City Council — March 26, 2026

Let's go.

Thanks, Joe.

I got your back, bro.

I read the contract.

Good evening, ladies and gentlemen.

It is Thursday, March 26th at 7:01 PM in the City Council Chamber.

We are led in prayer tonight by Pastor Leona Fisher of In the Name of Jesus Church.

Good evening, everyone.

May we look to the Lord in prayer.

This— oh.

Father God who is in heaven, we bow our heads to you in reverence.

We invite your presence because we don't want to do this without you.

Your word says we have not because we ask not.

So here we are again, and we ask with humble hearts.

I pray for you to provide all that these council members need to achieve the goals they know are good for the city of New Bedford and its citizens.

I request that you remove all obstacles, doubts, and stress that they— that try to hinder their progress.

I request that the hindrances are replaced with your blessed assurance to them that you are there to uphold them and guide them.

Father God, during this turbulent time in our world, we further ask for your protection, your grace, and your mercy to be upon our nation and all nations of the world.

Thank you for hearing and answering our prayers.

This I pray in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

Amen.

Thank you, Pastor.

We are led in the Pledge of Allegiance tonight by Councilor at Large James Roy.

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America.

And to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

I am joined tonight in the council chambers by my colleagues, Councilor-at-Large Ian Abreu, Councilor of Ward 2 Scott Pemberton, Councilor of Ward 1 Leo Shokat, Councilor of Ward 5, Joseph Lopes.

Councilor at Large Brian Gomes.

Councilor at Large James Roy.

Councilor of Ward 4, Derek Baptiste.

And I am the Councilor of Ward 6, City Council President Ryan Pereira.

I'd like to note that this meeting is being live streamed and recorded.

City Council and committee meetings can be viewed on the city's website on the home page under Quick Links, then Meetings.

I'll ask the clerk at this time if there are any letters to be read into the record.

Mr. President, we have 3.

The first is from Councilor Carney.

Dear Council President Pereira and honorable members of the council, I am writing to inform you that I expect to be late for tonight's city council meeting as I'll be attending the YWCA Red Dress event, which raises awareness and promotes education regarding the risks of heart disease, particularly in women.

Please read this letter into the record to make my colleagues and the public aware of the reason for my delayed arrival.

Sincerely, Naomi Carney, Councilor at Large.

Second is from Councilor Burgo.

Dear Council President Pereira and council members, I am writing to inform you that regretfully I will be unable to attend City Council meeting on Thursday, March 26th due to a prior commitment.

Please read this letter into the record to make my colleagues and the public aware the reason for my absence.

Sincerely, Shane Burgo, Councilor at Large.

And the third is from Councilor Oliver.

I'm writing— dear Council President Pereira and honorable members of the council, I am writing to inform you that that I am unable to attend tonight's City Council meeting on Thursday, March 26th, due to a previously scheduled commitment.

Please read this letter into the record to make my colleagues and the public aware the reason for my absence.

Motion to receive and place on file the communications.

A motion to receive and place on file the communications made by Councilor Lopes, seconded by Councilor Baptiste.

Any discussion?

All those in favor say aye.

Aye.

Opposed?

The ayes have it.

Move to the hearing section of our meeting tonight.

I'll ask the clerk to read item number 1.

Mr. President, item 1 is a hearing from NSTAR Electric Company, doing business as Eversource Energy, for the location of 58 feet of conduit encased in concrete on South Street.

This work is necessary to provide electric service to 65 Potomac Street for an electric bus charging station.

1A is the order.

The chair would be in receipt of a motion to receive and place on file and open the public hearing.

Made by Councilor Gomes, seconded by Councilor Abreu.

Any discussion?

All those in favor say aye.

Opposed, the ayes have it.

Jessica.

Good evening, Mr. President, members of the City Council.

Jessica Elder representing Eversource.

Again, thank you for having me this evening.

Um, this petition, Work Order 1915819, is for underground conduit installation on South Street.

It is to provide electric service to number 65 Potomac Street.

It's for an electric bus station.

The work will go to a new transformer.

It's coming from an existing manhole.

Eversource is requesting to install approximately 58 feet of concrete conduit encased in concrete for this job.

