Boston City Council Looks At Small Businesses, Arts District, Housing, Resources & More

City Councilor-At-Large Michelle Wu publishes notes from Boston City Council meetings. Here are some highlights from March 4, March 11, March 18 and March 25:

VOTES:

Small Businesses & COVID-19: We voted to adopt Councilor Mejia’s resolution urging immediate action to provide financial security to small businesses through increased relief funding and a moratorium on commercial rent and evictions during the COVID-19 epidemic.

COVID-19 Epidemic: We voted to adopt Councilor Flynn’s resolution supporting our Chinese and Asian Communities during the COVID-19 Epidemic, acknowledging misinformation and racism that has been impacting local small businesses and the community.

Department of Elementary and Secondary Education: We voted to adopt Councilor Essaibi-George’s resolution in response to the DESE District Review Report on the Boston Public Schools urging rejection of state receivership. The report was released last Friday, on the same day as the City announced closure of Boston Public Schools, and it details deep, persistent challenges that resulted in a Memorandum of Understanding between the Boston Public Schools and the State Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.

NEW MATTERS: 

Women Veterans Resolution: We voted to adopt the resolution filed by Councilors Flynn & Edwards recognizing women veterans during Women's History Month. He noted that since the US military ended conscription and established an all-volunteer force in 1973, the number of women serving in the military has risen significantly. Comprising nearly 20% of serving military personnel and 10% of the veteran population, many women veterans do not receive proper recognition for their services and face a host of issues when they re-enter civilian life. 

Allston Village as an Arts Innovation District: Councilors Breadon & Baker called for a hearing on a potential Designation of Allston Village as an Arts Innovation District. They noted that Boston’s Allston neighborhood is named after renowned American painter and poet Washington Allston (1779-1843), who greatly influenced the American Romantic movement of landscape painting. There so many diverse small businesses throughout Allston in part due to the immigrant communities that call Allston and Boston home, including Eastern European, South Asian, East Asian, and South American communities. Although Allston Village has several murals and pieces of street art that enliven the streetscape and create a sense of place, there remains a necessity for artist-friendly greenspaces to accommodate small open-air performances and to establish Allston as an arts destination with more small music venues, studios and swing spaces that will serve visual artists, musicians, and poets/poetry slams. The matter was assigned to the Committee on Arts, Culture & Special Events for a hearing.

Women & the Opioid Crisis: Councilor Essaibi-George called for a hearing to review women-specific outreach and healthcare programming to combat the opioid crisis. She stated that substance use disorder and the opioid epidemic impact women differently than men. In Massachusetts, approximately one in five pregnancy-associated deaths were related to substance use and more than one-third of the deaths among women delivering a live birth between 2011 and 2015 were fatal opioid-related overdoses. The matter was assigned to the Public Health Committee for a hearing.

Housing Security & COVID-19: Councilor Arroyo introduced a resolution urging a moratorium on rent, mortgages, evictions and foreclosures in Boston to provide housing security in light of the Covid-19 outbreak. He noted that the stay-at-home orders and closing of nonessential businesses are important for public health to slow the spread of the virus, but the government should step forward to provide relief for housing security for residents and businesses facing displacement and financial devastation. Many Councilors spoke in support of this relief. Councilor Arroyo called for suspension of the rules to take action on this docket on the same day that it was introduced (which requires unanimous consent), but Councilor Baker objected, saying the matter was too complex and out of the City’s authority, so the docket was assigned to the Committee on Housing & Community Development.

