1. HEARING, NSTAR Electric Company d/b/a Eversource Energy for location of approximately 75’ of 3-4” Conduit, 10’ of 1-4” Conduit and one (1) Handhole in RUSSELL STREET, to provide electric service to 71 Russell Street.
1a. AN ORDER,
2. HEARING, NSTAR Electric Company d/b/a Eversource Energy for location of 10' of 3-4" PVC Conduit and one (1) Handhole in ELM STREET, this work is necessary to provide electric service to 189 Elm Street.
2a. AN ORDER,
M1. COMMUNICATION, Mayor Mitchell, to City Council, submitting AN ORDER, pursuant to G.L. c. 79, § 7A, which waives the appraisal requirement and the right to any damages to which the City may be entitled to with respect to two (2) permanent easements and one (1) temporary easement, to be acquired for the County Street Corridor Improvement Traffic Improvement Program (TIP) Project.
M1a. AN ORDER,
M2. COMMUNICATION, Mayor Mitchell, to City Council, submitting AN ORDER, for the City of New Bedford to accept a donation of a mural to the Department of Parks, Recreation and Beaches from artist Ramiro Davaro-Comas, which will be placed in the Department’s reception area.
M2a. AN ORDER,
M3. COMMUNICATION, Mayor Mitchell, to City Council, submitting the REAPPOINTMENT of SCOTT GRANT, New Bedford, MA to the CONSERVATION COMMISSION; this term will expire June 2026.
M4. COMMUNICATION, Mayor Mitchell, to City Council, submitting the REAPPOINTMENT of REBECA LINHART, New Bedford, MA to the CONSERVATION COMMISSION; this term will expire June 2026.
M5. COMMUNICATION, Mayor Mitchell, to City Council, submitting the REAPPOINTMENT of KIMBERLY RIOUX, New Bedford, MA to the CONSERVATION COMMISSION; this term will expire June 2026.
M6. COMMUNICATION, Mayor Mitchell, to City Council, submitting the REAPPOINTMENT of DIANA HENRY, New Bedford, MA to the HISTORICAL COMMISSION; this term will expire February 2026.
3. LOAN ORDER, appropriating $7,650,000.00 for the purpose of making critically needed repairs to City-owned buildings. (Adoption FAILED – Yeas 5, Nays 3; Reconsideration ADOPTED – Yeas 7, Nays 1 and TABLING – FAILED – Yeas 4, Nays 5 - July 20, 2023.)
4. LOAN ORDER, appropriating $4,054,139.00 for the replacement of the window, curtain wall, doors and storefront at the Ellen R. Hathaway Elementary School. (Passed to a Second Reading – July 20, 2023.)
5. LOAN ORDER, appropriating $3,718,236.00 for the replacement of the roof at the Elizabeth Carter Brooks School. (Passed to a Second Reading – July 20, 2023.)
6. AN ORDINANCE, amending Chapter 2, Sections 2-60; 2-61; 2-62 and 2-63 of the City Code – RELATIVE TO THE CLERK OF COMMITTEES. (Passed to a Second Reading – July 20, 2023.)
7. REPORT, Committee on Appointments and Briefings, recommending to the City Council APPROVAL of the APPOINTMENT of SAFIRA GONCALVES, New Bedford, MA as a CONSTABLE.
7a. AN APPLICATION, (Referred to the Committee on Appointments and Briefings – June 08, 2023.)
8. REPORT, Committee on Appointments and Briefings, recommending to the City Council APPROVAL of the APPOINTMENT of HEATHER SYLVIA CHEW, New Bedford, MA, 02746, to the COMMISSION FOR CITIZENS WITH DISABILITIES.
8a. COMMUNICATION, Mayor Mitchell, to City Council, submitting the APPOINTMENT of HEATHER SYLVIA CHEW, New Bedford, MA, 02746, to the COMMISSION FOR CITIZENS WITH DISABILITIES; Ms. Chew will be replacing George N. Smith, who has resigned; this term will expire in May 2026. (Referred to the Committee on Appointments and Briefings – June 22, 2023.)