The work is expected to take 1 or 2 days max.

A police detail obviously will be used in need to maintain public safety, of course.

Traffic impact will be at a minimal and limited to the area that we're working in.

All disturbed areas will be restored to original conditions or better in accordance with the city requirements.

Thank you, Jessica.

Colleagues, any questions?

Chair recognizes Councilor Gomes.

Just— this is on the south side, not side of the terminal, am I correct?

Correct.

Yeah.

Um, how close are we to the terminal where you're going to be digging up?

Well, it is for the— I would imagine that it's, it's going to be on the terminal property because it's for an electric bus station.

Okay, so we won't be encroaching out into the street in any way?

I Well, we are going a little bit where there's the existing manhole that's there we're going from, which is kind of in the middle of the street and South Street a little bit.

So.

OK. And then coming over to the— Going to need a detail down there.

Oh, we definitely— OK. Yeah, I did say we would get a detail.

There's a lot of work that's been going on down there, including work with your company.

You're going to need a detail because of the rerouting of traffic.

Detouring of traffic is causing a little bottleneck up on South Street.

Down to Route 18 or whatever.

Yeah, it's right there near the corner of 18, right in that area.

Yeah, no, we definitely would get a detail, especially being so busy in that area.

Thank you very much.

You're welcome.

Thank you, Mr. President.

Thank you, Councilor Gomes.

Any other questions?

Chair recognizes Councilor Baptiste.

Thank you, Mr. President.

I'm just— just make sure the signage— I just have to ask.

Well, thank you for being here.

How's everything going today?

And, and you're getting like great at it since I started.

Like, you cover all the bases before anybody can ask you questions, so the questions can be minimal.

I You're killing the game right there.

I like that.

Um, but just the signage, like the detour signage, so that people can be aware if they need to take detours, if the streets are going to be closed, just to make sure that when people are going there— because I'm, you know, during the— with the school on the other side, Price Rite right there, you don't know during certain times of the day if it could get busy.

I know during the middle of the day it probably won't, but, you know, then before and after hours it could get busy.

Just the signage, just to be up there and clear for people.

All right, thank you so much.

No problem.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you, Councilor Baptiste.

Any other questions for Jessica?

Okay, seeing none, this is a public hearing, so if anyone from the public wishes to be heard in favor, be— to speak in favor of this item, to speak in favor, to be recorded in favor, to be recorded in favor of this item, Would anyone from the public like to speak in opposition?

Speak in opposition?

To be recorded in opposition?

Be recorded in opposition?

Okay, seeing none, make a motion to close the public hearing.

Second.

Motion to close the public hearing made by Councilor Lopes, seconded by Councilor Baptiste.

Any discussion on closing the public hearing?

All those in favor say aye.

Opposed, the ayes have it.

Motion to adopt the order.

Motion to adopt the order made by Councilor Roy, seconded by Councilor Abreu.

Anyone on the question?

All those in favor say aye.

Opposed?

The ayes have it.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Moving to mayor's papers, I'll ask the clerk to read item M1, please.

Mr. President, M1 is a communication from the mayor to the council submitting an order for the transfer of $91,054 from airport free cash to airport purchase of Services in M1A is the order.

Make a motion to receive and place on file and adopt the order as presented.

A motion to adopt the order made by Councilor Gomes— uh, excuse me, Lopes— seconded by Councilor Gomes.

Got them backwards.

Anyone on the question?

Seeing none, all those in favor say aye.

Opposed?

The ayes have it.

Move to item 2, please.

Mr. President, M2 is communication from the mayor to the council submitting an order for the transfer of $50,000 from EMS capital outlay to EMS supplies.

M2A is the order.

Make a motion to receive and place on file and adopt the order as presented.

A motion to adopt the order has been made by Councilor Lopes, seconded by Councilor Gomes.

Got it right the first time.

Anyone on the question?

All those in favor say aye.

Opposed?

The ayes have it.

M3, please.

