Councillor Katherine Triantafillou said she will be attending two workshops titled "Resolving Controversial Issues" and "Guarding the Public Checkbook."

While the workshops and meetings are important to the councillors, they say the highlight of the conference is the chance to meet with members of Congress to lobby them on local issues.

"The best part of [the conference] is when we get to see the congressional delegation," said Councillor Henrietta Davis. "We really need them on housing and transportation issues."

Councillors will be meeting with Rep. Michael A. Capuano (D-Mass.), and Democratic Senators John F. Kerry and Edward M. Kennedy '54-'56. In preparation for the meeting, councillors will be briefed on the federal budget so that they know how the budget will affect cities and can structure their lobbying accordingly.

Real Estate Seizures Possible

Continuing their crusade for affordable housing at last night's meeting, the council also discussed the prospects of buying 929 House.

The apartment building was recently acquired by a real estate trust company, and the city fears losing affordable housing units that are even more valuable in the current housing shortage.

Triantafillou said the council's Housing and Community Development Committee will be discussing this morning the possibility of seizing the house and paying the owner, Grove Real Estate Trust, the market price. The city can legally seize the property under eminent domain law.