OPENING OF SESSION BY: CITY COUNCIL PRESIDENT RYAN J. PEREIRA
PRAYER LED BY: DONNA M. BRITTO, DEACONESS, IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHURCH
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: MEMBER OF THE CITY COUNCIL
NOTE: THIS MEETING IS BEING LIVE STREAMED AND RECORDED. CITY COUNCIL AND COMMITTEE MEETINGS CAN BE VIEWED ON THE CITY OF NEW BEDFORD’S HOMEPAGE UNDER QUICK LINKS, THEN MEETINGS.
M1. COMMUNICATION, Mayor Mitchell, to City Council, submitting the REAPPOINTMENT of GORDAN CARR, Executive Director of the New Bedford Port Authority, as the New Bedford designee to the STEAMSHIP AUTHORITY PORT COUNCIL, this term will expire December 31, 2026.
M2. COMMUNICATION, Mayor Mitchell, to City Council, submitting the REAPPOINTMENT of MICHAEL J. PAIVA, New Bedford, MA, to the TRAFFIC COMMISSION; this term will expire December 2028.
M3. COMMUNICATION, Mayor Mitchell, to City Council, submitting the REAPPOINTMENT of REVEREND DR. SANDRA GATLIN WHITLEY, New Bedford, MA to the COUNCIL ON AGING; this term will expire December 2028.
M4. COMMUNICATION, Mayor Mitchell, to City Council, submitting the APPOINTMENT of WAYNE EDWARDS, New Bedford, MA, to the VETERANS ADVISORY BOARD, replacing Karen Cosme whose term has expired; this term will expire December 2026.
M5. COMMUNICATION, Mayor Mitchell, to City Council, submitting the APPOINTMENT of DANIEL LUIS REYES ORTIZ, New Bedford, MA as a CONSTABLE.
M5a. AN APPLICATION,
1. REPORT, Committee on Finance, recommending to the City Council APPROVAL of the REPORT, AS AMENDED, recommending ADOPTION of the ORDER, AS AMENDED, for the City of New Bedford to accept a donation of real estate from Wayland Development Corp., shown on City of New Bedford Assessors Map 132 as Lot 62. (Referred to the Committee on Finance – November 25, 2025.)
1a. AN ORDER, AS AMENDED, (Referred to the Committee on Finance – September 25, 2025.)
2. REPORT, Committee on Finance, recommending to the City Council ADOPTION of the RESOLUTION, to file and accept grants with and from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, for the Parkland Acquisitions and Renovations for Communities (PARC) Grant Program for Improvements to the Common, and ADOPTION of the RESOLUTION, for the dedication of Riverside Park.
2a. RESOLUTION, To file and accept grants with and from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, for the Parkland Acquisitions and Renovations for Communities (PARC) Grant Program for Improvements to the Common. (Referred to the Committee on Finance – November 25, 2025.)
2b. RESOLUTION, For the dedication of Riverside Park. (Referred to the Committee on Finance – November 25, 2025.)
3. REPORT, Committee on Appointments and Briefings, recommending to the City Council APPROVAL of the APPOINTMENT of JASON THODY, as the NEW BEDFORD POLICE CHIEF.
3a. COMMUNICATION, Mayor Mitchell, to City Council, submitting the APPOINTMENT of JASON THODY as the NEW BEDFORD POLICE CHIEF. (Referred to the Committee on Appointments and Briefings - November 13, 2025.
4. REPORT, Committee on Appointments and Briefings, recommending to the City Council APPROVAL of the APPOINTMENT of GEORGE M. VIVEIROS, New Bedford, MA to the BOARD OF PARK COMMISSIONERS, replacing Lee Blake who has resigned.
4a. COMMUNICATION, Mayor Mitchell, to City Council, submitting the APPOINTMENT of GEORGE M. VIVEIROS, New Bedford, MA to the BOARD OF PARK COMMISSIONERS, replacing Lee Blake who has resigned; this term will expire May 2026. (Referred to the Committee on Appointments and Briefings – November 13, 2025.)
5. REPORT, Committee on Ordinances, recommending to the City Council APPROVAL of the ORDINANCE, Amending Chapter 9, Comprehensive Zoning by adding Section 4200D – Solar Energy Systems.
5a. AN ORDINANCE, Amending Chapter 9 Comprehensive Zoning, by adding Section 4200D – Solar Energy Systems. (Referred to the Committee on Ordinances – September 25, 2025.)
6. REPORT, Committee on Ordinances, recommending to the City Council APPROVAL of the ORDINANCE, Amending Chapter 9 Comprehensive Zoning – Relative to Accessory Dwelling Units.
