Home › Somerville › Meetings

City Council

Name: Somerville City Council
Start: 2025-02-13
Location: City Council Chamber and Remote Participation

February 13, 2025 ·7:00 PM Final

City Council Chamber and Remote Participation

Agenda PDF Minutes PDF 📹 Watch video Official record ↗

Agenda — 194 items

1 Published February 11, 2025, 2:15 PM, Revised Published February 13, 2025, 11:30 AM.
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.
2 NOTICE: Pursuant to Chapter 2 of the Acts of 2023, 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_RO5XCm5HQlGonjWTYYOwXQ 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.
1. OPENING CEREMONIES
3 The meeting was called to order at 7:00 PM by Ward Seven City Councilor Judy Pineda Neufeld. The City Council entered recess at 8:00 PM and returned at 8:11 PM. The City Council entered recess at 9:17 PM and returned at 9:26 PM.
1.1. Call of the Roll. 25-0264 Placed on file ▶ jump to 0:18
1.2. Remembrances. 25-0265 Approved
1.3. Approval of the Minutes of the Organizational Meeting of January 6, 2025. 25-0266 Approved Pass ▶ jump to 2:08
1.4. Approval of the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of January 9, 2025. 25-0267 Approved Pass ▶ jump to 2:19
2. CITATIONS
3. PUBLIC HEARINGS
10 page break
4. ORDERS, ORDINANCES, RESOLUTIONS AND MOTIONS OF MEMBERS
4.1. That the Director of SomerStat and the Director of the Council on Aging appear before this Council’s Committee on Equity, Gender, Seniors, Families and Vulnerable Populations to discuss the results of the recent Senior Survey. 25-0176 Approved and sent for discussion Pass ▶ jump to 97:13
4.2. Withdrawn. 25-0180 Withdrawn
4.3. Withdrawn. 25-0181 Withdrawn
4.4. Conveying that the Tufts Shuttle, including the Saturday Grocery Store Shuttle Bus, is free for any Somerville resident to ride. 25-0175 Placed on file Pass ▶ jump to 97:36
4.5. Conveying an update on the confirmation process for new hires in civil service positions. 25-0205 Placed on file Pass ▶ jump to 99:45
4.6. That the Director of Constituent Services submit in writing, the protocol for proper handling of downed wires. 25-0214 Approved and sent for discussion Pass ▶ jump to 113:28
4.7. That the Director of Inspectional Services conduct proactive inspections in high-traffic areas, including school zones, senior housing areas, and commercial corridors, during and after winter storms to ensure compliance with snow and ice removal regulations. 25-0216 Approved Pass ▶ jump to 113:40
4.8. Conveying a report on the meeting of the Job Creation and Retention Trust. 25-0217 Placed on file Pass ▶ jump to 116:05
4.9. That the Commissioner of Public Works work with relevant city staff to plan citywide community cleanup days in each ward. 25-0229 Approved and sent for discussion Pass ▶ jump to 118:30
4.10. 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 Approved and sent for discussion Pass ▶ jump to 123:51
4.11. That the Director of Mobility prioritize North Street for speed humps and other traffic calming measures. 25-0231 Approved and sent for discussion Pass ▶ jump to 124:07
4.12. That the Director of Economic Development begin the process for developing a Teele Square commercial area plan. 25-0232 Approved and sent for discussion Pass ▶ jump to 124:18
4.13. That the Commissioner of Public Works work with relevant city staff to develop a prioritization and tracking system of 311 requests to maintain optimal school building conditions and proactively address potential concerns. 25-0233 Approved and sent for discussion Pass ▶ jump to 125:33
4.14. That the Director of Infrastructure and Asset Management develop a Swing Space plan to accommodate Somerville Public Schools students to mitigate disruption to students, families, and staff while a school building is unavailable or during construction. 25-0234 Approved and sent for discussion Pass ▶ jump to 125:33
4.15. That the Director of Infrastructure and Asset Management provide an update on the conversion of the former science lab in Room 208 at the Arthur D. Healey School, to small group learning classrooms. 25-0235 Approved and sent for discussion Pass ▶ jump to 125:33
