The City Council held its regular meeting on April 14, 2026, at 10:00 AM in Council Chambers. All nine members were present. The meeting included adoption of multiple proclamations, public comment from 11 speakers, introduction of new legislation, and final approval of several items from standing committees.
Several resolutions and one ordinance were introduced and referred to committees:
All items from the April 8 committee meetings were passed finally by unanimous votes (9-0, per the minutes; the transcript indicates 8 ayes but includes all present members).
Good morning and welcome to the regular meeting of City Council on Tuesday, April 14th, 2026. Would a clerk please take the role? Mr. Charland, Mr. Coghill, Ms. Gross. Mr. Mosley, Mrs. Salonetro. Here. Mrs. Strassberger. Here. Mrs. Warwick. Here. Mr. Wilson. Mr. Lavelle President. Here. Six members present. Thank you. For those who are able, please rise for the Pledge of Allegiance, remain standing for a moment of silence. Pledge of the questions to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands. Under the indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Thank you. Our next order of business is to amend the agenda. There's a motion to amend. So moved. Second. All in favor say aye. Aye. The agenda has been amended. Our next order of business is proclamations. We'll begin with Councilman Gross. Thank you. Thank you. May we have everyone up front for Fair Housing Month. We're so fortunate to have city employees who are helping protect our rights on a daily basis. And we are grateful that they protect amongst our many rights our right to fair housing. Thank you all. Whereas April 11th, 2026 marks the 57th anniversary of the passage of the U.S. Fair Housing Act, Title 8 of the Civil Rights Act of 1968, which as amended pronounces a national policy mandating fair housing opportunities for all citizens, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or familial status. And whereas on December 16th, 1958, Mayor David Lawrence signed the Fair Housing Practices Ordinance into effect, which, as amended, additionally prohibits discrimination in housing on the basis of ancestry, gender identity, gender expression, place of birth, sexual orientation, status as a survivor of domestic violence, citizenship or immigration status, preferred language, hairstyle, or housing status. Whereas a legal barriers to equal opportunity in housing, whether subtle or blatant, diminish the rights of all and violate our community's shared and deeply held values of equality and dignity for all. Whereas the city through its mayor, council, commissions, departments, and authorities still works towards achieving the recommendations of the affirmatively furthering fair housing task force and ending housing inequality for its citizens. Whereas the international community in 2022 and 2023 issued recommendations to public officials in the U.S. calling for improved efforts to address the systemic discrimination that perpetuates poverty and homelessness and disproportionately harms racialized and other vulnerable populations. Whereas the city through its mayor and council reaffirm the commitment to ensuring housing as a human right through its policy implementation and enforcement.