City Council

Remote Participation

Agenda — 27 items

1. 1 Published May 1, 2025, 9:30 AM, Revised Published May 2, 2025 9:45 AM (location), Revised Published May 5, 2025, 10:30 AM.
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_5fRmwuJSQHWWTJMdo2okNw This Special Meeting of the City Council has been called by the President solely for the purpose of the city charter. 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. Councilor Pineda Neufeld arrived at 8:04 PM and assumed the chair.
6. 1.1. Call of the Roll. 25-0870 Placed on file
7. 2. CITATIONS
8. 3. PUBLIC HEARINGS
9. 4. ORDERS, ORDINANCES, RESOLUTIONS AND MOTIONS OF MEMBERS
10. 5. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
11. 5.1. That the City Solicitor appear before this City Council to discuss the proposed Charter currently in the Mayor's office and update this Council on its progress. 25-0742 Placed on file Pass
12. 5.2. Proposing a Home Rule Petition to establish a charter for the City of Somerville. 25-0774 Approved as amended Pass
13. 5.3. Requesting approval of a Home Rule Petition to establish a charter for the City of Somerville. 25-0853 Placed on file Pass
14. 6. REPORTS OF COMMITTEES
15. 7. COMMUNICATIONS OF THE MAYOR
16. 8. COMMUNICATIONS OF CITY OFFICERS
17. 9. NEW BUSINESS
18. 10. SUPPLEMENTAL ITEMS
19. 10.1. That the proposed Charter be amended relative to providing legal counsel for the City Council by inserting a new section placing the question on the ballot. 25-0909 Withdrawn
20. 10.2. That the proposed Charter be amended relative to the inclusion of the Chief Administrative Officer as a Charter office by inserting a new section placing the question on the ballot. 25-0910 Not approved Fail
21. 10.3. That the proposed Charter be amended relative to the City Council authority to redirect budget funds by inserting a new section placing the question on the ballot. 25-0911 Not approved Fail
22. 10.4. That the proposed Charter be amended relative to reducing the voting age in municipal elections by inserting a new section placing the question on the ballot. 25-0912 Not approved Fail
23. 10.5. That the proposed Charter be amended relative to extending municipal voting rights to non-citizen residents by inserting a new section placing the question on the ballot. 25-0913 Not approved Fail
24. 10.6. That the proposed Charter be amended relative to utilizing ranked choice voting for single-occupant offices by inserting a new section placing the question on the ballot. 25-0914 Not approved Fail
25. 10.7. That the proposed Charter be amended relative to expanding public availability of the annual budget by inserting a new section placing the question on the ballot. 25-0915 Not approved Fail
26. 11. ADJOURNMENT
27. 25 The meeting was Adjourned at 8:29 PM on a roll call vote of 9 in favor (Wilson, Ewen-Campen, Scott, McLaughlin, Sait, Strezo, Clingan, Davis Pineda Neufeld), 0 opposed, 2 absent (Mbah, Burnley).