0:47Good evening, ladies and gentlemen.
0:48Today is Thursday, June twenty fifth, twenty twenty six at seven oh seven PM.
0:56We are led in prayer this evening by Brian Duby, lead pastor of the Christian Fellowship Center.
1:07Thank you for the invitation.
1:11Father, we come before you on behalf of the New Bedford City Council and all who serve this community.
1:17Your word tells us that the government rested on the shoulders of your son, the one called Emmanuel, God with us.
1:25And we know that you are here with us now.
1:29Wonderful Counselor, mighty God, everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
1:35We ask that the same spirit of wisdom and counsel that rested on him would rest on these leaders.
1:42Lord, give each council member a discerning heart, wisdom for hard decisions, patience and disagreement, and courage to do what is right, even when it isn't easy or popular.
1:55Let them govern not for themselves, but for the good of every person in this city, especially the vulnerable, the forgotten, and the struggling.
2:04Grant New Bedford peace in its streets, integrity in its leadership, and unity where there is division.
2:12Where there is brokenness in this city, bring healing.
2:15Where there is injustice, bring correction.
2:18Where there is need, bring provision through wise stewardship.
2:23We thank you that no earthly government is too heavy for shoulders sustained by you.
2:28And so we ask for godly wisdom for the council members and for each one of us here this evening, that you would give us a heart like Jesus to see and love everyone the way he sees and loves them.
2:40We pray that you continue to work in each of us so that you can work through each of us.
2:46Strengthen this council, Father, and we pray for your favor for this city in Christ's name.
2:55We are led in the Pledge of Allegiance tonight by Ward 3 City Councillor Sean Oliver.
3:00I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands.
3:16Thank you, Councillor.
3:20Tonight in the City Council Chambers I am joined by my colleagues, Councillor at Large, Ian Abrew, Councillor of Ward Two, Scott Pemberton, Councillor of Ward One, Leo Schokat, Councillor of Ward Five, Joseph Lopes, Councillor at Large, Brian K.
3:35Gomes, Councillor at Large, James Roy, Councillor of Ward 3, Sean Oliver, Councillor at Large and First Vice President Shane Virgo.
3:43I'll ask the clerk, um excuse me.
3:45This meeting is being live streamed and recorded.
3:48City Council and Committee meetings can be viewed on the City of New Bedford's homepage under quick links, then meetings.
4:27She would have saved us two minutes.
4:30I will ask the cler moving on to Mayor's papers.
4:33I'll ask the clerk to read item M1.
4:35President, item M1 is a communication from the mayor to the council.
4:39Submitting an order for the transfer of one million seven hundred and twenty-eight thousand four hundred and fifty dollars from wastewater free cash to special projects fund.
4:53Make a motion to receive and place and file and adopt the order as presented.
4:57Motion to adopt the orders presented to me by Councillor Lopes, seconded by Councillor Choquette.
5:01Anyone on the question?
5:06I'll ask the clerk to call the roll.
5:34I I to finish my other half of the joke I started.
5:36We were joined before that vote by Councillor at large naomi Carney.
5:40I will ask the clerk to read item M2.
5:43President, M2 is a communication from the mayor of the council.
5:45Submitting an order for the transfer of $2,842,750 from water-free cash to Warbur Water Stabilization Fund.
5:54Motion to receive in place and file and adopt the order as presented.
5:57Motion to adopt the order made by Councillor Loop.
6:00Second by Councillor Gomes.
6:02Anyone on the question?
6:04All those in favor say aye.
6:06Opposed, the ayes have it.
6:08I will ask the clerk to read item M3.
6:11President M3 is a communication from the mayor to the council submitting an order for the transfer of $334,000 from the Stabilization Fund to debt other financing uses and M3A is the order.
6:24Motion to adopt made by Councillor Abreu.
6:28Second by Councillor Roy.
6:29Anyone on the question?
6:31All those in favor say aye.
6:33Opposed, the ayes have it.
6:35I will ask the clerk to read item M4.
6:37President M4's communication from the mayor of the council, submitting an order for the transfer of $250,000 from City Utilities Purchase of Services to debt other financing uses.
