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Record of Proceedings

Finance Committee Meeting – June 18, 2025: Revolving Funds & Couto Residences TIE

Default View — Wednesday, June 18, 2025

BodyNew Bedford, Massachusetts

SessionDefault View

DateWednesday, June 18, 2025

StatusFILED

Video Record

0:00 / 1:16:06

Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it

0:05

Welcome, ladies and gentlemen.

0:07

This is the Committee on Finance.

0:10

Today is Wednesday, June 18th, and we are here in the Council Chamber.

0:16

I am joined by my colleagues in government, Council Ward 4, Derek Baptiste, Councilor at Large, Ian Abrew, Council Ward 2, Maria Giesta, Council Ward 1, Leo Choquette, Council Ward 5, Joseph Loops, Councilor at Large, Brian Gomes, Council Ward 6, Ryan Pereira, Councilor at Large, Naomi Carney, and Council Ward 3, Sean Oliver.

0:39

And I am Linda Morad, Counselor at Large.

0:42

I'll ask the clerk if we have anything to read into the record.

0:45

No letters.

0:45

No letters.

0:46

But colleagues, I did hear from Council President Virgo.

0:50

He needed to attend to a family matter, so he is not going to be with us tonight.

0:55

This meeting is being live streamed in accordance and recorded on the City Council.

1:00

Committee meetings can be reviewed on the City of New Bedford's homepage under meetings and then quick links.

1:08

Okay.

1:09

So tonight we have uh several revolving funds before us.

1:13

Um I would like to take them up individually and then possibly vote on them all together, whatever the body wishes to do.

1:21

Is there any objection to taking them individually?

1:24

I'll ask clerk to read item one.

1:27

Item one and one a communication, Mayor Mitchell.

1:30

To the City Council submitting an order that in accordance with Mass General Law, Chapter 44, Section 53, E and a half, the revolving fund under the control of the Health Department, known as Health Department Compliance Programs Evolving Fund, whose revenues collected and amount limited to be spent estimated at $60,000 is hereby authorized for fiscal year 2026.

1:50

It was referred here on Mayor May 22nd, 2025.

1:53

1A was the order which was referred on the same day, May 22nd, 2025.

1:58

1 and 1A are now before you.

1:59

Motion to receive and place the item on file.

2:01

Made by Councilor Pereira, second by Councillor Gomes.

2:05

All those in favor say aye.

2:07

Opposed, the ayes have it.

2:08

Colleagues, I received communication this morning from Stephanie Sloan.

2:12

She's not able to join us today.

2:26

Can we hear from the CFO, Madam Chair?

2:28

Sure.

2:28

Bob, could you take the podium, please?

2:34

So for Bob, for my colleagues, and for the department heads, these revolving funds were sent to finance because each one of these revolving funds between fiscal 25 and fiscal twenty-six had a significant change.

2:48

So the body is just looking to see why the change, what's new, etc.

2:54

Um, and I don't know if there's other questions the colleagues would like to ask.

2:57

But are you are you able to answer questions tonight, Bob?

3:01

Or should I table this item?

3:02

Well, so to the extent we have our department heads here, I would defer to them, but in this case with Stephanie not here.

3:08

I can feel the question, but yeah.

3:11

Um what I communicated to Stephanie today was that we would ask the questions in the body, and then we can send them to her tomorrow.

3:18

She can send you back your responses between now and the council meeting if the committee so chooses to refer it out.

3:25

Otherwise, we can leave it on the table and we we can hear it.

3:28

Is there any issue to if it's heard in July, Bob, instead of June?

3:32

Not really, ma'am.

3:33

I think we should be fine.

3:34

All right, Chair recognizes Council Pereira.

3:37

Did you want the floor?

3:38

It was it was just more of of what you discussed, madam chair, though.

3:42

So if if Bob can't give if if you can't give the overview as to the change in this, um then no, we I probably would like to defer because we have a number of revolving funds in the intermachinations are just like understood, sir.

3:57

Okay.

3:58

Okay, thank you, madam chair.

3:59

All right.

3:59

So council Pereira, you what would you like us to uh send to Stephanie?

4:04

Uh yeah.

4:06

I I'm good either way, Madam Chair.

4:07

If it's easier for us to table, I'm okay with that.

4:09

But I'm okay with being flexible, sending it to.

4:12

Okay, that's fine.

4:12

We certainly can table it.