Mr. President, M3 is communication from Mayor Mitchell to the council submitting an order amending the order adopted by the city council on June 26th 2025 and signed by the mayor on July 9th, 2025, which in accordance with Mass General Law Chapter 44, Section 53E½, the revolving fund under the control of the Community Services Department known as the Adult Social Day Program Revolving Fund, whose amount is limited at $330,000, is hereby authorized at $530,000 for FY26.

M3A is the order.

Second.

A motion to adopt the order has been made by Councilor Abreu, seconded by Councilor Lopes.

Anyone on the question?

All those in favor say aye.

Opposed?

The ayes have it.

I'll ask the clerk to read item M4.

Mr. President, M4 is communication from the mayor to the council submitting an order amending the order adopted by the city council on May 22nd, 2025, and signed by the mayor on May 29th, 2025, which in accordance with Mass General Law Chapter 44, Section 53.5.

The revolving fund under the control of the EMS Department, known as the EMS Training Academy Revolving Fund, whose amount is limited at $11,001, is hereby authorized at $22,401 for FY26.

And 4A is the order.

Make a motion to receive and place on file and follow the recommendation, adopt the order.

Second.

Motion to adopt the order by Councilor Lopes, seconded by Councilor Gomes.

Anyone on the question?

All those in favor say aye.

Opposed, the ayes have it.

M5 is before us.

Mr. President, M5 is communication from the mayor to the council.

Excuse me, Mr.

Clerk, I apologize.

That's okay.

Without objection, would the clerk read items M5 through M7, just stating the amounts and the, uh, accounts?

Sure.

Thank you.

Mr. President, M5 is communication from the mayor to the council.

This is an order, um, authorizing the payment of one outstanding invoice from a prior fiscal year totaling $162.77 to be charged to the Airport Enterprise Fund.

M6 is totaling $39.99 to be charged to the General Fund Labor Relations and Personnel Department.

And M7 is the amount totaling $39.99 to be charged to the General Fund of the Health Department.

Make a motion to receive and place on file items 5, 5A, 6, 6A, 7, 7A and adopt as presented.

Second.

Motion to adopt items M5 through M7 as presented, made by Councilor Lopes, seconded by Councilor Gomes.

Anyone on the question?

All those in favor say aye.

Opposed?

The ayes have it.

Item M8, please.

Mr. President, um, M8 is a communication from the mayor to the council submitting a lease extension and amendment on behalf of the New Bedford Airport Commission and Sandpiper Air Incorporated building M8A is the order.

Motion to receive and place on file and refer to the Special Committee on the Airport.

Second.

Motion to receive and place on file, refer to the Special Committee on the Airport, made by Councilor Roy, seconded by Councilor Lopes.

Anyone on the question?

All those in favor say aye.

Opposed?

The ayes have it.

Without objections, can we take M9 and M10 together as they're appointments?

Very good.

M9 and M10 together.

Together.

Thank you.

You're welcome.

Mr. President, M9 is communication from the mayor to the city council submitting the appointment of George Bolger of New Bedford, Mass., to the Human Rights Commission, replacing Zoe Hansen DiBello, whose term has expired.

This term will expire in April of 2028.

And M10 is communication from the mayor to the council submitting the appointment of Zachary Nieder of New Bedford to the Human Rights Commission, replacing Chad Freitas, whose term has expired, and this term will expire also in April of 2028.

Second.

Motion to refer M9 and M10 to the Committee on Appointments and Briefings, made by Councilor Abrams, seconded by Councilor Lopes.

Anyone on the question?

All in favor say aye.

Opposed?

The ayes have it.

I'll ask the clerk to read item M— uh, excuse me, moving to new business, read item 2, please.

Mr. President, item 2 is a report from the Committee on Ordinances Recommending the City Council approval of the ordinance amending Chapter 9 of Comprehensive Zoning relative to dimensional requirements, Appendix B, Table of Dimensional Regulations, Residential Infill Development and Multiple Buildings per Lot.

2A is the ordinance.

Motion to accept and place on file and refer to the Economic Development Committee.

Second.

A motion to refer to the Committee on Economic Development made by Councilor Choquette, seconded by Councilor Gomes.

Anyone on the question?

Uh, just briefly, Chair recognizes Councilor Choukat.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman, uh, Mr. President.