GRANTS: 

• $100,000 Immigrant Advancement Initiative grant, awarded by the Donor Group to be administered by the Office of Immigrant Advancement to fund programs, initiatives, events and small grants that enable immigrants to play an active role in the economic, civic, social and cultural life of the City of Boston. (Passed)
• $75,000 Surdna Foundation grant, passed through the Massachusetts College of Art and Design, to be administered by the Mayor’s Office of Arts and Culture to fund the Surdna Foundation's thriving Cultures Program designed to invest in artists, artists collectives and small arts organizations of color proposing projects to imagine and practice more racially just systems and structures. (Passed)
• $10,000 Arts+Culture grant, awarded by the Boston Foundation to be administered by the Mayor’s Office of Arts & Culture. The grant will fund cultural institutions convening activities that support diversity, equity and inclusion strategies for those institutions. (Passed)
• $1M from the United States Department of the Interior under the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) Act of 1965, to be administered by the Boston Parks and Recreation Department, for the purpose of making capital improvements to McConnell Park in Dorchester. The Parks and Recreation Department will use the funds to reconstruct the athletic fields, including a Challenger field, Boston's first inclusive ball field and to add climate resiliency measures. (Passed)

 

APPOINTMENTS: 

• Boston Cannabis Board: Darlene Lombos, John Smith, Kathleen Joyce, Lisa Holmes and Monica Valdes Lupi as members for a term expiring March 4, 2022.
• Boston Cultural Council: Graham Wright, Richard Meinke, Abria Smith, Annie Le and Mu-Chieh Yun as members for a term expiring October 1, 2022.
• Kathryn Burton as Mayor's Office Chief of Staff, effective March 9, 2020.

UPCOMING HEARINGS (In the City Council Chamber unless otherwise noted. Watch at: https://www.boston.gov/departments/city-council/watch-boston-city-council-tv):

• Our next City Council meeting will be on Wednesday, April 1st at 12PM

OTHER RESOURCES

Facebook Livestream: Over the last few weeks, I’ve been working to share information by livestreaming conversations with experts and community leaders to answer questions in real time. You can find all the videos posted afterwards here, or by specific topic below:

• On the COVID-19 epidemic, with Professor Marc Lipsitch, Director of the Center for Communicable Disease Dynamics at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
• On Homelessness & COVID-19, with Dr. Denise De Las Nueces, Medical Director at Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program
• On Self-Care and Mental Health in Stressful Times, with Celeste the Therapist
• On Keeping Kids Healthy, Happy & Active, with Christine Koh, Founder & Editor of Boston Mamas Blog
• On How Small Businesses are Trying to Adapt, with Olrie Roberts, Owner & Chef of Zaz Restaurant in Hyde Park
• On COVID-19’s Impact on Our Youth, with Shawn Brown, Executive Director of Becoming a Man (BAM)
• Tune in next Tuesday, March 31st, at 2PM at www.facebook.com/michelleforboston for our next Facebook Live conversation on virtual health care and removing barriers to telehealth -- please ask questions through the streaming platform or by sending them to me ahead of time.
• Please send suggestions for other topics and community members that we should highlight to share resources and lift up community issues!

For complete notes of Boston City Council meetings, visit MichelleForBoston.com or sign up to receive these notes automatically.

COVID 19 Update From Our South Boston Liaison

COVID19 CASES

As of Monday, March 23, 2020, the City of Boston has 133 positive cases of coronavirus (confirmed and presumptive) in Boston residents. So far, 15 of these 133 residents have fully recovered. There have been 2 COVID-19 related deaths in Boston residents.

The Boston Public Health Commission will be providing the updated total of cases in Boston residents as it is received from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. Information can be found at boston.gov/coronavirus or bphc.org.

Massachusetts has 777 positive cases of coronavirus (confirmed and presumptive). 

The City of Boston has launched a new, free texting service to provide daily updates and information about the coronavirus. Stay in the know and text BOSCOVID to 99411 to opt-in. Language and communications access remains a priority for Mayor Walsh, so this text service is also available in Spanish, Haitan Creole, French, Cabo Verdean Creole, and Portuguese. 

Text BOSEspanol for Spanish
Text BOSKreyol for Haitian Kreyol
Text BOSFracais for French
Text BOSKriolu for Cabo Verdean Creole
Text BOSPortugues for Portuguese

Updates in 10 total languages can additionally be accessed through boston.gov/coronavirus#multilingual-help. Each language has its own page and hosts multilingual print materials distributed citywide. 

STATE OF MA UPDATES

On Monday, March 23, Governor Baker issued an emergency order requiring all businesses and organizations that do not provide “COVID-19 Essential Services” to close their physical workplaces and facilities to workers, customers and the public as of Tuesday, March 24 at noon until Tuesday, April 7 at noon.

