Finance Committee

Virtual

Agenda — 35 items

1. 1 (Posted online: 9/18/25 at 11:00 AM)
2. 1 This meeting was held virtually via Zoom and was called to order at 6:32 pm by Chair Wilson and adjourned at 7:27 pm with a roll call vote of 4 in favor (Councilors Burnley, Clingan, Scott and Wilson), none opposed, and 1 absent (Councilor Mbah). Others present: Michael Richards - IAM Director of Finance and Administration, Neha Singh - Director of Intergovernmental Affairs, Catherine Lester Salchert - Assistant City Solicitor, Brian Postlewaite IAM Director of Engineering, Christine Blais - Director of the Office of Sustainability and Environment, 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_Hb1Imb6JQMCHK8_Abts7mg 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 Roll Call
5. 1. Approval of the Minutes of the Finance Committee Meeting of September 9, 2025. 25-1443 Accepted Pass
6. 5 Grant and Gift Acceptances
7. 2. Requesting approval to accept and expend a $50,000 grant with no new match required, from Commonwealth of MA Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs to the Office of Sustainability and Environment for a study investigating possible zoning incentives to increase the ability to comply with the Fossil Fuel Free Ordinance. 25-1295 Recommended to be approved Pass
8. 3. Requesting approval to accept and expend a $10,000 grant with no new match required, from the Fenway Community Health Center to the Police Department for post-overdose support. 25-1418 Kept in committee
9. 4. Requesting approval to accept and expend a $155,271.38 grant with no new match required, from the Massachusetts State 911 Department to the Police Department for training costs for 911 certification. 25-1408 Kept in committee
10. 5. Requesting approval to accept and expend a $295,463 grant with no new match required, from the Massachusetts State 911 Department to the Police Department for enhanced 911 telecommunicator personnel costs. 25-1409 Kept in committee
11. 6. Requesting approval to accept and expend a $24,500 grant with no new match required, from the Massachusetts State 911 Department to the Police Department for emergency medical dispatch. 25-1410 Kept in committee
12. 11 Prior Year Invoices
13. 7. Requesting approval to pay prior year invoices totaling $545.31 using available funds in the Police Department Equipment Maintenance Account for electronic access door service. 25-1387 Recommended to be approved Pass
14. 8. Requesting approval to pay prior year invoices totaling $330 using available funds in the Office of Sustainability and Environment Professional and Technical Services Account for monitoring the Argenziano School solar array. 25-1294 Recommended to be approved Pass
15. 9. Requesting approval to pay prior year invoices totaling $596.25 using available funds in the Department of Public Works Repairs-Comm Equipment, Repairs-Fire Alarm, and Reimbursement of Licenses Accounts. 25-1414 Recommended to be approved Pass
16. 10. Requesting approval to pay prior year invoices totaling $23.41 using available funds in the Emergency Management Public Safety Supplies Account for public safety supplies. 25-1415 Recommended to be approved Pass
17. 11. Requesting approval to pay prior year invoices totaling $137.77 using available funds in the Emergency Management Office Supplies Account for office supplies. 25-1416 Recommended to be approved Pass
18. 12. Requesting approval to pay prior year invoices totaling $71.88 using available funds in the Emergency Management Office Supplies Account for office supplies. 25-1417 Recommended to be approved Pass
19. 13. Requesting approval to pay prior year invoices totaling $10,452.22 using available funds in the Department of Infrastructure & Asset Management Ordinary Maintenance Professional & Technical Account for Strategic Asset Management Plan. 25-1413 Recommended to be approved Pass
20. 19 Transfers
21. 14. Requesting approval of a transfer of $350,048 from the Department of Infrastructure and Asset Management (IAM) Ordinary Maintenance Professional & Technical Services Account to the IAM Capital Outlay Professional & Technical Services Account. 25-1412 Recommended to be approved Pass
22. 21 Bonding
23. 15. Requesting authorization to borrow $4,300,000 in a bond, and to appropriate the same amount for the design of the Morrison Avenue Linear Storage Sewer Separation project. 25-1411 Recommended to be approved Pass
24. 23 Contracts and Agreements
25. 16. Requesting approval to extend and amend a contract with Eastern Bank for an additional year until 8/31/2026, for the banking services of the Treasury Department. 25-1384 Recommended to be approved Pass
26. 17. Requesting approval of the partial termination of the City Utility Easement on Sewall Court. 25-1383 Recommended to be approved Pass
27. 18. Requesting approval of temporary and permanent easements over Lot 3 of 299 Broadway in favor of 299 Broadway Property Owner, LLC. 25-1433 Recommended to be approved Pass
28. 27 Property/Land Transactions
29. 19. Requesting approval of the discontinuance of a portion of Sewall Court. 25-1382 Recommended to be approved Pass
30. 20. Requesting the adoption of an Order of Taking for the acquisition of Lot 3 at 299 Broadway for municipal purposes including parking. 25-1400 Recommended to be approved Pass
31. 30 Orders and Resolutions
32. 21. That the City Solicitor update this Council on the new Immigration and Customs Enforcement cooperation requirements attached to forthcoming Urban Area Security Initiative grants. 25-1445 Kept in committee
33. 22. That the Chief of Police or the Metro Boston Homeland Security Region representative update this Council on the strategy for applying for Urban Area Security Initiative or any other federal grants that require Immigration and Customs Enforcement cooperation. 25-1446 Kept in committee
34. 23. That the Director of Finance provide a comprehensive accounting of all stabilization accounts that have remained unspent for three or more fiscal years and provide a report for each fund. 25-1344 Kept in committee
35. 33 Referenced Documents: • Finance 2025-09-23 - Stabilization Memo (with 25-1344) • Finance 2025-09-23 - Stabilization Fund Balances (with 25-1344) • Finance 2025-09-23 - Eastern Bank City Council Extension (with 25-1384) • Finance 2025-09-23 Letter to FINCOM re FY25 UASI NOFO (with 25-1445)