1.         HEARING, on NSTAR Electric Company d/b/a Eversource Energy for location of one (1) 4” Conduit in ARCH STREET, North of Arnold Street.

1a.        AN ORDER,

2.         HEARING, on NSTAR Electric Company d/b/a Eversource Energy for location of two (2) 4” Conduits and one (1) 45”x45”x36” Handhole in ACUSHNET AVENUE, North of Homestead Street.

2a.        AN ORDER,

M1.     COMMUNICATION, Mayor Mitchell, to City Council, submitting AN ORDER requesting approval of a thirteen year extension to the existing Lease between the City of New Bedford and Pencilvest, LLP for property located on Mt. Pleasant Street in New Bedford.

M1a.    AN ORDER,

M2.     COMMUNICATION, Mayor Mitchell, to City Council, submitting AN ORDER, amending the Order adopted by the City Council on June 22, 2017, and signed by the Mayor on June 30, 2017, which, in accordance with Massachusetts General Law Chapter 44, Section 52E ½, authorized the revolving fund under the control of the Community Services Department known as the SENIOR TRAVEL REVOLVING FUND whose amount limited at $120,000, is hereby authorized at $133,000 for FISCAL YEAR 2018.

M2a.   AN ORDER,

M11.   COMMUNICATION, Mayor Mitchell to City Council, submitting the APPOINTMENT OF JEFFREY TEIXEIRA, New Bedford, MA, 02740, as a SPECIAL POLICE OFFICER. 

M11a.    AN APPLICATION,

M12.      COMMUNICATION, Mayor Mitchell to City Council, submitting the APPOINTMENT OF JUSTIN DION, East Taunton, MA, 02718, as a SPECIAL POLICE OFFICER. 

M12a.    AN APPLICATION,

M13.      COMMUNICATION, Mayor Mitchell to City Council, submitting the APPOINTMENT OF ALAN KENDALL, New Bedford, MA, 02740, as a SPECIAL POLICE OFFICER.

M13a.    AN APPLICATION,

M14.    COMMUNICATION, Mayor Mitchell to City Council, submitting the APPOINTMENT OF VINCENT RODRIGUES, New Bedford, MA, 02745, as a SPECIAL POLICE OFFICER.

M14a.    AN APPLICATION,

M15.      COMMUNICATION, Mayor Mitchell to City Council, submitting the APPOINTMENT OF PAUL GORDON, Acushnet, MA, 02743, as a SPECIAL POLICE OFFICER.

M15a.    AN APPLICATION,

M16.    COMMUNICATION, Mayor Mitchell to City Council, submitting the APPOINTMENT OF FRANK STEPHENS, New Bedford, MA, 02740, as a SPECIAL POLICE OFFICER.

M16a.     AN APPLICATION,

M17.   COMMUNICATION, Mayor Mitchell to City Council, submitting the APPOINTMENT OF DONALD CARPENTER, Rehoboth, MA, 02769 as a SPECIAL POLICE OFFICER.

M17a.   AN APPLICATION,

M18.    COMMUNICATION, Mayor Mitchell to City Council, submitting the APPOINTMENT OF DAVID ST. AUBIN, New Bedford, MA, 02745 as a SPECIAL POLICE OFFICER.

M18a.   AN APPLICATION,

M19.    COMMUNICATION, Mayor Mitchell to City Council, submitting the APPOINTMENT OF DAVID M. SIMOES, New Bedford, MA, 02740 as a SPECIAL POLICE OFFICER.

M19a.    AN APPLICATION,

M20.   COMMUNICATION, Mayor Mitchell to City Council, submitting the APPOINTMENT OF NILTON CORDONIZ, New Bedford, MA, 02745 as a SPECIAL POLICE OFFICER.

M20a.    AN APPLICATION,

M21.   COMMUNICATION, Mayor Mitchell to City Council, submitting the APPOINTMENT OF KEVIN E. PAULSON, Dartmouth, MA, 02747 as a SPECIAL POLICE OFFICER.

M21a.    AN APPLICATION,

M22.     COMMUNICATION, Mayor Mitchell to City Council, submitting the RE-APPOINTMENT OF JAY J. LEWIS, New Bedford, MA, 02740 as a CONSTABLE.

