1.     HEARING, Verizon New England, Inc. & NSTAR Electric Company d/b/a Eversource Energy for location one (1) Pole on the easterly side of Acushnet Avenue and one (1) to be relocated 18’ southerly in ACUSHNET AVENUE – new retail service center – Cumberland Farms.  (If there are have any questions or concerns, regarding this hearing, please contact the City Council Office, no later than 2:00 p.m. on July 16, 2020.)

1a.       AN ORDER,

M1.      COMMUNICATION, Mayor Mitchell, to City Council, submitting AN ORDER that the City accept M.G.L. Chapter 32B, Section 15 (a) to provide the City with the tools necessary to offer active City employees a group dental insurance plan.

M1a.    AN ORDER,

M2.      COMMUNICATION, Mayor Mitchell, to City Council, submitting a WAIVER OF RESIDENCY for CHRISTOPHER GOMES, Director of the Department of Veterans’ Services and Benefits, who resides in East Freetown.

M3.      COMMUNICATION, Mayor Mitchell, to City Council, requesting for approval and authorize the submission of the Substantial Amendment to the FY2015-2019 Office of Housing and Community Development Consolidated Plan and FY2019 Action Plan to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

M3a.    RESOLUTION,

M4.      COMMUNICATION, Mayor Mitchell to City Council, submitting the Final Fiscal Year 2020-2024 Office of Housing and Community Development Consolidated Plan and FY2020 Action Plan, which sets forth activities to be funded through the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program, the Home Investment Partnership (HOME) Program and the Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) Program for the period July 1, 2020 – June 30, 2021.

M4a.    RESOLUTION,

M5.      COMMUNICATION, Mayor Mitchell, to City Council, submitting the following individuals for confirmation as New Bedford Police Officers:  JORDAN BARBOSA, MANUEL SEQUEIRA, ERIC BOULAY, WILLIAM SOLOMAN and SOMMER CARDOSO.

2.     REPORT, Special Committee on Waivers of Residency, recommending to the City Council that the City Council refer the amended draft Ordinance, Relative to Residency of City Personnel to the Ordinance Committee.

2a.     AN ORDINANCE (DRAFT), Relative to Residency of City Personnel.

3.     REPORT, Special Committee on Waivers of Residency, recommending to the City Council to request the Special Committee on Waivers of Residency to refer all the Communications and Minutes from the Special Committee on Waivers of Residency meetings to the Ordinance Committee.

4.     REPORT, Committee on Finance, recommending to the City Council approval of the Community Preservation Act Funding Recommendations for eleven (11) projects totaling $1,145,011.00.

4a.     AN ORDER,

5.     WRITTEN MOTION, Council President Lopes, requesting that the City Council WAIVE RULE 27, in order to hold QUASI COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETINGS on TUESDAY, AUGUST 4, 2020 AND THURSDAY, AUGUST 6, 2020.

6.     WRITTEN MOTION, Council President Lopes, requesting that Rule 21A of the City Council Rules of Order be suspended until October 1, 2020 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.

7.     WRITTEN MOTION, Council President Lopes, requesting that the Mitchell Administration establish a permanent Equity and Inclusion Commission as part of the Human Relations Commission that would be tasked with working towards combating racial injustice and support minority communities across our City and also deal with “barriers to equity” and work on issues ranging from health care access for all, women’s advancement, and supporting immigrants and refugees. (To be Referred to Mayor Mitchell.)

8.     WRITTEN MOTION, Councillor Lima, Council President Lopes, Councillors Abreu and Gomes, requesting, that Mary Rapoza, Director of Parks, Recreation and Beaches appear before the Committee on Appointments and Briefings to detail the Administration’s plan to control the Canada geese population in the City, at Buttonwood Park, other City parks, and the golf course; and further, that Director Rapoza detail the proposed USDA Canada geese control agreement, the agreement’s approach and effectiveness, and an explanation as to the USDA’s authority to control Canada geese population with respect to the Migratory Bird Act. (To be Referred to the Committee on Appointments and Briefings.)

10.       WRITTEN MOTION, Councillor Gomes, requesting that the City close at dusk the entrances of the Frederick Street boat ramp on East Rodney French Boulevard with fencing or poles and chains this area has become a nuisance for residents and the Police Department with trespassing, loud music, drinking and disturbing the quality of life in the neighborhood; and further that the same course of action be taken on the south side of the hurricane dike’s parking area; this ramp’s parking area is presently used for boat launching and removal. (To be Referred to Department of Infrastructure and the Mayor’s Office for immediate action.)

11.     WRITTEN MOTION, Councillor Gomes, requesting that the City Council go on record and send a letter of support to every division and Officers of the New Bedford Police Department, stating our respect and commitment to them as they protect and serve the City and its people; and further that we stand united as a City and a community with one goal keeping Police safe and the citizens; and further that a day be established in the month of August that citizens and the youth of the City can visit any station and show their gratitude for the men and women that serve and protect us on a daily basis, this kind gesture will show our commitment to working together for a better City for all. (To be Referred to the Mayor, Police Chief Cordeiro and Police Union.)

12.     WRITTEN MOTION, Councillor Gomes, requesting that the Committee on Public Safety and Neighborhoods meet with the DPI Commissioner Ponte or a representative for the purpose of discussing the installation of LED lights and removing the single bulbs in areas that continue to be high risk for criminal activity throughout the City. (To be Referred to the Committee on Public Safety and Neighborhoods and the Department of Public Infrastructure.)

14.     PETITION, Myles Goulart, 19 Barefoot Path, Plymouth, MA 02360, d/b/a HEWN, 760 Purchase Street, New Bedford, MA 02740, requesting that he be granted a Waiver of Residency in accordance with Section 15-18 of the City Code, to obtain a LICENSE TO DEAL IN JUNK, OLD METALS OR ANY OTHER SECOND HAND ARTICLES.

15.     COMMUNICATION, Council President Lopes, submitting a copy of a letter from the New Bedford Contributory Retirement System Executive Director Eric Cohen, Esq., advising that the Board voted to grant a COLA allowance of 2.5% to retirees effective July 1, 2020. (To be Received and Placed on File.)