6:50Colleagues, your pleasure.
6:55Either to adopt or refer to finance.
6:58Motion to adopt made by Councillor Abreu.
7:02I need a second on that.
7:04I'll second it and then a roll call.
7:06So a motion to adopt made by Councillor Avrew, seconded by Councillor Lopes.
7:10Anyone on the question?
7:11Chair recognizes Councillor Lopes.
7:14This 250,000 is half of the 500,000 that the council cut that in the newspaper, New Bedford Light, Standard Times, the radio, that the mayor said was frivolous.
7:28That the council made a frivolous amount and that we didn't use the ability to think ahead to see what it was going to look like.
7:35Well, we over budgeted last year by $500,000.
7:39And that next item is the other $250.
7:42I'm only going to speak once, I'm not going to speak twice.
7:44But it was frivolous when the body cut half a million, but it's not frivolous when the administration raises an excess of half a million dollars on the back of the taxpayers.
7:54Thank you, Counselor.
8:00Adoption is before us.
8:02I will ask the clerk to call the roll on adopting of this order.
8:33Council Carney, would you like to be?
8:53Last the clerk to read item M five.
8:56President, M five is a communication from the mayor to the Council.
8:58Submitting an order for the transfer of $177,000 $33 from police, personal services in the amount of 45,000.
9:06Inspectional services, purchase of services in the amount of $9,200.
9:10Inspectional services supplies and the amount of $3,700.
9:13Municipal insurance, purchase of services in the amount of $42,000.
9:17And treasurer, uh purchase of services in the amount of $77,133 to debt other finance uses.
9:28Colleagues, your pleasure.
9:30Motion to adopt or refer to committee.
9:33Motion to adopt made by Councillor Burgo, seconded by Councillor Abreu.
9:37On the question, Councillor Burgo.
9:40So uh our colleague from Ward 5 is correct in regards to FY27's uh budget.
9:46I just want to be clear about that.
9:47That's why the the last vote I voted yes on.
9:50He is completely accurate, which is why during cut night I voted to cut out that 500,000 because we shouldn't uh in this case if we had an excess amount.
10:00But right now, in this case, this vote, I heard some of my colleagues vote no on the the last vote.
10:04In this case, that is not the situation we should be voting no on.
10:08This year for FY26 budget, the the excess amount that we just transferred, if you remember during the last budget situation, it's not that situation that you're thinking of where we cut out the 500,000 from FY27's budget.
10:22I I appreciate my colleague from Ward 5 mentioning it because obviously the mayor is obviously confusing things for the general public for but for us here, as I mentioned during cut night, we need to be the adults in the room and pay our bills.
10:35Um so I just wanted to make sure my colleagues understand what our colleague from Ward 5 was saying.
10:40We cut out that $500,000 responsibly from city utilities because this year there was an excess, but we are using that excess now to fill in the blanks in other departments.
10:51So that's why we need to be responsible here in vote.
10:55Thank you, Councillor.
11:02Seeing none, I'll ask the clerk to call the roll.
11:09Yes, Council, Councilor Burgo.
11:11Yes, Council Carney.
11:14Yes, Councilor Shilquette?
11:20Yes, Councilor Oliver.
11:22Yes, Council Pemberton.
11:30Item passes 10 to 0.
11:32Moving on to new business.
11:33We'll ask the clerk to read item 1.
11:36President, item 1 is an ordinance amending chapter 9, section 4100A relative to municipal facility conversion.
11:43This was passed to a second reading on May 28th.
11:46Motion to be ordained would be appropriate.
11:50Made by Councillor Gomes.
11:52Seconded by Councilor Lopes.
11:54Anyone on the question?
11:56I'll ask the clerk to call the roll.
12:17Item passes 10 to 0.
12:19I'll ask the clerk to read item number two.
12:21President, item 2 is an ordinance amending chapter 10, Section 10-86.1.
12:26Voluntary electronic email delivery of real estate and personal property tax bills.
12:30This was also passed to a second reading on May 28th.
12:35Move ordination made by Councilor Gomes.
12:39Seconded by Councillor Carney.
12:40Anyone on the question?
12:42I'll ask the clerk to call the roll.