9. REPORT, Committee on Appointments and Briefings, recommending to the City Council APPROVAL of the APPOINTMENT of ALEX J. WEINER, New Bedford, MA 02740, as a Member of the BOARD OF HEALTH.
9a. COMMUNICATION, Mayor Mitchell, to City Council, submitting the APPOINTMENT of ALEX J. WEINER, New Bedford, MA 02740, as a Member of the BOARD OF HEALTH; Mr. Weiner will be replacing Dr. Patricia Andrade, whose term has expired; this term will expire February 2025. (Referred to the Committee on Appointments and Briefings – June 22, 2023.)
10. REPORT, Committee on Appointments and Briefings, recommending that the City Council waive the balance due by the Maltais’ in the amount of $17,839.94 for the cost of the repairs associated with 578 County Street.
11. REPORT, Committee on City Property, recommending to the City Council ADOPTION the ORDER, submitted by Mayor Mitchell, that the City Solicitor obtain an appraisal of land for Assessors Map 23, Lot 158 (property known as the Goodyear Site) and prepare an Order of Taking, for the purpose of acquiring a fee interest in the land, by eminent domain or other legal means; the acquisition is needed for construction of a new facility serving Grades K-5 on an alternative site to consolidate the student populations of the existing James B. Congdon and John B. DeValles Elementary Schools.
11a. AN ORDER,
12. REPORT, Committee on Appointments and Briefings, recommending that the City Council take “NO FURTHER ACTION” on the COMMUNICATION, City Clerk/Clerk of the City Council, to City Council, on behalf of GABRIEL MACEDO, 12 Stapleton Street, New Bedford, 02744 d/b/a DEMACEDO TRANSPORTATION, 12 Stapleton Street, New Bedford, MA 02744, hereby submitting a copy of the Application requesting a NEW PRIVATE LIVERY LICENSE to carry passengers for hire over the streets of New Bedford.
12a. COMMUNICATION, City Clerk/Clerk of the City Council, to City Council, on behalf of GABRIEL MACEDO, 12 Stapleton Street, New Bedford, 02744 d/b/a DEMACEDO TRANSPORTATION, 12 Stapleton Street, New Bedford, MA 02744, hereby submitting a copy of the Application requesting a NEW PRIVATE LIVERY LICENSE to carry passengers for hire over the streets of New Bedford. (Term of License – July 01, 2023 to June 30, 2024.) (Referred to the Committee on Appointments and Briefings – June 08, 2023.)
13. REPORT, Committee on City Property, recommending that the City Council take “NO FURTHER ACTION” on the COMMUNICATION and ORDER, accepting a thirty (30) year Term Preservation Restriction granted by the Waterfront Historic Area League of New Bedford, Inc., to the New Bedford Historical Commission for property containing about 2,952 square feet, more or less, improved by a building and owned by the Waterfront Historic Area League of New Bedford, Inc., the subject property is located at 305-307 Pleasant Street, New Bedford, Massachusetts, being more particularly described in a quitclaim deed dated December 1, 1999, and recorded in Book 4573, Page 60 in the Bristol County (Southern District) Registry of Deeds.
13a. COMMUNICATION, Mayor Mitchell, to City Council, submitting AN ORDER, for review and approval, accepting a thirty (30) year Term Preservation Restriction granted by the Waterfront Historic Area League of New Bedford, Inc., to the New Bedford Historical Commission for property containing about 2,952 square feet, more or less, improved by a building and owned by the Waterfront Historic Area League of New Bedford, Inc., the subject property is located at 305-307 Pleasant Street, New Bedford, Massachusetts, being more particularly described in a quitclaim deed dated December 1, 1999, and recorded in Book 4573, Page 60 in the Bristol County (Southern District) Registry of Deeds. (Referred to the Committee on City Property – February 11, 2021.)
