Malden City Hall

215 Pleasant Street

Malden, MA 02148

City of Malden

Meeting Minutes - Final

City Council

Council President Amanda Linehan

Councillor at Large Karen Colon Hayes

Councillor Paul Condon

Councillor Peg Crowe

Councillor at Large Michelle Luong

Councillor at Large Carey McDonald

Councillor Ryan O'Malley

Councillor Jadeane Sica

Councillor Chris Simonelli

Councillor Ari Taylor

Councillor Stephen Winslow

Tuesday, February 10, 2026

7:00 PM

City Council Chambers

215 Pleasant Street

Malden, MA 02148

Watch the meeting with Teams: https://tinyurl.com/mr2w3nvd

1. CALL TO ORDER

Council President Linehan called the meeting to order at 7:10 PM.

2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE & MOMENT OF SILENCE IN HONOR OF SERVICE

MEMBERS

An additional moment of silence was offered by Councillor Linehan in memory of Beebe

School student Norma-Rose Sedine Terme-Smith who passed away on February 3 at the

age of 12 after a seven year battle with Pineablastoma.

3. ROLL CALL

Also in attendance was Lisa Cagno, Christopher Mooney, and Maria Luise.

11 -

Present - Councillors:

Karen Colon Hayes, Paul Condon, Peg Crowe, Amanda Linehan, Carey McDonald,

Ryan O'Malley, Jadeane Sica, Chris Simonelli, Ari Taylor, Stephen Winslow and

Michelle Luong

4. PUBLIC COMMENT

5. CONSENT AGENDA

Approval of the Consent Agenda

A motion was made by Councillor Sica, seconded by Councillor Simonellito

approve the Consent Agenda.The motion carried by unanimous vote.

Mayoral Appointment: Keith Jackson of 103 Woodland Road, Malden, as a full

member of the Historical Commission, said term to expire February 4, 2029.

(Confirmation not required)

83-26

Petition: Taxi Driver: Carlos F. Vargas, 290 Mishawum Road Apt. 2039, Woburn

(Renewal)

96-26

97-26

The Petition was referred to the License Committee.

Communication: During the meeting of February 3, 2026, the Council unanimously

voted to enter into Executive Session with legal counsel for the City, in accordance

with Exemption Seven Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 30A Section 21(a)(7), to

comply with, or act under the authority of, any general or special law or federal

grant-in-aid requirements, in order to act on the periodic review of those Executive

Session minutes listed herein. Council vote is required prior to release of the

Executive Session minutes of the following dates:

September 30, 2025, Paper 365-25

January 20, 2026, Paper 39-26

A motion was made by Councillor Sica, seconded by Councillor O’Malley, to release

the September 30, 2025 minutes whole and unredacted upon the court’s

acceptance of the settlement agreement between Tufts Construction and City of

Malden. The motion passed by a unanimous roll call vote.

A motion was made by Councillor O’Malley, seconded by Councillor Crowe, to

release the January 20, 2026 minutes as redacted, due to the determination that

unredacted minutes would defeat the lawful purpose of M.G.L. c. 30A, s. 22(f), upon

the court’s acceptance of the settlement agreement between Tufts Construction

and City of Malden. The motion passed by a unanimous roll call vote.

Sponsors: Amanda Linehan

Attachments: Final Paper 97-26 Communication on February 3 Executive Session

The Communication was received and filed.

6. APPOINTMENTS & ELECTIONS

Mayoral Reappointment: Catherine Price of 30 Tufts Street, Malden as a member of

the Affordable Housing Trust Fund Board, said term to commence upon

confirmation by the City Council and to expire on January 31, 2028.

98-26

Attachments: Mayor's Reappointment Letter - Catherine Price

A motion was made by Councillor Crowe, seconded by Councillor Winslow, that

the Appointment be confirmed. The motion carried by the following vote:

11 -

Yea:

Colon Hayes, Condon, Crowe, Linehan, McDonald, O'Malley, Sica, Simonelli,

Taylor, Winslow and Luong

Mayoral Reappointment: Kirk Zmijewski of 569 Fellsway East as a member of the

Conservation Commission, said term to commence upon confirmation by the City

Council and to expire on February 13, 2029.

99-26

Attachments: Mayor's Reappointment Letter - Kirk Zmijewski

A motion was made by Councillor Crowe, seconded by Councillor Winslow, that

the Appointment be confirmed. The motion carried by the following vote:

11 -

Yea:

Colon Hayes, Condon, Crowe, Linehan, McDonald, O'Malley, Sica, Simonelli,

Taylor, Winslow and Luong

7. MOTIONS, ORDERS, AND RESOLUTIONS

The Malden City Council will address the Open Meeting Law Complaint submitted

on January 30, 2026 by John Saia of 37 Pierce Street, Malden against the Council

related to the wording of Paper 72-26.

103-26

Sponsors: Amanda Linehan

Attachments: OML on Paper 72-26 from January 27 2026

Response to OML Allegation John Saia - January 27 2026

Final Paper 103-26 OML from John Saia on Paper 72-26

A motion was made by Councillor Taylor, seconded by Councillor Simonelli, that

the Council Item be recommended for referral to the Legal Department. The

motion carried by a unanimous vote.

