Boston City Council Looks At Mayoral Appointments, Street Closure Permitting & More

Councillor-At-Large Michelle Wu provides notes from Boston City Council meetings. The Boston City Council considered the items below and more at their July 14, 2015 meeting.

Appointments: The City Council received notice from the Mayor of the following appointments:

David Leonard – Interim President of the Boston Public Library

Vivian Li – Chairperson of the Boston Conservation Commission

Christine Pulgini – Interim Director of the Mayor’s Office of Consumer Affairs & Licensing

Maria Fitzpatrick – Associate Commissioner of Parks & Recreation Commission

Sanjay Saini – Associate Commissioner of Parks & Recreation Commission

Kimyata Cambell – Commissioner to Mayor’s Commission for Persons with Disabilities Advisory Board

 

Streamlining Street Closure Permitting: The Council voted to approve the home rule petition introduced by Mayor Walsh in December 2014 to remove the Parks Department from street closure permitting for special events.  Boston Transportation Department and Boston Police Department will remain involved in special events permitting, but this will streamline the process.  The matter will be sent up to the State Legislature for action.

Emergency Impact of Closing Long Island: Councilors Pressley and Yancey reported back on the recent working session to understand impacts of closing Long Island on substance abuse programs and men & women experiencing homelessness. They highlighted four major issues: 1) insurance denied coverage for substance abuse programs during interruption of service, 2) the need for Bill of Rights for shelter guests, 3) the need for staff training around compassion and cultural competency, and 4) inequality for women within the system.

For complete minutes of July 14th meeting and prior Boston City Council meetings, visit www.michelleforboston.com/notes or sign up to receive these notes automatically each week by email at www.michelleforboston.com/sendmenotes.