's how incompetent the city's been going. You saw the way the

mayor handled it. It looked like a complete fool. Blame the chief. It was a total nightmare. And then they came up with money out of out of thin air, right? To all of a sudden fund overtime.

Like I again people try to gaslight me all the time. I see with my own eyes how horribly ran the city of Fore River is, dude. And it's it's sick. It's disgusting. And it's sick. The schools I guess they had to get rid of MCCAST. I don't know if that was like that was like a state ballot initiative or whatever, but the results are steadily worse. I I've seen you uh uh Sean

rightfully ask when they come up here and ask for more money like, "Hey, now they they have that new bill they passed. They give an extra 100." And you're like, "Are we almost approaching where like we have enough money for schools?" And that, you know, that answer is never ending, bro. The answer is they'll never have enough. I've been saying that for 10 years, right? You guys are intelligent, dude. And you're

the young ones on here. Some of these people have been in here for 30 years.

Like, you know, I would wish they would move on and do something else in their lives. Um, but forget about even the way the cities ran with the departments.

Let's go to the This is the real part that bothers me is the quality.

10 seconds left. You actually get two more seconds just to wrap this up. Make another minute. I do pay taxes on several buildings here. I have a city. I have a business here. I don't know if Joe Camaro has the level of investment in Forever that I do. He loves to shut me up and get me out there. Two people signed up for citizens input.

Motion to wave the rules for I'm trying to I'm trying to He's trying to throw me out again.

Motion to wave the rules for one more minute.

One more minute. That's all I ask for.

Motion made a second.

Second. Second.

All in favor?

Any opposed? Give an additional minute.

Cliff, I get two more. I'm only kidding.

I'm only kidding. I always ask, right?

Always ask for more. You're a sales guy.

No, but really my big I'm trying to keep it like a little levity here, but my real problem is again I've been saying this. This gentleman came on my podcast.

We talked about it. The American dream is is evaporating, right? And and this is in forever. And I think again I talked with Dave Pereira this week about I bought my first house for 200 grand 7 years ago. Forever. Now it's going for six or seven, right? So for these kids, them trying to do what I did coming I come from the projects. At least they're starting on second base. You know what I

mean? But the that's just me. I'm that's first world problems. Let's go back to the tents. You got two tents at Burger King. They're right on Plymouth A. Now I tell my wife half joking. They can only go on the median on Plymouth A to be more more in the public. You know what I mean? Like that's how bad this whole entire thing the four river government I'm not running for office guys, right?

This is just stuff I care about obviously. I've been coming here for 10 years. Been threatened. and boy people boycotting my business just to because I care about this stuff. I care about my country. That's why I put my life on the line to serve my country. But um from the people I talk to, the homeless people that I know personally, everyone I talk to, even paying my own bills when

you guys just continue to raise all the bills. I'm not saying it's you. I'll talk about why houses are, you know, 300% increase in 5 years or whatever it is.

Your minute is up now.

Thank you. And I am going to leave. I appreciate the extra time, guys, but I'm saying the people in Florida, I always say they're getting smoked. They're getting killed. This is mal This is malpractice, bro. And how the government forever, state, national, whatever for you guys.

Thank you, Mr. uh council president.

Thank you, Mr. President.

Yes.

Thank you, Mr. President. Um at our last uh city council meeting, I think it was during citizens input time where we at a body uh sent a letter to the administration asking for them to give us an update or do some kind of internal investigation on the claims that were levied by our VSO agent. Has there been any response back uh from the president to the clerk, from the administration on if that investigation has been

commenced, if has been concluded? Has there been any kind of communication with council leadership in your office?

Not as of yet.

Okay. So, I guess I'll just ask again on the record that the administration provide the city council, whether it's through our leadership or through your office, madame clerk, an update on this.

There were some serious claims that were levied against a a city employee or an elected official for that matter. And I think we we we owe that department head a response in common courtesy of an investigation to be commenced or not.

Now, for the record, I did send a letter to the human resource department um and I asked them to follow up and give us an update. Now, I recognize that this is an executive branch duties and we don't investigate employees, but when the veteran agent came down before this honorable body and made it apparent that he wasn't getting anywhere from the executive branch, I think we owe some

kind of a a response to that department head and and I'm starting to hear a lot more things that are raising concern.

So, Mr. President, I just ask if you could please follow up with Absolutely.

with with the mayor and the uh human resource department and the city administrator to find out if this has been closed and what the results of that are.

I agree with you.

Thank you, Mr. President. I yield.

I just want to state for the record in my 30 plus years being here. I've never been accused or blamed for anything that's happened. I know the the person that spoke since time try to tie council Pereira and I to something that happened in someone's house. I don't know when, but I just want you to know that there's never been one complaint brought against me, and I'll just clear myself in my

entire time I've been here by a city employee or anyone else.

Excuse me.

Is that factually true? Were you not at that?

I was never in a house with a police officer doing any investigation in my entire life.

Okay. That's why nothing happened when that officer complained that whatever he could his complaint was not one superior officer followed through with that.

So whatever you're talking about and the rep and the reporter Yes. Well, so you believe what you're reading in the paper. Is that what you're telling me?

There you go.

So you can you can look into it all you want and let me know I just don't like the accusations coming down here when my name's being called out on something that never happened.

And I'll tell you right now, for the fact I've never been in that situation, was in the house with any police officer, any fire department officer doing any investigation.

Point of order, Mr. President. Mr.

President President I'm appreciative.

You have uh you have to defend yourself.

No, I just want people hear things in time and then they think that it's true.

Look at the source and uh and it's all I mean and and when anyone could just stop spreading rumors about correct. So, so I got to just if you've not mentioned my name, I wouldn't say anything. But since my name was mentioned, I'm letting people know.

You do not have to defend yourself. You know that I'm letting people know.

Just to state clear. Also, on that note, I do want to let you know that council Pereira had a commitment. That's why she's not here. She had a private commission. She can't make it. And I also want to welcome the assistant city clerk, Chelsea Pico. Chelsea, welcome.