A full list of “COVID-19 Essential Services” can be found here.

Governor Baker also directed the Department of Public Health to issue a Stay at Home advisory outlining self-isolation and social distancing protocols. This advisory goes into effect as of Tuesday, March 24 at noon until Tuesday, April 7 at noon. The Order also limits gatherings to 10 people during the state of emergency, a reduction from the 25-person limit established in an earlier order.

Residents are advised to stay home and avoid unnecessary travel and other unnecessary activities during this two-week time period.  Residents over 70 years of age or with underlying health conditions, who are considered at high risk when exposed to COVID-19, should limit social interactions with other people as much as possible. 

CITY OF BOSTON COVID19 LITERATURE DROP

On Saturday, March 21, 1000 volunteers distributed pamphlets with information about the coronavirus to homes across the City in an effort to reach all households. Our main priority was to reach seniors, residents with language access needs and particularly those who may not have access to the internet. This pamphlet and an additional four languages are available online at boston.gov/coronavirus.

CITY OF BOSTON OPERATIONS

All essential City of Boston services such as public safety, public health and maintenance operations including street cleaning, trash and recycling pick up, etc will continue to be in operation.

While City Hall is still open and running for critical operations, we discourage anyone from coming in unless they have an urgent need for services that cannot be done by phone or online. If you have questions, call the City's hotline at 3-1-1 to get connected to a department.

Residents are asked not to call 9-1-1 unless you are experiencing a medical emergency. All COVID-19 questions should be directed to the Mayor's Health Line at 617-534-5050 or 311. The City and BPHC will continue to provide updated information on bphc.org and boston.gov/coronavirus.

BOSTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS:

The City of Boston, in partnership with Project Bread, YMCA of Greater Boston, Boston Centers for Youth and Families, and other community organizations, will provide free meals to all youth and teens at various locations and times across the City. Learn more about meal distribution locations here.

As part of our efforts to continue serving our students, Boston Public Schools are providing Chromebooks to students who do not have consistent access to a computer at home. Parents can fill out this application and email their school principal to receive an appointment time to pick up their student's device to avoid creating crowds.

BUSINESSES:

We encourage you to find the State of Massachusetts full list of “COVID-19 Essential Services”  here.

Restaurants, bars, and other establishments that sell food and beverage products to the public are encouraged to continue to offer food for take-out and by delivery if they follow the social distancing protocols set forth in Department of Public Health guidance. On-premises consumption of food or drink is prohibited.  The Licensing Board for the City of Boston has provided an advisory regarding the status of the prohibition of on-premise consumption of food and alcohol, the limitation on cacacity, and the closure of non-essential businesses. This Advisory is mandatory and applies to both licensees holding a common victualler food only license and those holding a common victualler with alcoholic beverages license. Any failure to adhere to the Order or the Advisory will result in disciplinary action by the Board which may include, but not be limited to, the immediate suspension of the license.

The Office of Small business has put out a 2nd survey to help us identify ways to support small businesses through this crisis. Please give us your feedback here

The City of Boston has launched a website for residents to find local restaurants that remain open for take-out and delivery service during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis. If your business is open for delivery and want to let the public know, be sure to sign up on Support Boston Restaurants

The Boston Transportation Dept. is creating temporary pick up zones in front of restaurants that have transitioned to takeout only or businesses that have increased delivery needs. If you would like to request a take-out/delivery zone in front of your business, please visit Boston.gov/takeout-zones

Please visit boston.gov/small-business and click on the COVID-19 updates for additional info. You can email smallbiz@boston.gov or call the Mayor’s Hotline at 311.

RECOVERY

We recently updated Boston.gov/recovery with online recovery support resources. If you or a loved one is struggling with substance use, you can call 311 (or (617) 635-4500) to access recovery services.