M22a.   AN APPLICATION,

M23.    COMMUNICATION, Mayor Mitchell to City Council, submitting the APPOINTMENT OF CHRISTOPHER LEE ROGERS, New Bedford, MA, 02744 as a CONSTABLE.

M23a.   AN APPLICATION,

3.         REPORT, Committee on Public Safety & Neighborhoods, recommending to the City Council to take “NO FURTHER ACTION” on a WRITTEN MOTION, Councillor Gomes, requesting, that the Committee on Public Safety and Neighborhoods meet with the EMS Director Mark McGraw, to discuss EMS response time, equipment needs, and the number of requests for backup ambulance service in the City and what is the protocol when communication is requesting extreme emergency ambulance response; and further, that EMS Director McGraw provide the Committee with a breakdown of calls in a 24-hour period and a list of positions and duties within the EMS system.

3a.        WRITTEN MOTION, Councillor Gomes, requesting, that the Committee on Public Safety and Neighborhoods meet with EMS Director Mark McGraw, to discuss EMS response time, equipment needs, and the numbers of requests for backup ambulance service in the City and what is the protocol when communication is requesting extreme emergency ambulance response; and further, that EMS Director McGraw provide the Committee with a breakdown of calls in a 24-hour period and a list of positions and duties within the EMS system. (Referred to the Committee on Public Safety and Neighborhoods – August 18, 2016.)

4.    REPORT, Committee on Public Safety & Neighborhoods, recommending to the City Council to take “NO FURTHER ACTION” on the WRITTEN MOTION, Council President Gomes, requesting, that the Committee on Public Safety and Neighborhoods hold a meeting with Fire Chief Michael Gomes, Special Council Arthur J. Caron, Jr., and a Representative from the Administration, for an explanation as to why the Chief is presently looking for another job; further, is there a problem which has not been dealt with previously in the past fourteen months which could lead to the loss of Fire Chief Gomes.

4a.     WRITTEN MOTION, Council President Gomes, requesting, that the Committee on Public Safety and Neighborhoods hold a meeting with Fire Chief Michael Gomes, Special Council Arthur J. Caron, Jr., and a Representative from the Administration, for an explanation as to why the Chief is presently looking for another job; and further, is there a problem which has not been dealt with previously in the past fourteen months which could lead to the loss of Fire Chief Gomes.

5.         REPORT, Committee on Public Safety & Neighborhoods, recommending to the City Council to take “NO FURTHER ACTION” on the WRITTEN MOTION, Council President Gomes, requesting, that Superintendent Durkin and the School’s Transportation Director take another look at bus transportation for our City’s schools; the elimination of bus transportation has caused traffic gridlock at some area schools in the City and has increased the amount of vehicular traffic at the opening and closing of the school day, which is now causing an unsafe situation that needs to be addressed.

5a.        WRITTEN MOTION, Council President Gomes, requesting that Superintendent Durkin and the School’s Transportation Director take another look at bus transportation for our City schools; the elimination of bus transportation has caused traffic gridlock at some area schools in the City and has increased the amount of vehicular traffic at the opening and closing of the school day, which is now causing an unsafe situation that needs to be addressed. (Referred to the Committee on Public Safety and Neighborhoods – September 10, 2015.)

6.         REPORT, Committee on Public Safety & Neighborhoods, recommending to the City Council to take “NO FURTHER ACTION” on a WRITTEN MOTION, Councillors Gomes and Carney, requesting immediate action be taken at the Keith Middle School, due to the dozens of complaints from parents and teachers about the on-going problems with students, calling the school out-of-control, disrespecting faculty and fellow students, not following directions and even unbecoming actions; and further, requesting a second Resource Officer be placed at the school until the school is brought under control, along with periodic walking patrols by New Bedford Police Department Gang Squad or any other public safety resource that is available throughout the day; further, that any Member of the City Council’s Committee on Public Safety and Neighborhoods be allowed at a moment’s notice to enter the school for a valuation of their own; furthermore, that the Superintendent Pia Durkin meet with the Committee on Public Safety and Neighborhoods to discuss these on-going issues of public safety in our public school system.

