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July 10, 2025 ·7:00 PM Final

City Council Chamber and Remote Participation

Agenda PDF Minutes PDF 📹 Watch video Official record ↗

Agenda — 106 items

  1. 1 Published July 8, 2025, 1:00 PM, Revised Published July 10, 2025, 1:45 PM.
  2. 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.
  3. 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_kKTDGyfETaei0vkJi13Yvg 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. 1. OPENING CEREMONIES
  5. 3 The meeting was called to order at 7:02 PM by Ward Six City Councilor Lance Davis. The City Council entered recess at 7:30 PM and returned at 7:36 PM. The City Council entered Executive Session at 8:31 PM and returned at 10:01 PM. The City Council entered recess at 10:26 PM and returned at 10:30 PM.
  6. 1.1. Call of the Roll. 25-1246 Placed on file ▶ jump to 0:27
  7. 1.2. Remembrances. 25-1247 Approved ▶ jump to 1:11
  8. 1.3. Approval of the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of June 12, 2025. 25-1248 Approved Pass ▶ jump to 1:46
  9. 2. ELECTION OF OFFICERS
  10. 7 page break
  11. 2.1. Election of a President for 2025. 25-1205 Approved ▶ jump to 1:54
  12. 2.2. Election of a Vice President for 2025. 25-1206 Approved ▶ jump to 4:11
  13. 10 page break
  14. 3. PUBLIC HEARINGS
  15. 3.1. Crown Castle Fiber LLC applying for a Small Wireless Facility License for facilities on a new pole at 10 Hathorn Street. 25-1208 Approved Pass ▶ jump to 7:28
  16. 3.2. Eversource applying for a Grant of Location to install approximately 166 feet of conduit in Broadway and Mount Vernon Street, from Manhole 1784 to a point of pickup at 44 Broadway. 25-1210 Approved Pass ▶ jump to 8:34
  17. 3.3. Eversource applying for a Grant of Location to install one new Manhole and approximately 76 feet of conduit in Gibbens Street, from Utility Pole 383/1 through new Manhole 32650 to a point of pickup at 156 Highland Avenue. 25-1214 Approved Pass ▶ jump to 9:21
  18. 3.4. Eversource applying for a Grant of Location to install one new Manhole and approximately 30 feet of conduit in Warren Street, from the new Manhole 32350 to a point of pickup at 8 Medford Street. 25-1209 Approved Pass ▶ jump to 10:03
  19. 3.5. Eversource applying for a Grant of Location to install approximately 40 feet of conduit in Moreland Street, from Utility Pole 236/9 to a point of pickup at 77 Moreland Street. 25-1211 Approved with conditions Pass ▶ jump to 10:39
  20. 3.6. Eversource applying for a Grant of Location to install approximately 5 feet of conduit in Prospect Street, from Manhole 23059 to a point of pickup at 86 Prospect Street. 25-1212 Approved Pass ▶ jump to 13:42
  21. 3.7. Eversource applying for a Grant of Location to install approximately 17 feet of conduit in Prospect Street, from Manhole 23058 to an approximate point of pickup near 110 Prospect Street. 25-1213 Approved ▶ jump to 14:17
  22. 4. ORDERS, ORDINANCES, RESOLUTIONS AND MOTIONS OF MEMBERS
  23. 19 page break
  24. 4.1. In support of Teamsters Local 25 in their labor dispute with Republic Services. 25-1230 Approved Pass ▶ jump to 14:55
  25. 4.2. That the Administration submit to the City Council and School Committee, the city’s contingency plan in the event of an emergency school closure during the 2025-2026 school year. 25-1231 Approved and sent for discussion Pass ▶ jump to 75:34
  26. 4.3. Conveying a report of the Job Creation and Retention Trust Fund. 25-1233 Placed on file Pass ▶ jump to 77:17
  27. 4.4. Conveying a report of the Affordable Housing Trust Fund. 25-1234 Placed on file Pass ▶ jump to 79:55
  28. 5. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
  29. 5.1. Director of Economic Development requesting that this Council convene in Executive Session to discuss strategy regarding the disposition of 90 Washington Street. 25-1168 Approved Pass ▶ jump to 83:05
  30. 6. REPORTS OF COMMITTEES
  31. 6.A. FINANCE COMMITTEE