I just wanted to rise and say that there were a lot of questions that were asked of me by people in the community and in my ward on this issue, and also some of the other councilors also had additional questions.

And I think that by moving this to the Committee on Economic Development Um, we could bring in some, uh, you know, for April 22nd, which is going to be the first meeting, uh, we could have, uh, some guests come in.

We can invite in some people who are still putting together the list of who we're going to have from the mayor's office.

But there's another additional round of questions that I, I would really feel comfortable asking before we put this through the second reading.

And I yield.

Thank you, Councillor.

Anyone else?

Roll call vote, please.

Uh, roll call vote on referral has been requested on referring item 2 to the Committee on Economic Development.

I will ask the clerk to call the roll.

Councillor Abram.

Yes.

Councillor Baptiste.

Yes.

Yes.

Councillor Choquette.

Yes.

Yes.

Councillor Gomes.

Yes.

Yes.

Councilor Lopes?

Yes.

Yes.

Councilor Pemberton?

Yes.

Yes.

Councilor Pereira?

No.

No.

Councilor Roy?

Yes.

Yes.

Passes 7 to 1, Mr. President.

Passes 7 to 1.

Item 3, please.

Mr. President, Item 3 is a report from the Committee on Ordinances recommending the City Council Approval of the ordinance as amended, amending Chapter 9, Appendix A, Table of Principal Uses Regulations, and 3A is the ordinance.

Colleagues, at this— what's that?

Motion to refer to Committee on Ordinances made by Councilor Abreu, seconded by Councilor Choquette.

Anyone on the question?

All those in favor say aye.

Opposed, the ayes have it.

Item number 4, please.

Mr. President, item 4 is a report from the Committee on Ordinances recommending the City Council approval of the ordinance amending Chapter 2, Article 6, Section 2-105 of the City of New Bedford Code of Ordinances to conform with Chapter 140 of the Acts of 2024 signed into law by Governor Healey regarding payment agreements for delinquent taxes.

And 4A is the ordinance.

Motion to pass to a second reading made by Councilor Avery, seconded by Councilor Baptiste.

Anyone on the question?

All those in favor say aye.

Opposed?

The ayes have it.

Item 5.

Mr. President, item 5 is a report from the Committee on Finance recommending to the council adoption of the loan order appropriating $12,610,194 for the purpose of making critically needed repairs to city-owned buildings, including but not limited to projects for the repair and renovation of public safety facilities, recreational facilities, general office space, replacement of capital equipment and vehicles, and roads and infrastructure improvements.

5A is the loan order.

Motion to receive on place— in place on file and adopt the order.

As a loan order, it needs to be passed to a second reading, Councilor.

So we'll make— Councilor Roy made a motion to pass to a second reading.

It was seconded by Councilor Lopes.

Anyone on question?

All those in favor say aye.

Opposed, the ayes have it.

Number 6, please.

Mr. President, item 6 is a report from the Committee on Finance recommending the City Council adoption of the updated changes to the city's fund balance management policy.

6A is the communication from the mayor.

Motion to adopt the order— adopt the policy made by Councilor Lopes.

Second by— second, Councilor Choquette.

Anyone on the question?

All those in favor say aye.

Opposed?

The ayes have it.

Item number 7, please.

Item 7 is report from the Committee on Finance recommending the City Council adoption of the order for the transfer of $5,037,282 from free cash to cable access stabilization fund.

Motion to adopt made by Councillor Abreu.

Second by Councillor Lopes.

Anyone on the question?

Roll call vote is required.

Councillor Abreu?

Yes.

Councillor Baptiste?

Yes.

Yes.

Councillor Chouquette?

Yes.

Yes.

Councillor Gomes?

Yes.

Yes.

Councillor Lopes?

Yes.

Yes.

Councillor Pemberton?

Yes.

Councillor Pereira?

Yes.

Yes.

Yes.

Councilor Roy.

Yes.

Yes.

Passes 8 to 0.

Item passes 8 to 0.

Without objection, would the chair take items 7 through 13A together as they're all reports out of the Committee on Finance and adopt the orders as presented?

We will take items 8 through 13.

Sorry, that's okay, no worries.

