MassVoter.com← New Bedford City CouncilNew Bedford · Committee on Ordinances · 7:09 p.m.
January 20, 2015
19 recorded votes, 16 with disagreement.
Sources: Official minutes (PDF) · City meeting page
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Attendance
Present: David Alves, Henry G. Bousquet, Naomi R. A. Carney, Debora Coelho, Brian K. Gomes, Joseph P. Lopes, Steven Martins, Linda M. Morad, James D. Oliveira, Dana L. Rebeiro, Kerry M. Winterson
Absent: None
Every vote, in order
Councillor Martins called the Ordinance Committee Meeting to order and took attendance. A recess was called in order to review the new information received on the Problem Properties Ordinance. The meeting reconvened at 7:19 pm. Notice, City Clerk of reference of a Communication, Mayor Mitchell, to…
On page 2 Notification Paragraph A change five (5) valid complaints to three (3).
Yes: Alves, Bousquet, Carney, Coelho, Lopes, Martins, RebeiroNo: Gomes, Morad, Oliveira, Winterson
From the minutes
“On motion by Councillor Lopes and seconded by Councillor Rebeiro, the Committee VOTED: on page 2 Notification Paragraph A change five (5) valid complaints to three (3). This motion PASSED on a Roll Call Vote of Yeas 7, Nays 4, with Councillors Gomes, Morad Oliveira and Winterson opposed..” (Motion: Lopes, second: Rebeiro)
On page 3 Paragraph III that the City will bill at the Police Detail Rate.
The minutes record 5–6, but that does not match the councilors listed as present and voting, so individual votes are not shown. We will ask the City Clerk to confirm.
From the minutes
“On motion by Councillor Lopes and seconded by Councillor Alves, the Committee VOTED: on page 3 Paragraph III that the City will bill at the Police Detail Rate. This motion FAILED on a Roll Call Vote of Yeas 5, Nays 6, with Councillors Alves, Bousquet, Coelho, Lopes and Martins in favor..” (Motion: Lopes, second: Alves)
On pages 3 & 4, Paragraph III Section C letter e, add business after fourteen and add business after thirty and add business after anything that has days in it.
Yes: Alves, Bousquet, Carney, Coelho, Lopes, Martins, Morad, Oliveira, RebeiroNo: Gomes, Winterson
From the minutes
“On motion by Councillor Lopes and seconded by Councillor Alves, the Committee VOTED: on pages 3 & 4, Paragraph III Section C letter e, add business after fourteen and add business after thirty and add business after anything that has days in it. This motion PASSED on a Roll Call Vote of Yeas 9, Nays 2, with Councillors Gomes and Winterson opposed..” (Motion: Lopes, second: Alves)
On page 5, Article Vi Paragraph A, by striking the Problem Properties Appeals Panel shall be a three-person panel whose members are appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by the City Council; and replace with “Hearing Officer appointed by the Mayor has been changed to problem properties appeal panel comprised of “one member appointed by the Mayor, one member appointed by the City Council and one mem
Yes: Alves, Bousquet, Carney, Coelho, Gomes, Lopes, Martins, Morad, Oliveira, RebeiroNo: Winterson
From the minutes
“On motion by Councillor Lopes and seconded by Councillor Morad, the Committee VOTED: on page 5, Article VI Paragraph A, by striking the Problem Properties Appeals Panel shall be a three-person panel whose members are appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by the City Council; and replace with “Hearing Officer appointed by the Mayor has been changed to problem properties appeal panel comprised of “one member appointed by the Mayor, one member appointed by the City Council and one member appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by the City Council”. This motion PASSED on a Roll Call Vote of Yeas 10, Nays 1, with Councillor Winterson opposed..” (Motion: Lopes, second: Morad)
On page 3 & 4 Article III Paragraph C after e. adding f. Any assessment or cost is made such cost must be assessed to both the landlord and responsible tenant or not at all 50/50.
Yes: Alves, Bousquet, Coelho, Martins, MoradNo: Carney, Gomes, Lopes, Oliveira, Rebeiro, Winterson
From the minutes
“On motion by Councillor Alves and seconded by Councillor Morad, the Committee VOTED: on page 3 & 4 Article III Paragraph C after e. adding f. Any assessment or cost is made such cost must be assessed to both the landlord and responsible tenant or not at all 50/50. This motion FAILED on a Roll Call Vote of Yeas 5, Nays 6, with Councillors Alves, Bousquet, Coelho, Martins and Morad in favor..” (Motion: Alves, second: Morad)
On page 3 & 4, Article III Paragraph C after e. adding f. the assessment cost shall not exceed $500 for any valid complaint.
