Confirmation of Appointments and Personnel Matters Committee

Virtual

Agenda — 15 items

1. 1 (Posted online: 5/24/25 at 9:00 AM)
2. 1 This meeting was held via Zoom and was called to order by Chair Ewen-Campen at 6:32 pm and adjourned at 8:41 pm on a roll call vote of 5 in favor (Councilors Pineda Neufeld, Clingan, Strezo, McLaughlin, Ewen-Campen), 0 opposed, and 0 absent. Others present: Shumeane Benford - Police Chief, Charles Femino - Public Safety Consultant for the Housing Authority, Amanda Nagim-Williams - Director of the Department of Racial and Social Justice, Kimberley Hutter - Legislative Liaison, 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_8sK-EyVOTtaM-pEr4eZepg 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 April 30, 2025. 25-0872 Accepted Pass
7. 2. Requesting confirmation of the appointment of Salma Kazmi to the Human Rights Commission. 25-0656 Recommended to be approved Pass
8. 3. Requesting confirmation of the appointment of Jovana Calvillo to the Human Rights Commission. 25-0653 Recommended to be approved Pass
9. 4. Requesting confirmation of the re-appointment of Sean Browne as Somerville Housing Authority Police Officer. 25-0404 Recommended to be approved Pass
10. 5. Requesting confirmation of the re-appointment of Michael De Bethencourt as Somerville Housing Authority Police Officer. 25-0403 Recommended to be approved Pass
11. 6. Requesting confirmation of the appointment of Alfred William Rymill III as Somerville Housing Authority Police Officer. 25-0402 Recommended to be approved Pass
12. 7. Requesting confirmation of the appointment of Dylan Lambert to the position of Police Sergeant. 25-0900 Recommended to be approved Pass
13. 8. Requesting confirmation of the appointment of Eli Kim to the position of Police Lieutenant. 25-0899 Recommended to be approved Pass
14. 9. That this City Council convene in Executive Session with relevant departments, to discuss the interaction between the Commission for Persons with Disabilities and Racial and Social Justice Department and to receive an update on what steps and goals have been established to resolve the disconnect between both parties. 25-0757 Recommended to be marked work completed Pass
15. 16 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).