Public Health and Public Safety Committee

Virtual

Agenda — 26 items

1. 1 (Posted online: 6/24/26 at 4:00 PM)
2. 1 This meeting was held via Zoom and was called to order by Chair McLaughlin at 6:33 pm and adjourned at 8:58 pm on a roll call vote of 2 in favor (Councilors Clingan and McLaughlin), 0 opposed, and 1 absent (Councilor Strezo). Also present: James Donovan — Somerville Police Department Deputy Chief, Amanda Nagim-Williams — Director of Intergovernmental Affairs (IGA), Denise Taylor — Director of Communications and Public Engagement, Sean Tierney — Assistant Fire Chief, Brad Rawson — Director of Mobility, Office of Strategic Planning & Community Development (OSPCD), Anne Gill — Director of Human Resources, Salvy Cicero — Crossing Guard Supervisor, Michael Holland — Somerville Police Lieutenant, Karin Carroll — Director of Health and Human Services, Jon Hillman — Public Safety for All Project Manager and Delaney Fisher-Cassiol — Clerk of Committees
3. 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_sCePqd69TQOFSZjkoyNm3Q 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.
4. 3 Roll Call
5. 1. Approval of the Minutes of the Public Health and Public Safety Committee Meeting of October 30, 2025. 25-1709 Accepted Pass
6. 2. Approval of the Minutes of the Rodent Issues Special Committee Meeting of December 1, 2025. 25-1855 Accepted Pass
7. 3. That the Chief of Police report to this Council on the response to the recent upsurge in drug use and other drug-related activity in public spaces in and around Davis Square, including in Hodgkins-Curtin park. 26-1018 Recommended to be marked work completed
8. 4. That the Administration address the ongoing public health and safety concerns at the Broadway Salvation Army site. 26-0972 Recommended to be marked work completed
9. 5. That the Chief of Police provide documentation in writing regarding the circumstances surrounding cyclist traffic enforcement in Union Square on the morning of May 28. 26-0944 Recommended to be marked work completed
10. 6. Christopher Rosol submitting comments re: off leash dogs. 26-0914 Kept in committee
11. 7. That the Chief Information Officer provide this Council with a summary report on the current accessibility status of city-operated digital properties including websites, platforms, and portals, and share any plans to ensure new properties ​comply with Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) using principles like “accessibility-first design." 26-0838 Recommended to be marked work completed
12. 8. 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. 26-0825 Recommended to be marked work completed
13. 9. That the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Coordinator submit a written report to this City Council regarding the timeline for ADA Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 under Title II, and the plan for its completion. 26-0824 Recommended to be marked work completed
14. 10. That the Commissioner of Public Works invest in trash barrels with latches to address rodent issues. 26-0708 Kept in committee
15. 11. That the Administration update this Council on the ordering and maintenance of firefighter equipment such as fire engines, ladder trucks and all other fire apparatus. 26-0647 Recommended to be marked work completed
16. 12. Gilman Square Neighborhood Council submitting comments re: McGrath Boulevard. 26-0493 Kept in committee
17. 13. Conveying Public Safety for All findings and current initiatives. 26-0348 Recommended to be marked work completed
18. 14. That the Director of Racial and Social Justice provide an update to this Council on the status of the Police Civilian Oversight Committee. 26-0243 Recommended to be marked work completed
19. 15. That the City Council calls for an end to period poverty, and an end to barriers making it difficult for residents to be able to afford menstrual products in Somerville. 26-0125 Recommended to be marked work completed
20. 16. That the Commissioner of Public Works install privacy film and replace the shades of the women's bathroom on the second floor of City Hall. 26-0108 Recommended to be marked work completed
21. 17. That the Administration provide monthly updates to the Committee on Public Health and Public Safety on progress towards addressing homelessness in Somerville. 26-0106 Kept in committee
22. 18. That the Director of Health and Human Services immediately install menstrual product dispensers on each floor of City Hall that provide free menstrual products. 26-0099 Recommended to be marked work completed
23. 19. That the Director of Health and Human Services immediately install menstrual product dispensers that provide free menstrual products in all city owned bathrooms. 26-0098 Recommended to be marked work completed
24. 20. That the Director of Human Resources and the Chief of Police work with state officials to provide crossing guards on McGrath Highway. 26-0057 Recommended to be marked work completed
25. 21. That this City Council discuss the safety of the Summer Street bike lane design around or near Putnam Street to Benton Road and how and if additional safety modifications can be made. 25-1770 Recommended to be marked work completed
26. 25 Referenced Documents: • PHPS - 2026-07-01 Cyclist Enforcement (with 26-0944) • PHPS - 2026-07-01 Homelessness Memo (with 26-0106) • PHPS - 2026-07-01 PSFA Findings Memo (with 26-0348) • PHPS - 2026-07-01 ADA Coordinator Update (with 26-0825) • PHPS - 2026-07-01 Menstrual Products Memo (with 26-0098, 26-0099, 26-0125) • PHPS - 2026-07-01 WCAG Compliance Digital Accessibility Update (with 26-0838, 26-0824) • PHPS - 2026-07-01 Evolving Web WCAG Summary Report May 2026 (with 26-0838, 26-0824)