HOW YOU CAN HELP COVID19 EFFORTS

1. Stay home if possible. If you must go outside, practice physical distancing from others (6 feet apart); avoid crowded places.
2. Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds; use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60 percent alcohol; avoid shaking hands
3. Cover your coughs and sneezes; clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces; and avoid close contact with people who are sick.
4. If you think you might be sick, please call your doctor or 311 to be connected to the Mayor's Health Line 617-534-5050.
5. Donate supplies to first responders here
6. Donate to the City of Boston Resiliency Fund here
7. Fill out the 2020 Census. The 2020 Census is happening now and only 16.7 percent of households have responded. The Census informs how billions of dollars in federal funds will be allocated by state, local and federal lawmakers annually for the next 10 years. It’s more critical than ever to ensure that all Bostonians are counted. 

STAY INFORMED

Receive the latest COVID19 info from reliable sources. Visit: bphc.org/coronavirus; boston.gov/coronavirus; mass.gov/2019coronavirus. Call: 311 or 211

We will continue to keep you informed as we continue to receive updates.

If you would like to receive COVID19 updates directly, please email me.

Thank you,

Haley Dillon

Related Posts

COVID 19: An Update From Senator Collins

Please note the following is an abridged version of Senator Collin's Covid 19 Update to his constituents. View Senator Collin's Update in its entirety. 

Dear Neighbor: 

I wanted to reach out to you to share a little bit about what I and my colleagues have been working on to address the public health and economic crises caused by COVID-19. While this is a time of uncertainty for many, we are working on your behalf to protect the public and stabilize the economy. Here are some developments from the past several days: 

To deal with increased demand, the Department of Unemployment Assistance (DUA) will be holding virtual town halls for claimants to ask questions about applying and benefits.

Last week, my colleagues and I passed an emergency $15 million supplemental budget to combat the coronavirus outbreak. Those funds will support the Commonwealth’s monitoring, treatment, containment, public awareness and prevention efforts against the novel coronavirus by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, regional and local boards of health, and other public entities.

Last week, the Commonwealth announced a $200 million emergency investment in MassHealth for critical healthcare providers, including community health centers and acute, safety-net providers.

The Massachusetts DPH issued guidance on March 15 that stipulates that all commercial insurers and the Group Insurance Commission are required to cover medically necessary telehealth services in the same manner they cover in-person services.

I have also called on the División of Insurance (DOI) to restrict insurance providers from canceling coverage due to nonpayment during this crisis. No one should be without health insurance at this critical moment, and MassHealth has also opened up a special enrollment period for all uninsured residents.

In the same spirit of continued services, the State’s Department of Public Utilities (DPU), announced a moratorium on utility shut offs, service disconnections, and other collection related activities during this crisis to make sure that seniors, families, and all residents continue to have access to basic utilities.

The state announced a $10 million low-interest loan program to small businesses and nonprofits with no payments for the first 6 months. Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) provide small businesses with working capital loans of up to $2 million to help meet financial obligations and operating expenses until normal operations resume. To apply for EIDL, see here.

Similarly, I have cosponsored legislation that would restrict evictions and foreclosures. (HD. 4935) No one should be displaced at this critical time.

  

I have also cosponsored legislation to allow collection of unemployment assistance for an additional 13 weeks beyond the 26-week limit currently in place for those who apply during this public health emergency (HD.4962).

Recognizing the hardships many restaurants are facing, the Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission (ABCC) has extended credit terms by 30 days. I called on the ABCC to suspend fees for license holders at this time. I also cosponsored legislation (HD. 4967) to give restaurants, bars, and other on premises-licensees to sell their current unopened inventory of canned or bottled beer, wine and spirits to the general public through pickup or delivery.

I have been in constant contact with my colleagues, public health officials, and organizations across my district during this difficult time. As these conversations continue, our sole focus is the medical and economic health and wellbeing of our Commonwealth.  If you have more questions, concerns, or comments, please call the Commonwealth’s hotline at 211, where you can access all the most up to date information on the state's efforts. Please continue to practice physical distancing, washing your hands, and doing your part to flatten the curve and slow this outbreak. These coming weeks are crucial in that mission.

Together, we will get through this and come out stronger than before! 