4:13

Yeah.

4:14

Okay.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting

Budget Equity Analysis█████████████████████21%

Engineering And Infrastructure█████████████████17%

Economic Development██████████████14%

Affordable Housing██████████████14%

Parks and Recreation███████████11%

Procedural██████████10%

Health And Human Services███3%

Public Safety███3%

Pension Contributions███3%

Summary of Proceedings

Finance Committee Meeting – June 18, 2025

The New Bedford City Council Finance Committee met on Wednesday, June 18, 2025, starting at 7:00 PM in Council Chambers. Chaired by Councilor-at-Large Linda Morad, the committee reviewed nine revolving fund authorizations for Fiscal Year 2026 (plus one amendment for FY2025) and a Tax Increment Exemption (TIE) agreement for a proposed 63-unit residential development. Several city officials and department heads presented, and the committee voted to recommend most items to the full City Council. The meeting adjourned at 8:16 PM.

Consent Calendar

Item 2 (Adult Social Day Program Revolving Fund): Received, placed on file, and referred to full council with a positive recommendation. Discussion included program details (two sites serving ~50 clients, funded primarily via MassHealth Medicaid, with a $30,000 increase to $330,000 for FY2026 due to step increases and health insurance costs).
Items 3 & 4 (Demolition of Buildings and Structures Revolving Fund & Vacant Building Revolving Fund): Received, placed on file, and referred to full council. Discussion noted a large demolition ($133,000 request) and a significant decrease in the vacant building fund balance ($188,545 request, down from $497,187 in FY2025). Commissioner Romanowicz was asked to provide written explanation for the decrease.
Item 5 (Tangible Supply Disposition Revolving Fund): Received, placed on file, and referred to full council. The fund covers proceeds from scrap metal and surplus sales for the School Department ($100,000), Department of Facilities & Fleet Management ($60,000), and Police ($10,000). Funds are used for HVAC repairs, vehicle replacement, and furniture.
Item 9 (Fort Taber Revolving Fund): Received, placed on file, and referred to full council. The fund ($230,000 for FY2026) supports parking, events, building rentals, and the Kennedy Summer Day program. Building maintenance costs were noted ($60,000).

Public Comments & Testimony

No public comments were made during the meeting.

Discussion Items

Item 1 (Health Department Compliance Programs Revolving Fund – $60,000 FY2026): Tabled because Health Director Stephanie Sloan was unavailable. CFO Robert Ekstrom could not answer detailed questions. Councilor Pereira moved to table; the committee agreed.
Item 6 (Quest Center Revolving Fund – $208,514 FY2026): Director Jennifer Vieira and EDC Executive Director Derek Santos presented. The fund supports operation of the Quest Center for Innovation. Revenue from tenants is expected to reduce the general fund subsidy to $33,000, lower than earlier estimates. Santos noted an upcoming state grant application that could further offset costs. Councilor Morad questioned cash-handling controls; CFO Ekstrom acknowledged risks but stated current controls are adequate.
Items 7 & 8 (Supportive Recreation Revolving Fund – FY2025 amendment to $105,000 and FY2026 authorization at $120,000): Director Mary Rapoza explained the fund covers program fees, field permits, and rentals at the Andre McCoy Rec Center. Increases are due to moving vendor payments from deposit-held accounts into the fund and taking over building maintenance contracts from DFFM ($26,496 annually). No general fund subsidy is involved.
Item 10 (Couto Residences TIE Agreement – 4586 Acushnet Avenue): Jordan Amaral (filling in for Community Development Director Joshua Amaral) and developer Derek Couto presented. The proposed $12 million project would convert a former nursing home into 63 market-rate units (up to 20% income-restricted). A 10-year TIE would provide ~$335,000 in tax relief to the developer while generating ~$220,000 in new tax revenue. The TIE is required to apply for state HDIP tax credits (up to $2.5 million) in August 2025. Several councilors praised the project, citing the developer's local reputation and the site's long vacancy. Councilor Choquette noted prior proposals (boarding house, drug treatment facility) were less desirable. The committee referred the resolution to full council for adoption.