4.16. That the Director of Inspectional Services discuss the metrics for measuring the effectiveness of rodent mitigation strategies in Somerville Public School buildings. 25-0236 Approved and sent for discussion Pass ▶ jump to 125:33
4.17. That the Director of Infrastructure and Asset Management discuss with the City Council and School Committee, the development of the FY 2026 project plan and budget in accordance with the adopted Capital Investment Plan. 25-0237 Approved and sent for discussion Pass ▶ jump to 125:33
4.18. That the Commissioner of Public Works complete installation of any remaining lockdown blinds needed for safety at Somerville High School. 25-0238 Approved and sent for discussion Pass ▶ jump to 125:33
4.19. That the Director of Capital Projects update this Council on the potential plan to use the Homan’s site for installation of a stormwater retention tank. 25-0241 Approved and sent for discussion Pass ▶ jump to 125:54
4.20. That the Executive Director of the Office of Strategic Planning and Community Development update this Council on the current status of the implementation of the Gilman Square Neighborhood Plan. 25-0242 Approved and sent for discussion Pass ▶ jump to 128:34
4.21. That the Director of Inspectional Services provide the Ward 4 City Councilor with the details of all tickets issued for failure to remove snow between January 1 and February 12, 2025. 25-0239 Approved Pass ▶ jump to 130:25
4.22. That the Administration create a detailed list of duties for commission and committee liaisons, including specific duties as they relate to the respective body. 25-0240 Approved and sent for discussion Pass ▶ jump to 130:46
4.23. That the Director of Communications and Community Engagement update this Council on efforts to educate the public about preventing conditions conducive to growth of the rodent population. 25-0243 Approved and sent for discussion Pass ▶ jump to 133:09
4.24. That the Director of Inspectional Services update this Council on efforts around enforcement of rodent-related ordinances, including the number of complaints, inspections, warnings, and fines issued for vegetation and trash violations. 25-0244 Approved and sent for discussion Pass ▶ jump to 133:09
4.25. That the Environmental Health Manager update this Council on rodent activity data and rodent mitigation efforts, including any novel approaches under consideration or being utilized. 25-0245 Approved and sent for discussion Pass ▶ jump to 133:09
4.26. That the Director of Inspectional Services and the Director of Planning, Preservation and Zoning discuss with this Council, Type IV heavy timber construction now permitted in the 10th edition of Massachusetts State Building Code 780 and potential impacts on inspections, development, and the Zoning Ordinance. 25-0246 Approved and sent for discussion Pass ▶ jump to 133:43
4.27. 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 Approved and sent for discussion Pass ▶ jump to 2:27
4.28. That the Chief of Police update this Council on the annual reporting of Immigration Customs and Enforcement detentions in Somerville, as outlined in the Welcoming City Ordinance. 25-0248 Approved and sent for discussion Pass ▶ jump to 11:56
4.29. That the Executive Director of the Welcome Project update the City Council on the status of the Somerville Worker’s Center. 25-0249 Approved and sent for discussion Pass ▶ jump to 135:27
5. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
5.1. Requesting approval to accept and expend a $60,000 grant with no new match required, from Executive Office of Public Safety and Security to the Police Department for traffic safety enforcement. 24-1659 Approved Pass ▶ jump to 88:26
6. REPORTS OF COMMITTEES
6.A. CONFIRMATION OF APPOINTMENTS AND PERSONNEL MATTERS COMMITTEE ▶ jump to 147:17
6.A.1. Report of the Committee on Confirmation of Appointments and Personnel Matters, meeting on February 5, 2025. 25-0177 Approved Pass
6.A.2. Requesting confirmation of the appointment of Lauren Chapman to the Human Rights Commission. 24-1696 Approved Pass
6.A.3. Requesting confirmation of the appointment of Brian Sokol to the Human Rights Commission. 24-1698 Approved Pass
