Housing, Community Development and Equity Committee
Committee Room and Remote Participation
Agenda — 13 items
- 1 (Posted online: 6/25/26 at 11:00 AM) Original (Posted online: 6/29/26 at 9:45 AM) Revised
- 1 This meeting was held via Zoom and was called to order by Chair Strezo at 6:02 pm and adjourned at 7:10 pm on a roll call vote of 2 in favor (Councilors Link and Strezo), 1 absent (Councilor Sait). Others present: Ohemeng Kyeremateng – Director of Recreation, Eric Weisman – Commissioner of Public Works, Amanda Nagim-Williams – Director of Intergovernmental Affairs, Denise Taylor – Director of Communications and Public Engagement, Luisa Oliveira – Director of Public Safety and Urban Forestry, Madalyn Letellier – Assistant City Clerk, Legislative Services.
- 2 Pursuant to Chapter 2 of the Acts of 2025, this meeting of a City Council Committee will be conducted via remote participation. We will post an audio recording, audio-video recording, transcript, or other comprehensive record of these proceedings as soon as possible after the meeting on the City of Somerville website and local cable access government channels. Copy & paste the following link into your internet browser to view this meeting live: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_mp0rDMpjRHuRvIwQIOA_3A Persons with disabilities who need auxiliary aids and services for effective communication (i.e., CART, ASL), written materials in alternative formats, or reasonable modifications in policies and procedures in order to access the programs, activities, and meetings of the City of Somerville should contact the ADA Coordinator in advance at 617-625-6600 x 2059 or ADA@somervillema.gov.
- 3 Roll Call
- 1. Approval of the Minutes of the Housing, Community Development and Equity Committee Meeting of April 15, 2026.
- 2. That the Director of Parks and Recreation report on the stock and condition of previously installed playground communication boards that assist nonverbal children in playtime.
- 3. That the Director of Mobility provide an update on the Kensington Connector.
- 4. That the Commissioner of Public Works and relevant departments discuss the future community use of Founders Rink for 2026 and beyond.
- 5. That the Director of Parks and Recreation provide an update on upcoming inclusive playground accessibility plans and redesign projects.
- 6. Conveying an update regarding item #26-0825, a Resolution that the Administration submit a written report to this Council regarding the timeline and process for staffing the Americans with Disabilities (ADA) Coordinator role and update this Council on the plan to process ADA complaints and accessibility coordination when this position is vacant.
- 7. Director of Communications & Community Engagement conveying the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 Accessibility Compliance update for city website and digital assets.
- 8. That the Administration discuss the City's volunteer policy and its consistency among various city departments.
- 9. That the Director of Parks and Recreation discuss the cost barriers and equity constraints that prevent low-income residents and local youth from accessing Somerville programs, such as public skate time at Veterans Memorial Rink on early school dismissal days.