Welcome.

Item number two, do you need a a motion on uh Council Ponty's request or are you good with I I don't think you It's up to him. You want to make a motion? And I mean, I think it as as a body, we we sent one. Maybe it'd be wise to do it again.

I'll I'll second that motion.

Motion has been made. Duly noted as requested by the council. Seconded. All in favor? Any opposed? Motion carries.

Item number two is a resolution advance submit and request ceasing the operation of the enterprise fund for the department of emergency ser and establish a special revenue account for the deposit of all ambulance receipts referred on 992025.

Hopefully everybody's happy.

Now,

evening council president.

Thank you, Mr. President. I did not sponsor this great resolution um or the idea of the resolution um but my colleagues in seat 1 and two I I want to first off commend them for um the innovative thought process here of trying to bring in additional revenues for the city. Now, I state this um contradicting myself because I think we're all searching for ways to try to bring in new revenue um but not I want

to make this clear, not put the EMS department in a more challenging, less lucrative situation. Um I think the premise behind this resolution is is is up for for discussion tonight and I'd like to hear from you, Mr. Dion. um the fact that this resolution says um that the EMS enterprise account considered what it is, it's a self-sustaining account. What research have you done if you were to abolish the

enterprise account and bring it into the general fund?

Point of order. Do you think the resolution should be read so people understand what's being discussed? We could I read Sure.

the at the beginning. May the cler do you have the resolution with you?

I do.

Can we please?

Resolution was sponsored by councelor Shaunie Kadin and and Michelle Dion.

Whereas a Department of Emergency Medical Services, EMS, within the city of Fall River is currently operated as an enterprise fund pursuant to the provisions of Mass General Laws chapter 44, section 53F and a half. And whereas the city council recognizes the importance of ensuring that the department of EMS operations remain financially stable and accountable while also aligning with the city's overall

fiscal structure.

And whereas the continuation of the department of EMS as an enterprise fund is no longer deemed to be in the best financial or administrative interest of the city. And whereas the city council believes that establishing a special revenue account for all ambulance receipts will provide greater fiscal sustainability and flexibility for the city. Now therefore be resolved that the Fall River City Council hereby

respectfully requests that the mayor submit a request to revoke the provisions of chapter 44 section 53F and a half of the Massachusetts General Laws to the city council thereby seizing the operation of the department of emergency medical services as an enterprise fund effective with the commencement of fiscal year 2027. 7 and be a further resolved that upon such revocation a special revenue account be established

for the deposit of all ambulance receipts.

So u Mr. Dion let let me first off uh retract my question by asking you do you intend uh to send down a request to revoke provisions chapter 44 section 53F and a half.

A decision hasn't been made about that con.

Okay. So, what um research uh or from uh financial studies have been done to find out if bringing the EMS enterprise account into the general fund is in the city's best interest?

We haven't done any financial um uh um studies on moving that uh EMS fund yet.

Um we do know that the administration wants to take a look at it. Um, we want to work with you as counselors, uh, to see what the positives and the negatives are. Um, uh, your counselor in C1, I've had numerous conversations, uh, concerning the enterprise fund. Uh, he's brought up some great great, um, uh, uh, uh, information to me and to the administration. And, uh, it's something,

like I said, we want to work with you on uh, to look at seeing if it's if it's, uh, in the best interest of the city residents to eliminate it. So I I I respect that you don't have the answers to my questions now and that and that is fair. Um Chief, it's early. That's why that's why I bring this up is we want to do this right. We want to make sure you know I

spoke spoken with the chief this morning. We've had an EMS account since 2008. That's 17 years. So I want to do it the right way. Don't want to do it the wrong way. And I know with the with us working together, city councilors, with uh councelor Kadim and councelor uh Dion, yourself, all um I think we can get to what you want to get to at the end. What's in the best uh interest of the residents,

chief? Um I respect the fact that the EMS enterprise account has brought in um additional revenue to the city fiscal year over fiscal year. I also recognize that the indirects that the EMS enterprise account has contributed to the city's overall operational budget is something that to me is is pretty glaring and pretty clear. Um what is your initial thoughts um uh about uh eliminating the EMS enterprise account?

I don't think that um I don't think even I've actually broached the subject with other public safety department heads to say there is a way to utilize the enterprise fund to a better benefit to the other public safety agencies that are in the city.

there is a way to um better utilize some of the funding that is in EMS and some of the the um monies that are left over at the end of the year. Um but it hasn't come to any um serious conversation which I think can be addressed and accomplish the same thing that you're trying to accomplish.

All right. So, I don't know what what we're trying to accomplish yet, but I want to ask you this um because we have a half hour before our committee on finance and appears to be the only item on our agenda. Best practices that you're hearing from other communities, correct?

That have a abolished enterprise account or it's just in their general fund or not or utilizing as to your words utilizing the EMS enterprise account to be a better resource to the city side from a financial revenue aspect. What are those be best practices and why does it take I guess this resolution or the the thought of possibly abolishing the enterprise account being something that

is going to allow us to start thinking like this?

I've actually been saying for um I've actually brought forward the suggestion and I think we've discussed this y about the fee for service that's not even in our operating budget that we pay for um fire responses is about $300 to $400,000 a year. I think that that money could be better served in a revolving account that could benefit um the public safety agencies. It goes into the general fund currently. I don't know

if if I may interrupt you chief fee for service for those people who now understand that what does that mean?

So um at the end of every year the percentage and this was determined a long time ago. It hasn't been adjusted in a long time. The fire department gets a reimbursement of free cash. 30 13% of our free cash at the end of the year.

EMS from EMS to fire for runs that they come out and support us.

Okay. If I can stop you for a moment.

13% of the EMS enterprise accounts.

What?

Free cash at the end of the year.

And where does that go?

Stays with the enterprise fund.

See? No, it goes into the general fund.

Can can our CFO come uh interim CFO or director of finance come down please?