6a. AN ORDINANCE, Amending Chapter 9 Comprehensive Zoning – Relative to Accessory Dwelling Units. (Referred to the Committee on Ordinances – September 25, 2025.)
7. REPORT, Committee on Ordinances, recommending to the City Council, APPROVAL of the ORDINANCE, AS AMENDED, Relative to Chapter 9, Comprehensive Zoning, Relative to Parking Requirements – Appendix C – Table of Parking and Loading Requirements.
7a. AN ORDINANCE, AS AMENDED, Amending Chapter 9, COMPREHENSIVE ZONING, Relative to Parking Requirements - Appendix C - Table of Parking and Loading Requirements. (Referred to the Committee on Ordinances – October 09, 2025.)
8. REPORT, Committee on Finance, recommending that the City Council take “NO FURTHER ACTION” on the WRITTEN MOTION, Councillors Lopes and Morad, requesting, that Derek Santos, Executive Director of the New Bedford Economic Development Council, provide to the Committee on Finance the annual program report detailing the status of the City of New Bedford Tax Increment Financing (TIF), Special Tax Assessments (STA) and Tax Increment Exemption (TIE) activity for all active certified projects.
8a. WRITTEN MOTION, Councillors Lopes and Morad, requesting, that Derek Santos, Executive Director of the New Bedford Economic Development Council, provide to the Committee on Finance the annual program report detailing the status of the City of New Bedford Tax Increment Financing (TIF), Special Tax Assessments (STA) and Tax Increment Exemption (TIE) activity for all active certified projects. (Referred to the Committee on Finance – February 27, 2025.)
9. REPORT, Committee on Audit, recommending that the City Council take “NO FURTHER ACTION” on the WRITTEN MOTION, Councillors Morad and Pereira, requesting that Purchasing Director Molly Gilfeather Rodriguez provide to the Audit Committee monthly – by the 5th of each month – reports detailing the previous month's Request for Proposals issued by the City of New Bedford.
9a. WRITTEN MOTION, Councillors Morad and Pereira, requesting that Purchasing Director Molly Gilfeather Rodriguez provide to the Audit Committee monthly – by the 5th of each month – reports detailing the previous month's Request for Proposals issued by the City of New Bedford. (Referred to the Committee on Audit – August 13, 2024.)
10. REPORT, Committee on Audit, recommending that the City Council take “NO FURTHER ACTION” on the RELATED MOTION, Councillor Pereira, requesting, that the Committee on Audit investigate the departmental deficit of $184,291 in the Mayor’s Office.
10a. RELATED MOTION, Councillor Pereira, requesting, that the Committee on Audit investigate the departmental deficit of $184,291 in the Mayor’s Office. (Referred to the Committee on Audit – November 30, 2023.)
11. 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, submitting an Application for the RENEWAL of a PRIVATE LIVERY LICENSE on behalf of Ana L. Valentin Burgos, 627 Allen Street, New Bedford, MA, d/b/a GERANA’S TRANSPORTATION, INC., 211 Weld Street, New Bedford, MA. (License to Expire - June 30, 2026.)
11a. COMMUNICATION, City Clerk/Clerk of the City Council, submitting an Application for RENEWAL of a PRIVATE LIVERY LICENSE on behalf of Ana L. Valentin Burgos, 627 Allen Street, New Bedford, MA, d/b/a GERANA’S TRANSPORTATION, INC., 211 Weld Street, New Bedford, MA. (Referred to the Committee on Appointments and Briefings – November 25, 2025.)
12. WRITTEN MOTION, Council President Pereira and Councillor Abreu, requesting, that the Traffic Commission install “No Parking from 10:00 p.m. – 8:00 a.m.” signage on Coral Street, spanning the entirety of the street, from the Brock Avenue to West Rodney French Boulevard corners, due to the volume of late evening and early morning parking in the neighborhood, which oftentimes disrupts the quality of life for the residents. (To be Referred to the Traffic Commission.)
13. WRITTEN MOTION, Councillors Pemberton and Abreu, requesting, that Mr. Paul Brooks Jr., Director of Real Estate and Development for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Fall River, appear before the Committee on City Property, to discuss the feasibility of leasing the Diocese’s 25,000 square foot parking lot on the corner of Ashley Boulevard and Earle Street to the City of New Bedford for municipal parking purposes. (To be Referred to the Committee on City Property, Roman Catholic Diocese of Fall River, Mitchell Administration, and Purchasing Department.)
14. WRITTEN MOTION, Councillors Pemberton and Oliver, requesting, that the Committee on City Property meet to begin the process of disposition for the Phillips Avenue Elementary School located at 249 Phillips Avenue.