Yes: Alves, Coelho, MoradNo: Bousquet, Carney, Gomes, Lopes, Martins, Oliveira, Rebeiro, Winterson
From the minutes
“On motion by Councillor Alves and seconded by Councillor Morad, the Committee VOTED: on page 3 & 4, Article III Paragraph C after e. adding f. the assessment cost shall not exceed $500 for any valid complaint. This motion FAILED on a Roll Call Vote of Yeas 3, Nays 8, with Councillors Alves, Coelho and Morad in favor..” (Motion: Alves, second: Morad)
On page 3 & 4 Article III Paragraph C after e. adding f.
Yes: Alves, Bousquet, Coelho, Lopes, Martins, MoradNo: Carney, Gomes, Oliveira, Rebeiro, Winterson
From the minutes
“On motion by Councillor Alves and seconded by Councillor Morad, the Committee VOTED: on page 3 & 4 Article III Paragraph C after e. adding f. This motion PASSED on a Roll Call Vote of Yeas 6, Nays 5, with Councillors Carney, Gomes, Oliveira, Rebeiro and Winterson opposed..” (Motion: Alves, second: Morad)
On page 5, Section Vii strike in its entirety and add the following: In the event the property owner has, in good faith, commenced eviction proceedings against the tenant(s) responsible for the incidents at the property that results in the assessment of cost.
Yes: Alves, Bousquet, Carney, Coelho, Gomes, Lopes, Martins, Oliveira, Rebeiro, WintersonNo: Morad
From the minutes
“On motion by Councillor Carney and seconded by Councillor Alves, the Committee VOTED: on page 5, Section VII strike in its entirety and add the following: In the event the property owner has, in good faith, commenced eviction proceedings against the tenant(s) responsible for the incidents at the property that results in the assessment of cost. This motion PASSED on a Roll Call Vote of Yeas 10, Nays 1, with Councillor Morad opposed..” (Motion: Carney, second: Alves)
Adding III. Prevention A landlord may request, in writing, that the City provide the landlord with a list of any valid complaints involving a prospective tenant occurring within one (1) year prior to the date of the written request.
Yes: Alves, Bousquet, Coelho, Martins, Morad, Rebeiro, WintersonNo: Carney, Gomes, Lopes, Oliveira
From the minutes
“On motion by Councillor Bousquet and seconded by Councillor Alves, the Committee VOTED: Adding III. Prevention A landlord may request, in writing, that the City provide the landlord with a list of any valid complaints involving a prospective tenant occurring within one (1) year prior to the date of the written request. This motion PASSED on a Roll Call Vote of Yeas 7, Nays 4, with Councillors Carney, Gomes, Lopes and Oliveira opposed..” (Motion: Bousquet, second: Alves)
On page 1 Article I Definitions A & B, strike wherever it says misdemeanor or felony and insert criminal complaint issued for a criminal offense.
Yes: Alves, Coelho, Morad, WintersonNo: Bousquet, Carney, Gomes, Lopes, Martins, Oliveira, Rebeiro
From the minutes
“On motion by Councillor Morad and seconded by Councillor Coelho, the Committee VOTED: on page 1 Article I Definitions A & B, strike wherever it says misdemeanor or felony and insert criminal complaint issued for a criminal offense. This motion FAILED on a Roll Call Vote of Yeas 4, Nays 7, with Councillors Alves, Coelho, Morad and Winterson in favor..” (Motion: Morad, second: Coelho)
On page 4 Article V Payments Section A, strike general fund and insert revolving fund under the control of the Police Department.
The minutes record 8–2 but do not say how each councilor voted.
From the minutes
“On motion by Councillor Morad and seconded by Councillor Lopes, the Committee VOTED: on page 4 Article V Payments Section A, strike general fund and insert revolving fund under the control of the Police Department. This motion PASSED on a Roll Call Vote of Yeas 8, Nays 2, with Councillors Carney and Gomes opposed..” (Motion: Morad, second: Lopes)
On page 5, Article 5 Payments Paragraph C the Landlord shall share the costs imposed in this ordinance.
The minutes record 3–8, but that does not match the councilors listed as present and voting, so individual votes are not shown. We will ask the City Clerk to confirm.
From the minutes
“On motion by Councillor Alves and seconded by Councillor Coelho, the Committee VOTED: on page 5, Article 5 Payments Paragraph C the Landlord shall share the costs imposed in this ordinance. This motion FAILED on a Roll Call Vote of Yeas 3, Nays 8, with Councillors Alves, Coelho and Morad in favor..” (Motion: Alves, second: Coelho)
On page 2 Article II Notification #4, Add after the property owner “and responsible tenant.” This motion Passed on a Roll Call Vote on a Roll Call Vote of Yeas 6, Nays 5. (Councillors Carney, Gomes, Lopes, Oliveira and Rebeiro Opposed).