6a.        WRITTEN MOTION, Councillors Gomes and Carney, requesting that immediate action be taken at the Keith Middle School, due to the dozens of complaints from parents and teachers about the on-going problems with students, calling the school out-of-control, disrespecting faculty and fellow students, not following directions and even unbecoming actions; and further, requesting a second Resource Officer be placed at the school until the school is brought under control, along with periodic walking patrols by New Bedford Police Department Gang Squad or any other public safety resource that is available throughout the day; further, that any Member of the City Council’s Committee on Public Safety and Neighborhoods be allowed at a moment’s notice to enter the school for a valuation of their own; furthermore, that the Superintendent Pia Durkin meet with the Committee on Public Safety and Neighborhoods to discuss these on-going issues of public safety in our public school system. (Referred to the Committee on Public Safety and Neighborhoods – March 10, 2016.)

7.         REPORT, Committee on Public Safety & Neighborhoods, recommending to the City Council to take “NO FURTHER ACTION” on the WRITTEN MOTION, Councillors Coelho, Winterson, Council President Lopes and Councillor Martins, requesting, that Police Chief Cordeiro be invited to a meeting of the Committee on Public Safety and Neighborhoods to discuss current policy on community policing and foot patrols. 

7a.        WRITTEN MOTION, Councillors Coelho, Winterson, Council President Lopes and Councillor Martins, requesting, that Police Chief Cordeiro be invited to a meeting of the Committee on Public Safety and Neighborhoods to discuss current policy on community policing and foot patrols. (Referred to the Committee on Public Safety and Neighborhoods – January 12, 2017.)

8.         REPORT, Committee on Public Safety & Neighborhoods, recommending to the City Council to take “NO FURTHER ACTION” on a WRITTEN MOTION, Councillor Coelho, requesting, that the Police Department enforce Ordinance, Chapter 17, Section 17-25 Relative to Recreational Vehicles, due to the havoc that certain individuals are causing in neighborhoods by the illegal use of recreational vehicles i.e. mini motorcycles, ATVs, dirt bikes, etc; and further, for any individual violating this Section of the City Code that the penalty be strictly enforced.

8a.        WRITTEN MOTION, Councillor Coelho, requesting, that the Police Department enforce Ordinance, Chapter 17, Section 17-25 Relative to Recreational Vehicles, due to the havoc that certain individuals are causing in neighborhoods by the illegal use of recreational vehicles i.e. mini motorcycles, ATVs, dirt bikes, etc; and further, for any individual violating this Section of the City Code that the penalty be strictly enforced.  (Referred to Committee on Public Safety and Neighborhoods – September 28, 2017.)

9.         REPORT, Committee on Public Safety & Neighborhoods, recommending to the City Council to take “NO FURTHER ACTION” on a WRITTEN MOTION, Councillor Gomes, requesting that Mayor Mitchell and Fire Chief Gomes take immediate action to address and explain why the Downtown New Bedford Firehouse – Station One has no reserve ladder truck in place; and once more explain why preventative maintenance is not being taken with fire apparatus across the City, black outs are leaving the Downtown area and neighborhoods without a functioning ladder truck especially the high-rise buildings in the Downtown area; and further, that immediate action be taken to borrow a ladder truck from another company in the surrounding area while this matter is being addressed; furthermore, that the Committee of Public Safety and Neighborhoods once more meet with the Administration, the Fire Chief and the Department of Facilities and Fleet Management to discuss the problems, to make sure that the Fire Department has the best working fire apparatus to protect and serve the City in New Bedford.  

9a.        WRITTEN MOTION, Councillor Gomes, requesting that Mayor Mitchell and Fire Chief Gomes take immediate action to address and explain why the Downtown New Bedford Firehouse – Station One has no reserve ladder truck in place; and once more explain why preventative maintenance is not being taken with fire apparatus across the City, black outs are leaving the Downtown area and neighborhoods without a functioning ladder truck especially the high-rise buildings in the Downtown area; and further, that immediate action be taken to borrow a ladder truck from another company in the surrounding area while this matter is being addressed; furthermore, that the Committee of Public Safety and Neighborhoods once more meet with the Administration, the Fire Chief and the Department of Facilities and Fleet Management to discuss the problems, to make sure that the Fire Department has the best working fire apparatus to protect and serve the City in New Bedford. (Referred to the Committee on Public Safety and Neighborhoods – September 28, 2017.)