  32. 6.A.1. Report of the Committee on Finance, meeting on July 8, 2025. 25-1226 Approved Pass ▶ jump to 193:30
  33. 6.A.2. Requesting approval to accept and expend a $38,500 grant with no new match required, from the Boston Office of Emergency Management to the Police Department for Special Response Team equipment. 25-0848 Withdrawn
  34. 6.A.3. Requesting approval to execute the Fourth Amendment to the lease agreement with Dana Family Series, LLC, for the Grove Street parking lot, through June 30, 2026. 25-0978 Approved Pass ▶ jump to 196:39
  35. 6.A.4. Requesting approval of a time-only extension for the contract with Franklin Cummings Institute, to December 31, 2026. 25-1001 Approved Pass
  36. 6.A.5. Requesting approval to enter into a contract of up to ten years for the services of an operator for the Greater Boston Bike Share program (Bluebikes). 25-1068 Approved Pass
  37. 6.A.6. Requesting authorization to dispose of bicycles previously abandoned in the City of Somerville to a charitable organization. 25-1086 Approved Pass
  38. 6.A.7. Requesting approval of the final Urban Center Housing Tax Increment Financing (UCH-TIF) Agreement for the 299 Broadway project. 25-1160 Approved Pass ▶ jump to 197:13
  39. 6.A.8. Requesting approval of a Public Access and Maintenance Access Easement for 299 Broadway Property Owner LLC. 25-1163 Withdrawn
  40. 6.A.9. Requesting approval of a Maintenance Access Easement and Landscape Management and Maintenance Plan for 299 Broadway Property Owner LLC for the future Sewall Park at the 299 Broadway development. 25-1164 Withdrawn
  41. 6.B. HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
  42. 6.B.1. Report of the Committee on Housing and Community Development, meeting on June 30, 2025. 25-1222 Approved Pass ▶ jump to 209:12
  43. 6.B.2. That the Director of Housing Stability update this Council on recent changes to condominium conversion and tenant protection laws as a result of the 2024 Housing Bond Bill and how Somerville may strengthen its protections. 25-0133 Work completed
  44. 6.B.3. That the Director of Housing Stability update this Council on efforts to raise awareness for eviction sealing assistance in light of recent state legislation enabling the sealing of evictions. 25-0134 Work completed
  45. 6.B.4. That the Director of Economic Development report on the economic impact to small businesses in Somerville as a result of recent federal immigration policy changes. 25-0247 Work completed
  46. 6.B.5. Requesting approval of the 2025-2026 Housing and Urban Development One Year Action Plan for Community Development Block Grant, Home Investment Partnership, and Emergency Solutions Grant Programs. 25-1005 Approved Pass
  47. 6.C. LEGISLATIVE MATTERS COMMITTEE
  48. 6.C.1. Report of the Committee on Legislative Matters, meeting on July 1, 2025. 25-1223 Approved Pass ▶ jump to 179:45
  49. 6.C.2. That the Director of Housing assist this Council in drafting changes to the Condominium Conversion Ordinance to enable the Condominium Review Board to fulfill its intended function and prevent circumvention of tenant's rights. 24-1740 Work completed
  50. 6.C.3. Chris Dwan submitting comments re: Urban Forestry Committee recommendations. 25-0077 Work completed
  51. 6.C.4. That the Director of Economic Development present to this Council a plan to ensure compliance with Section 8-18 of the Code of Ordinances. 25-0154 Work completed
  52. 6.C.5. Requesting ordainment of an amendment to Sections 7-64 and 7-65 of the Code of Ordinances to reduce displacement of tenants and update relocation payments. 25-1044 Placed on file Pass
  53. 7. COMMUNICATIONS OF THE MAYOR
  54. 7.1. Requesting ordainment of an amendment to Sections 7-64, 7-65 and 7-68 of the Code of Ordinances to reduce displacement of tenants and update relocation payments. 25-1237 Laid on the table ▶ jump to 183:10
  55. 7.2. Requesting approval of a Maintenance Agreement and Landscape Management and Maintenance Plan for the future Sewall Park at the 299 Broadway development. 25-1238 Approved Pass ▶ jump to 198:09
