City Council
City Council Chamber and Remote Participation
Agenda — 81 items
- 1 Published January 20, 2026, 2:30 PM, Revised Published January 22, 2026, 11:45 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_bKw1hegUSBS-Q-yQWbYfVg 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 7:04 PM by Ward Six City Councilor Lance L. Davis.
- 1.1. Call of the Roll.
- 1.2. Remembrances.
- 1.3. Approval of the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of December 11, 2025.
- 2. CITATIONS
- 3. PUBLIC HEARINGS
- 4. ORDERS, ORDINANCES, RESOLUTIONS AND MOTIONS OF MEMBERS
- 4.1. That the Director of Engineering and the Director of Mobility draft a plan to convert the intersection of Ivaloo Street and Harrison Street into a pedestrian-only open space closed to vehicular traffic.
- 4.2. That this Council discuss a pilot program that incentivizes backyard cottages and/or Accessory Dwelling Units in owner occupied properties.
- 4.3. That the Director of Health and Human Services immediately install menstrual product dispensers that provide free menstrual products in all city owned bathrooms.
- 4.4. That the Director of Health and Human Services immediately install menstrual product dispensers on each floor of City Hall that provide free menstrual products.
- 4.5. That the Administration purchase and install outdoor patio furniture, including tables and chairs, for the patio located outside of the first floor of City Hall on the Highland Avenue side of the building.
- 4.6. 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.
- 4.7. 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.
- 4.8. That the Commissioner of Public Works provide a written update to this Council and the School Committee on the status of restoring hot water to all areas of the Capuano Early Education Center, including which areas are affected, actions taken, and an estimated timeline for full restoration.
- 4.9. That the Commissioner of Public Works provide to the City Council a full-time equivalent analysis and recommendations for custodial staffing at each Somerville Public School, including distinctions between day versus evening shifts, disparities between school size, usage, and current custodial assignments.
- 4.10. That the Administration prioritize finalization of a Davis Square Neighborhood Plan, including updating community input in the content of the plan.
- 4.11. That the Commissioner of Public Works update this Council on maintenance issues in the East Somerville, Capuano and Edgerly Schools.
- 4.12. That the Administration form a commission to investigate the possibility of Ranked Choice Voting, as required by passage of the new city charter.
- 4.13. That the Administration provide monthly updates to the Committee on Public Health and Public Safety on progress towards addressing homelessness in Somerville.
- 4.14. In support of an Act ensuring law enforcement identification for public safety.
- 4.15. That the Director of Mobility update this Council on the intersection improvements at Webster Avenue and Prospect Street.
- 4.16. That the Director of Mobility implement colored lane markings for bus and bike lanes on Prospect Street between Webster Avenue and Somerville Avenue.
- 4.17. That the Commissioner of Public Works install waste receptacles near the entrance of the Warming Center on Prescott Street.
- 4.18. That the Commissioner of Public Works perform regular litter clean-ups along Prescott Street near the Warming Center.
- 4.19. That the Administration investigate the possibility that deliveries, emergency vehicles, pick-ups, etc., occur in the Cummings School parking lot rather than on Prescott Street.
- 4.20. That the Director of Mobility pilot the installation of dedicated bicycle YIELD signals to operate during the walk cycle at several intersections throughout the city, including Washington Street and Somerville Avenue, and Prospect Street and Somerville Avenue.
- 4.21. That the Director of Mobility prioritize speed hump installation and other traffic calming measures on Lowell Street between Summer Street and Highland Avenue.
- 4.22. Conveying that, pursuant to Section 6-2 of the City Charter, this City Council will hold a public hearing on the community's Fiscal Year 2027 budget priorities in the Committee on Finance on February 10, 2026.
- 5. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
- 5.1. City Clerk conveying information regarding the City Council's responsibilities pursuant to the 2025 City Charter.
- 6. REPORTS OF COMMITTEES
- 6.A. FINANCE COMMITTEE
- 6.A.1. Report of the Committee on Finance, meeting on January 20, 2026.
- 6.A.2. Requesting approval to accept and expend a $65,000 grant with no new match required, from the Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety and Security to the Police Department for the Municipal Road Safety Program.
- 6.A.3. Requesting approval of a time-only contract extension for three months with a new expiration date of 3/31/2026, for Stantec Consulting Services, Inc. for design services for the Spring Hill Sewer Separation project.
- 6.A.4. Requesting approval to accept and expend a $200,000 grant with no new match required, from the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities to the Office of Housing Stability for the continuation of the short term housing bridge pilot program.
- 6.A.5. Requesting approval to accept and expend a $20,000 grant with no new match required, from the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities to the Office of Housing Stability for the housing bridge pilot program for seniors.
- 6.A.6. Requesting approval of a transfer of $103,421 from the Salary Contingency account to various departmental Personal Services accounts to fund a memorandum of agreement with the Somerville Municipal Employees Union, Unit B.