13b. AN ORDER, (Referred to the Committee on City Property - February 11, 2021.)
14. REPORT, Committee on City Property, recommending that the City Council take “NO FURTHER ACTION” on the COMMUNICATION, and Request for Proposals, submitted by Mayor Mitchell, for the sale and development of an Advanced Manufacturing Campus on 100 acres of the Whaling City Golf Course property on Hathaway Road.
14a. COMMUNICATION, Mayor Mitchell, to City Council, submitting a REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS for the sale and development of an Advanced Manufacturing Campus on 100 acres of the Whaling City Golf Course property on Hathaway Road. (Referred to the Committee on City Property – February 24, 2022.)
14b. REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS, (Referred to the Committee on City Property - February 24, 2022.)
15. REPORT, Committee on City Property, recommending that the City Council take “NO FURTHER ACTION” on the COMMUNICATION and DRAFT Request for Proposals, submitted by Mayor Mitchell, for the lease of the entire third floor of the Quest Center Building at 1213 Purchase Street.
15a. COMMUNICATION, Mayor Mitchell, to City Council submitting, DRAFT Request for Proposals for the lease of the entire third floor of the Quest Center Building at 1213 Purchase Street. (Referred to the Committee on City Property – May 24, 2022.)
15b. REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS, (DRAFT) (Referred to the Committee on City Property - May 24, 2022.)
16. WRITTEN MOTION, Councillor Gomes, requesting, that the Committee on Appointments and Briefings meet with Berklee College of Music Professor Jackie Santos and Berklee College of Music Vice President of Education Outreach and Social Entrepreneurship Krystal Prime-Banfield for the purpose of discussing, which has been in discussion for some time, locating a Berklee City Music in the City in New Bedford.
17. WRITTEN MOTION, Councillors Pereira, Abreu, Giesta, Carney, Oliver, requesting, that the Licensing Board open a Public Hearing at their next meeting, to rescind Rule 48 of the City of New Bedford's Rules & Regulations for those licensed to sell alcoholic beverages both on and off premises. (To be Referred to the Licensing Board.)
18. WRITTEN MOTION, Councillors Pereira, Abreu, Giesta, Carney, Oliver and Council President Morad, requesting, that the Committee on Appointments and Briefings meet with New Bedford business owners and residents to discuss the issues surrounding the Licensing Board's Rule 48, the ban of alcohol sold in or less than 100 milliliter containers.
19. WRITTEN MOTION, Council President Morad, submitting the REAPPOINTMENT of DENNIS W. FARIAS, New Bedford, MA, 02745, as City Clerk and Clerk of the City Council for a three-year term, expiring August of 2026.
20. WRITTEN MOTION, Councillor Baptiste, requesting, that the Committee on Ordinances review and consider changes to Section 4200 of the City Code that deals with body art establishments that currently prohibits some salons from performing a cosmetic enhancement procedure that is distinguishable from the kind of tattooing that Section 4200 was originally meant to regulate. (To be Referred to Committee on Ordinances.)
21. WRITTEN MOTION, Councillor Carney, requesting, that on the November 2023 ballot, a question be placed whether the City should create a Charter Review Commission.
22. WRITTEN MOTION, Councillor Gomes, requesting, that the Committee on Appointments and Briefings meet with the potential developers of two homes located in New Bedford Historical Districts, one at 52 Ash Street and the other at 110 Hawthorn Street; the Ash Street residence was sold to Caldeira, LLC for the potential location of a 21-person rooming house; the Hawthorn Street residence is owned by Jeff A. White of DW White Construction, Acushnet, MA, who is negotiating a lease with Fellowship Health Resources (a Rhode Island based company) for a seven-person rooming house; and further, requesting that the owners of both locations attend a meeting to provide detailed plans to the Committee; and further, requesting that representatives of the New Bedford Preservation Society and WHALE (Waterfront Historic Area League) also be invited to attend said meeting, along with residents located within a six-block area; the integrity of the neighborhood’s single-family homes is at stake, homes that have been preserved for their historical significance and whaling heritage. (To be Referred to the Committee on Appointments and Briefings.)