15. PETITION INDEMNITY AGREEMENT, MLM Realty Trust Partners, at 297 Ashley Boulevard, New Bedford, MA 02746, for permission to encroach onto City property with an 80’ x 3’ Awning. (Sponsored by Councillor Oliver)
15a. AN ORDER,
16. COMMUNICATION, City Clerk/Clerk of the City Council, submitting an Application for a NEW PRIVATE LIVERY LICENSE, on behalf of Celestin Wilkend, 1 Warwick Street, New Bedford, MA d/b/a CRIS TRANSPORTATION, 1 Warwick Street, New Bedford, MA. (License to expire – June 30, 2026.)
17. COMMUNICATION, Council President Pereira, submitting a copy of a letter sent to Shawn Syde, City Engineer, regarding his inability to attend the meeting at the sewage treatment plant regarding the CSO Capital Improvement Plan on Tuesday, December 09, 2025. (To be Received and Placed on File.)
TABLED AGENDA
No items on this agenda.
C1. CONSTABLE BOND, AMANCIO SOARES RIBEIRO, New Bedford, MA 02746, in the amount of $5,000.00 with Western Surety Company.
Approved.
C2. 246-248 Pleasant Street
C3. 110 Eighth Street
C4. 192 Sawyer Street
C5. 1016 June Street
C6. 293-305 Ashley Boulevard
C7. 119 Shawmut Avenue
C8. 293 - 305 Ashley Boulevard
C9. 54 Wright Street
C10. Multiple streets in New Bedford
C11. 110 Eighth Street
C12. 192 Sawyer Street
C13. 1016 June Street
C14. 293-305 Ashley Boulevard
C15. 119 Shawmut Avenue
C16. 293 - 305 Ashley Boulevard
C17. 54 Wright Street
C18. Multiple streets in New Bedford
C19. Cottage Street @ Parker Street, working on Cottage Street, between 51-57 Parker Street
C20. State Street, working from Penniman Street to Austin Street, including all Intersections
C21. Bellevue Street, from West Rodney French Boulevard to Brock Avenue, including intersections
C22. Brigham Street, from Hawthorn Street to Allen Street, including intersections
C23. Campbell Street, from Cottage Street to Purchase Street, including intersections
C24. 232 Adelaide Street
C25. 629 Cottage Street
C26. 67 Ryan Street
C27. 2660 Acushnet Avenue
C28. 195 Cedar Street
C29. 108 - 110 Belleville Road
C30. 79 Highland Street
C31. 316-318 Conduit Street
C32. 178 Ashley Boulevard
C33. 214 Dawson Street
C34. 321 Maple Street
C35. 101 Park Street
C36. 117 Cedar Street
C37. 48-50 Richmond Street
C38. 314-316 Dartmouth Street
C39. 14 Rotch Street
C40. 125-127 Whitman Street
C41. 17-19 Arlington Street
C42. 62 Mechanics Lane
C43. 158-160 Query Street
C44. 221 State Street
C45. 67 Mechanics Lane
C46. 111 Myrtle Street
C47. Birchwood Drive, between Phillips Road and Longview Road
C48. Pine Hill Drive, between Valley Road and Deerfield Road
C49. WS Apple Tree Lane
C50. 483-485 Ashley Boulevard
C51. 948-950 Kempton Street
C52. 146 Query Street
C53. 114-118 Tarkiln Hill Road
C54. 88 Tinkham Street
C55. 29 East Clinton Street
C56. 403-405 West Clinton Street
C57. 19 Glennon Street
C58. 22 Holly Tree Lane
C59. 152 Tarkiln Hill Road
C60. 106 Richmond Street
C61. 48 Davis Street
C62. 396 Elm Street
C63. 7 Stanton Court
C64. PETITION, Verizon New England, Inc for location of Conduit at the INTERSECTION OF COUNTY STREET and ALLEN STREET, this work is necessary to provide electric service to a node attached to a light pole for wireless service. (Note: Police Details will be engaged while the work is being completed.)
RECEIVED AND HEARING ORDERED FOR THURSDAY, JANUARY 22, 2026.
C65. PETITION, NSTAR Electric Company d/b/a Eversource Energy for location of one handhole and approximately 70’ of Conduit in WALNUT STREET, this work is necessary to provide upgraded service to Walnut Street.
RECEIVED AND HEARING ORDERED FOR THURSDAY, JANUARY 22, 2026.
C66. PETITION, NSTAR Electric Company d/b/a Eversource Energy for location of approximately 38’ of Conduit in WALNUT STREET, this work is necessary to provide electric service to 198 Walnut Street.
RECEIVED AND HEARING ORDERED FOR THURSDAY, JANUARY 22, 2026.