12:57Councilor Pemberton.
13:05Item passes 10 to 0.
13:06I'll ask the clerk to read item number 3.
13:09President, item 3 is an ordinance amending chapter 19, section 19-7.2, temporary delay and step increases for FY2027.
13:17This was passed with a second reading on May 28th.
13:23Passed to be our move to pass to be ordained made by Councillor Abreu.
13:27Seconded by Councilor Gomes.
13:29Anyone on the question?
13:31I will ask the clerk to call the roll.
13:46Counselor Pemberton.
13:54Item passes 10 to 0.
13:55I will ask the clerk to call.
13:57Um, I would ask the clerk to read it number 4, please.
14:00President, item 4 is an ordinance meeting in chapter 19, section 19-7D, suspending the annual colour for unit C Management Positions for FY27.
14:08This is passed the second reading on May 28th.
14:16Passed to be ordained, made by Councilor Golmes, seconded by Councillor Abrew.
14:20Anyone on the question?
14:21I'll ask the clerk to call the roll.
14:36Councilor Pemberton.
14:43Item passes 10 to 0.
14:44I'll ask the clerk to read item number 5, please.
14:48President, item 5 is an ordinance amending chapter 19 relative to paid family leave.
14:53This was passed to a second reading on May 28.
14:56Motion to receive in place and file and pass to be ordained.
15:00Pass to be ordained, made by Councillor Lopes, seconded by Councillor Burgo.
15:03Anyone on the question?
15:06Oh, Councillor Burgo.
15:16I'm proud that tonight we are finally at the point where we can take this important step for the employees of the City of New Bedford.
15:23This conversation did not begin yesterday.
15:26It did not begin this year.
15:27And in fact, it began nearly three years ago when a city employer reached out to myself, to you, Mr.
15:34President, and I believe my colleague from whatever street he lives on.
15:38Um in August of 2023.
15:42Oh, Rickison, I think he said, yeah.
15:45Back in August of 2023, to share their experience and the challenges they face after expecting their first child.
15:52Like many employees before them, they were forced to piece together vacation time, sick time, and other accrued leave simply to spend time with their newborn child and support their family during one of the most important moments of their lives.
16:05The con that conversation stuck with me because it highlighted a gap in our policies that simply did not reflect the realities of today's workforce.
16:14Since then, we have studied the issue, discussed it in length, and worked through the details.
16:20Tonight, after nearly three years of effort, we are finally prepared to make New Bedford a better place to work and raise a family.
16:29There has been concern raised about cost, and I understand those concerns, especially given the financial discussions we have had in recent weeks.
16:38But let's be clear about what this ordinance does and does not do.
16:42This ordinance does not create a new department.
16:45It does not require us to hire additional employees.
16:49It does not create significant new burdens on taxpayers.
16:53In most cases, when an employee takes parental leave, the work will continue the same way it does today when an employee is out for an extended period of time.
17:02Co-workers will assist, departments will adjust, and operations will continue.
17:07The employee will receive their regular pay while they are uh while they care for their child and their family.
17:13The real question before us is whether we believe employees should have to sacrifice their earned vacation time or sick time in order to bond with a newborn child, support a spouse recovering from childbirth, or welcome a new child into their home.
17:27I do not believe that they should.
17:29For too long, employees have been forced to choose between being present for their families and preserving the leave time they have worked years to earn.
17:38That choice hurts morale and our recruitment and retention efforts.
17:43We often talk about the importance of attracting and retaining talented employees.
17:48We talk about being competitive with neighboring communities and about making New Bedford an employer of choice.
17:55Well, those goals require action.
17:58The reality is that many surrounding cities and towns already provide some form of paid parental leave.
18:04And the private sector increasingly recognizes that supporting families during major life events is not simply a benefit, it's an investment in stable and committed workforce.
18:14Tonight we have an opportunity to send a message to current and future employees that New Bedford values families, work life balance, and understands that employees should not have to choose between their careers and caring for their loved ones.
18:28Most importantly, this ordinance recognizes something simple.
18:31When joyful milestones happen in our lives, we should have the ability to be present for them.
18:36The birth or adoption of a child is one of those moments.
