The plaque honors several notable women, including Margaret “Peggy” O’Hara, the first woman appointed to the council in 1973, and Vera Cio, one of the first women elected to the council. Other influential figures such as Katherine Penn, the first female president of the council, and Denise Salemi, who represented Ward 6, were also mentioned. Present councilors expressed their pride in the legacy of these trailblazers. Councilor Joanne McKenna and Councilor Angela Guarino-Sawaya shared their reflections on the honorees, with Councilor McKenna expressing pride in the legacy of female leadership. Jessica Janino, who could not attend in person, sent a video message celebrating the achievements of women in Revere and her own experiences as a councilor and state representative.

Following the plaque unveiling, the council moved into public hearings, discussing an ordinance concerning interpretation and translation services for public meetings and documents. Claire Cerillo from the solicitor’s office, along with colleagues from the diversity, equity, and inclusion office, voiced opposition to the logistics of the ordinance while agreeing with its intentions. Cerillo highlighted the city’s adoption of a language access plan (LAP) and its progress in implementation. She noted that the LAP would provide interpretation services on a request basis once fully operational, emphasizing that the city had been invited to present their LAP at a regional event due to its success.

In an extensive discussion, council members debated the practicality of the proposed ordinance, considering the city’s budgetary and personnel limitations. The representative from the city highlighted that the LAP was designed to meet the city’s specific needs and limitations. The council acknowledged the city’s efforts in translation, with one councilor expressing concern about overburdening the city’s lone language specialist if the ordinance were to pass in its current form.

The topic then shifted to short-term rentals, where a proposed amendment aimed to enhance enforcement measures. A representative from the Short-Term Rental Office reported that the existing ordinance had effectively reduced the number of short-term rentals from 1,200 to about 100 since its implementation two years ago. The proposed changes included increasing fines and establishing a clear procedure for determining primary residency, crucial for operating short-term rentals. This proposal sparked further debate among council members regarding the need for these amendments and the effectiveness of the current ordinance.

National Grid’s petitions for installing new utility poles and underground conduits across various streets were also discussed. Representatives from National Grid assured the council of their commitment to proper scheduling and minimizing disturbances to residents. Council members voiced concerns about communication, highlighting issues experienced during previous projects when residents were unaware of work being conducted at night, causing disturbances. The council stressed the need for improved communication from National Grid regarding scheduled work to prevent inconvenience to local residents.

In other matters, Councilor Zambuto provided a report from the zoning subcommittee. The council also reviewed and unanimously approved several petitions from National Grid for installing underground facilities and utility poles, emphasizing the importance of proper coordination with local businesses and residents.

The council then addressed a home rule petition related to the late Robert O’Brien, the city’s former economic development director. Chief of Planning and Community Development Tom Scosi spoke about O’Brien’s rapid decline after retirement and the complications surrounding his retirement benefits. Council members raised concerns about setting a precedent and emphasized the need for further information before proceeding. A motion was made to request a detailed financial analysis from the Retirement Board concerning the proposed special act to support O’Brien’s family.

The meeting also included a presentation on the Broadway Corridor parking study by Jason Shriber from Stantec. The study, a componet of the broader Broadway master plan, addressed parking needs in conjunction with future developments. Recommendations included adjusting the existing wayfinding plan, integrating parking regulations, and considering performance pricing to maintain optimal parking utilization levels.

Additionally, the council discussed zoning ordinances, including a motion to repeal the use of mechanical parking systems and another to establish regulations for marijuana establishments in Revere. A public hearing for both topics was scheduled for September 23rd.

The session concluded with various motions, including a proposal for a traffic safety study around Revere High School, addressing rodent control, reinstating the Adopt an Island program, and naming a garden area at Leech Park after community member Chris Alba. The council also approved motions for maintenance and repair issues along Revere Beach Boulevard and discussed the potential for a 24/7 emergency response ambulance service under the police department.