- 6.B. LICENSES AND PERMITS COMMITTEE
- 42 page break
- 6.B.1. Report of the Committee on Licenses and Permits, meeting on January 21, 2026.
- 6.B.2. New Used Car Dealer Class 2 License, Union Square Auto Sales, 39 Webster Avenue, 20 vehicles outside, Mon-Fri: 8am-6pm, Sat: 8am-2pm, Sun: closed.
- 6.B.3. Eversource applying for a Grant of Location to install a total of 38 feet of conduit in Warwick Street, from Utility Pole 357/3 to a point of pickup at 16 Warwick Street.
- 7. COMMUNICATIONS OF THE MAYOR
- 7.1. Requesting the appropriation of $1,000,000 from the Community Preservation Act Open Space Reserve for construction of improvements to the Kennedy Schoolyard.
- 7.2. Requesting the appropriation of $480,000 from the Community Preservation Act Fund Budgeted Reserve to the Somerville Hispanic Association for Community Development for continued preservation of 59 Cross Street.
- 7.3. Requesting the appropriation of $420,566 from the Community Preservation Act Historic Preservation Reserve to the Elizabeth Peabody House for continued restoration of 277 Broadway.
- 7.4. Requesting the appropriation of $74,365 from the Community Preservation Act Historic Preservation Reserve to Nicole Bairos for preservation of Buddy's Diner.
- 7.5. Requesting approval of a transfer of $6,166.19 from the Fire Department Ordinary Maintenance Other Equipment - Not Capitalized Account to the Fire Department Special Items Grant Match Account to fund the required match for the Federal Emergency Management Agency Assistance to Firefighters Grant.
- 7.6. Requesting approval of a time-only contract extension until 12/31/2027 for Crowley Cottrell LLC to complete additional services for re-design and construction administration fees for Junction Park.
- 7.7. Requesting approval to accept and expend a $618,181.81 grant that requires a match, from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to the Fire Department for the replacement of aging breathing apparatus.
- 7.8. Requesting approval to pay prior year invoices totaling $3,342.05 using available funds in various Police Departments Ordinary Maintenance Accounts for various services.
- 7.9. Requesting approval of the Surveillance Technology Impact Report for Under Door Cameras.
- 7.10. Requesting approval of Surveillance Technology Impact Report for Thermal Imaging Monoculars.
- 7.11. Requesting approval of the Surveillance Technology Impact Report for Ball Cameras.
- 7.12. Conveying the temporary appointment of Eric Weisman as Interim Commissioner of Public Works.
- 59 page break
- 8. COMMUNICATIONS OF CITY OFFICERS
- 8.1. City Clerk submitting an amendment to the Rules of the City Council to align with the provisions of the City Charter.
- 8.2. Chief of Police conveying a bi-annual report, pursuant to Section 2-6(g) of the Code of Ordinances.
- 9. NEW BUSINESS
- 9.1. New Used Car Dealer Class 2 License, USA Auto Hub, 61 Prospect Street, 15 vehicles outside, Mon-Fri: 9am-7pm, Sat: 9am-3pm, Sun: closed.
- 9.2. Renewing Used Car Dealer Class 2 License, Aris Auto Inc., 3 Craigie Street.
- 9.3. Boston Bike Polo submitting comments re: Founders Memorial Skating Rink.
- 9.4. Pedestrian and Transit Advisory Committee submitting comments re: bus routes 90 and 88.
- 10. SUPPLEMENTAL ITEMS
- 10.1. That the Director of Infrastructure and Asset Management and the Director of the Office of Sustainability and Environment provide a written report to this Council on updates to measures and practices taken to assess, monitor, maintain, and improve the physical environment in schools.
- 10.2. That the Director of Infrastructure and Asset Management update this Council on when the school buildings maintenance project website will be available.
- 10.3. That the Director of Engineering provide an update on the construction of the Lowell Street and School Street crosswalks facing the Green Line stations.
- 10.4. That the Director of Mobility add additional signage helping users of the Community Path get through Maxwell's Green to the Community Path and add clear signage directing users to the ramp and stairs on Lowell Street.
- 10.5. That the Director of Mobility discuss with this Council strategies for improving the safety of users of the Community Path, including improved signage, enforcement of the motorized vehicle ban on the path, coordination with community partners to encourage cooperative use, and regulation of e-bikes, including the imposition of speed limits.
- 10.6. Requesting an appropriation and authorization to borrow $2,000,000 in a bond for financing a portion of the Kennedy Schoolyard Renovation Project, as recommended by the Community Preservation Committee.
- 10.7. CultureHouse applying for a Public Event License for CultureHouse Polar Putt on February 2 from 10am to 7pm.
- 10.8. George Vroom submitting comments re: snow plowing.
- 11. ADJOURNMENT
- 78 The meeting was Adjourned at 8:32 PM.