18:40I want to thank everyone who helped move this effort forward over the last three years, and I respectfully ask my colleagues for their support tonight.
18:48Thank you, Counselor.
18:54We'll ask the clerk to call the roll.
19:01Yes, Council Carney.
19:03Yes, Council Shokett.
19:20Item passes 10 to 0.
19:22Item number 6 is before us.
19:24President, item 6 is an ordinance amending chapter 19, section 19-7, Article 1, relative to personnel.
19:31This was passed to a second reading on May 28th.
19:33Move to be ordained.
19:35Move to be ordained, made by Councillor Burgo.
19:39Seconded by Councillor Oliver.
19:40Anyone on the question?
19:42I'll ask the clerk to call the roll.
20:02Item passes 10 to 0.
20:07Without objection, I'll ask the clerk to read items 7 and 8 together.
20:13President, item 7 is a report from the Special Committee on Permits and Licensing.
20:17Recommending the City Council approval of the application for a new private livery license on behalf of Maria De Pina at 20 of 28 Windsor Circle in Brockton and Maria L.
20:27Pyres of 60 Foster Street in Brockton doing business as Sister Express Transport, which will be located at 109 Roberson Street in New Bedford.
20:347A is a communication.
20:36And 8 is also a special report from the Special Committee on Permits and Licensing.
20:41Recommend the City Council approve the amended application for a new private livery license on behalf of Fabio J.
20:47Texera de Grassa doing business as Grass' Solutions Transportation located at 175 Hemlock Street, Bedford.
20:538A is the communication.
21:00Motion to accept the report of the committee and grant the licenses for 7 through 8A made by Councillor Abreu.
21:06Seconded by Councillor Oliver.
21:08Anyone on the question?
21:09All those in favor say aye.
21:11Opposed, the ayes have it.
21:12I will ask the clerk to read item number nine.
21:14President, item nine is a report from the committee on finance recommending to the full council approval of the ordinance as amended.
21:20Amending Chapter 16 and Municipal Utilities and Services, Section 16-94, rate changes, uh rate charges.
21:27I'm sorry, to provide the city provide to provide the council and the administration greater flexibility in setting the wastewater rates.
21:339A is the ordinance as amended.
21:38Motion and pass to a second reading.
21:40Motion to pass to a second reading made by Councillor Burgo.
21:44It's already amended.
21:46I understand that by the is that a second, Councilor.
21:50Second it, thank you.
21:52Anyone else on the question?
21:55All those in favor say aye.
21:57Opposed, the ayes have it.
21:58I will ask the clerk to read item number 10.
22:01President, item 10 is a report from the committee on finance recommending to the full city council adoption of the order for the proposed wastewater rates for FY27 and FY28 and proposed wastewater annual base charges for FY27 to take effect on July 1st of 2026.
22:19College of pleasure.
22:24Motion to adopt the order made by Council Oliver, seconded by Councilor Abreu.
22:28Anyone on the question?
22:29All those in favor say aye.
22:32Opposed, the ayes have it.
22:33I will ask the clerk to read item number 11.
22:35President, item 11 is a report from the committee on finance recommending to the full council adoption of the loan order appropriating $20,400,000 for the purpose of financing the cost of projects outlined in the city's long-term CSO control and integrated capital improvement plan.
22:5011A is the loan order.
22:51Motion to receive and place and follow the recommend follow the recommendation of the committee on finance and adopt the order as presented.
22:59So pass to a second reading.
23:00Sorry, Council President.
23:02So motion to pass to a second reading made by Councillor Loops.
23:06Second by Councilor Pemberton.
23:09Anyone on the question?
23:10All those in favor say aye.
23:13Opposed the Ice have it.
23:14I'll ask the clerk to read on number 12.
23:16President, item 12 is a report from the committee on finance recommending to the full city council that the Board of Assessors change the current eligibility criteria from age 70 to age 65 for city tax exemptions.
23:29Motion to uh adopt motion to follow the recommendation.
23:34Recommendation and and uh and adopt the uh change from age 70 to 60 from age 70 to 65 second motion to adopt the uh communication made by counselor Oliver, seconded by counselor burgo.
