City Council
City Council Chamber and Remote Participation
Agenda — 108 items
- 1 Published March 10, 2026 2:00 PM, Revised Published March 12, 2026, 10:00 AM.
- 1 NOTICE: This is NOT the official version of the City Council's minutes. While reasonable efforts have been made to assure the accuracy of the data provided, do not rely on this information without first checking with the City Clerk.
- 2 NOTICE: Pursuant to Chapter 2 of the Acts of 2025, this meeting of the City Council may be conducted via remote participation. We will post an audio recording, audiovideo 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. Register at the following website to listen to this meeting live or to testify at any public hearing: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_6AIrmpthQvWnjX4ToPYsCA Individuals 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 and activities of the City of Somerville or to attend meetings, should contact Adrienne Pomeroy in advance, at 617-625-6600 x2059 or ada@somervillema.gov.
- 1. OPENING CEREMONIES
- 3 The meeting was called to order at 7:05 PM by Ward Six City Councilor Lance L. Davis. The City Council entered Executive Session at 8:05 PM and returned at 9:28 PM with all Councilors present.
- 1.1. Call of the Roll.
- 1.2. Remembrances.
- 1.3. Approval of the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of February 12, 2026.
- 2. CITATIONS
- 2.1. Commending the Kendall Wanderers Football Club on the occasion of its 50th anniversary.
- 3. PUBLIC HEARINGS
- 3.1. Comcast applying for a Grant of Location to install 20 feet of conduit in Allen Street, from Utility Pole 3 to a point of pickup at 13-17 Allen Street.
- 3.2. Dagle Electrical applying for a Grant of Location to install 57 feet of conduit and one new charging station in the City Hall Concourse, from the War Memorial to a point of pickup at the proposed electrical vehicle charging station.
- 3.3. Eversource applying for a Grant of Location to relocate existing Utility Pole 60/40 four feet northerly of its current location, near 3 Chester Avenue.
- 3.4. Eversource applying for a Grant of Location to install 164 feet of conduit and one new Manhole in Grant Street, from an existing Manhole 1900 to a point of pickup at 299 Broadway.
- 3.5. Eversource applying for a Grant of Location to install 82 feet of conduit in MacArthur Street, from Utility Pole 122/2 to a point of pickup at 17 MacArthur Street.
- 3.6. Eversource applying for a Grant of Location to install 64 feet of conduit in Stone Avenue, from existing Manhole 14068 to a point of pickup at 11 Stone Avenue.
- 3.7. Eversource applying for a Grant of Location to install 6 feet of conduit in Chandler Street, from Utility Pole 227/6 to a point of pickup at 53 Chandler Street.
- 3.8. Eversource applying for a Grant of Location to install 6 feet of conduit in Line Street, from Utility Pole 211/7 to a point of pickup at 62 Line Street.
- 3.9. Eversource applying for a Grant of Location to install 5 feet of conduit in Heath Street, from Utility Pole 165/13 to a point of pickup at 16 Edgar Avenue.
- 4. ORDERS, ORDINANCES, RESOLUTIONS AND MOTIONS OF MEMBERS
- 4.1. Conveying budget priorities and requests for FY 2027.
- 4.2. That Rule 4 of the Rules of the City Council be amended to update submission deadlines for agenda items, consistent with the provisions of the Open Meeting Law.
- 4.3. That this City Council appoints Jessica Smith to the Public Financing of Campaigns Committee.
- 4.4. That this City Council appoints James Leo Bedard to the Ranked Choice Voting Committee.
- 4.5. That this City Council appoints Crystal Huff to the Ranked Choice Voting Committee.
- 4.6. That this City Council appoints Derrick Rice to the Review of Multiple Member Bodies Committee.
- 4.7. In his capacity as President, conveying this Council's updated Standing Committee assignments and Commission appointments for 2026.
- 4.8. Conveying budget priorities and requests for FY 2027.
- 4.9. 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.
- 4.10. 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.
- 4.11. 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.
- 4.12. Conveying budget priorities and requests for FY 2027.
- 4.13. Conveying budget priorities and requests for FY 2027.
- 4.14. In support of House Bill H.965 and Senate Bill S.2721, an Act restricting the use of rodenticides in the environment.
- 4.15. Conveying budget priorities and requests for FY 2027.
