The proposal for a Deputy Chief of EMS emerged as a development, with Chief of EMS Nick Silva presenting the case for this new role. The department has seen considerable growth, particularly with the expansion of Mobile Integrated Health services, creating a need for focused oversight on budgeting and compliance. Chief Silva underscored the importance of the role by referencing a recent incident in Dartmouth, where billing errors led to substantial fines, emphasizing the need for oversight to avoid similar issues in Fall River.

This Deputy Chief position would be independent of the union structure, with a salary set higher than current deputy chiefs to reflect the expertise required. The council discussed the potential candidate for this role, noting Deputy Chief Font’s exemplary work in an administrative capacity. Financial assessments confirmed that the city could sustain the new full-time equivalent position without financial strain, highlighting the administration’s confidence in the city’s budgetary health.

The council also considered the existing administrative support structure, contemplating the addition of clerical staff as the department’s billing processes expand. Currently, three billing clerks manage the billing system, which includes electronic platforms for ambulance runs.

In parallel, the council delved into the contentious topic of affordable housing. The establishment of a municipal affordable housing trust was debated, with a representative from Ry Corporation outlining the guidelines and potential implications. The trust would aim to segregate funds specifically for affordable housing, although concerns were raised about potential redundancies with the existing Community Development Agency (CDA), which manages similar initiatives through annual Home funding.

A council member highlighted Fall River’s substantial contribution to affordable housing, noting that over 20% of rental apartments are deed-restricted. The council member voiced concerns about neighboring communities like Somerset and Westport not meeting the state’s 10% threshold for affordable housing, urging a shift in focus toward these areas rather than placing additional burdens on Fall River.

The council’s discussions also encompassed the need for a comprehensive understanding of the housing market to inform policy decisions. They considered the MBTA Communities Act, which mandates adjacent cities and towns to provide a minimum of 10% affordable housing. However, some communities have not complied, raising questions about enforcement and equity in housing law application.

The conversation on affordable housing concluded without a definitive resolution, with some council members expressing skepticism about the necessity of a new trust, given existing structures. They suggested that federal funds from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) could be utilized within existing frameworks rather than establishing new entities.

Short-term rental regulations were another topic of interest at the meeting. The council introduced a proposed ordinance aimed at regulating rentals on platforms like Airbnb. The ordinance seeks to protect residential neighborhoods from disruptions, proposing strict controls such as owner occupancy requirements and an annual certification process for operators.

Concerns were raised about the lack of regulation in the current short-term rental landscape, with no taxes being collected despite entitlement to a hotel tax. Council members discussed implementing a community impact fee to help mitigate the strain on city services caused by short-term rentals. An amendment was proposed to include insurance requirements for operators, with calls for public hearings to allow community input before certification processes.

A separate matter of public interest was raised by a community member, Sarah Riley, who spoke about the National Grid reliability project’s impact on the Copicut River and the surrounding watershed. Riley highlighted environmental concerns, particularly regarding the river, which supplies drinking water for over 105,000 people. Her comments underscored the need for balanced development and environmental protection.