10.       REPORT, Committee on Public Safety & Neighborhoods, recommending to the City Council to take “NO FURTHER ACTION” on a WRITTEN MOTION, Councillor Coelho, requesting, that immediate action be taken to remove the well known vagrant from his current position on the sidewalk by the Post Office at 282 Coffin Avenue, he sleeps, loiters, litters and harasses people who attempt to use this Federal building or the sidewalk, he has become a public nuisance.

10a.      WRITTEN MOTION, Councillor Coelho, requesting, that immediate action be taken to remove the well known vagrant from his current position on the sidewalk by the Post Office at 282 Coffin Avenue, he sleeps, loiters, litters and harasses people who attempt to use this Federal building or the sidewalk, he has become a public nuisance. (Referred to the Committee on Public Safety and Neighborhoods – October 12, 2017.)

11.       REPORT, Committee on Public Safety & Neighborhoods, recommending to the City Council to take “NO FURTHER ACTION” on a WRITTEN MOTION, Councillor Coelho, congratulating and inviting Captain Amos Melo, the new Commander of Station 3 to a Committee on Public Safety and Neighborhoods meeting to discuss Chief Cordeiro’s Community Policing strategy.

11a.      WRITTEN MOTION, Councillor Coelho, congratulating and inviting Captain Amos Melo, the new Commander of Station 3 to a Committee on Public Safety and Neighborhoods meeting to discuss Chief Cordeiro’s Community Policing strategy. (Referred to the Committee on Public Safety and Neighborhoods – October 12, 2017.)

12.       REPORT, Committee on Ordinances, recommending to the City Council to take “NO FURTHER ACTION” on a WRITTEN MOTION, Councillor Gomes, requesting, that the City enforce the laws pertaining to repairing vehicles on City streets and that any vehicle being repaired or left unattended on car jacks on City streets be towed immediately at the owners expense and further, that the City Council create a fine for those in violation of the City Ordinance, and that all departments including public safety departments be required to report any vehicles in violation immediately for actions, this issue is becoming a safety, damage and environmental concern. 

12a.      WRITTEN MOTION, Councillor Gomes, requesting, that the City enforce the laws pertaining to repairing vehicles on City streets and that any vehicle being repaired or left unattended on car jacks on City streets be towed immediately at the owners expense; and further, that the City Council create a fine for those in violation of the City Ordinance, and that all departments, including public safety departments be required to report any vehicles in violation immediately for action, this issue is becoming a safety, damage and environmental concern.(Referred to the Committee on Ordinances – June 23, 2016.)

13.       REPORT, Committee on Ordinances, recommending to the City Council to take “NO FURTHER ACTION” on a WRITTEN MOTION, Councillors Lopes and Martins, requesting that the Committee on Ordinances draft an Ordinance as it relates to House Bill 3074, An Act permitting the use of traffic control signal violation monitoring system devices as a means of prompting traffic safety in the City of New Bedford.

13a.      WRITTEN MOTION, Councillors Lopes and Martins, requesting that the Committee on Ordinances draft an Ordinance as it relates to House Bill 3074, An Act permitting the use of traffic control signal violation monitoring system devices as a means of prompting traffic safety in the City of New Bedford. (Referred to the Committee on Ordinances – May 9, 2013.)

14.       REPORT, Committee on Ordinances, recommending to the City Council to take “NO FURTHER ACTION” on a WRITTEN MOTION, Councillor Gomes, requesting, that the City Council send a letter to our State Delegation asking for legislation making it mandatory that production of toy guns do not replicate real handguns, this legislation will serve to save lives and not put Police and law-enforcement agencies in situations where they are dealing with criminals using toy guns in criminal activity and to protect our Citizens against crime.

14a.      WRITTEN MOTION, Councillor Gomes, requesting that the City Council send a letter to our State Delegation in support of pending legislation making it mandatory that production of toy guns do not replicate real handguns, this legislation will serve to save lives and not put Police and law-enforcement agencies in situations where they are dealing with criminals using toy guns in criminal activity and to protect our Citizens against crime. (Referred to the Committee on Ordinances – January 14, 2016.)