It goes right over here retained earnings.

What is that number usually chief? 13% of free cash.

What is that number? What was that number last fiscal year?

Um 329,000 I think correct. right around 3 329.

Okay.

379.

Miss Ar, in terms of the 329,000 that came back from EMS to the general fund, what did the city do with that 329,000?

Um, to start, it's not free cash. It's not 13% of free cash. It's 13% of that PCG, the PCG reimbursement, right? It's 13% of the PCG reimbursement, which is based on the number of calls that are answered. Um, but it equals she said whether it's the the the lingo is wrong or not that there's a revenue line in the budget for it and and and what does that do that just goes back into

the general fund. Yeah, it's it's within the general fund revenue lines if you look at um I want to say it's under fees. It should say fire department and it says um call revenue.

Okay. So this is this is an amount that's transferred at the end of the year during recap.

It's no it's not done at the end of the year or during recap. It's done at the end of the year because the payment for PCG comes in in about June every year.

So that's why it's done at the end of the year because they get EMS gets a lump sum payment for the year in June each year. So that's why the transfers made at that point.

I understand. Okay. So back to my I guess my line of questioning chief is what other best practices from a financial revenue standpoint besides the fee for service which I appreciate your your honesty about the city should be utilizing more from a revenue perspective. So I think there are um we haven't even delved into the possibility or if it's even a possibility to try to um match some of that maybe not equal

but match um some of that percentage for police responses for just strictly 53s which are um strictly medical related calls that don't involve that they're only there strictly forms. Mhm.

The the tricky part with the PCG money is that you can't um the the FIFA service can't be involved for motor vehicle accidents that a firetruck would have to be on anyway or a police car that has to go to a motor vehicle accident anyway. But the calls that they go on to where they're strictly there for us like nose bleeds and things like that, I think that there's an opportunity there for them also to

benefit from that PCG at the end of the year that we haven't discussed.

Okay.

So you're how much do you supply in indirects every fisc this fiscal year?

Um back to the city probably close to I think we I thought I figured it out for the last meeting. I think it's 30 38% of our overall budget which is how much?

Probably close to 4 million.

Okay. Are you still paying firefighter salaries?

Yes.

Okay. Because somebody told me for some reason today that that's not the case anymore. But so as of next fiscal year, because they're not not a direct expense, um I said that we would change them from a direct expense and add them into our direct expense, our indirects next year so that that five firefighters would still be reimbursed to the city.

So you're going to So you're just pretty much moving it around.

Just moving it around.

So you're going to just increase your indirects next year, correct?

To pay for those five firefighters.

I pay for five firefighters a year. And how much money does the EOPS grant usually supply? Generally speaking, we've turned it down the last couple years. How many firefighters is that good for the that overtime reimbursement? They got $1.6 million from the governor this year. It was split.

We don't turn that down.

Yeah.

No, there was what was the what is the uh grant? I'm sorry. Safer grant.

Correct. How much?

We applied for five and um hopefully we will get we switched that application to 10.

We haven't been applying for it is what you're asking this morning. We didn't apply for it.

You did apply for it.

We just applied for the safer grant for next fiscal year.

Yes.

Okay.

For 10 for five individuals. We're going to increase that to 10 hopefully.

Look, being completely candid with you, I think a lot of this frustration from counselors was as a result of what happened that lease situation, which we don't have to rehash bad bad moments here, but there was some frustration made from an accountability standpoint that the council felt a little slighted and disrespected. I have since had a meeting with you, Chief, and I have um I

urge all of my colleagues to do the same thing as well. I think there's a lot of dynamics at stake here that the public and some counselors might not be aware of, but I'm just going to state that I think we have to have a united front when it comes to um public safety in the city. I think that the fire department and EMS need to kind of work out any intricacies and differences that they

may have. I think there are some communication issues based on what I hear and what I hear and what I listen and what people say to me. Um, and I think that a larger discussion as you plan your financial analysis going into the next fiscal year with our current EMS chief is vital, especially as the city's trying to find ways to increase additional revenues. I think some of the

ideas that she has um that may and and maybe it's because there hasn't been a steady city administrator here for a while. The ideas that our chief has in EMS are good. there are a lot of good ideas there to help the city from a revenue perspective that I think she needs to be heard. Um, and I'm not saying that she said she hasn't been heard. I'm just saying having elevated

conversations in her office 3 weeks ago had me have me have a different perspective in terms of what revenue that this department generates. And I'm not saying that the city needs to take advantage of the EMS enterprise account.

What I'm saying is there needs to be a better alignment of fiscal policy, financial policy, financial policy that I've been asking for for a very long time that we really haven't begun, but I know you're working on. These are the these are the elevated conversations that we need to have. And now that we have an interim city uh um city administrator and then there's some clear communication between the three of

you, I want you to elevate that conversation because what she's bringing to the table and the revenue that this department brings in is something that the city needs to capitalize on. You know, everybody's saying us, we raise taxes all these times and we do all these other things for people. We obviously have bills that we need to pay, but the amount of money that they're generating is is is is

important. Now, I say that without without missing the point here that I do not want to I hopefully it's a situation where we're not shutting down rescues, which you've identified to me is not happening, to do MIH transfers to hospitals. As long as we are there and the phone is getting picked up for 911 calls when this community needs our EMS and they're responding, I want to continue to make sure that that's not

happening. We're not closing rescues to do MIH transfers. So, I just want to make that clear, too. We we understand that the public safety is our priority and we are taking that very seriously and you won't you if you have that problem I want you to if or somebody comes to you I can assure you that it's not going to happen but if they do please pick up the phone and call me

in terms last question in terms of a time period in terms of when you're going to do your analysis if this makes financial sense or not for the city when could we expect that couple months like January 1st Maybe it'll be part of the the next couple of months before we go into budget.

We're going to look at this thing and we're going to look at it very well.