23. WRITTEN MOTION, Councillors Gomes and Markey, requesting, that the New Bedford Police Department increase police patrols in the area of Morton Avenue and Hanover Street due to the increase in speeding incidences and criminal activity; and further, that the Traffic Division conduct speed radar patrols in the aforementioned area. (To be Referred to the New Bedford Police Chief and the Commanding Officer of Station 3.)
24. WRITTEN MOTION, Councillors Burgo, Pereira and Abreu, requesting, that the Committee on Ordinances explore the enactment of an Ordinance or City policy to establish parental paid leave to provide compensation for a period of time for City employees in the event of an addition of a child to the employee’s immediate family to allow for the proper care of and bonding with the child.
25. WRITTEN MOTION, Councillor Gomes, requesting, that the Traffic Commission install “Slow, Curve Ahead” signage in both the northbound and southbound directions of County Street, from Spring Street to Madison Street; and further, that the Traffic Commission install solar speed limit signage in both northbound and southbound directions; this request is on behalf of residents in the area who are concerned with the frequent occurrence of accidents on this stretch of road. (To be Referred to the Traffic Commission.)
26. WRITTEN MOTION, Councillor Gomes, requesting, that the Mayor take $50,000 of ARPA monies to purchase 10 to 12 solar radar speed limit signs; this signage is needed throughout the City to reduce speeding.
27. WRITTEN MOTION, Councillor Gomes, requesting, that Mayor Mitchell, Senator Montigny, Representatives Cabral, Hendricks, Markey, and Schmid convene an emergency meeting with the Governor's Office, UMass Dartmouth Chancellor Mark Fuller; Provost Ram Bala; Dean of the College of Visual and Performing Arts, Lawrence Jenkins; a representative from DCAMM; and any other pertinent State Officials to develop an immediate plan to ensure the Star Store building in Downtown New Bedford will continue to be utilized as a UMass Dartmouth campus and that all programs previously operating in that space will continue to do so this Fall and into the future academic years.
28. COMMUNICATION, Associate City Solicitor Pavao, to City Council, submitting appraisals summaries for the proposed County Street Traffic Improvement Project, prepared by Bernard P. Giroux, ASA, MRA and obtained in accordance with the provisions of G.L. Chapter 79, Section 7A.
28a. APPRAISAL SUMMARIES,
29. COMMUNICATION, Associate City Solicitor Pavao, to City Council, submitting ORDERS OF TAKING to acquire the permanent and temporary easements that are needed for the County Street Traffic Improvement Project.
29a. REGISTERED LAND,
29b. RECORDED LAND,
30. COMMUNICATION, City Clerk/Clerk of the City Council Dennis W. Farias, submitting a copy of an Open Meeting Law Complaint Form from Kyle Duarte, New Bedford, MA to the Licensing Board regarding the Public Hearing that took place on July 24, 2023, on the Ban of the Sale of Alcoholic in containers less than or equal to 100 Milliliters. (To be Received and Placed on File.)
31. COMMUNICATION, City Clerk/Clerk of the City Council Dennis W. Farias, submitting a copy of an Open Meeting Law Complaint Form from Mark Custodio, New Bedford, MA to the Licensing Board regarding the Public Hearing that took place on July 24, 2023, on the Ban of the Sale of Alcohol in containers less than or equal to 100 Milliliters. (To be Received and Placed on File.)
32. COMMUNICATION, City Clerk/Clerk of the City Council Dennis W. Farias, submitting a copy of an Open Meeting Law Complaint Form from Sendhabhai Patel, New Bedford, MA to the Licensing Board regarding the Public Hearing that took place on July 24, 2023, on the Ban of the Sale of Alcohol in containers less than or equal to 100 Milliliters. (To be Received and Placed on File.)