Yes, I will ask the clerk to read item 7— 8 in its entirety and then just the amounts in the destinations of the next items.

Mr. President, item 8 is a report from the Committee on Finance recommending the council adoption of the order for the transfer of $60,386 from free cash to public infrastructure purchase of services.

Item 9 is a transfer of the amount of $175,000 from free cash to waste collection and disposal purchase of services.

Number 10 is a transfer of $84,700 from free cash to tourism purchase of services.

Number 11 is $70,000 from free cash to Recreation and Parks purchase of services.

Item 12 is the transfer of $63,662 from free cash to MIS purchase of services.

Item 13, Mr. President, is a transfer of $17,610 from free cash to Auditor purchase of services.

And 13A and all the A's of the orders.

Councilor Lips, when you asked me to take those together, did you make a motion?

I did, to adopt the master's— second.

Very good.

Motion to adopt items 8 through 13A was made by Councilor Lopes, seconded by Councilor Baptiste.

Anyone on the question of adoption?

8 votes are required.

I will ask the clerk to call the roll.

Councilor Abreu?

Yes.

Councilor Baptiste?

Yes.

Yes.

Councilor Choquette?

Yes.

Yes.

Councilor Gomes?

Yes.

Yes.

Councilor Lopes?

Yes.

Yes.

Councilor Pemberton?

Yes.

Yes.

Councilor Pereira?

Yes.

Yes.

Councilor Roy?

Yes.

Yes.

Items pass 8 to 0.

I'll ask the clerk to read item 14, please.

Mr. President, item 14 is a report from the Special Committee on Special Permits and Licensing recommending to the council approval of the application of Moses N. Kasembo, doing business as Kind— I'm sorry, K&D Auto Rentals LLC, for a special permit from motor vehicle sales and/or rentals at 297 Belleville Avenue in New Bedford.

14A is a special permit application.

A motion to grant the permit's been made by Councilor Abreu, seconded by Councilor Pemberton.

Anyone on the question?

All those in favor say aye.

Opposed?

The ayes have it.

Mr.

Chair, Mr. President, yes, without objections, can we take items 15 through 22A Follow the recommendation for no further action and waive the readings.

Second.

Motion's been made to waive the readings of items 15 through 22A, take no further action.

They are all reports out of committee for no further action.

It has been made by Councilor Lopes, seconded by Councilor Gomes.

All those in favor say aye.

Opposed?

The ayes have it.

I'll ask the clerk to read item 23, please.

Mr. President, item 23 is a written motion from Councilor Pemberton Requesting that Police Chief Jason Thode and DPI Commissioner Jamie Ponte appear before the Committee on Public Safety and Neighborhoods to explain why there were no operational cameras in the area of Ashley Boulevard and Tolman Street on the night of March 8th, 2026, when approximately 10 shots were reported, and further requesting information on how long the cameras had been nonfunctional, whether they have been repaired, and what actions are being taken to address this issue.

Motion to follow recommendation.

Motion to refer the item to the Committee on Public Safety, made by Councillor Pemberton, seconded by Councillor Abreu.

Anyone on the question?

Chair recognizes Councillor Pemberton.

Thank you, Mr. President.

Uh, I just want to just, uh, just let my colleagues just know, uh, you know We pay a lot of money for those cameras.

You know, for them not to be operational in that situation on a night like that could have been much worse.

You know, here we are, we had 10 shots that were reported, and there was no cameras available anywhere around that area.

Like I said, the city spends a lot of money on these cameras.

Here we go.

We always have these things where we never have any follow-ups.

Uh, was there any work orders already on this?

Or, you know, I'd just like to know where we stand with it.

Uh, is it happening around the whole city, or was it just that particular night?

Uh, but I just think that we should just get to the bottom of this and find out what the problem is.

And thank you.

I yield.

Thank you, Councilor Pemberton.

Anyone else on that?

First.

On that, second.

Okay.

All those in favor of referral to the Committee on Public Safety say aye.

Opposed?

The ayes have it.

Item 24, please.

Mr. President, item 24 is a written motion from Councillor Pemberton requesting that the Health Department Inspectional Services appear before the Committee on Public Safety and Neighborhoods to address concerns regarding the property located on Conduit Street at the bottom of Shaw Street.