Okay. We have a lot of priorities coming up that we understand. Um we're going to do it right. Okay. And it might be getting rid of the enterprise fund. I don't know yet. But we're going to sit down. I want to listen to all what you have to say. The mayor wants to listen to the whole process. your counselor in C1 brings up a lot of great ideas. Want to listen to those ideas because those

ideas might be right and might be what's good for the city. So, it'll be in the future.

I think before the 27 budget is submitted, we'll provide you with a full analysis separately before we get to that point of submitting what we think is best. We'll we'll make sure to have those conversations before then.

How many like cities have an EMS enterprise account?

I would have to do some research.

Actually, after our last meeting, I did some um I looked at 17 communities that are third service um EMS and I think it's Fall River, New Bedford, Boston, and I think Shbury is just starting to look at it. We're really kind of a a unique animal, but we are actually probably the one of the most aggressive um outside of Boston MS. We're pretty aggressive in in what we offer for services for the citizens. I'd like to

get a chance to talk about that at some point. Um, but I do feel that I have a great group and we just I'm a new chief.

I'm just trying to find my find my niche, but I do want to work with everybody to try to make everybody understand what EMS really does offer to the citizens of River.

Thank you, Mr. President. I yield.

Thank you. Council C4. Council Kilian.

Yes. I I this resolution is intriguing.

Um and uh I definitely are keeping an open mind on it. Um I mean been around long enough to know what the purpose of enterprise funds are. We have one more water and sewer. Um so that was one of the questions I was going to ask with regard to peer communities and council seat one will give an answer with regard to SECO and I know we're a diff different animal um than than the town

of Sec. Um, also I do know that um the EMS has morphed it into something much larger than it was when I first got elected to the city council. It's something that is um a large entity now.

Um and um so I do appreciate the um the honesty and the transparency that you're giving this council, you know, telling us that you're going to really keep an open mind on this thing, look at it, research it. uh because before I make a decision again I think it's an intriguing thing we get we have a duty here to do what's best for the city and um and that is always been my motivation

along with everyone else's here so um just in terms of uh this is just p was just passed two weeks ago so I didn't really expect that you guys would have um you know an analysis ready for everybody but u I would be like to look at other communities peer communities these size uh if any of them have done that maybe have some conversations with them and if they have and um because

before we make a decision we want to make an educated decision. So thank you Mr. President. How do you Thank you. Co.

Thank you Mr. President. First of all uh Mr. Dion thank you for conversations that we had. I know you and I have had a number of conversations regarding this and the willingness to even entertain this. I I truly appreciate it. the mayor has has stated to me that he is also willing to entertain it. Uh for my colleagues uh standpoint and just the edification as to why I I submitted

this. Um again I know my colleague and see I always got to count seat six. I should know this by now. Um he he he made a statement saying that this is as a result of the lease. This has nothing to do with the lease. Um this this is really just what's in the best interest of the city of Fall River from a financial standpoint. Um, and I think it's important. So, we have currently

three enterprise funds. So, for folks at home who who don't truly understand the difference between a general fund and enterprise fund, um, essentially you can look at it as four different checking accounts, right? We've got the general fund which handles all of our departments, right? And we have revenue coming in. All our state aid comes into this checking account. We divid divvy it

up for all the departments with the exception of those departments that have their own checking account. water and sewer, right? They have user fees. So, we charge the users a fee for water and sewer, right? So, based on how much water and how much sewer you use, you get charged a fee. So, I would say that a separate checking account makes the most sense because it gives us more visibility,

right, and more transparency in terms of the cost associated with that department, especially if you're charging users an additional fee on above and beyond what they're paying in in property taxes and and general taxes.

The third, the fourth checking account is in EMS.

So what I would say is is that from my standpoint, I don't see a benefit for EMS having its own enterprise fund because we do not charge a user fee. We charge the insurance company for a service, right? So we're just essentially submitting bills and invoices to the insurance company. The insurance company reviews that, submits it to us, it goes into it into the checking account. The problem becomes is

is that as part of EMS and I and I fully support EMS and I'm not suggesting in any way by eliminating an enterprise fund that we remove any funding that goes to EMS. What I am saying is is that we are restricted in terms of what we can use that revenue for. So your operating budget for FY26 is $16.2 million, right? So that means at a minimum you are raising $6.2 2 million

of revenue to cover your salaries and expenses.

And we see that there's retained earnings every year. So what do we in terms of revenue, what are we generating on a yearly basis? 20 million, 25 million.

Well, we're just over 17 from last year.

I think it was like 17.1 17 million.

Yeah.

So we've got $17 million that's being generated by EMS. So we we on that's that's on top of trying to justify indirect costs of close to $2 million coming in. healthcare, some additional monies. So, we we have $1.7 million or a million dollars left over that could be utilized for other departments or capital projects or things like that.

So, for those that want to argue whether or not that this makes sense, I would then say to those people that are not in agreement with eliminating this enterprise fund, just imagine this for a second. We have $10.9 million that's coming in in in local receipts, fees that are collected through various departments. We've got uh $100,000 in rentals, $100,000 coming in from cemeteries, $2.4 million coming in from

license and permits, $1.5 million coming in for fines of forfeite, $3.7 million, which I disagree using, but it's in the budget for investment income. That's that's part of this. Uh $1.3 million in Medicare reimbursement and $200,000 in miscellaneous for $10.9 million. So imagine if we went down and said, "Okay, I'll take Medicare." $1.3 million. Do you know how we get that $1.3 million in

Medicare? It's all reimbursement from the schools.

Okay? That's school department money that doesn't go to the school department comes into the general fund. So imagine if The school department said, "On top of all the money that you give, I want $1.2 million because the Medicare reimbursement is coming from us."

So the city is benefiting $1.3 million.

Okay, we go to the cemeteries. That's broken out $100,000. So now I've got to reduce $10.9 million by $1.3 million.

Now I also got to reduce by $100,000 because the cemetery department wants it specifically for the cemeteries, right?

And it goes down and down and down. And not every department in the city generates revenue, right?

I agree.