Yes: Alves, Bousquet, Coelho, Martins, Morad, WintersonNo: Carney, Gomes, Lopes, Oliveira, Rebeiro
From the minutes
“On motion by Councillor Alves and seconded by Councillor Coelho, the Committee VOTED: on page 2 Article II Notification #4, Add after the property owner “and responsible tenant.” This motion PASSED on a Roll Call Vote on a Roll Call Vote of Yeas 6, Nays 5, with Councillors Carney, Gomes, Lopes, Oliveira and Rebeiro opposed..” (Motion: Alves, second: Coelho)
On page 2 Article II Notification, striking #2 and replacing it with “The name of the tenant responsible with a valid complaint and the name of the person committing the crime for a particular valid complaint.
Yes: Alves, Bousquet, Coelho, Martins, MoradNo: Carney, Gomes, Lopes, Oliveira, Rebeiro, Winterson
From the minutes
“On motion by Councillor Alves and seconded by Councillor Coelho, the Committee VOTED: on page 2 Article II Notification, striking #2 and replacing it with “The name of the tenant responsible with a valid complaint and the name of the person committing the crime for a particular valid complaint. This motion FAILED on a Roll Call Vote of Yeas 5, Nays 6, with Councillors Alves, Bousquet, Coelho, Martins and Morad in favor..” (Motion: Alves, second: Coelho)
On page 4 #2 item e. strike it in its entirety.
Yes: Alves, Bousquet, Coelho, Lopes, Martins, Morad, WintersonNo: Carney, Gomes, Oliveira, Rebeiro
From the minutes
“On motion by Councillor Morad and seconded by Councillor Alves, the Committee VOTED: on page 4 #2 item e. strike it in its entirety. This motion PASSED on a Roll Call Vote of Yeas 7, Nays 4, with Councillors Carney, Gomes, Oliveira and Rebeiro opposed..” (Motion: Morad, second: Alves)
On page 2 Definitions B add at the end the following: This term shall not include incidents involving an occupant of the premises who is the victim of domestic violence and who reported the incident of domestic violence to the police.
From the minutes
“On motion by Councillor Alves and seconded by Councillor Coelho, the Committee VOTED: on page 2 Definitions B add at the end the following: This term shall not include incidents involving an occupant of the premises who is the victim of domestic violence and who reported the incident of domestic violence to the police..” (Motion: Alves, second: Coelho)
To recommend to the City Council, Adoption of the Proposed Ordinance as Amended, Amending Chapter 6, Buildings and Other Structures.
The minutes record 8–3, but that does not match the councilors listed as present and voting, so individual votes are not shown. We will ask the City Clerk to confirm.
From the minutes
“On motion by Councillor Lopes and seconded by Councillor Carney, the Committee VOTED: To recommend to the City Council, ADOPTION of the Proposed Ordinance AS AMENDED, Amending Chapter 6, BUILDINGS and OTHER STRUCTURES. This motion PASSED on a Roll Call Vote of Yeas 8, Nays 3, Councillors Coelho, Morad and Oliveira opposed..” (Motion: Lopes, second: Carney)
Notice, City Clerk of reference of a Written Motion, Councillors Alves, Gomes, Council President Lopes, Councillors Martins, Rebeiro, Winterson, Carney, Oliveira, Coelho and Bousquet, requesting that Legal Counsel Gerwatowski draft an Ordinance that would recognize and confirm the City Seal that…
To table this matter at this time.
From the minutes
“On motion by Councillor Alves and seconded by Councillor Carney, the Committee VOTED: To table this matter at this time..” (Motion: Alves, second: Carney)
Notice, City Clerk of reference of a Written Motion, Councillors Carney, Bousquet, Gomes, Martins, Council President Lopes, Winterson, Oliveira, Rebeiro, Morad, Alves and Coelho, requesting, on behalf of our Senior Citizens, that the City Council file a Home Rule Petition establishing a Senior…
To table this matter at this time.
From the minutes
“On motion by Councillor Alves and seconded by Councillor Lopes, the Committee VOTED: To table this matter at this time..” (Motion: Alves, second: Lopes)
From the official minutes kept by the New Bedford City Clerk (agendas and minutes). The minutes are text documents; we read every action, check every roll-call count against the councilors named, and quote the exact wording. Most items pass by voice vote, and the minutes record only the result for those; how each councilor voted is shown only for roll calls. MassVoter never grades officials; votes and attendance are shown exactly as the minutes record them. Councilor photos: cropped from the City of New Bedford's official 2026 City Council photo (newbedford-ma.gov). The 2024–2025 group photo, and the photos of Maria E. Giesta and Linda M. Morad cropped from it: City of New Bedford, provided by the City Clerk.
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