NovusAGENDA


CITY COUNCIL CALENDAR Thursday, September 9, 2021 *************


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


CITY COUNCIL PRESIDENT JOSEPH P. LOPES
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PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE


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HEARINGS


		1. HEARING, on NSTAR Electric Company d/b/a Eversource Energy for location of approximately 95 ft. of Conduit, Cable and one (1) Manhole in FLAHERTY DRIVE, South of Samuel Barnett Boulevard. 1a. AN ORDER,

		2. HEARING, on NSTAR Electric Company d/b/a Eversource Energy for location of one (1) Handhole and approximately 35 ft. of Conduit and Cable in COTTAGE STREET, near the Intersection of Arnold Street. 2a. AN ORDER,


MAYORS PAPERS


		M1. COMMUNICATION, Mayor Mitchell, to City Council, submitting a VETO of the Home Rule Petition, authorizing the City of New Bedford to qualify City Employee for certain death benefits when the cause of death is related to COVID-19. M1a. HOME RULE PETITION, Adopted by the City Council on August 19, 2021; VETOED by Mayor Mitchell on September 1, 2021.)

		M2. COMMUNICATION, Mayor Mitchell, to City Council, submitting AN ORDER authorizing the City of New Bedford to enter into a five (5) year lease with All American Investment Group, LLC for the purpose of two new equipped ambulances. M2a. AN ORDER

		M3. COMMUNICATION, Mayor Mitchell to the City Council, submitting AN ORDER, that in accordance with MGL Chapter 44, Section 53E ½ , the revolving fund under the control of the Tourism and Marketing Department, known as the TOURISM REVOLVING FUND, whose revenues collected and amount limited to be spent estimated at $3,000 is hereby authorized for FISCAL YEAR 2022. M3a. AN ORDER

		M4. COMMUNICATION, Mayor Mitchell to the City Council, submitting the APPOINTMENT of SANDRA QUADROS BOWLES, New Bedford, MA, to the CEMETERY BOARD. Ms. Bowles will be replacing Egidio Mello whose term has expired; this term will expire in April 2024.

		M5. COMMUNICATION, Mayor Mitchell to the City Council, submitting the APPOINTMENT of JONATHAN CARVALHO, New Bedford, MA, to the CEMETERY BOARD. Mr. Carvalho will be replacing the late Carol Grimes; this term will expire in April 2024.


CHARTER RULED ITEM


		CR1. COMMUNICATION, Mayor Mitchell, to City Council, submitting AN ORDER for the TRANSFER of $2,500,000.00 from the STABILIZATION FUND, to FIRE, SALARIES & WAGES. CR1a. AN ORDER,


NEW BUSINESS


		3. LOAN ORDER, appropriating $1,200,000.00 for the purpose of paying costs of a feasibility study for building a new elementary school to replace the John B. DeValles Elementary School located at 120 Katherine Street and James B. Congdon Elementary School located at 50 Hemlock Street. (Passed to a Second Reading – August 19, 2021.)

		WRITTEN MOTION, Council President Lopes, requesting that the Committee on Ordinances and the Planning Board review the following request to rezone properties shown on Assessors Map as Map 31, Lot 142 (13 Rivet Street); Map 31, Lot 143 (1 Rivet Street); Map 31, Lot 197 (371, 383 R South Front Street); Map 31, Lot 232 (756 South Water Street); and Map 31, Lot 239 (56 Potomska Street) from Industrial B to Mixed-Use Business. (To be Referred to the Committee on Ordinances and the Planning Board.)

		5. WRITTEN MOTION, Council President Lopes, requesting that the Developers of the Offshore Wind Farms within the New England and Mid-Atlantic Fisheries work cooperatively with the Owners of fishing vessels to establish a grant funding program that would support the upgrading of navigational equipment on fishing vessels. (To be Referred to the New Bedford Port Authority, Orsted, Mayflower Wind, Vineyard Wind, and the New Bedford Ocean Cluster.)

		6. WRITTEN MOTION Council President Lopes, requesting that on behalf of the residents at Tripp Towers that the Traffic Commission approve the following items: the installation of "NO PARKING" signs at the north and south sides of the entrance to Tripp Towers, and secondly approve the installation of "NO PARKING HERE TO CORNER” signs at the crosswalk located at the corner of Ruth Street and East Rodney French Boulevard. (To be Referred to the Traffic Commission.)

		7. WRITTEN MOTION, Councillors Markey and Abreu, requesting, that DPI Commissioner Jamie Ponte appear before the Special Committee on Infrastructure and Redevelopment to discuss the low water pressure issues in the Far North End. (To be Referred to the Special Committee on Infrastructure and Redevelopment.)

		8. WRITTEN MOTION, Council President Lopes, requesting the following Marine Use Ordinance be referred to the Committee on Ordinances for review, discussion, and Adoption. 8a. DRAFT ORDINANCE, Marine Use Ordinance, (To be Referred to the Committee on Ordinances.)

		9. COMMUNICATION, Councillor President Lopes, submitting a letter dated September 2, 2021 from DPI Commissioner Ponte, regarding the two (2) Loan Orders for water and wastewater system upgrades totaling $128 million. (To be Referred to the Committee on Finance.) 9a. COMMUNICATION, Council President Lopes, submitting a letter dated September 3, 2021 from Counsel Davis, Beveridge & Diamond to City Solicitor McDermott regarding the Loan Orders for water and wastewater system upgrades. (To be Referred to the Committee on Finance.)

		10. COMMUNICATION, Manuel DeBrito, Board of Election Commissioners, to City Council, submitting the Election Warrant for the Tuesday, September 28, 2021, City Preliminary Election for Councillor-Ward 5, Precincts A, B, C, D, E, &F the warrant needs to be signed by the majority of the City Council and must be posted on the 7th day prior to the Election date as mandated by M.G.L. C43, §44A, a copy of this warrant will be posted at each polling location.

		11. COMMUNICATION, Councillor Giesta, submitting a copy of a support letter regarding a Planning Board’s Special Permit for 157-161 Coggeshall Street, New Bedford, MA. (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.

		07/15/2021 LOAN ORDER, appropriating $71,800,000.00 to finance the costs of Capital Planning and construction of water distribution and treatment systems improvements including Quittacas Water Treatment Plant upgrades, a lead service abatement program and general system improvements. (Passed to a Second Reading - June 24, 2021.)