So I I would say the auditor's office, very important function. What revenue do they generate?

None.

None. So imagine if we just focused on the departments that are generating re revenue and we say we're only going to allocate this revenue to those departments. I can tell you right now the auditor's department is eliminated because they don't generate revenue.

So the part of this is really just trying to make sure that again we are the city of Fall River. Every department, every employee in the city of Fall River gets a paycheck. The paycheck says the city of Fall River.

Doesn't say the department name. So you can work for the police department, fire department. It's the city of Fall River.

So all I am looking for is to eliminate the enterprise fund, move the revenue into the general fund, and just be able to leverage that money that's there. But let's be fiscally responsible. So, let's come up with policies that we can move and reallocate monies into a stabilization account, put it into a a stabilization account, maybe for public safety, so that we can have all your

vehicles replaced, we can have the fire department uh vehicles replaced, we can have police department vehicles replaced. By doing it in the general fund, we relieve some of the restrictions that we would otherwise have if it solely stays in the enterprise fund under EMS. And so that would be a more stringent and hotter justification to try to get this money to the other departments that need it.

So that's all where where I was going with this entire conversation. I think it makes the most sense from a financial and a fiscal management standpoint. And I and I appreciate the amount of money and effort that goes into the generating of of this this revenue. Um and I'm not looking to take away any money from EMS.

It's it's number one to make sure that we still capture the revenue and allocate it to that department. So yeah, no question.

I just wanted to be smart. It's $1.3 million of retained earnings this year.

Okay. Thank you.

So you know, so but so so that that's all I was I was going with it just from my from my colleague standpoint. It really is just to give the administration more flexibility for us to also bring in more money into the general fund so we can off or at least try to ease the burden uh of the taxpayers because one we still need to provide services to folks and and I and

I recognize you know at the end of the day forever does a very good job and and I've I've had this conversation with somebody the other day and and I understand everybody is struggling. We we literally I just had this conversation with an individual walking up the stairways with counselor in C6 about the cost of living today, you know, and and how challenging it is. And we we have this conversation on a

day-to-day basis, but I I think the city of Fall River does a phenomenal job of providing services and minimizing the impact to taxpayers. I I know taxpayers would not necessarily always agree with it, but there is not many places in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts that you can move to that has a lower tax base than Fall River or even Rhode Island to that to that case. I could make the

argument if I was living in Boston, we can go we can move to Taton. We can move south of 495, right? We have a very low tax rate, right? But that doesn't mean that we don't have work to do to make sure that we need to try to minimize the additional impact on residents. uh you know, we have rent issues. There's a number of issues that go there, but I I

think overall we do a good job, but this is just going to make sure that we're doing even more of a job to bring in and infuse some additional revenue and not necessarily hit the tax base and just try to ease a burden a little bit and still provide the services that everybody expects across the board. Uh so with that, I yield.

Thank you, Council. Council C2, Counc.

Yeah, just a couple of comments. Um, so I do believe that New Bedford's EMS goes into the general fund. So there's an example. Here we go again. It's always fallen New Bedford, but it is what it is. Um, right now with the revenues coming in and all the trucks and and personnel that's been added on to do the the transfers and um that's financially covered, correct?

Yes.

Okay.

Yes. We um we uh also provide uh vaccines for children.

Um a lot of our vaccines for children program uh we go into the senior centers and we do wellness checks and safety checks and um we have a lot of other programs that we provide to the community that are um not reimburseable and our we are able to cover all those services under the umbrella of the enterprise fund and still keep ourselves solvent.

Okay. And that's including the community health that we've that we getting involved in as well. We're actually in the end um end stages of uh working in agreement with one of our local um healthc care providers to find a reimbursement model.

Um Senator Rodri got us the $300,000 one-time grant to um do our home visit program to do feasibility and viability and how it impacted the community. and the results were so um phenomenal that this healthc care facility in Fall River decided that the reimbursement model was there. So we're going to enter into an agreement with them so that the there will be a re reimbursement model for those home visits.

Okay. Okay. The reason I the reason I bring this up um so we just recently with uh Brown entered into a contract for the transports and the revenue that's going to be generated by that has not even been realized yet.

Correct.

So it's safe to assume that that 1.3 million is going to be far larger in the fiscal year 2026.

Um so it could be fingers crossed. There there are um there are a lot of outside factors that work into and I'm sure Sean can agree there are a lot of outside factors um Medicare and Mass Health determine their rates in January. So unfortunately for fisk for uh municipalities that that comes in halfway through your year. So you don't know how it's going to impact but yes we should do we should do um well

okay so again so that increases the 1.3 uh significantly um also with the home health visits um and all the reimbursements you're speaking of. So, I agree. It's It's not about hurting anybody. It's about doing what's best for the city of for the residents, the taxpayers. Um because your your the service that you're providing um and the way you've changed with the times is strictly local. It's strictly Fall River.

It is. Some of the home visit program is regional because some of the smaller communities can't provide that service.

Um but we um do the best we can on all all fronts to try to remain fiscally responsible.

And with growth sometimes there's expenses and I think we're past the expense part of the program. And now we're kind of in the let's keep let's keep uh let's try to just keep where we are and just perfect what we have. So that's that's what we're trying to do.

Well, and I think what we're trying to accomplish is, you know, and I don't care who you ask. I don't care when it's asked. I don't care if it's at a debate talking to individual people. What's the most important thing? Public safety.

Well, this is hopefully a path to ensuring our our public safety, all departments are the best that they can be so that we can service the people of this city the best we can service them.

And um and if we can have some type of account that we can also guarantee capital items, which we've never been able to do before, which again is only going to bolster uh public safety.

I think that's what I'm looking for.

I'll speak for myself. That's what I'm looking for. And I think we can accomplish that. And um and and you do deserve a lot of credit for what you've accomplished and the revenues you're you're bringing in. And with that, I yield. Thank you.

Thank you, Council.

Want you to take Council C3. Council Hop.

