Sustainability and Infrastructure Committee

Virtual

Agenda — 24 items

1. 1 (Posted online: 4/20/26 at 11:30 AM)
2. 1 This meeting was held via Zoom and was called to order by Chair Clingan at 6:00 p.m. and adjourned at 8:22 p.m. on a Roll Call Vote of 3 in favor (Councilors Scott, Hardt, and Clingan), 0 opposed. Others present: Yasmine Raddassi - Legislative Liaison, Eric Weisman - Department of Public Works Commissioner, Brian Postlewaite - Director of Engineering, Kevin Klein - Interim Superintendent of Inspectional Services, Suzanne Rinfret - Director of Parking, Steve Craig - Director of Constituent Services, Michael Potere - Assistant City Clerk
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_ZxpN5xfvS1C-fSeaf9wUdA 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 Sustainability and Infrastructure Committee Meeting of March 18, 2026. 26-0501 Accepted Pass
6. 5 DPW
7. 2. That the Commissioner of Public Works discuss with this Council how to ensure that handicapped parking spaces are not used for snow storage and are cleared at the same time as other spaces. 26-0337 Recommended to be marked work completed
8. 3. That the Commissioner of Public Works discuss with this Council how to ensure that accessible sidewalk ramps are cleared following snowstorms, and ensure that 311 reports on this issue are promptly responded to. 26-0338 Recommended to be marked work completed
9. 4. That the Commissioner of Public Works discuss with this Council the frequency of street sweeping throughout the period of April through November. 26-0353 Recommended to be marked work completed
10. 5. That the Commissioner of Public Works conduct a citywide sweep to remove large debris from the Community Path and bike lanes now that snow season has concluded. 26-0490 Recommended to be marked work completed Pass
11. 10 ISD
12. 6. That the Director of Inspectional Services discuss with this Council how to ensure that temporary dumpster permits do not conflict with handicapped parking spaces, or that temporary handicapped parking spaces are relocated for the duration of the dumpster permit. 26-0336 Recommended to be marked work completed
13. 12 Constituent Services (311 System)
14. 7. That the Director of Constituent Services update this Council on the 311 system, recent and upcoming improvements, open roles, and the approach being taken to directing the wide variety of resident needs to provide answers, solutions, and follow-through. 26-0468 Recommended to be marked work completed
15. 8. That the Director of Constituent Services appear before the Committee on Sustainability and Infrastructure to discuss the process by which 311 tickets are routed or closed after re-routing. 26-0481 Recommended to be marked work completed
16. 15 Water and Sewer / IAM
17. 9. That the Director of Water and Sewer appear before the Committee on Sustainability and Infrastructure to discuss the process by which it is determined whether a residential unit requires a 1-inch water meter or a 5/8-inch water meter. 26-0482 Kept in committee
18. 10. That the Director of Infrastructure and Asset Management appear before this Council to discuss the decision to implement a tiered residential base rate structure that differentiates between properties served by 5/8-inch pipes and those served by 1-inch pipes. 26-0626 Kept in committee
19. 18 Administration / Sustainability
20. 11. That the Administration discuss the process of disposal of city surplus items, and whether those items may be offered to employees or the public through the creation of a Freecycle style system. 26-0473 Recommended to be marked work completed
21. 12. That the Administration explore the feasibility of a year with no swag, as detailed within. 26-0067 Kept in committee
22. 21 Housekeeping
23. 13. Christopher Beland submitting comments re: items #26-0175, #26-0176, #26-0177, #26-0178, #26-0179, #26-0180, #26-0181, #26-0182, #26-0183, #26-0184, #26-0185, #26-0186, and #26-0187, Eversource applying for Grants of Location. 26-0259 Recommended to be marked work completed
24. 22 Referenced Documents: • S&I - 2026-04-29 Memo Response (with 26-0473) • S&I - 2026-04-29 Handicap_snow (with 26-0337, 26-0338) • S&I - 2026-04-29 Photos (with 26-0337, 26-0338)