33. COMMUNICATION, City Clerk/Clerk of the City Council Dennis W. Farias, submitting a copy of an Open Meeting Law Complaint Form from Narendra Patel, New Bedford, MA to the Licensing Board regarding the Public Hearing that took place on July 24, 2023 on the Ban of the Sale of Alcohol in containers less than or equal to 100 Milliliters. (To be Received and Placed on File.)
34. COMMUNICATION, Council President Morad, submitting a letter from Theresa Brum, a New Bedford resident, to the City Council regarding the litter problem of our city and possible suggestions to alleviate the problem.
35. COMMUNICATION, City Clerk/Clerk of the City Council, submitting a copy of a communication from the Massachusetts Department of Transportation, Highway Division notifying that MassDOT has altered the location of a section(s) of the State Highway (Route 18) in the City of New Bedford. (To be Received and Placed on File.)
C1. CITATION, Councillor Gomes, honoring PATRICIA TAPPER, in recognition of her commitment and dedication to the Office of the Attorney General and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Adopted, to be presented at a later date.
C2. WRITTEN MOTION, Councillor Baptiste, requesting, that the following street(s) be CLOSED: WILLIAM STREET, from Second Street to Johnny Cake Hill, ON THURSDAY, AUGUST 10, 2023, FROM 2:00 P.M. TO 9:00 P.M., for the purpose of AHA! New Bedford.
GRANTED PROVISIONALLY BY THE 2023 CITY COUNCIL PRESIDENT LINDA M. MORAD, ON MONDAY, JULY 24, 2023, TO BE RATIFIED BY THE CITY COUNCIL ON THURSDAY, AUGUST 17, 2023.
Received and Action of the City Council President Ratified.
C3. WRITTEN MOTION, Councillor Baptiste, requesting, that the following street(s) be CLOSED: PURCHASE STREET, from School Street to Spring Street, ON SATURDAY, AUGUST 12, 2023, FROM 12:00 A.M. (MIDNIGHT) TO SUNDAY, AUGUST 13, 2023 AT 12:00 P.M., (NOON) for the purpose of a Party for the Zeiterion Center for the Performing Arts closing for renovations. Please note: This Closing was on an earlier Agenda, the Zeiterion is extending the closing into the following day.
GRANTED PROVISIONALLY BY THE 2023 CITY COUNCIL PRESIDENT LINDA M. MORAD, ON WEDNESDAY, JULY 26, 2023, TO BE RATIFIED BY THE CITY COUNCIL ON THURSDAY, AUGUST 17, 2023.
Received and Action of the City Council President Ratified.
C4. WRITTEN MOTION, Councillor Lima, requesting, that the following street(s) be CLOSED: MORELANDS TERRACE, from Ash Street to Stetson Street, ON MONDAY, AUGUST 07, 2023 FROM 5:00 P.M. TO 8:00 P.M., for the purpose of a NEIGHBORHOOD RALLY.
GRANTED PROVISIONALLY BY THE 2023 CITY COUNCIL PRESIDENT LINDA M. MORAD ON WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 02, 2023, TO BE RATIFIED BY THE CITY COUNCIL ON THURSDAY, AUGUST 17, 2023.
Received and Action of the City Council President Ratified.
C5. WRITTEN MOTION, Councillor Lima, requesting, on behalf of Mr. Allen Decker, that the following street(s) be CLOSED: ARNOLD PLACE, from Arnold Street to Orchard Street, ON SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2023, FROM 2:00 P.M. TO 10:00 P.M., for the purpose of a Block Party. PLEASE NOTE: RAIN DATE OF SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2023.
Permission Granted.