Thank you, Mr. President, and uh thank you for coming tonight and uh thank the uh councils that wrote the resolution. I think it's very important. Just one thing to add um Mike or Beth um or Emily, have have the uh because this is going to be a you know, a big undertaking. Um and there's going to be all parties involved in this and I know we've talked about the different city

departments. Um, but the most one that I'm interested in is the fire the fire department and have they been I'm sure they're going to get involved in this as well with with you guys, but have they been involved with you at yet right now?

I know it's early in the discussions, but No, they haven't.

Okay. And it's really it's early, but I think it's important to obviously it's real early. This only came up about two weeks ago in discussions with councelor C1 and and uh uh councelor Dion also. So, um we're working on it.

We're going to work on it.

I know you will. I know you will. And I I just wanted to throw that out there and I'm sure I'm sure they're going to get involved in I was just curious if they got involved so far. I would like to say though however um I have met with uh Chief Bacon on several occasions and I have expressed to him that there are ways if there are um repairs that need

to be done in the stations. We do pay 25% rent in each station or there are ways if there are things that need to be done that we can help to support that with whatever we have in revenues or free cash. So he is aware of his ability to be able to come and have discussions if he needs something within the enterprise fund as as it stands right now.

Very good. All right. Thank you. I yield.

Thank you, Council.

Motion to table.

Second.

Motion to table main second. All in favor?

I.

Any opposed? Item is now Emily.

Motion to adjurnn finances. Second.

Motion to adjourn finance as a main and seconded. All in favor?

Any opposed? City Council is now agenda.

Heat. Heat.

Hey,

hey hey.

Heat. Heat.

Heat. Heat.

My marble coming

out Please come to order. Clerk will call the role.

Councelor Scadin here.

Dion here.

Hart here.

Kilby here.

Carrera.

Ponty here.

Raposo here.

Tiff here.

President Camaro here. Will everyone in the council chair please rise for a moment of silent prayer?

Please remain standing for salute to the flag to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, liberty and justice for all.

Pursuant to the open meeting law, any person may make an audio or video recording of this public meeting and may transmit this meeting to any medium.

Attendees are therefore advised that such recordings or transmissions are being made whether perceived or unpersceived by those present and not deemed acknowledged and permissible.

Mr. President, council council.

Uh I'd like to ask my colleagues to make a motion to wave the rules. There was two individuals who had a soccer practice that wanted to speak during citizens input and I would ask my colleagues if we can make a motion to wave the rules uh under our same rules for three minutes for these individuals to come speak to us. They had a soccer practice and they got here a little

late. So that's a motion. Motion has made a second. Second. All in favor?

Any opposed? Motion carries. Could you please come down two of you and again as the council stated, you have three minutes to speak. You can state your name and what the cause that you like to speak about is please. I'd appreciate it.

You can join him.

Hi, Sarah and James Riley. Uh 1679 Copakott Road. We are here to support Paul Hart's resolution to assess and amend existing dumping fines. Many volunteers work tirelessly cleaning garbage from Fall River Streets, waterways, wershed, and from the bio reserve. Many are here with me today.

Um, supporting stricter fines makes our work count. As we are auters to the bio reserve, I often coordinate with EPOs, my friends Kate and John. Um, and we act as eyewitnesses, provide evidence, often catching dumpers and chasing them out ourselves. Our environmental police officers are doing an outstanding job holding offenders accountable. We have the full support of the FRPD on this

matter. But in order for the law to have teeth, we need consequences severe enough to deter offenders. Last month, someone dumped 43 contractor bags of garbage adjacent to the Copa Cut. EPO's obtained a full confession and made the offender come and clean it up. She was fined $300 for this.

A week later, we caught someone unloading a U-Haul.

There are countless cases of dumpers acting with impunity in broad daylight.

We're long past the point of reassessing our city ordinances to guarantee that the fines fit the crime. Fines should reflect significant and unquantifiable manpower costs to the city.

investigation, enforcement, DCM removal, and cost of elimination. The fines should reflect the growing costs of legal removal and should be compounded for good measure. And finally, the fines should be posted so the public cannot claim ignorance, especially in our protected forests and adjacent to our drinking water. The topic of a clean city is at the very forefront of this election season. But for two decades,

Nat and Dave Melo have been saying a clean neighborhood is a safe neighborhood. And I think that we can all stand behind that today. Thank you.

Could you do me one favor though? Could you please repeat your name and address and everyone at the table so we'll know who it is?

Yes. Sarah Riley and James Riley, 1679 Copa Cut Road.

Thank you.

Katie Wyant, 342 Bulock Street in Fall River.

Thank you, Council C3. Council Hop.

Hi. Thank you, Mr. President, and thank you very much for coming down here tonight. I know I've been uh talking about this for a long time. Um and we're going to do what we'll do after tonight is this is going to get uh um go gone to the ordinance committee. I'll talk to the chairman of the ordinance committee, Linda Pereira. You're going to be invited. You guys will be invited down

to those those meetings. Um and I think you're right. I think it's uh about time that the uh there's some teeth into the ordinances, but also too it's going to be there's teeth into enforcing it and that's going to be a major key. And um but to see those pictures like I've seen them before, it's ab absurd that and that they get sometimes get away with it. And I I remember the time when you

uh about a couple weeks ago uh when you posted that dump on there and we we did catch the person and that's kudos to you guys. And these are all from 2025. Just so that you guys know, this is all great work, Sarah. And like I said, we'll um we'll I'll give you I'll be in touch with you guys very shortly. let you know when the meeting is and we'll uh definitely get

to the bottom of it. I know Lauren's given me a lot of the uh ordinances not just from this city but throughout the uh Commonwealth. So, we have that to go by. Um but we'll do a lot more research as well. So, thank you very much for being here.

Thank you and thank you for making an exception.

Consultation.

Yeah, I just want to make one comment.

Um I think this is a great resolution.

