Committee approves placement of three Bloomberg fellows for energy and lead‑harm reduction; city to receive biannual reports

The committee approved an agreement for three in‑kind fellows provided through Johns Hopkins University’s Bloomberg American Cities program to support city efforts on energy burden reduction and lead poisoning prevention.

Paul Barrett, Director of Finance, said the three positions come at no cost to the city; a $120,000 grant will fund program activities (split $60,000 in year one and $60,000 in year two). Director O'Keefe of Sustainability and Climate Justice said the fellows will be embedded to accelerate initiatives across cabinet departments and will work with existing lead‑abatement and housing programs. The committee added an amendment requiring the Director of Sustainability to provide biannual reports to council and to file those reports with the clerk of council.

Committee members asked how the fellows will be deployed within the city’s broader lead‑abatement and healthy‑housing work. Director O'Keefe responded that the fellows will coordinate across cabinet members and bring best practices from other cities in the Bloomberg program. Council members requested follow‑up briefings to clarify integration with existing local lead efforts and enforcement operations.

Why it matters: The federal/private Bloomberg program places technical staff in cities to accelerate climate, housing and health interventions; the fellows are intended to augment city capacity on energy efficiency and lead reduction at no additional city personnel cost and with required reporting to council.