C6. WRITTEN MOTION, Councillor Baptiste, requesting, on behalf of the All-Scholastic Athletic Program, that the following street(s) be CLOSED: ASH STREET, from Middle Street to Elm Street, ON SATURDAY, AUGUST 19, 2023 AT 11:00 A.M. TO 6:00 P.M., for the purpose of YOUTH CELEBRATION DAY.
Permission Granted.
C7. WRITTEN MOTION, Councillor Gomes, requesting, on behalf of the residents of Morton Avenue, that the Traffic Commission implement and install “20 miles an hour” signage on Phillips Road, north and south of Hanover Street and south on Hanover Street to the corner of Morton Avenue; and further requesting, that the Traffic Commission install new street signs at the corners of Stevenson Street and Morton Avenue and Hanover Street and Morton Avenue.
Referred to the Traffic Commission.
C8. WRITTEN MOTION, Councillors Gomes and Markey, requesting, on behalf of Wendy Jackson, 127 Cedar Street, that the Department of Public Infrastructure, or their designated contractor, repair the cracked sidewalk and street in front of said address; water is collecting in front of the driveway as a result of the damages, despite the street and sidewalk in that area being brand new construction.
Referred to the Department of Public Infrastructure.
C9. CONSTABLE BOND, JOSEPH C. LATIMER, Somerset, MA 02726, in the amount of $5,000.00 with the NGM Insurance Company.
Approved.
C10. COMMUNICATION, Council President Morad submitting a copy of a letter from Theresa Brum, regarding the public outreach meeting held at Normandin Middle School on June 13, 2023, that hosted by Southcoast Renewables, LLC.
Referred to the Committee on Appointments and Briefings.
C11. COMMUNICATION, Council President Morad, submitting a letter of thanks written to Vice Chairman, Al Barbosa, of the Senhor da Pedra Club, regarding her invitation to Senhor da Pedra Club’s annual mass, procession and feast celebration to be held the weekend of August 19th and 20th, 2023.
Received and Placed on File.
C12. COMMUNICATION, City Clerk/Clerk of the City Council, to the City Council, notifying that the Office of the City Clerk has received Meeting Minutes from the Board of Assessors for meetings held on June 29 and July 14, 2023; Community Preservation Committee for a meeting held on June 27, 2023; Conservation Commission for meetings held on February 01 & 15, March 01 & 15, April 05 & 19, May 17, June 07 & 21, July 05 & 19, August 02 & 16, September 06 & 20, October 04 & 18, November 15, December 06 & 20, 2022; Board of Health for a meeting held on June 15, 2023; GNB Regional Refuse Management District for meetings held on June 13 & July 07, 2023; Library Board of Trustees for a meeting held on June 27, 2023; Licensing Board for a meeting held on June 26, 2023; and the Planning Board for a meeting held on December 14, 2022.
Received and Placed on File.
C30. 261 Hillman Street
C31. 46 Sycamore Street
C32. 229-241 Coffin Avenue
C33. 58 River Road
C34. 365 North Street
C35. 168 Smith Street
C36. 12 Fielding Street
C37. Brownell Avenue, between Richfield Street and Hawthorn Street
C38. 140 Cottage Street
C39. Intersection of Purchase Street and Campbell Street
C40. 206 Austin Street
C41. 14 Granfield Street
C42. 377 County Street
C43. 271 Belleville Road
C44. 252 Coffin Avenue
C45. 202 Blackmer Street
C46. 448-450 Rockdale Avenue
C47. 672-674 Rockdale Avenue
C48. 97 Maxfield Street
C49. 42-50 Union Street
C50. 61-63 Branscomb Street
C51. 86 Campbell Street
C52. 224-226 Grinnell Street
C53. 405 Myrtle Street
C54. 58 Poplar Road
C55. Potter Street (Rockdale Avenue to 439 Potter Street)
C56. 55-57 William Street
C57. 68 Lafayette Street
C58. 455 County Street
C59. 684 Purchase Street
C60. 385 Rockdale Avenue
C61. 184 State Street
C62. 75 Taber Street
C63. 657 County Street