6.A.4. Requesting confirmation of the appointment of Jenny Bonham Carter to the Human Rights Commission. 24-1699 Approved Pass
6.A.5. Conveying changes to the reappointment policy for boards, commissions and committees. 24-1726 Work completed
6.B. EQUITY, GENDER, FAMILIES AND VULNERABLE POPULATIONS COMMITTEE ▶ jump to 148:41
6.B.1. Report of the Committee on Equity, Gender, Seniors, Families and Vulnerable Populations, meeting on February 3, 2025. 25-0171 Approved Pass
6.B.2. That this Council discuss how the lapse in consistent mail delivery in Somerville has affected municipal bill collection, reports of bills not received, or accounts marked delinquent. 24-0788 Work completed
6.B.3. That the Administration hire a liaison dedicated to working with senior residents in order to amplify their voices in city decision making. 24-1178 Work completed
6.B.4. That the Director of Health and Human Services provide an update on the availability and accessibility of free menstrual products in all city-owned bathrooms, including realistic sizes. 25-0039 Work completed
6.B.5. That the Administration create a full time staff position within the Executive office, known as a Senior Liaison, who will work to prevent potential barriers within Somerville to growing older in place. 25-0040 Work completed
6.B.6. That the Director of the Council on Aging discuss how the Council on Aging can help support seniors dealing with grocery store inflation and how the city can help support their transportation to regional discount grocery stores. 25-0041 Work completed
6.B.7. That the Commissioner of Public Works and the Director of Veterans Services provide an estimated timeline as to when the removed Veteran's memorial monuments on the City Hall concourse will be re-installed. 25-0042 Work completed
6.B.8. That the Commissioner of Public Works and the Director of Veterans Services install signage at the previous locations of Veteran Memorial landmarks, acknowledging the missing Veterans Memorials and conveying to the public a timeline and/or plan for their re-installation. 25-0043 Work completed
6.B.9. That the Administration return the Vietnam and Korean War memorials to a new, public location as soon as possible rather than waiting for a comprehensive plan for all veterans memorials. 25-0062 Work completed
6.C. FINANCE COMMITTEE ▶ jump to 152:43
6.C.1. Report of the Committee on Finance, meeting as a Committee of the Whole on January 30, 2025. 25-0166 Approved Pass
6.C.2. Conveying an update on the Non-Union Employee Classification and Compensation Study. 25-0115 Work completed Pass
6.C.3. That this City Council hold a public hearing in the Committee on Finance on the community’s Fiscal Year 2026 budget priorities. 25-0147 Work completed
6.D. FINANCE COMMITTEE ▶ jump to 154:22
6.D.1. Report of the Committee on Finance, meeting on February 11, 2025. 25-0207 Approved Pass
6.D.2. Requesting approval to appropriate $20,900 from the Energy Stabilization Fund to add attic insulation to the Recreation Department at 16 Walnut Street. 24-1712 Approved Pass
6.D.3. City Council Finance Analyst conveying FY 2025 second quarter spending update. 25-0023 Work completed
6.D.4. Requesting the appropriation of $100,000 from Water Enterprise Fund Retained Earnings to satisfy a court judgment. 25-0047 Approved Pass
6.D.5. Requesting the appropriation of $365,000 from the Community Preservation Act Fund to the Somerville Community Land Trust for restoration of 12 Pleasant Avenue. 25-0049 Approved Pass
6.D.6. Requesting the transfer of $346,492 from the Community Preservation Act (CPA) Undesignated Fund Balance to the CPA Community Housing Reserve. 25-0051 Approved Pass
6.D.7. Requesting the appropriation of $1,475,428 from the Community Preservation Act Affordable Housing Reserve to the Affordable Housing Trust. 25-0053 Approved Pass
6.D.8. Requesting the appropriation of $172,000 from the Community Preservation Act Fund Historic Preservation Reserve to the Elizabeth Peabody House for exterior restoration of 277 Broadway. 25-0055 Approved Pass