23:51Anyone on the question?
23:54All those in favor say aye.
23:56Opposed the ayes have it.
24:04Without objection, I'll ask the clerk to read items 13 through 16A.
24:11President, item 13 is a report from the committee on finance recommended to the full council adoption of the order of the transfer of 2 million 99,535 dollars from general stabilization to snow removal, purchase of services in the amount of 1,933,404, public infrastructure, purchase of services in the amount of 101,316, and facilities and fleet management, purchase of services in the amount of sixty-four thousand eight hundred and fifteen dollars.
24:42Item 14 is a report from the finance committee recommended to the full council adoption of the order for the transfer of 43,000 dollars from public infrastructure personal services to mayor personal services, 14a is the order.
25:00Adoption of the order for the transfer of 750,000 from inspectional services, personal services in the amount of 110,000, facilities and fleet personal services in the amount of 236,000, recreation and parks personal services in the amount of 80,000, elections personal services in the amount of 88,000, health personal services the amount of 120,000, solicitor personal services in the amount of 28,000, zoo personal services and the amount of 43,000, and police personal services in the amount of 45,000 to city utilities, purchase of services.
25:32Item 16 is a report from the committee on finance recommending the full city council adoption of the order for the transfer of $85,000 from stabilization fund to facilities and fleet purchase of services and 16A is the order.
25:44Make a motion to receive an employee and file items 13 through 16A and follow recommendation committee on finance and adopt the orders as presented.
25:52Motion to adopt the orders as presented for 13 through 16A made by Council Lopes.
25:58Seconded by Councillor Burgo on the question.
25:59The chair recognizes Councillor Burgo.
26:05So there's a number of items in here that I guess I'll speak on.
26:10First and foremost is obviously this item uh item 15.
26:15Well, I'll go with item 14 first.
26:17Um the 43,000 uh transfer to fund the deficit in the mayor's office, which again, if you were here during the finance meeting, you heard the mayor's uh chief of staff, the legitimate one spoke about the vacancy uh increase, which I had mentioned.
26:36Obviously, the mayor's staff at the time was fully staffed.
26:39We didn't make any cuts in terms of staffing to that department.
26:44Um, so it was uh in this case appropriate for them to put a transfer to fund that $43,000 uh deficit in their department.
26:53We have made it clear in multiple, multiple venues, both public and in private meetings with the mayor's office, and again, right now through this speech.
27:03Um we have made a cut to one of the chief of staff positions, which I have uh mapped out and explained is not legitimate because it's really a chief operating officer position, which does not exist in our code of ordinance.
27:16Um that along with an administrative manager position, which we know will become vacant in the new fiscal year.
27:23So that is two positions that this council that has oversight said should not be a position that's there.
27:30With that, I again want to publicly explain we're approving these transfers today because we're being the responsible adults in the room to fund these deficits.
27:39But next year, I want to make sure that this is the we all know this is the body that will be reviewing any transfers that come down, and we will be paying attention if he decides that he is going to deficit spend, which we heard from that chief of staff.
27:52We all heard him say he's going to ignore it.
27:55So I just want to make again another public outcry that this council will not allow that to happen.
28:02Um, also, again, the reason why we had to transfer from city utilities again is because the mayor, with all of his chiefs of staff that he places everywhere and all the staffing and money he has up at the top, made this erroneous uh error where he tried to transfer $750,000 into city utilities, it was not needed, and then had to transfer it out of city utilities because there was a surplus.
28:27So even though, again, as our colleague from Ward 5 mentioned, he's gonna call us all this is a gimmick, which is nonsense.
28:36Um, there was a surplus in city utilities, and he's a moron.
28:39Um, so in this case, we're fixing the mistakes of this administration as we always do, even though we have our own uh full-time jobs as well as this job, we have to continuously fix the mistakes of this administration while he continues to call us names in the in the media.
28:56So I just again want to call out the fact that even with all of the six-figure salaries at the top that are do this for their full-time job, they continue to make these mistakes that we have to fix.
29:07But we moving forward will not allow this to happen.
29:10So again, although I will be voting yes to approve these transfers this year, make no mistake, it will not happen next year.
