City Council in brief: AI regulation, Hispanic Heritage Month and more

The City Council is beginning to consider how city government can use artificial intelligence.

Councilor-at-Large Carlos A. Vidal, Ward 1 Councilor Anthony LaFauci and Ward 4 Councilor John McLaughlin introduced a resolution at Monday’s City Council meeting seeking to study how and where the city is encountering AI, what existing regulations protect residents’ privacy and data security, and what actions other Massachusetts municipalities are taking.

“AI is already becoming part of the way government operates: sometimes through tools we deliberately choose to use, and sometimes simply because AI is increasingly being incorporated into software and development that municipalities already rely upon,” Vidal said.

Vidal emphasized that he wasn’t opposed to AI and didn’t want to create panic, but said AI tools in government raise questions about security, accuracy and government accountability. 

“AI is going to continue developing whether the municipal government discusses it or not. I think it is appropriate for us to begin that discussion now,” he added.

The council requested IT Director Donald Aucoin attend the Sept. 21 Committee of the Whole meeting to discuss the resolution.

Honoring Waltham’s Hispanic and Latino population

Vidal also told councilors this is the 10th year Waltham has celebrated Hispanic Heritage Month, which falls between Sept. 15 and Oct. 15.

Vidal said the city’s demographics over the past decade have changed significantly and today 16% of the city’s population and more than 47% of school enrollment identify as Hispanic or Latino. 

Vidal said he wants to highlight the value Hispanic and Latino residents provide to their Waltham neighbors and how they are an important part of the community through their daily lives.

“Latinos share the same hopes and aspirations as our neighbors – to work hard, care for our families, build successful lives, and leave our communities a little better than when we found them,” he said. “We’re not separate from the Waltham community. We are part of the Waltham community.”

“Ultimately, Waltham is strongest when everyone who calls the city home has the opportunity to contribute to its success,”  Vidal added.

Additionally, the City Council:

• Accepted a $208,096 state grant for Waltham Council on Aging programs. 
• Approved a secondhand dealers’ license for the expansion of More Than Words LLC, a Waltham-based used bookstore providing youth job training. More Than Words intends to sell other secondhand goods at its Waltham location, as it does in its other stores. 
• Approved a transfer of $98,672.05 from the city’s Stabilization Fund to filter stormwater runoff from the Embassy garage and parking lot before it runs into the Charles River.
• Celebrated a group of former McDevitt students for their state-recognized civics project on Waltham’s sidewalks.
• Considered an application to convert Crescent Suites Hotel LLC into an apartment building.
• Honored Yolanda Cellucci, a Waltham community member and fashion icon who died earlier this month, for her generosity and involvement with Waltham’s community.
• Referred to the Ordinances and Rules Committee a drive-thru ATM permit application for Service Credit Union, which provides banking services to military families and plans to move into 995 Main St. Referred a secondhand dealers’ license application for bike and sports shop and service center Pedals & Power to the Licenses and Franchises Committee. The shop opened last December, and its owner said the permit has been held up for months.
• Referred a series of other items to committee meetings next week:
  • an amendment to secondhand dealers’ license regulations, a request to rename Waltham’s former high school and a request for a long-term utilities work plan to the Licenses and Franchises Committee; 
  • a concept plan for veterans’ housing to the Committee of the Whole;
  • a private donation to the Fire Department and a $173,714 state grant to the Finance Committee; 
  • and a resolution to bring MBTA communities zoning in line with housing affordability legislation to the Ordinances and Rules Committee.
• Wished a happy Rosh Hashanah and a good new year to Waltham’s Jewish community.