The City Council last held a hearing on Nov. 29. The next meeting will be held on Dec. 6.
- Sandwich Board Signs – Mayor Martin Walsh filed an order to make the pilot program for free standing “sandwich board” signs a permanent ordinance. In August, the City Council had rejected the proposal without prejudice, allowing the Government Operations Committee time to hold a working session on the ordinance. The matter remains in committee.
- Affordable Housing Projects – The City Council passed the home rule petitions filed by Mayor Walsh to exempt the Boston Housing Authority from having to meet certain contracting and procurement requirements at the state level in order to streamline projects in Roxbury and Jamaica Plain. The BHA has been granted this exemption on more than ten other redevelopment projects.
- Community Preservation Act – Councilor Michael Flaherty reported back to the City Council that the Special Committee has identified four finalists recommended for appointment to the CPC, after 116 applications. A hearing will be held for the entire Council to interview the four finalists on Dec. 5 at 10 a.m. The four finalists are Matthew Kiefer, Madeligne, Kannan Thiruvengadam, and Ying Wang.
- Senior Citizen Property Tax Work-Off Credit Raise – the City Council voted to increase in the credit amount that senior citizens can claim under the Senior Citizen Property Tax Work-Off program. The amount they could earn would be $1,500 instead of $1,000. This increase would give Boston citizens the maximum allowable credit under state law.
- Boston Arts Academy – The City Council voted unanimously to support a $123 million appropriation for the construction of a new facility for the Boston Arts Academy, located on the existing site at 174 Ipswich St. Because this is a capital appropriation, there are two votes required at least two weeks part with a two-third majority. The matter is now assigned for further action.
- Acoustic Live Entertainment/ Boston Unplugged – City Council President Michelle Wu filed an amendment that would make the pilot program, permanent. The legislation passed in December 2016, eliminated the permit requirement, hearing, and fees for small businesses in business districts to host acoustic live entertainment acts of up to five performers. This follows three successful time-limited pilots in Main Streets districts in May, August, and December 2015. The goal was to formally extend a tool to small business owners throughout the city to increase foot traffic and create more opportunities for artists in Boston. The ordinance has a one-year sunset provision so that the Council and City could reevaluate the results at the end of this year. The matter is still in committee.