A motion was made by Councillor Crowe, seconded by Councillor McDonald, that

the Legal Department be authorized to forward their response to the complainant

and Attorney General without having to come back before the Council, pending

approval of the President. Motion carried by a 10-1 voice vote, Councillor

O'Malley dissenting.

8. COMMITTEE REPORTS

Committee Report: The Standing Committee on Finance to whom was referred

Paper 52 Series of 2026 having considered the same make the following report:

Committee reports the paper out favorably with the following recommendation:

that it is requested of the Mayor to seek a financial management review from the

Massachusetts Division of Local services.

100-26

A motion was made by Councillor McDonald, seconded by Councillor Taylor, that

the Committee Report be received and filed. The motion carried by a unanimous

vote.

Order: That the Finance Committee meet in conjunction with the Mayor’s financial

team to research the feasibility of submitting an application to the Massachusetts

Department of Revenue, Division of Local Services’ Financial Management

Resource Bureau for a Financial Management Review of the City of Malden. The

purpose of such a review shall be to evaluate municipal operations, financial

practices, and organizational efficiency. Be it further ordered, that upon successful

completion of the review the Finance Committee will come back to the Full Council

to report on the Bureau’s findings.

52-26

Sponsors:

Michelle Luong, Karen Colon Hayes, Paul Condon, Peg Crowe, Amanda Linehan, Carey

McDonald, Ryan O'Malley, Jadeane Sica, Chris Simonelli, Ari Taylor and Stephen

Winslow

Councillor Luong reported that the last time a financial management review had been

completed was in 2011. These types of reviews are typically done with the transition of a

new administration; much has changed since 2011. The city has annual independent

financial audits that provide checks to confirm the accounting is correct but this type of

management review focuses on financial and planning processes. There is no cost to the

city for this review and this paper received overwhelming support from the entire Body, all

members asking to be added as co-sponsors.

The Mayor is the only one who is authorized to request this review from the Division of

Local Services. After discussing this process with the Mayor's financial team during

Finance Committee, the Council respectfully requests the Mayor to approve this paper

and seek the review.

A motion was made by Councillor Luong, seconded by Councillor Taylor, that the

Order be adopted. The motion carried by a unanimous vote.

Committee Report: The Standing Committee on Finance to whom was referred

Paper 53 Series of 2026, having considered the same make the following report:

Committee recommends reporting the paper out to the Full Council to be placed on

file.

101-26

A motion was made by Councillor McDonald, seconded by Councillor Taylor, that

the Committee Report be received and filed. The motion carried by a unanimous

vote.

Order: That the Finance Committee engage in discussions regarding the costs

involved, and procedures required for, requesting the Office of the State Auditor to

conduct a municipal audit on the City of Malden. The purpose of the audit shall be

to identify any inefficiencies or irregularities in financial management within the

city; to ensure that public funds are being used effectively and in accordance with

Malden’s goals and policies; to enhance transparency and public confidence; and

for the State Auditor’s Office to provide recommendations for improving financial

controls and safeguarding against waste or loss while complying with relevant laws

and regulations.

53-26

Sponsors: Karen Colon Hayes and Ryan O'Malley

Attachments: Final Paper 53-26 Order for State Audit

Councillor Colon Hayes reported on this paper that an audit completed by the State

Auditor's Office can take up to two years to complete and would come with a monetary

cost to the city. The cost involved is unknown until the Auditor analyzes the scope of the

project. She is happy to support Paper 52-26 as a more realistic option.

A motion was made by Councillor Colon Hayes, seconded by Councillor Crowe,

that the Order be placed on file. The motion carried by a unanimous vote.

9. EXECUTIVE SESSION

Order: That the City Council will vote whether to go into Executive Session with

legal counsel for the City, in accordance with Exemption Seven Massachusetts

General Laws Chapter 30A Section 21(a)(7), to comply with, or act under the

authority of, any general or special law or federal grant-in-aid requirements, in

order to act on the periodic review of those Executive Session minutes listed

herein to determine if release of records is appropriate at this time or if continued

non-disclosure is warranted.

102-26

Council vote is required prior to release of the Executive Session minutes of the

following dates:

April 29, 2025, Paper 222-25

March 11, 2025, Paper 142-25

March 4, 2025, Paper 117-25

February 25, 2025, Paper 116-25

February 11, 2025, Paper 83-25

February 4, 2025, Paper 61-25

September 26, 2023, Paper 335-23

September 12, 2023, Paper 316-23

October 25, 2022, Paper 425-22

(Roll Call Required)

Sponsors: Amanda Linehan

Attachments: Final Paper 102-26 Executive Session for Release of Records Review

A motion was made by Councillor Taylor, seconded by Councillor Simonelli, that

the Order be adopted. The motion carried by the following vote:

10 -

Yea:

Nay:

Colon Hayes, Condon, Crowe, Linehan, McDonald, Sica, Simonelli, Taylor, Winslow

and Luong

1 - O'Malley

10. PERSONAL PRIVILEGE

11. ADJOURNMENT

A motion was made by Councillor Taylor, seconded by Councillor Simonelli, that

this meeting be adjourned to Executive Session. Council President Linehan

announced the Body would not reconvene for any further business this evening.

The motion carried by a 10-1 vote. The open session concluded at 7:34 PM.

CAROL ANN DESIDERIO, CITY CLERK

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, please contact Maria Luise, ADA

Compliance Coordinator at mluise@cityofmalden.org or 781-397-7000 Ext. 2005

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