CITY COUNCIL CALENDAR
Thursday, January 13, 2022
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NOTE:
THIS MEETING IS HELD AT 7PM CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS - ROOM 214, CITY HALL, 133 WILLIAM STREET, NEW BEDFORD, MA - FOR OFFICIAL POSTING PLEASE SEE CITY'S WEBSITE
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OPENING OF SESSION BY
LINDA M. MORAD, CITY COUNCIL PRESIDENT PRO TEMPORE
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PRAYER LED BY:
REVEREND DAVID A. LIMA, INTERCHURCH COUNCIL OF GREATER NEW BEDFORD
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PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
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HEARINGS
 1.         Election of the City Council President 2022.

2.         Drawing of City Council seats (if applicable.)

MAYORS PAPERS

M1.      COMMUNICATION, Mayor Mitchell, to City Council, submitting the APPOINTMENT of SCOTT KRUGER as Chief of the Fire Department.

M2.      COMMUNICATION, Mayor Mitchell, to City Council, submitting AN ORDER, that the Council agrees to terms and conditions in the proposed “Grant Agreement (ARPA)” between Bristol County and the City of New Bedford and authorizes members of the City Council to execute said grant agreement.

 

M2a.    AN ORDER,

M3.      COMMUNICATION, Mayor Mitchell, to City Council, submitting LOAN ORDER, in the amount of $2,450,000.00 to pay costs of purchasing and equipping a pumper truck and aerial ladder truck for the Fire Department.

 

M3a.    LOAN ORDER,

M4.      COMMUNICATION, Mayor Mitchell, to City Council, submitting AN ORDER that the Mayor execute on behalf of the City of New Bedford, an Activities and Use Limitation (AUL) for the Nemasket Lots, the lots contain 85,797+/- square feet or 1.970+/- acres.

 

M4a.    AN ORDER,

M5.      COMMUNICATION, Mayor Mitchell, to City Council, submitting the REAPPOINTMENT of MELVIN L. DAVIS, New Bedford, MA to the HOUSING AUTHORITY; this term will expire December 2026.

NEW BUSINESS
3.     WRITTEN MOTION, Councillors Gomes and Morad, requesting on behalf of the owner of Art in Gold, that the Traffic Commission approve and install the installation of two (2) 15-minute parking signs at 411 Bolton Street.  (To be Referred to the Traffic Commission.)
4.     WRITTEN MOTION, Councillors Lima, Morad and Pereira, requesting that Maria Rosario, Executive Director of NorthStar Learning Centers appear before the Committee on Appointments and Briefings, to provide a project overview and  update regarding the proposed Early Education and Care Center being constructed in the City's South End.  (To be Referred to the Committee on Appointments and Briefings.)

5.     WRITTEN MOTION, Councillor Morad, requesting that Rule 21A of the City Council Rules of Order be suspended until April 1, 2022 whereby members of the City Council will be able to participate and vote on matters in City Council and Committee meetings from remote locations by utilizing a suitable electronic means that establishes meaningful participation in any such meeting up to, but not after, said date.

6.     WRITTEN MOTION, Councillor Dunn, requesting, that the City Council go on record in opposition of the establishment of the Innovation Charter School due to the limited financial ability of the City to bear the cost of these additional seats.
7.     WRITTEN MOTION, Councillor Gomes, requesting, that the Committee on Appointments and Briefings meet with the residents of Melville Towers, to discuss the ongoing problem of the elevators being down and out of order, making it an unsafe situation for daily use or if need be, evacuation; and further, to also discuss with residents any other safety concerns they may have, and that this meeting be held at the Melville Towers Community Room making it convenient for the residents and that the Commissioner of Inspectional Services, the Director of the Health Department and a representative of the Police Department be invited to this meeting along with management of Melville Towers, and further, that the same course of action be taken on behalf of the residents at Tripp Towers to address public safety along with building and maintenance concerns; and further, that the Department of Inspectional Services and the Health Department inspect both buildings for safety and health concerns immediately, and that both departments report back to the Committee on Appointments and Briefings with their findings before the meeting is held with the residents. (To be Referred to the Committee on Appointments and Briefings.)
8.     COMMUNICATION, City Clerk/Clerk of the City Council Farias, submitting a copy of the letter dated January 7, 2022, from Ward Six Councillor Pereira, regarding his public disclosure pursuant to Chapter 268A.  (To be Received and Placed on File.)
9.     COMMUNICATION, Councillor Morad submitting copies of congratulatory letters sent to Members of the Fire Department regarding the Graduation and Commendation Ceremonies that was held at Keith Middle School on December 2, 2021. (To be Received and Placed on File.)
10.     COMMUNICATION, Department of Environmental Protection Waterways Regulation Program, submitting a copy of application from Bristol Community College to convert/renovate and remodel an existing vacant building and authorize to change in use of the project site to a training facility ancillary to offshore renewable energy infrastructure facility located at 198 Herman Melville Boulevard.       

11.       COMMUNICATION, Department of Environmental Protection Waterways Regulation Program submitting a copy of application from Harborview LLC to construct and maintain concrete, and timber floating dock system and pile supported timber pier extensions at 226 Popes Island. (To be Received and Placed on File.)


TABLED BUSINESS
04/22/2021       WRITTEN MOTION, Councillor Gomes, Council President Lopes, Councillors Markey and Carney, requesting, that the City Council go on record in opposition and condemnation of the Boston Globe’s article along with the report done by Citizens For Juvenile Justice, titled, “We Are The Prey”; and further, that the New Bedford City Council also go on record in support of the men and women of the New Bedford Police Department as this report was not fairly done, and does not fit the image, the profile and the mission of our law-enforcement in the City, this report condemned our Police Department for racial profiling of minority groups of juveniles; and further, that the department continues to enforce law and order and justice for all Citizens of the City of New Bedford; and further, that Acting Police Chief Paul Oliveira reassure the people of the City that his leadership and New Bedford Police Department will mirror an image and commitment that all Citizens of the City of New Bedford will be treated fairly with no bias, only law and order and protection of all City residents
07/15/2021      COMMUNICATION, Mayor Mitchell, to City Council, submitting the REAPPOINTMENT of DAVID KENNEDY, New Bedford, MA to the REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY; this term will expire July 2026.
07/15/2021       COMMUNICATION, Mayor Mitchell, to City Council, submitting the REAPPOINTMENT of PAUL CHASSE, New Bedford, MA to the REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY; this term will expire July 2026.
07/15/2021       COMMUNICATION, Mayor Mitchell, to City Council, submitting the REAPPOINTMENT of CELEINE SARAIVA, New Bedford, MA to the PROBLEM PROPERTIES APPEALS PANEL; this term will expire June 2024.

 

 

 

 

In accordance with the American with Disabilities Act (ADA), if any accommodations are needed, please contact the City Council Office at 508-979-1455.  Requests should be made as soon as possible, but a least 48 hours prior to the scheduled meeting.