Determine what actions can be taken to address the accumulation of old vehicles and scattered debris across the lot, which poses a safety hazard and negatively impacts the quality of life in the surrounding neighborhood.

Motion to refer to the Committee on Public Safety and Neighborhoods, made by Councillor Pemberton.

Seconded by Councillor Baptiste.

Anyone on the question?

Chair recognizes Councillor Pemberton.

Again, thank you, Mr. President.

I just want to mention, you know, if when you go around this neighborhood and you look at this yard, it's— I think it's even worse than what a junkyard looks like.

You know, he's got all kinds of old vehicles in there, all kinds of debris and everything.

I was looking at some of the ordinances in there, and I believe that, you know, there should be some action being taken for the way that property is being upheld.

You know, like I said, it's just a terrible condition the way it is.

Inside in.

Now, you know, the poor people around that neighborhood gotta deal with this, with this mess and stuff.

So I just want to bring this up and, and see what we can do with this.

Thank you.

I yield.

Thank you, Councilor.

Anyone else?

Okay, seeing none, on referral to the Committee on Public Safety, all those in favor say aye.

Opposed?

The ayes have it.

I will ask the clerk to read item 25.

Mr. President, item 25 is a written motion from Councillors Burgo and Roy requesting that the Legislative Council draft a home rule petition to authorize the City of New Bedford to implement a randomized lottery system for ballot placement of candidates to ensure fair ballot placement for all candidates.

Motion to receive and place on file and refer to the Committee on Ordinances.

Second.

Motion to refer to the Committee on Ordinances made by Councillor Roy, seconded by Councillor Lopes.

Anyone on the question?

The chair recognizes Councilor Roy.

Thank you, Mr. President.

This, this motion relates to the concept of fairness in ballot placement, an issue that's been considered in, in many jurisdictions, including those that currently use alphabetical ordering, as we do here today.

To be clear, as you know, but for the folks at home, that tonight is not about changing our current system, nor is it about debating the merits of any specific method.

The purpose of this referral is simply to allow the Ordinance Committee, along with Legislative Counsel, to research, to discuss, and to recommend any action to this body.

So with that, I respectfully ask that this body support this referral to the Committee on Ordinances.

Thank you so much.

Mr. President, please explain what just went on.

Sure.

We all agreed with Councilor Roy.

No, I'm only kidding.

Um, as is customary when a new councilor makes their first floor speech in formal session of the City Council, the colleagues stand up and recognize you.

Congratulations, Councilor.

Chair recognizes Councilor Avril.

I just stood up.

We're not clapping for you, Councilor.

No, I've been here too long.

I stood up the whole time though, Jimmy, so see.

Um, so, um, I, I, you know, I, the, the, the, my, my fellow colleague and I had a brief conversation before tonight's meeting.

I wanted to find out from him and, and the other co-sponsors the impetus behind it, uh, and what their thoughts were.

And I thought that their ideas and the, the, the motion, uh, here put before us tonight was pretty well thought out.

And, um, you know, we talked about discussion, having an engaged discussion in committee discussing it.

I have no problem with that.

I have no problem voting for this to go forward tonight, and then when we get to committee, we'll do the work as we always do.

And If it's within our wheelhouse and we all agree and we think this is something that's fair and legitimate and that's, you know, good to do, then we'll do it.

So as the guy who's been top of the ballot for quite a while, I just want to be on the record, I have no problem with this.

So I think it's good.

And you know what?

If you're doing the job, you're doing the work, it doesn't matter if you're first or tenth or seventh.

The residents are going to find you and they're going to return you to this seat if you're doing the work.

So I have no problem with this going forward, and I look forward to a robust discussion in the Ordinance Committee.

Thank you, Mr. President.

Thank you, Councilor.

Anyone else on the first?

Chair recognizes Councilor Gomes.

Thank you, Mr. President.

I had to, um, appreciate the motion that is in front of us, and I, you know, I will never stop anything in this building from being referred to committee.

Every councilor should have that opportunity to have their— what they place on this agenda referred to committee without having any action taken against the councilor or ambushing the councilor as he comes before us with his petition.