  56. 7.3. Requesting approval to appropriate $1,500,000 from the Salary & Wage Stabilization Fund to the School Department to fund collective bargaining agreements. 25-1227 Approved Pass ▶ jump to 200:21
  57. 7.4. Requesting the appropriation of $1,045,000 from the Participatory Budgeting Stabilization Fund for the purpose of implementing the winning projects from the second Participatory Budgeting cycle. 25-1245 Approved Pass ▶ jump to 201:04
  58. 7.5. Requesting approval to appropriate $800,000 from the Facility Construction and Renovation Stabilization Fund for renovations to the Cummings School for the Warming Center Project. 25-1221 Approved Pass ▶ jump to 201:54
  59. 7.6. Requesting approval to accept and expend a $3,000,000 grant with no new match required, from the MassWorks Infrastructure Program to the Department of Infrastructure & Asset Management for the Inner Belt & Brickbottom Pedestrian Crossing and associated project area. 25-1207 Approved Pass ▶ jump to 207:33
  60. 7.7. Requesting confirmation of the appointment of Dayquan Goodnow to the position of Police Officer. 25-1241 Approved Pass ▶ jump to 208:12
  61. 7.8. Requesting confirmation of the appointment of Andrew Pasqualino to the position of Police Officer. 25-1242 Approved Pass ▶ jump to 208:23
  62. 7.9. Requesting confirmation of the appointment of Benjy Antoine to the position of Police Officer. 25-1243 Approved Pass ▶ jump to 208:27
  63. 7.10. Requesting confirmation of the appointment of Victor Souza to the position of Police Officer. 25-1244 Approved Pass ▶ jump to 208:31
  64. 7.11. Requesting that this City Council schedule a joint public hearing with the Somerville Redevelopment Authority regarding updating the 90 Washington Street Demonstration Project Plan. 25-1239 Approved and sent for discussion Pass ▶ jump to 213:57
  65. 7.12. Withdrawn. 25-1043 Withdrawn
  66. 7.13. Withdrawn. 25-1228 Withdrawn
  67. 8. COMMUNICATIONS OF CITY OFFICERS
  68. 8.1. Chief of Police conveying a bi-annual report, pursuant to Section 2-6(g) of the Code of Ordinances. 25-1232 Placed on file Pass ▶ jump to 214:26
  69. 8.2. City Clerk conveying Block Party Licenses issued. 25-1240 Placed on file Pass ▶ jump to 214:38
  70. 9. NEW BUSINESS
  71. 9.1. New Drainlayer's License, WES Construction Corp. 25-1215 Approved Pass ▶ jump to 215:38
  72. 9.2. New Hawker Peddler License, Wander Cat Cola. 25-1216 Approved Pass ▶ jump to 214:53
  73. 9.3. Portuguese-American Civic League applying for a Public Event License for Annual Holy Spirit Procession on July 11 from 7pm to 8:30pm. 25-1217 Approved Pass ▶ jump to 214:54
  74. 9.4. Chuck Lechien Jr. applying for a Public Event License for HONK! Community Concert on July 19 from 12pm to 5:30pm. 25-1218 Approved Pass ▶ jump to 214:56
  75. 9.5. Kids Like You and Me applying for a Public Event License for Underground Pop Arts and Performance Showcase on July 19 from 1pm to 7pm (raindate July 20). 25-1220 Approved Pass ▶ jump to 214:58
  76. 9.6. Office of Immigrant Affairs and India Association of Greater Boston applying for a Public Event License for India Flag Raising and United States Flag Honoring Ceremony on August 9 from 9am to 1pm (raindate August 10). 25-1219 Approved Pass ▶ jump to 215:01
  77. 9.7. Courtney Foster submitting comments re: item #25-1170, in support of the Climate Superfund Bill. 25-1235 Placed on file Pass ▶ jump to 216:46
  78. 9.8. Dan Casparriello submitting comments re: item #25-1044, amendments to Sections 7-64 and 7-65 of the Code of Ordinances to reduce displacement of tenants and update relocation payments. 25-1236 Laid on the table ▶ jump to 193:47
  79. 10. SUPPLEMENTAL ITEMS
  80. 10.1. That the Director of Mobility address in writing, the steps the department will make to assess the feasibility and need to install a speed bump on Cherry Street between Highland Avenue and Summer Street. 25-1251 Approved Pass ▶ jump to 23:40