- 4.16. That the Commissioner of Public Works discuss with this Council, the policy of prohibiting parking on alternating sides of the street during a snow emergency, and whether it is the best way to meet snow removal needs.
- 4.17. That the Commissioner of Public Works discuss with this Council the frequency of street sweeping throughout the period of April through November.
- 4.18. Conveying budget priorities and requests for FY 2027.
- 4.19. In support of Senate Bill S.2975, an Act protecting access to justice.
- 4.20. That this City Council calls on the Massachusetts Legislature and Governor to increase Unrestricted General Government Aid (UGGA) by at least 6% in Fiscal Year 2027.
- 4.21. That this City Council calls on the Massachusetts Legislature and Governor to fully fund the Student Opportunity Act, and maintain the $150 per pupil minimum aid increase in Fiscal Year 2027.
- 4.22. Conveying budget priorities and requests for FY 2027.
- 4.23. That the Administration create a publicly accessible dashboard tracking progress toward planning and development goals in Gilman Square.
- 4.24. That Director of Mobility evaluate opportunities for improved pedestrian safety at the intersection of Broadway and Main Street.
- 4.25. That the Director of Housing provide data on units produced through the city’s inclusionary housing program, including length of occupancy, unit refusal by lottery winners and other data to demonstrate the health of the program.
- 4.26. Recognizing March 2026 as National Social Work Month.
- 4.27. Conveying budget priorities and requests for FY 2027.
- 5. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
- 5.1. Eversource applying for a Grant of Location to install a total of 75 feet of conduit in Prospect Street, from Utility Pole 291/12 to a point of pickup at 91 Prospect Street.
- 6. REPORTS OF COMMITTEES
- 6.A. FINANCE COMMITTEE
- 6.A.1. Report of the Committee on Finance, meeting on March 10, 2026.
- 6.A.2. Requesting approval to accept and expend a $127,000 grant with no new match required, from the Boston Office of Emergency Management to the Police Department for Special Response Team equipment and training.
- 6.A.3. Requesting approval to accept and expend a $43,000 grant with no new match required, from the Boston Office of Emergency Management to the Police Department for software.
- 6.A.4. Director of Economic Development conveying the potential use of an Urban Center Housing Tax Increment Financing Tool (UCH-TIF) to incentivize housing production.
- 6.A.5. Requesting approval to accept and expend a $31,000 grant with no new match required, from the Department of Environmental Protection to the Department of Public Works for upgrades to the Hazardous Household Waste Facility.
- 6.A.6. Requesting approval to appropriate $56,339.46 from the Bike Share Stabilization Fund for installation and startup costs of a Blue Bike station at the Boynton Union Connect Transportation Management Association development site.
- 6.A.7. Requesting approval to accept and expend a $22,800.08 grant that requires a match, from the Metropolitan Mayors Coalition Community Safety Initiative to the Police Department for youth violence prevention.
- 6.B. HOUSING, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND EQUITY COMMITTEE
- 6.B.1. Report of the Committee on Housing, Community Development and Equity, meeting on March 4, 2026.
- 6.B.2. That this City Council hold a public hearing on the petition submitted by 52 registered voters regarding Out of the Blue Community Arts Space at Arts at the Armory, pursuant to Section 2-11 of the City Charter.
- 6.C. LICENSES AND PERMITS COMMITTEE
- 6.C.1. Report of the Committee on Licenses and Permits, meeting on March 11, 2026.
- 6.C.2. Eversource applying for a Grant of Location to install a total of 62 feet of conduit in Ivaloo Street, from Utility Pole 179/5 to a point of pickup at 38 Ivaloo Street.
- 7. COMMUNICATIONS OF THE MAYOR
- 7.1. Requesting that this Council convene in Executive Session to receive an update on collective bargaining negotiations.
- 7.2. Requesting approval to appropriate $75,000 from the Bike Share Stabilization Fund for installation and startup costs of a Blue Bike station at the 16-20 Medford Street development site.
- 7.3. Requesting the appropriation of $1,167,395 from the Community Preservation Act Fund Community Housing Reserve to the Affordable Housing Trust.
- 7.4. Requesting the appropriation of $399,255 from the Community Preservation Act (CPA) Undesignated Fund Balance to the CPA Fund Community Housing Reserve.
- 7.5. Requesting the appropriation of $200,000 from the Community Preservation Act Fund Open Space Reserve to the Open Space Land Acquisition Fund.