Appreciate you coming as well. the I'm not on the ordinance committee, so I'd just like to make one suggestion. I know that there are construction companies or people who are dumping CND materials.

Unfortunately, it's less expensive to pay the fine than to get rid of the CND materials, which is why they're doing it. So, I would like to think that they set that fine about $3,000 because then they'll think twice. They're not going to dump it there anymore. The chief is working on it right now.

With that, I yield.

Thank you very much for coming down.

Thank you.

Madam clerk, Mr. President, the first item before you is a request for the mayor from the mayor for the confirmation of the appointment of Trevor Koelloo to the position of purchasing agency.

Motion to confirm the second.

Second.

Motion has been made and seconded. on the motion count six kati.

Thank you, Mr. President. Um, I commend this um appointment and confirmation of Mr. Koelloo. Um, somebody I know that's been involved with him and his young family in the city for many years. Um, I don't know if you're a Dery graduate or not, but u but that's okay if you're you're a Dartmouth graduate. The Indians always beat us.

Diamond. Oh, diamond. Oh, even better.

Uh, but um uh Mr. Quell, I know I've known him for a couple years just in and out of the community and I I'm I'm I commend this appointment and confirmation. I appreciate the work of of Rebecca, though. I I I I it goes without notice that um Mr. Koelloo isn't uh Kelloo isn't going to be successful without her and the guidance that she's been able to provide him. She stepped up

in a time of need for this community.

She was very well spoken before the city council. She's working extremely hard in her department. Um, and I I just want to commend you too uh for somebody like Trevor needing a um somebody to to be a little bit of a mentor. And it it it kind of goes to show how strong city hall can be when you know there's there's good leadership getting things done and and Trevor will be successful

if you continue to mentor him. So I want to commend you with that. With that being said, I did have a conversation with uh Miss Art Key tonight um regarding um the the salary annual salary for this position. Um while I agree with it, um I do think that this role of purchasing agent um does have a good part of your job duty will have to do with the school department. So, I am

going to I I have urged uh her and I will urge this uh the interim seat uh city administrator um to see if we could get half of the salary reimburseed back from the school department for this um as you build this going into next fiscal year. Um because the salary, which I think is a good salary for this role, a lot of that role and a lot of that duty,

I don't know if it's 50% or 75% of the time it comes from the school department. Um but I just hope that the school department can reimburse the city uh as part of their um their indirect.

So with that being said, I'm happy for this and I yield. Thank you.

Thank you, council. And the Indians do not always beat us.

Occasionally in football they do.

Football.

Motion has been made and seconded. All in favor?

Any opposed? Motion carries.

Congratulations here.

Thank you. Congratulations.

You didn't even know that.

I don't know.

Madam clerk, the next item is also a request from the mayor for the confirmation of the appointment of Kalin Ferto to the cultural council.

Motion to confirm.

Second.

Motion to confirm as remaining seconded.

All in favor? I.

Any opposed?

Motion carries.

Mr. President, can I make a motion to take item nine out of order, please?

Second.

Motion to take item nine out of order has remained and seconded. All in favor?

Any opposed? Motion carries.

Item nine is a proposed ordinance for the veterans benefit agent and director of veteran services uh with regards to his salary schedule amendment.

Refer to ordinance.

No motion pass second reading enrollment amended. Second motion to pass through second reading and a room as amended has been made and seconded on the motion council seat seven counc just want to echo what I said two weeks ago regarding Mr. Ferris again I'm very pleased that this is finally coming from the forefront uh a well-deserving individual who does great work for our veteran community and I look forward to

our continued collaboration for overall community of veterans I yield thank you seat six thank you Mr. President. Um, I commend I I I concur with my colleague in seat 7's comments. Um, I'm still frustrated on a number of different topics with regards how this veteran agent has been treated.

Um, and I am even more frustrated with the fact that um, this is was held up in a subcommittee that one person decided to hold up amongst themselves and it took a body of five to pull it out of the subcommittee that was just going to sit there. If it wasn't for their leadership, it still would be stuck in subcommittee. committee ordinance.

Correct.

I'm sorry. In the ordinance subcommittee, not in this subcommittee.

Sure. Yeah. Thank you, Mr. President.

So, that's not how we do business.

That's not how things should be handled.

I am all over the fact um and the city administration knows that I'm hoping to get some kind of a resolve on what those claims were because it's it's bothering me. Um I've had a great conversation with uh our VSO agent. I think his heart is in the right place. I think what he's doing for veterans, um, it goes without saying. I'm not sitting here to try to earn political points, but, um, he's not

looking to play politics. He's looking to represent veterans. And that, and that's that's that says a lot of of what we have here. And these are the kind of people that we want to celebrate their success. We want to celebrate how they show up every day and celebrate the fact that they're not in it for the money.

They're in it to make a difference in people's lives. And that is exactly what this VSO agent based on my experiences, based on my conversations, based on my direct contact with him has been. Um so um I'm I'm I want to credit my colleague in seat one and seat 7 for getting this out of the ordinance committee um and getting this moving because it would have just stood there if it wasn't for

your leadership getting this out and getting this done. So this is an example of a council working united uh to try to get do something good for good people and that's exactly what this is. I yield.

Thank you councelor. Motion has a meeting and seconded. All in favor?

Any opposed? Motion carries.

The next item is a number of traffic uh ordinance recommendations.

Motion for committ or second.

Motion for committation has been made and second. All in favor?

Any opposed? Motion carries.

The Committee on Ordinances and Legislation at a meeting held on September 16th, 2025 voted unanimously to recommend that the accompanying proposed ordinance accompanied by an emergency preamble be passed through first reading, second reading, passed to be enrolled and passed to be ordained.

This is a proposed ordinance for handicap parking.

Motion to adopt emergency preamble.

Second.

Motion to adopt emergency has made and seconded. Roll call on the emergency preamble.

Council Scadin. Yes.

Dion.

Yes.

Cart.

Yes.

Kilby.

Yes.

Pereira.

Ponty.

Yes.

Raposo.