15.       REPORT, Committee on Ordinances, recommending to the City Council to take “NO FURTHER ACTION” on a RELATED MOTION, Councillor Gomes, requesting that Legal Counsel Gerwatowski draft an Ordinance that would place regulations on replica guns in public spaces and would allow the New Bedford Police Department to confiscate these replica guns if someone under the age of 18 was found with the device and notify their parents; and further, that the Ordinance also ban anyone from carrying a replica gun within City limits, and that they be subject to arrest and fine.

15a.      RELATED MOTION, Councillor Gomes, requesting that Legal Counsel Gerwatowski draft an Ordinance that would place regulations on replica guns in public spaces and would allow the New Bedford Police Department to confiscate these replica guns if someone under the age of 18 was found with the device and notify their parents; and further, that the Ordinance also ban anyone from carrying a replica gun within City limits, and that they be subject to arrest and fine. (Referred to the Committee on Ordinances – January 14, 2016.)

16.       REPORT, Committee on Ordinances, recommending to the City Council to take “NO FURTHER ACTION” on a WRITTEN MOTION, Councillors Rebeiro, Lopes, Council President Gomes, Morad and Oliveira, requesting that the Committee on Ordinances, draft an Ordinance that would place an immediate ban on the use of medians for panhandling in the interest of public safety, medians are ADA compliant as dividers only, most are only 4 feet, whereas sidewalks are ADA compliant to travel and rest on and are 6 feet or more, any individual or organization should utilize sidewalks only.

16a.      WRITTEN MOTION, Councillors Rebeiro, Lopes, Council President Gomes, Councillors Morad and Oliveira, requesting that the Committee on Ordinance, draft an Ordinance that the City place an immediate ban on the use of medians for panhandling in the interest of public safety, medians are ADA compliant as dividers only, most are only 4 feet, making loitering dangerous, whereas sidewalks are ADA compliant to travel and rest on and are 6 feet or more, any individual or organization should utilize sidewalks for fundraising. (Referred to the Committee on Ordinances – December 17, 2015.)

17.       REPORT, Committee on Ordinances, recommending to the City Council to take “NO FURTHER ACTION” on a WRITTEN MOTION, Councillor Bousquet, requesting, that the Committee on Ordinances look into updating the 1963 law in the City Code, Chapter 1, Section 1-5, regarding advertising Ordinances to reflect modern mass communication methods in an age where smart phones, tablets and laptops reign and print media has a small and ever shriveling audience.

17a.      WRITTEN MOTION, Councillor Bousquet, requesting, that the Committee on Ordinances look into updating the 1963 law in the City Code, Chapter 1, Section 1-5, regarding advertising Ordinances to reflect modern mass communication methods in an age where smart phones, tablets and laptops reign and print media has a small and ever shriveling audience. (To be Referred to the Committee on Ordinances- January 12, 2017.)

18.       REPORT, Committee on Ordinances, recommending to the City Council to take “NO FURTHER ACTION” on a WRITTEN MOTION, Council President Lopes, requesting that the Committee on Ordinances amend Chapter 2, Section 2-56 of the City Code, relative to Committees, that the Special Committee on Budget Review be a Standing Committee of the City Council.  

18a.      WRITTEN MOTION, Council President Lopes, requesting that the Committee on Ordinances amend Chapter 2, Section 2-56 of the City Code, relative to Committees, that the Special Committee on Budget Review be a Standing Committee of the City Council. (To be Referred to the Committee on Ordinances.)

19.       REPORT, Committee on Ordinances, recommending to the City Council to take “NO FURTHER ACTION” on a WRITTEN MOTION, Councillor Abreu, Council President Lopes, Councillors Winterson, Martins and Bousquet, requesting that both the City Solicitor and Mayor's Office work with and come before the Committee on Ordinances to re-evaluate the proposed "municipal marketing" strategy as a means to generate a potential substantial amount of positive revenue for the City of New Bedford; Chapter 9, Section 3228 of the City Code currently prohibits the construction of new off-premise signs, if this code were to be amended to allow such "municipal marketing" opportunities for private sector industries, the City would need to establish a competitive procurement process to insure its legality.