- 7.6. Requesting the appropriation of $100,766 from the Community Preservation Act Fund Historic Preservation Reserve to the Somerville Museum to conserve artifacts in its collection.
- 7.7. Requesting the appropriation of $50,000 from the Community Preservation Act Budgeted Reserve to the Housing Authority for improvements to the open space at the Mystic River/View developments.
- 7.8. Requesting approval to accept and expend a $47,580 grant with no new match required, from the Massachusetts Department of Mental Health to the Police Department for overtime and backfill for Crisis Intervention Training certification and recertification.
- 7.9. Requesting approval to establish a Grant Match Account with a $15,000 transfer from the Department of Veterans' Services Grounds Maintenance Account to the Department of Veterans' Services Special Items Account for the Massachusetts General Court and the State Historical Records Advisory Board Grant match requirement.
- 7.10. Requesting confirmation of the promotion of Courtney Reece to the position of Police Sergeant.
- 7.11. Requesting confirmation of the promotion of Ashley Catatao to the position of Police Sergeant.
- 7.12. Conveying the appointment of Chris Dwan to the Review of Multiple Member Bodies Committee.
- 7.13. Conveying the 2025 Surveillance Technology Annual Report.
- 77 page break
- 7.14. Conveying the 2026 Safe Streets Ordinance Annual Report.
- 7.15. Conveying Public Safety for All findings and current initiatives.
- 7.16. Proclaiming 2026 to be the Year of the Neighbor.
- 8. COMMUNICATIONS OF CITY OFFICERS
- 8.1. City Clerk conveying Block Party Licenses issued.
- 8.2. Withdrawn.
- 9. NEW BUSINESS
- 9.1. Dormition of the Virgin Mary applying for a Public Event License for Greek Independence Day Celebration 2026 on March 28 from 10am to 1:30pm.
- 9.2. St. Benedict Parish applying for a Public Event License for Good Friday Stations of the Cross on April 3 from 4:30pm to 6:30pm.
- 9.3. Tufts Engineers without Borders applying for a Public Event License for Fred Berger Memorial 6K Run/Walk on April 12 from 10:30am to 3pm (raindate April 19).
- 9.4. Office of Immigrant Affairs applying for a Public Event License for Nepali National Flag Raising Ceremony 2026 on April 12 from 1pm to 4:30pm (raindate April 19).
- 9.5. SomerPromise applying for a Public Event License for Week of the Young Child Celebration 2026 on April 16 from 3:30pm to 7:30pm.
- 9.6. Mystic River Watershed Association applying for a Public Event License for Mystic River Herring Run and Paddle on May 17 from 6am to 3pm.
- 9.7. Mass Farmers Markets applying for a Public Event License for Davis Square Farmers Market every Wednesday from May 20 to November 25.
- 9.8. The Curl Bar applying for a Public Event License for The Curl Bar Community Event 2026 on May 30 from 6am to 7pm (raindate May 31).
- 9.9. 29 registered voters requesting a Zoning Text Amendment to amend Zoning Ordinance Section 15.7.2.d Zoning Board of Appeals Board Rules.
- 9.10. 14 registered voters requesting a Zoning Text Amendment to amend Zoning Ordinance Section 12.2.2 regarding affordable dwelling units.
- 9.11. 14 registered voters requesting a Zoning Text Amendment to amend the Zoning Ordinance Section 3.1.12 Backyard Cottage.
- 9.12. 29 registered voters requesting a Zoning Text Amendment to amend Zoning Ordinance Section 3.1.12 Backyard Cottage.
- 9.13. Tufts University conveying its Spring 2026 Accountability Report.
- 10. SUPPLEMENTAL ITEMS
- 10.1. Conveying budget priorities and requests for FY 2027.
- 10.2. That this Council review construction-related parking in the area of Oak Street and Bolton Street.
- 10.3. 62 individuals, including 60 residents, submitting comments re: item #26-0114, Fiscal Year 2027 budget priorities.
- 10.4. Thouis Jones submitting comments re: bike lanes.
- 10.5. Courtney Pollack submitting comments re: items #26-0055, #26-0156, and #26-0168, requests regarding public safety grants.
- 11. ADJOURNMENT
- 106 The meeting was Adjourned at 10:49 PM.