Yes.

Tiff.

Yes.

President Chimera.

Yes.

Motion to pass through all readings.

Second.

Motion to pass through all readings has a main and second. All in favor? Any opposed? Motion carries.

The committee on ordinances and legislation at a meeting held on September 16th, 2025 voted unanimously to recommend that the accompanying proposed ordinance be passed through first reading. This is for miscellaneous traffic.

Motion to pass with first reading.

Second.

Motion to pass with first reading has been made and seconded. All in favor? I.

Any opposed?

Motion carries. The committee on ordinances and legislation at a meeting held on September 16th, 2025 voted unanimously to recommend that the accompanying proposed ordinance be granted leave to withdraw. This is for the director of emergency management agency salary amendment.

Motion so made.

Second.

Motion Rese all in favor.

Any opposed? Motion carries.

Item seven is a proposed ordinance for miscellaneous traffic for motion to pass for second reading and enrollment.

Second.

Motion to pass for second reading and enrollment has been made and seconded.

All in favor?

Any opposed? Motion carries.

The next item is a is a proposed ordinance also for second reading and enrollment as amended for the library programs revolving fund. Motion so made.

Motion to pass the second meeting and enrollment as amended has remained and seconded. All in favor?

I.

Any opposed? Motion carries.

Whereas the city of Fall River faces ongoing challenges with the prevention of littering and illegal dumping in parks, neighborhoods, and preservation areas, which creates public health and safety risks, decreases quality of life for residents, and negatively affects local ecosystems.

And whereas the existing city ordinances utilize a civil penalty of up to $300 for littering violations within these public spaces which are issued by the Fall River Police Department. And whereas many residents, visitors, and business owners in the city of Fall River have expressed concern regarding refues being left behind and not properly disposed of. Now therefore, be it resolved that the committee on

ordinances and legislation convene with the police chief, the director of city operations and corporation council to discuss current enforcement methods to prevent and penalize the act of illegal dumping and littering and potential amendments to existing fines to assist with deterring this unlawful activity throughout the city of Fall River.

Motion to adopt.

Second.

Motion to adopt has remained and seconded. All in favor? I.

Any opposed? Motion carries.

We have a citation for the St. Anthony of the Desert Marinite Catholic Church.

Motion to adopt.

Motion to adopt. The citation is made and second. All in favor?

I.

Any opposed? Motion carries.

The next item is also a citation for the Greater Fall River Arts Association.

Motion to adopt.

Second.

Motion to adopt has been made and seconded on the motion. Council seat seven. Council Pos.

I just want to just give to my colleagues and to the public as well.

Um, so this was a result of one of the opera investments into our community.

Um, this is the Greater For Art Association and the launch of their mobile art studio. Um, which was an idea that came to fruition and we're finally going to have it happen. So, the dedication um is on Saturday, September 27th at 9:00 a.m. over at Heritage State Park. Um, I would invite my colleagues in the public to attend. Um, this will be a vehicle that will be great to our community, to our kids. they'll be able

to go out similar to how the bookmobile kind of operates, but in the idea that they'll be able to go out uh and bring art opportunities and classes to different sections of the city. So, I would encourage my colleagues to attend and uh support this great opportunity.

Could you just repeat the date again the time because I I get it?

Uh Saturday, September 27th, 9:00 a.m.

at Heritage State Park down near the water.

So, this coming Saturday.

Yes, sir.

Thank you.

With that yield.

Thank you, councelor. Motion made second. All in favor?

Any opposed? Motion carries.

The next item are licenses for the renewal of auto body shop licenses.

Motion to adopt. Second.

Motion to adopt has made second. All in favor?

Any opposed? Motion carries.

And those licenses are for John V Pico and Michael Pacico, DBA Celebrity Aldo, and Richard Ducalos, DBA, Richard's Auto Body and Paint.

The next item are applications for the renewal of auto repair shop licenses.

Motion to adopt. Second.

Motion to adopt has a main second. Do you want to read them first before we vote on it?

Yes. Thank you. Roger W. Peiba DBA's garage. Robert W. Sariva DBA Pekham Street Garage and Juel Say DBA Henry's Tire Enterprises Inc.

Motion made second. All in favor? I.

Any opposed? Motion carries.

The next item is a light order for the conducting of a lighting survey at three locations on RitaO Street. Uh we did learn today that the instead of the director of city operations that it is the Fall River Police Department that is handling um this type of work going forward. So Mr. President, if I could have a motion to amend the order.

Motion so made. Second.

Motion to amend has made and seconded.

All in favor? I.

Any opposed?

Motion to adopt as amended. Second.

Motion to adopt as amended has been made and seconded. All in favor? I.

Any opposed? Motion carries. Adopted as amended. Thank you.

You have a number of claims.

Motion defer to corporation council.

Second.

Motion to refer to corporation council has been made and seconded. All in favor? I.

Any opposed? Motion carries.

And if we could have a brief recess for the signing of ordinance.

City council recess for two minutes.

City Council reconvene. Madam clerk.

Motion's made and seconded. All in favor? Any opposed? Motion carries.

The next ordinance is for the library programs revolving fund for also passage to be ordained.

Pass to be ordained as amended. Second.

Motion to pass to be ordained as amended as a second. All in favor? I. Any opposed? Motion carries.

And the last item is for the um adjustment of the veterans salary, the veterans benefits agent salary schedule.

Motion to be passed ordained as amended.

Second.

Motion to pass to be ordained as amended has been made and seconded. All in favor?

Any oppose? Motion carries.

That's all we have. Mr.

Motion to adjurnn. Second.

Before we adjurnn, I just want to congratulate this is first official city council meeting as a clerk.

Thank you very much.

She's done it in the past as a fill in for the clerk, as a sister, but this is her first official meeting.

Congratulations. Well done.

Thank you.

Motion to adjourn is meeting second. All in favor?

Any opposed? City C is now. Good night, everybody. Good job.

Hey hey hey.

Hey, hey hey.