29:19Thank you, Councilor.
29:25Seeing none, I'll ask the clerk to call the roll on items 13 through 16A.
29:36Yes, Council Carney.
29:38Council Schulquette.
29:44Yes, Council Oliver.
29:46Yes, Council Pemberton.
29:48Yes, Council Pereira.
29:54Item passes eight to zero.
30:00Colleagues without objection, can we take items 17 through 18A, waive the reading, and take no further action.
30:05Made by Councilor Gomes, seconded by Councillor Abreu.
30:08Anyone on the question?
30:08All those in favor say aye.
30:10Opposed, the ayes have it.
30:11I will ask the clerk to read item number 19.
30:13President, item 19 is a written motion from Councillor Gomes requesting that the committee on ordinances establish an ordinance regulating the use of electric bikes, scooters, and mini-bikes.
30:23Said ordinance would establish laws for the use of set electric devices on our city streets, sidewalks, parks, and parkways, as these devices have become a safety problem throughout the city.
30:34Refer to ordinance made by Councillor Gomes.
30:37Seconded by Councillor Oliver.
30:38Anyone on the question?
30:39Chair recognizes Councillor Gomes.
30:44I don't know if my colleagues have noticed uh the numbers of these um motorized uh bikes that are out there.
30:50Now I want to make it clear I'm not looking to ban them.
30:53What I'm looking to do is such they done in other communities.
30:56I um checked into East Providence, Rhode Island, where they had instituted uh an ordinance uh governing over these things because it seems like they are all over the place on the sidewalk.
31:07They um and and the thing that bugs me really is these things are very small.
31:12You can put a kid six, seven years old or riding on these things.
31:16But there's got to be some rules and regs.
31:18There always was rules and regs when you had a bike.
31:23I actually said this at a community meeting last night.
31:26Uh some of uh I'll show my age when you took your bike down to Spring Street and you registered it and got your green plate and you put it on the bike, or you either put it on your wheels and they gave you a paper on some safety things that you had to do.
31:40I'm do just looking for that.
31:42And I'm looking to keep these things off the sidewalk.
31:44Remember, these things is not like a regular bike.
31:46You can't even hear these things coming.
31:48And they're heavier, bigger tires to be on the sidewalk, someone coming out of a store or somewhere like that.
31:54Someone's gonna get hurt.
31:56I'm just looking to regulate it and make it safe to use in the city of New Bedford without hindering or hurting anyone walking in pedestrian walkways.
32:06Thank you very much.
32:07Hope I get the support.
32:08Thank you, Councillor.
32:09Anyone else on the question?
32:13All those in favor of referral to committee say aye.
32:15Opposed, the ayes have it.
32:17I will ask the clerk to read item 20.
32:20President, item 20 is a communication from the City Clerk submitting an application for the renewal of your private liberty license on behalf of Jacqueline D.
32:28Guzman Carrero, doing business as Portillos Transportation at 191B North Street in New Bedford, Mass.
32:35The term of the license is from July 1st of 26th to June 30th, 27th.
32:41Motion to grant the renewal made by Councillor Abru.
32:44Seconded by Councillor Burgo, anyone on the question?
32:46All those in favor say aye.
32:48Opposed the ayes have it.
32:49I will ask the clerk to read item 21.
32:52President, item 21 is a communication from the Board of Assessors to the Council submitting a motion at its open meeting on June 11, 2026, voted to submit the following motion to the City Council with the mayor of New Bedford, adopt the annual consumer price index for FY27 as determined by the Commissioner of Revenue of a 2.7% increase for clause 17 and the amount of the exemption to be 417.21 cents to accept under Chapter 59, Section 5, Clause 17E to increase the amount of assets to 85,074 and 90 cents to qualifying individuals.
33:27And under Chapter 59, Section 5, Clause 41, 41B, and 41C, raising the base limit of income for single taxpayers to 27,648 dollars and thirty-one cents and married taxpayers to 31,905 and 67 cents, and to raise the assets limits to $59,552 and 68 cents for single taxpayers and $63,806 and seventeen cents for married taxpayers.