6.D.9. Requesting the appropriation of $200,000 from the Community Preservation Act Fund Open Space Reserve for the installation of water fountains at Nunziato Park. 25-0056 Approved Pass
6.D.10. Requesting the appropriation of $300,000 from the Community Preservation Act (CPA) Fund to the CPA Open Space Land Acquisition Fund. 25-0057 Approved Pass
6.D.11. Requesting the appropriation of $114,259 from the Community Preservation Act Fund Historic Preservation Reserve to the Somerville Museum for preservation of artifacts in its collection. 25-0058 Approved Pass
6.D.12. Requesting the appropriation of $18,500 from the Community Preservation Act Fund Historic Preservation Reserve for a condition assessment of the Veterans Cemetery and other historic monuments. 25-0059 Approved Pass
6.D.13. That the Administration discuss the decision to stop the annual employee holiday breakfast at the Department of Public Works building. 25-0060 Work completed
6.D.14. That the Director of Parks and Recreation and the Commissioner of Public Works update this Council on short- and long-term plans for the Founders Memorial Skating Rink. 25-0068 Work completed
6.D.15. Requesting approval of a time-only contract extension until 12/31/2025 for Crowley Cottrell LLC to complete additional services for re-design and construction administrations fees. 25-0078 Approved Pass
6.D.16. Requesting approval to pay prior year invoices totaling $4,400 using available funds in the Office of Strategic Planning and Community Development Economic Development Division account for 9 Aldersey Street appraisal report. 25-0079 Approved Pass
6.D.17. Requesting approval of a time-only contract extension of three years for Stantec Consulting Services Inc. for Poplar Street Pump Station Design Services. 25-0096 Approved Pass
6.D.18. Requesting approval of a time-only contract extension of three years for PMA LLC for owners project manager services on the Poplar Street Pump Station project. 25-0097 Approved Pass
6.D.19. Requesting approval of a time-only contract extension of three years for MWH Contractors Inc. for construction manager at risk services on the Poplar Street Pump Station project. 25-0098 Approved Pass
6.D.20. Requesting approval to accept and expend a $2,500,000 grant that requires a 20% match, from the Environmental Protection Agency to the Infrastructure and Asset Management Engineering Division for the Poplar Street Pump Station. 25-0099 Approved Pass
6.D.21. Requesting approval to accept and expend a $2,400,000 grant with no new match required, from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to the Office of Strategic Planning and Community Development for infrastructure and open space improvements on the Clarendon Phase II project. 25-0100 Approved Pass
6.D.22. Requesting approval to accept and expend a $33,550 grant with no new match required, from the Department of Fire Services to the Fire Department for the purchase of firefighter safety equipment. 25-0102 Approved Pass
6.D.23. Requesting approval to pay prior year invoices totaling $486 using available funds in the City Clerk Advertising account for legal hearing notices. 25-0103 Approved Pass
6.E. LEGISLATIVE MATTERS COMMITTEE ▶ jump to 159:34
6.E.1. Report of the Committee on Legislative Matters, meeting on January 28, 2025. 25-0162 Approved Pass
6.E.2. That the Administration work to establish a Language Access Ordinance to codify constituents’ right to timely, meaningful, and culturally competent language access services. 24-1603 Work completed
6.E.3. Reaffirming Somerville’s commitment as a Sanctuary and Trust Act City for justice, equity, and inclusion. 24-1604 Placed on file Pass
6.E.4. City Council Legislative and Policy Analyst conveying the City Clerk's Office Manual on Legislative Drafting. 25-0022 Work completed
6.F. PUBLIC UTILITIES AND PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE ▶ jump to 160:53
6.F.1. Report of the Committee on Public Utilities and Public Works, meeting on February 10, 2025. 25-0206 Approved Pass
6.F.2. That the Director of Inspectional Services and the Commissioner of Public Works discuss how uncleared and/or unsalted sidewalks and driveways are addressed and fined after it snows, including how much staff it takes to address community reports of uncleared private property. 25-0035 Work completed
