Public Health and Public Safety Committee

Virtual

Agenda — 12 items

1. 1 (Posted online: 5/24/25 at 8:30 AM)
2. 1 The meeting took place remotely via Zoom and was called to order at 6:01 PM by Chair McLaughlin and adjourned at 7:06 PM on a roll call vote of 3 in favor (Councilors Pineda Neufeld, Davis and McLaughlin), none against and none absent. Others present: Director William Fisher – Emergency Management, Chief Shumeane Benford – SPD, Director Hanna O’Halloran – Homeless Services, Director Karin Carroll – Health and Human Services, Kimberly Hutter – Legislative Liaison, Peter Forcellese – Legislative Clerk. Councilor Davis was appointed to replace Councilor Clingan as a member of the committee for this meeting only.
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_oLRy_OmxR5umACf9GiiYEA 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 Public Health and Public Safety Committee Meeting of March 19, 2025. 25-0522 Accepted Pass
6. 2. That the Administration update this Council on the report and recommendations of the Davis Square Public Safety Working Group. 25-0986 Recommended to be marked work completed
7. 3. That the Director of Inspectional Services appear before this Council to discuss recent changes to business permitting in relation to "risk categorization" and the impact they may have on businesses. 25-0923 Kept in committee
8. 4. That the Director of Inspectional Services enforce Section 11-111 of the Code of Ordinances - Registration and maintenance of vacant property, in light of the recent collapse of 316 Somerville Avenue. 25-0379 Recommended to be marked work completed
9. 5. That the Director of Health and Human Services and the Chief of Police consider installing emergency call boxes in key city locations, including Davis Square. 25-0230 Recommended to be marked work completed
10. 6. That the Director of Health and Human Services, Director of Housing, and Director of Housing Stability update this City Council regularly on progress towards addressing homelessness. 25-0087 Kept in committee
11. 7. That the Administration update this Council on the status of the $528,218 received from the national opioid settlement fund to combat drug addiction and of any plans to utilize said funds. 25-0473 Recommended to be marked work completed
12. 10 Referenced Documents: • PHPS - 2025-06-09 Joint Memo 6.9.25 (with 25-0087) • PHPS - 2025-06-09 Opiod Funds Memo (with 25-0473) • PHPS - 2025-06-09 VPO Enforcement Memo (with 25-0379) • PHPS - 2025-06-09 Risk Categorization Memo (with 25-0923) • PHPS - 2025-06-09 DSPS Shared Community Expectations (with 25-0986)