Finance Committee

Virtual

Agenda — 29 items

1. 1 (Posted online: 4/3/25 at 10:30 AM)
2. 1 The meeting took place remotely via Zoom and was called to order at 6:00 PM by Chair Davis and adjourned at 8:39 PM on a roll call vote of 5 in favor (Councilors Mbah, Burnley, Clingan Scott and Wilson), none against and none absent. Others present: Alan Inacio - Senior Accountant Planning Board, Anoop Malik - Finance Manager HHS, William Fisher – Director of the Office of Emergency Management, Brendan Salisbury – Legislative and Policy Analyst, Jill Lathan – Commissioner DPW, Emily Wisdom - Director of Finance And Administration – SPD, Kate Hartke - Director of Grants and External Funds, Lauren Mahoney - Deputy Director - Office of Emergency Management, Cory Mian - Senior Vice President, Real Estate Development Preservation of Affordable Housing, Inc., Neha Singh – Director of Intergovernmental Affairs, Peter Forcellese – Legislative Clerk.
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_R-bSZB_pTT694Iww9dmMHg 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 Approved
5. 1. Approval of the Minutes of the Finance Committee Meeting of March 25, 2025. 25-0598 Accepted Pass
6. 2. Approval of the Minutes of the Finance Committee of the Whole Meeting of April 2, 2025. 25-0668 Accepted Pass
7. 6 Prior Year Invoices
8. 3. Requesting approval to pay prior year invoices totaling $787.50 using available funds in the Parks and Recreation Department Recreation Supplies Account for ray catchers. 25-0414 Recommended to be approved Pass
9. 4. Requesting approval to pay prior year invoices totaling $276.94 using available funds in the Parks and Recreation Department Kennedy Pool Account for paint supplies. 25-0493 Recommended to be approved Pass
10. 5. Requesting approval to pay prior year invoice totaling $1,200 using available funds in the Human Resources Professional and Technical Services Account for arbitration services. 25-0579 Recommended to be withdrawn
11. 6. Requesting approval to pay prior year invoices totaling $2,282.76 using available funds in the Police Department Public Safety Supply Account for bicycles, parts, and accessories. 25-0585 Recommended to be approved Pass
12. 11 Grant and Gift Acceptances
13. 7. Requesting approval to accept and expend a $25,600 grant that requires an in-kind match which is a portion of the Director's salary, to the Office of Emergency Management for emergency management and Fire Department supplies. 25-0280 Recommended to be approved Pass
14. 8. Requesting approval to accept and expend a $3,000 grant with no new match required, from Somerville Cambridge Elder Services to the Council on Aging for senior transportation services. 25-0531 Recommended to be approved Pass
15. 14 Contracts and Easements
16. 9. Requesting the approval of a time-only contract extension for three years for the Somerville Hispanic Association for Community Development for restoration of 59 Cross Street. 25-0415 Recommended to be approved Pass
17. 16 Bonding
18. 10. Requesting authorization to borrow $9,750,000 in a bond, and to appropriate the same amount for a portion of the costs associated with the development of the Clarendon Hill Phase II Housing Project. 25-0601 Recommended to be approved Pass
19. 18 Appropriations
20. 11. Requesting approval to appropriate $76,787.19 from the Medicinal Marijuana Stabilization Fund for the salary and fringe of the Prevention Services Coordinator for FY 2026. 25-0542 Recommended to be approved Pass
21. 12. Requesting the appropriation of $160,000 from the Unreserved Fund Balance ("Free Cash") to the Department of Public Works Repairs to Buildings Account for fabrication and installation of courts at Founders Rink. 25-0456 Recommended to be approved Pass
22. 21 Ordinances
23. 13. Amending the Code of Ordinances by adding Section 2-325 to Chapter 2, Article VI, Division 3 related to compensation for elected officials. 25-0375 Recommended to be approved as amended Pass
24. 23 Orders and Resolutions
25. 14. That the Director of Finance discuss the path for City Councilors to receive administrative support staff to assist with City Council work and communication with constituents. 25-0036 Recommended to be marked work completed
26. 15. That the Director of Finance discuss the path for City Councilors to receive administrative support staff in the form of paid internships to assist City Councilors with City Council work and communication with constituents. 25-0037 Recommended to be marked work completed
27. 16. That the Director of Racial and Social Justice provide an update on the citywide disparity study, including when the report will be made available to the public. 25-0251 Recommended to be marked work completed
28. 17. That the Director of Intergovernmental Affairs coordinate with departments to assess which federal grants are likely to not be available in FY 2026 and discuss with this Council the potential impact on programs and services. 25-0649 Kept in committee
29. 27 Referenced Documents: • Finance - 2025-04-08 COA Memo (with 25-0531) • Finance - 2025-04-08 Founders Data (with 25-0456) • Finance - 2025-04-08 OSPCD Presentation (with 25-0601) • Finance - 2025-04-08 Parks and Rec Memo (with 25-0493) • Finance - 2025-04-08 Parks and Rec Memo (with 25-0414) • Finance - 2025-04-08 Elected Official CoLA Memo (with 25-0375) • Finance - 2025-04-08 Amending Ch. 2 Art. VI Div. 3 Elected Official Cost of Living Adjustment (with 25-0375)