33:54Additionally, to adopt the annual consumer price index for FY27 as determined by the Commissioner of Revenue will be 2.7 percent increase in the amount of the exemptions for clause 22 to 845 and 43 cents, clause 22A to 1,585 and 17 cents, clause 22 B to 2,641 dollars and ninety-six cents, clause 22 C to $3,170 and 53 cents, and clause 22E to $2,113 and 57 cents, 21ABC and D are the orders.
34:28Colleagues, your pleasure.
34:30Refer to committee or adopt the orders before us.
34:34Motion to receive and place and file the communication from the Board of Assessors and adopt items 21A, 21B, 21C, and 21D.
34:43Motion to adopt the orders for 21A through D, made by Councilor Lopes, seconded by Councillor Gomes.
34:50Anyone on the question?
34:52All those in favor say aye.
34:54Opposed the ayes have it.
34:56The orders have been adopted.
34:57I will ask the uh clerk to read item number 22, please.
35:01President, item 22 is communication from Councilor Burgo.
35:04Submittee signed petitions from residents opposing the closure of fire station number nine in New Bedford.
35:09Motion receive and place on file.
35:11Motion to receive in place on file.
35:12The petitions made by Councilor Burgo, seconded by Councilor Gomes on the question.
35:18The Chair recognizes Councillor Burgo.
35:22I'll just keep it brief.
35:24The motion speaks for itself.
35:26We we received these uh signed petitions in uh it's unfortunate, obviously, that our residents uh their only representative government is this body.
35:37I I'm proud to stand alongside all 11 of my colleagues here and knowing that we're responsive uh to the people of New Bedford.
35:45Unfortunately, the corner office uh doesn't care or listen.
35:48Um so we wanted to give them this platform to know that we are listening, we are here, and we and we do care.
35:55Um hopefully uh through this communication, as as you're aware, Mr.
35:59President, um all communication that comes to the council and is received in place on file does make its way through uh to the mayor's office.
36:07Uh he doesn't have to read it.
36:08I know he doesn't like to read very often, um, and he doesn't watch a lot of our meetings, but uh his office will have to receive it uh and it can be gone go unsigned.
36:20But I want the people of New Bedford, it is especially those in Ward 1 that will be affected by the closure of Fire Station 9 to know that they are seen and heard and we will continue fighting for them.
36:31Thank you, Counselor.
36:35All those in favor say aye.
36:38Opposed the ayes have it.
36:40We have some tabled items called.
36:41Motion to take up and adopt consent.
36:43Motion to take up and adopt consent made by counselor Burgo, seconded by Councilor Abreu.
36:48Anyone on the question?
36:49All those in favor say aye.
36:51Opposed, the ayes have it.
36:53Motion to adjourn made by Councillor Avery.
36:56Seconded by Councilor Pemberton.
36:58On the question of adjournment, the chair will recognize Councilor Burgo.
37:02I just wanted to take this moment, obviously, as we close out June and we begin for the second year, uh second annual Cabal Verde and Heritage Month, which I'm very proud alongside this body that we uh champion that effort.
37:16Um this is our second annual celebration.
37:18We have such a rich history here in the city of New Bedford.
37:22Uh, our very own colleague, Councilor uh Gomes being the first ever Cape Verdean American to serve as council president.
37:30Um and starting tomorrow, Sunday, we'll sell start off Cape Verdean Recognition Week at my church, our Lady of Assumption, the first Cape Verdean church, a Roman Catholic church in America.
37:41Um, and then the flag raising that will happen on our City Hall steps on Monday, uh culminating in the Cape Verde and recognition uh parade, which this year is on Sunday on July 5th, which most people know is Cape Vernian Independence Day, and it will start at 12 p.m.
37:59So I just want to take this opportunity to let all of you know that change and the general public that we know watch cable access on a different channel now.
38:07Um so thank you for the opportunity and again uh happy second annual Cabal Verde and Heritage Month.
38:15Thank you, Councilor.
38:17Anyone on the question of adjournment?
38:20Chair reckon is Councillor Gomes.
38:25All those in favor of adjournment say aye.
38:28Opposed, the ayes have it.
38:29We are adjourned at 7 44 p.m.
