City Council Beat

To advance fuel efficiency and cut costs for drivers, the City Council on Wednesday passed Councilor Paul Scapicchio’s (Beacon Hill, Charlestown) order for a hearing to discuss financial incentives to encourage city drivers to purchase fuel-efficient cars.

Scapicchio said that although a state bill would provide tax breaks to drivers of fuel-efficient vehicles, he wants the city to go a step further by considering providing tax exemptions, reduced rates at parking garages and free metered parking to drivers of low-emissions hybrid and alternative fuel vehicles.

“The benefits to the city would be significant,” Scapicchio said at the Council’s weekly meeting. “We would get cleaner air — the most important benefit.”

Councilor Michael Ross (Back Bay, Fenway) agreed.

“With fuel prices on the rise, there is no better time than now for fuel efficiency,” he said.

Councilor Charles Yancey (Dorchester, Mattapan) also supported the hearing, but amended the order by adding that the city should also consider replacing the cars that city officials now use with fuel-efficient ones.

The Council also passed an order on Wednesday authorizing the Conservation Commission to accept a one-acre land donation in Roslindale, the last of more than 22 acres of land to be established as permanent conservation ground within the city in just over the past year.

“We have had a task force, which set out to create more open public space in Roslindale,” said Councilor Rob Consalvo (Roslindale, Hyde Park). “And this is the final piece of the pie.”

Councilor John Tobin (Jamaica Plain, West Roxbury) applauded Consalvo’s efforts, adding that collaboration with city administrators, including Mayor Thomas Menino, helped to push along the effort to create more public conservation space, which will be overseen by the Boston Parks and Recreation Department.