19a.      WRITTEN MOTION, Councillor Abreu, Council President Lopes, Councillors Winterson, Martins and Bousquet, requesting that both the City Solicitor and Mayor's Office work with and come before the Committee on Ordinances to re-evaluate the proposed "municipal marketing" strategy as a means to generate a potential substantial amount of positive revenue for the City of New Bedford; Chapter 9, Section 3228 of the City Code currently prohibits the construction of new off-premise signs, if this code were to be amended to allow such "municipal marketing" opportunities for private sector industries, the City would need to establish a competitive procurement process to insure its legality.  (Referred to the Committee on Ordinances – January 12, 2017.)

20.       REPORT, Committee on City Property, recommending to the City Council to take “NO FURTHER ACTION” on a WRITTEN MOTION, Councillors Abreu, Winterson, Bousquet, Martins, Oliveira, Morad and Coelho, requesting that Chief Financial Officer Ari Sky and City Solicitor Mikaela McDermott assess the feasibility of leasing advertising space on City buildings, and to report on the concept, in writing, to the Committee on City Property within the next 60 days.

20a.      WRITTEN MOTION, Councillors Abreu, Winterson, Bousquet, Martins, Oliveira, Morad and Coelho, requesting that Chief Financial Officer Ari Sky and City Solicitor Mikaela McDermott assess the feasibility of leasing advertising space on City buildings, and to report on the concept, in writing, to the Committee on City Property within the next 60 days. (Referred to the Committee on City Property – January 28, 2015.)

21.       REPORT, Committee on City Property, recommending to the City Council to take “NO FURTHER ACTION” on a WRITTEN MOTION, Councillors Gomes and Oliveira, requesting, that the Administration reconsider its decision to take down the wall of former Mayors, located outside of the Ashley room named after former Mayor Charles Ashley, the history and it’s intent was for the wall to be located in City Hall, not in some conference room in the south end library; and further, that the City Council go on record in support of putting back the wall of Mayors, to its original location in City Hall.

21a.  WRITTEN MOTION, Councillors Gomes and Oliveira, requesting, that the Administration reconsider its decision to take down the wall of former Mayors, located outside of the Ashley room named after former Mayor Charles Ashley, the history and it's intent was for the wall to be located in City Hall, not in some conference room in the south end library; and further, that the City Council go on record in support of putting back the wall of Mayors, to its original location in City Hall.

22.     WRITTEN MOTION, Councillors Carney and Coelho, requesting that the Special Committee on Creating a Dog Park invite Park Director Mary Rapoza, Chairperson of the Friends of a Dog Park and Park Board Chairman Peter Boswell, to update the Committee Members on the progress and opening date for the Captain Jack Peterson Dog Park; and further to discuss the number of key fobs sold and maintenance plan once the dog park is operational.

25.       WRITTEN MOTION, Councillor Gomes, requesting, that the Committee on Appointments and Briefings meet with DPI Commissioner Ponte, a Representative of the Mayor’s Office, and City Solicitor McDermott to discuss the present road conditions in New Bedford and the City’s plan of action to address the decaying roads; and further that the City Solicitor explain to the Committee as to how the City is dealing with the utility companies and private contractor’s poor road work that has been done, such as how these companies are being held accountable for their work; and furthermore that the City notify all utility companies and private contractors of what we expect when they work and repair our City streets.

26.       WRITTEN MOTION, Councillor Gomes, requesting, that Mayor Mitchell and City Solicitor McDermott begin the process of filing a lawsuit against the pharmaceutical companies that produce Opioid pain killer medication based on the damage done to our community, the lives lost, the epidemic of overdoses, and the added calls for services from our EMS, POLICE and FIRE DEPARTMENTS, along with the distraction and deterioration of the Cities, people and communities; and further, that the City Solicitor ask the State for records of the pharmaceutical companies that have done business in the area along with records of any area doctors that may have overprescribed Opioid drugs in the greater New Bedford area; this request and lawsuit is similar to other communities that are taking this action and this Councillor is requesting it on behalf of our City.

NO ITEMS ON THIS AGENDA.

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