Um, I'd like to hear the discussion.

I'm not so hot on the idea, and I'm not so hot on the idea very simply because of— I, I think it's somewhat And please don't take this wrong, it's also the intelligence of the voter.

The intelligence of the voter of the city of New Bedford know what they're doing when they go to the ballot.

I could give you a perfect example.

When '91, when I win, they got to go down the ballot to find me.

They have to pass people like Sullivan, Sonia, and other incumbents that were running.

And you know what happened after that.

Never looked ahead to look back.

My whole point is here, you do the work, you get out there and hustle.

I had this conversation with my colleague the other day and congratulated him, actually, when we had time to spend together, that, you know, his victory was a merit of foot stomping.

You knock on them doors.

I know, I know what it is to knock on doors from the tip of Sasequin to the 140.

Split with 8 people, 4 or 5 cars, moving cars all the way down the line as we went through.

Whole point here, we'll get it into committee, we'll look at it.

I'm not— I'm not in favor at this time, but I'm willing to listen to the discussion and see if there is merit to this being placed in the city of New Bedford.

But I also want to remind my colleagues the intelligence of the voter that goes goes out and vote for us.

They know what they're looking for, they know who they're looking for, and they know where to put their X.

Thank you for the opportunity.

Thank you, Councillor Gomes.

Anyone else on the question?

Okay, the question before us is on referral to the Committee on Ordinances.

Although roll call vote is requested on referral, I'll ask the clerk to call the roll.

Councillor Abreu?

Yes.

Yes.

Councillor Baptiste?

Yes.

Yes.

Councilor Chouquette.

Yes.

Yes.

Councilor Gomes.

Just for the record, yes.

Yes.

Councilor Lopes.

Yes.

Yes.

Councilor Pemberton.

Yes.

Yes.

Councilor Pereira.

Yes.

Yes.

Councilor Roy.

Yes.

Yes.

Passes 8 to 0.

Passes 8 to 0.

Without objection, I'll ask the clerk to read items 26 and 29 through 29 together.

Just, uh, Mr. President, 27 to 29.

Yeah, sorry.

That's okay.

Mr. President, item 26 is a communication from the clerk to the council submitting an application for a new private livery license on behalf of Anna Liz Valentin Burgos at 627 Allen Street in New Bedford, doing business as Gorana's Transportation Incorporated at 211 Weld Street in New Bedford.

Determine the licenses from July 1st of this year to June 30th of '27.

Refer to the Special Committee on Licensing and Permits.

Refer to the Special Committee on Licensing and Permits, made by Councillor Abreu, seconded by Councillor Pemberton.

Anyone on the question?

All those in favor say aye.

Opposed?

The ayes have it.

Mr.

Chair, without objections, yes, we take 27, 28, and 29 together as they're all renewals, waive the readings and grant the licenses.

Okay, motion to waive the readings of items 27, 28, and 29, grant the renewed licenses.

Made by Councilor Lopes.

Second.

Seconded by Councilor Baptiste.

All those in favor say aye.

Opposed?

The ayes have it.

Item number 30, please.

Mr. President, item 30 is communication from the city clerk to the city council submitting a copy of a letter sent to the office of the Attorney General notifying them of an additional ordinance that was passed or amended regarding Chapter 9 of comprehensive zoning in compliance with Mass General Law Chapter 40A, Section 5.

Motion to receive and place on file would be appropriate.

Made by Councilor Golm, seconded by Councilor Baptiste.

Anyone on the question?

All those in favor say aye.

Opposed, the ayes have it.

There are 2 tabled items, remain on the table.

We're now on the consent agenda.

Motion to take up and adopt the consent agenda made by Councilor Abril, seconded by Councilor Baptiste.

All those in favor say aye.

Opposed?

The ayes have it.

Motion to adjourn.

Motion to adjourn made by Councillor Roy.

Second.

Second by Councillor Pemberton.

All those in favor say aye.

Opposed?

The ayes have it, and we are adjourned at 7:36 PM.

Thank you, everybody.

Mr. President?

Yes, sir.

Is the TV off yet?