Key Outcomes

Item 1 (Health Department Compliance Programs Revolving Fund): Tabled (motion by Councilor Pereira, second by Councilor Giesta). Awaiting written responses from Director Sloan.
Item 2 (Adult Social Day Program Revolving Fund): Recommended to full council with a positive recommendation (motion by Councilor Pereira, second by Councilor Gomes). Voice vote: all ayes.
Items 3 & 4 (Demolition and Vacant Building Revolving Funds): Recommended to full council (motion by Councilor Lopes, second by Councilor Giesta). Voice vote: all ayes. Commissioner Romanowicz to provide written explanation on vacant fund decrease.
Item 5 (Tangible Supply Disposition Revolving Fund): Recommended to full council (motion by Councilor Lopes, second by Councilor Baptiste). Voice vote: all ayes.
Item 6 (Quest Center Revolving Fund): Recommended to full council (motion by Councilor Abrew, second by Councilor Lopes). Roll call vote: 9 in favor, 1 opposed (Councilor Morad).
Items 7 & 8 (Supportive Recreation Revolving Fund): Recommended to full council (motion by Councilor Lopes, second by Councilor Abrew). Voice vote: all ayes.
Item 9 (Fort Taber Revolving Fund): Recommended to full council (motion by Councilor Pereira, second by Councilor Giesta). Voice vote: all ayes.
Item 10 (Couto Residences TIE Agreement): Resolution recommended for adoption by full council (motion by Councilor Pereira, second by Councilor Choquette). Roll call vote: 10 ayes, 0 nays. The matter will appear on the June 26, 2025 City Council agenda.

Meeting Transcript

Welcome, ladies and gentlemen. This is the Committee on Finance. Today is Wednesday, June 18th, and we are here in the Council Chamber. I am joined by my colleagues in government, Council Ward 4, Derek Baptiste, Councilor at Large, Ian Abrew, Council Ward 2, Maria Giesta, Council Ward 1, Leo Choquette, Council Ward 5, Joseph Loops, Councilor at Large, Brian Gomes, Council Ward 6, Ryan Pereira, Councilor at Large, Naomi Carney, and Council Ward 3, Sean Oliver. And I am Linda Morad, Counselor at Large. I'll ask the clerk if we have anything to read into the record. No letters. No letters. But colleagues, I did hear from Council President Virgo. He needed to attend to a family matter, so he is not going to be with us tonight. This meeting is being live streamed in accordance and recorded on the City Council. Committee meetings can be reviewed on the City of New Bedford's homepage under meetings and then quick links. Okay. So tonight we have uh several revolving funds before us. Um I would like to take them up individually and then possibly vote on them all together, whatever the body wishes to do. Is there any objection to taking them individually? I'll ask clerk to read item one. Item one and one a communication, Mayor Mitchell. To the City Council submitting an order that in accordance with Mass General Law, Chapter 44, Section 53, E and a half, the revolving fund under the control of the Health Department, known as Health Department Compliance Programs Evolving Fund, whose revenues collected and amount limited to be spent estimated at $60,000 is hereby authorized for fiscal year 2026. It was referred here on Mayor May 22nd, 2025. 1A was the order which was referred on the same day, May 22nd, 2025. 1 and 1A are now before you. Motion to receive and place the item on file. Made by Councilor Pereira, second by Councillor Gomes. All those in favor say aye. Opposed, the ayes have it. Colleagues, I received communication this morning from Stephanie Sloan. She's not able to join us today. Can we hear from the CFO, Madam Chair? Sure. Bob, could you take the podium, please? So for Bob, for my colleagues, and for the department heads, these revolving funds were sent to finance because each one of these revolving funds between fiscal 25 and fiscal twenty-six had a significant change. So the body is just looking to see why the change, what's new, etc. Um, and I don't know if there's other questions the colleagues would like to ask. But are you are you able to answer questions tonight, Bob? Or should I table this item? Well, so to the extent we have our department heads here, I would defer to them, but in this case with Stephanie not here. I can feel the question, but yeah. Um what I communicated to Stephanie today was that we would ask the questions in the body, and then we can send them to her tomorrow. She can send you back your responses between now and the council meeting if the committee so chooses to refer it out. Otherwise, we can leave it on the table and we we can hear it. Is there any issue to if it's heard in July, Bob, instead of June? Not really, ma'am. I think we should be fine. All right, Chair recognizes Council Pereira. Did you want the floor? It was it was just more of of what you discussed, madam chair, though. So if if Bob can't give if if you can't give the overview as to the change in this, um then no, we I probably would like to defer because we have a number of revolving funds in the intermachinations are just like understood, sir. Okay. Okay, thank you, madam chair.

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