Sincerely, 

Nick Collins

Governor Charlie Baker Orders All Non-Essential Businesses Closed & Issues Stay at Home Advisory For 2 Weeks

updated 3/23/20 at 12:20 pm: Watch Mayor Walsh's COVID-19 press conference.

BOSTON — Today, Governor Charlie Baker issued an emergency order requiring all businesses and organizations that do not provide “COVID-19 Essential Services” to close their physical workplaces and facilities to workers, customers and the public as of Tuesday, March 24th at noon until Tuesday, April 7th at noon. These businesses are encouraged to continue operations remotely.

The Baker-Polito Administration issued a list of designated businesses and other organizations that provide essential services and workforces related to COVID-19* that shall continue to operate brick and mortar facilities during this two-week time period. This list is based on federal guidance and amended to reflect the needs of Massachusetts’ unique economy. While these businesses are designated as essential, they are urged to follow social distancing protocols for workers in accordance with guidance from the Department of Public Health.

Businesses and organizations not on the list of essential services are encouraged to continue operations through remote means that do not require workers, customers, or the public to enter or appear at the brick-and-mortar premises closed by the order.

Restaurants, bars, and other establishments that sell food and beverage products to the public are encouraged to continue to offer food for take-out and by delivery if they follow the social distancing protocols set forth in Department of Public Health guidance. On-premises consumption of food or drink is prohibited.

Due to evolving spread of COVID-19 in Massachusetts, Governor Baker has directed the Department of Public Health to issue a stay at home advisory outlining self-isolation and social distancing protocols. Residents are advised to stay home and avoid unnecessary travel and other unnecessary activities during this two-week time period.  Residents over 70 years of age or with underlying health conditions, who are considered at high risk when exposed to COVID-19, should limit social interactions with other people as much as possible. 

The Baker-Polito Administration does not believe Massachusetts residents can be confined to their homes and does not support home confinement for public health reasons.

The Baker-Polito Administration Order also limits gatherings to 10 people during the state of emergency, a reduction from the 25 person limit established in an earlier order. 

This includes community, civic, public, leisure, faith-based events, and any similar event or activity that brings together more than 10 persons in any confined indoor or outdoor space. The order does not prohibit gatherings of more than 10 people in an outdoor space, like a park or athletic field.

Click here for the full list of categories of “COVID-19 Essential Services”

Click here for a copy of the Emergency Order

Click here for a copy of the Guidance of Assemblages

Categories of COVID-19 Essential Services:

• Health Care & Public Health
• Law Enforcement, Public Safety & First Responders
• Food & Agriculture
• Critical Manufacturing
• Transportation 
• Energy
• Water & Wastewater
• Public Works
• Communications and Information Technology
• Financial Services
• Defense Industry Base
• Chemical Manufacturing & Hazardous Materials
• Other Designated Community Based Essential Function & Government Operations
• News Media

###

*Commercial retail stores that supply essential sectors, including convenience stores, pet supply stores, auto supplies and repair, hardware and home improvement, and home appliance retailers.

source: Mass.gov

FPNA Neighborhood Gathering Goes Virtual March 31

In striving to balance communicating with neighbors about relevant information impacting our community and taking precautions around public gatherings, FPNA is going virtual. 

You are invited to FPNA's inaugural virtual neighborhood gathering on Tuesday, March 31st at 6 pm, via Zoom. This online meeting replaces the Monday, March 23d gathering.

An invitation link along with additional instructions and agenda will be emailed and posted  on social media next week. Join FPNA as we take this new step together to stay connected with each other and our neighborhood.

Neighbors Helping Neighbors

A group of South Boston non-profit organizations launch the South Boston Neighborhood Aid Network.

“In these fast moving and uncertain times, it’s important that we show up for each other and remember that we are not alone.” 

This Neighborhood Aid Network is a powerful way to build strong connections. We all have something to offer and we all have something we need.  

Visit Caught In Southie to discover how you can help your neighbors or to ask for help yourself. No task is too small. No request is too big. 

You may also contact the South Boston Neighborhood Aid Network via:

Facebook
Hotline (call or text):  617-286-2463
Email

Check out their frequently updated Resource List.