  81. 10.2. Condemning Harvard's attack on its Graduate Student Union. 25-1249 Approved as amended Pass ▶ jump to 25:06
  82. 10.3. In support of certain public workers right to strike. 25-1250 Approved Pass ▶ jump to 49:26
  83. 10.4. Conveying information regarding the reconstitution of the Wage Theft Advisory Committee. 25-1252 Placed on file Pass ▶ jump to 73:13
  84. 10.5. Requesting approval of a Public Access and Maintenance Access Easement for 299 Broadway Property Owner LLC. 25-1254 Approved Pass ▶ jump to 198:30
  85. 10.6. Requesting approval to appropriate $3,892,796 from the Salary & Wage Stabilization Fund to the Police Department, Other Lump Sum Payments account to fund retroactive payments in accordance with the collective bargaining agreement with the Somerville Police Employees Association. 25-1229 Approved Pass ▶ jump to 202:48
  86. 10.7. Conveying a communication to Republic Services urging expeditious resolution to contract negotiations. 25-1268 Placed on file Pass ▶ jump to 14:55
  87. 10.8. Portuguese-American Civic League applying for a Public Event License for The Annual Holy Spirit Feast on July 11-13 from 6pm to 12:30am. 25-1260 Approved Pass ▶ jump to 215:07
  88. 10.9. Department of Racial and Social Justice applying for a Public Event License for Disability Pride Flag Celebration on July 24 from 4pm to 6:30pm. 25-1269 Approved Pass ▶ jump to 215:09
  89. 10.10. Public Library applying for a Public Event License for Comixcon on July 26 from 9am to 5pm. 25-1256 Approved Pass ▶ jump to 215:10
  90. 10.11. Leila Skiner applying for a Public Event License for Community Gathering for Peace on July 26 from 11am to 8pm. 25-1259 Approved Pass ▶ jump to 215:12
  91. 10.12. Somerville Public Schools applying for a Public Event License for Get Ready for School Fair on August 20 from 2:30pm to 7pm. 25-1262 Approved Pass ▶ jump to 215:14
  92. 10.13. Health and Human Services Office of Prevention Services applying for a Public Event License for Overdose Awareness Day Event on August 28 from 5pm to 7:30pm. 25-1261 Approved Pass ▶ jump to 215:16
  93. 10.14. The Somerville Foundation applying for a Public Event License for Davis Square Community Event on September 4-5 from 2pm to 10pm (raindate September 7). 25-1258 Approved Pass ▶ jump to 215:19
  94. 10.15. Arts Council applying for a Public Event License for Somerville Rock and Roll Yard Sale an ArtsUnion Event on September 7 from 8am to 7pm (raindate September 14). 25-1255 Approved Pass ▶ jump to 215:21
  95. 10.16. Society of S.S. Cosmas & Damian of Somerville & Cambridge applying for a Public Event License for Procession for S.S. Cosmas & Damian on September 7 from 3pm to 6pm (raindate September 14). 25-1257 Approved Pass ▶ jump to 215:25
  96. 10.17. Margaret Sapir submitting comments re: ceasefire. 25-1263 Placed on file Pass ▶ jump to 217:05
  97. 10.18. The Somerville Chamber of Commerce submitting comments re: item #25-1044, amendments to Sections 7-64 and 7-65 of the Code of Ordinances to reduce displacement of tenants and update relocation payments. 25-1264 Laid on the table ▶ jump to 193:57
  98. 10.19. John M. (Jack) Connolly submitting comments re: item #25-1044, amendments to Sections 7-64 and 7-65 of the Code of Ordinances to reduce displacement of tenants and update relocation payments. 25-1265 Laid on the table ▶ jump to 193:58
  99. 10.20. Fernando Bento and Niranjan Gawli submitting comments re: item #25-1044, amendments to Sections 7-64 and 7-65 of the Code of Ordinances to reduce displacement of tenants and update relocation payments. 25-1266 Laid on the table ▶ jump to 193:59
  100. 10.21. John Angelone submitting comments re: Davis Square. 25-1267 Placed on file Pass ▶ jump to 217:17
  101. 10.22. Withdrawn. 25-1174 Withdrawn
  102. 10.23. Withdrawn. 25-1175 Withdrawn
  103. 12. ADJOURNMENT
  104. 11. LATE ITEMS
  105. 11.1. That this Council congratulates Councilor Sait and her family and welcomes Masten Cypress to Somerville. 25-1270 Approved
  106. 103 The meeting was Adjourned at 10:40 PM.