Votes at a glance: council adopts ballot order, ordains ordinances and confirms appointments

At its December meeting the Malden City Council took several formal votes. Key outcomes:

- Ballot order (Paper 3 63‑25): Council adopted, as amended, an order to place two Prop 2½ questions on a special municipal election ballot for March 31, 2026 (Question 1A: $5,400,000; Question 1B: $8,200,000). The council approved clarifying amendments to remove campaign‑style phrasing and to specify that if both questions pass the higher amount prevails. (Roll call recorded; 10 yes, 0 no with one member absent.)

- Ordinances ordained as enrolled: Paper 377‑25 amended off‑site parking facility fees (base fee and per‑space pricing); Paper 407‑25 revised licensing language for used car dealers (including a release for criminal record checks). Both ordinances were ordained by recorded roll call following committee review.

- Appointment confirmed: Denise Balboni Cali was confirmed to the License Board to serve until 06/05/2026 following a unanimous committee recommendation and council roll‑call confirmation.

- Solicitor report and procedural action: Council accepted the city solicitor’s open‑meeting‑law investigation report and, after discussion, voted to forward it to the Massachusetts Attorney General with a note that additional questions remain (roll call: 10‑0). The council later voted 8–2 to enter executive session under M.G.L. c.30A §21(a)(3) to discuss strategy for potential litigation related to grants.

Recorded roll calls, committee reports and the clerk’s minutes form the official record of these actions.