Confirmation of Appointments and Personnel Matters Committee

Virtual

Agenda — 14 items

1. 1 (Posted online: 1/26/26 at 10:50 AM) Original (Posted online: 1/28/26 at 6:00 PM) Revised .
2. 1 This meeting was held via Zoom and was called to order by Chair Mbah at 6:00 p.m. and adjourned at 7:38 p.m. on a Roll Call Vote: 5 in favor (Councilors McLaughlin, Hardt, Link, Ewen-Campen, Mbah), 0 opposed, 0 absent. Councilor McLaughlin joined the meeting at 6:02 p.m.; Councilor Hardt joined the meeting at 6:08 p.m. Others present: Anne Gill – Director of Human Resources; Brendan Salisbury – Legislative Policy Analyst; Cindy Amara – City Solicitor; Kim Wells – City Clerk; Mayor Jake Wilson; and Shumeane Benford – Police Chief; and Michael Potere – Assistant City Clerk - Vital Records and Licensing
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_fIvwhFLzSM6vkVLuwwNaTA 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.
4. 3 In keeping with the decisions of the Civil Service Commission, this committee is required to consider candidates for civil service positions solely on the basis of their relative ability, knowledge, and skills. The commission’s decisions and basic merit principles outlined in the Personnel Administrations rules prohibit the arbitrary and capricious rejection of a candidate, including for political reasons, and demand a standard of “neutrally applied public policy” as guidance for our review. Committee members are encouraged to adhere to this standard while considering all candidates, regardless of civil service status.
5. 4 Roll Call
6. 1. Approval of the Minutes of the Confirmation of Appointments and Personnel Matters Committee Meeting of December 3, 2025. 25-1858 Accepted Pass
7. 2. Requesting confirmation of the promotion of Diogo deOliveira to the position of Police Captain. 26-0074 Recommended to be approved Pass
8. 3. Requesting confirmation of the promotion of Samir Messaoudi to the posisiton of Police Lieutenant. 26-0073 Recommended to be approved Pass
9. 4. Requesting confirmation of the appointment of James Plotkin as Municipal Hearing Officer. 26-0024 Kept in committee
10. 5. Requesting confirmation of the appointment of Ohemeng Kyeremateng as Director of Parks and Recreation. 26-0021 Recommended to be approved Pass
11. 6. Requesting confirmation of the appointment of Kimberly Wells as Chief Administrative Officer. 26-0016 Recommended to be approved Pass
12. 7. That the City Clerk implement the hiring practices detailed within for positions in the City Council and City Clerk Departments. 25-1423 Kept in committee
13. 12 Referenced Documents: • CAPM - 2026-02-02 Hearing Officer (with 26-0024) • CAPM - 2026-02-02 Executive Office-VI-Chief Administrative Officer (with 256-0016) • CAPM - 2026-02-02 Parks & Recreation-V-Director of Parks and Recreation (with 26-0021)
14. 13 Note: The Committee may meet in Executive Session to review protected personnel information or to discuss matters related to individual candidates pursuant to MGL c30A s21(a)(1).