6.F.3. That the Director of the Arts Council work with Teen Empowerment and other related city agencies to develop youth-led murals within the walls of 165 Broadway. 25-0090 Work completed
6.F.4. That the Commissioner of Public Works clear the second floor of 165 Broadway of unused city materials to expand building uses for Teen Empowerment. 25-0091 Work completed
6.F.5. That the Commissioner of Public Works address maintenance issues within 165 Broadway. 25-0092 Work completed
6.F.6. That the Commissioner of Public Works update this Council on the use of beet juice to address ice and snow during winter storms. 25-0093 Work completed
6.G. SCHOOL BUILDING FACILITIES AND MAINTENANCE SPECIAL COMMITTEE ▶ jump to 165:50
6.G.1. Report of the Special Committee on School Building Facilities and Maintenance, meeting jointly with the School Committee's School Buildings Facilities and Maintenance Committee on February 6, 2025. 25-0193 Approved Pass
6.G.2. That the Director of Infrastructure and Asset Management provide a timeline and update for installation of a new classroom on the third-floor atrium at the Argenziano School. 24-1594 Work completed
6.G.3. That the Director of Infrastructure and Asset Management provide a timeline and update on the creation of a production kitchen at the Argenziano School. 24-1595 Work completed
6.G.4. That the Director of Infrastructure and Asset Management update this Council on the timeline for constructing a new school building. 25-0063 Work completed
6.G.5. That the Commissioner of Public Works and the Director of Engineering report to this Council on the failure of the boiler at the Brown School and the short- and long-term plans to address heating for the building. 25-0071 Work completed
6.G.6. That the Director of Parking allow public use of school parking lots during snow storms. 25-0094 Work completed
6.G.7. That the Administration immediately withdraw the School Building Community Feedback Survey, released this morning, regarding the replacement of the Winter Hill and, potentially, Brown School. 25-0157 Work completed
108 page break
6.H. TRAFFIC AND PARKING COMMITTEE ▶ jump to 168:56
6.H.1. Report of the Committee on Traffic and Parking, meeting on January 27, 2025. 25-0160 Approved Pass
6.H.2. That the Administration update this Council on the feasibility of pedestrianizing Elm Street for select hours, including identified obstacles and a potential timeline for implementation. 24-1685 Work completed
6.H.3. That the Director of Mobility and the Director of Engineering create an on-demand, dedicated pedestrian phase for the traffic signals at the intersection of Broadway and School Street, with NO TURN ON RED signage for both eastbound Broadway traffic and northbound School Street traffic. 24-1735 Work completed
6.H.4. That the Director of Mobility and the Director of Engineering appear before this Council to discuss the preparation of a change order to revert to the design of the bike lane entrance at Washington Street and Webster Avenue to the original 100% plans. 24-1736 Work completed
6.H.5. That the Chief of Police, the Director of Parking and the Director of Mobility discuss the consistent running of red lights during the weekday rush hour and repeated driver misuse of the Broadway bus lanes, including near the Temple Street and Broadway intersection. 25-0034 Work completed
6.H.6. That the Director of Mobility install DRIVE SLOW - CHILDREN AT PLAY signs on Heath Street, between Edgar Avenue and Fenwick Street. 25-0061 Work completed
7. COMMUNICATIONS OF THE MAYOR
7.1. Requesting approval of a Home Rule Petition to prevent landlords from passing realtor's fees on to tenants. 25-0213 Referred for recommendation ▶ jump to 172:45
7.2. Withdrawn. 25-0204 Withdrawn
7.3. Requesting ordainment of an amendment to Articles 6, 9, and 10 of the Zoning Ordinance to establish a new Research & Development zoning district. 25-0128 Referred for recommendation ▶ jump to 146:41
7.4. Requesting ordainment of an amendment to Articles 2, 3-6, and 9 of the Zoning Ordinance to revise the regulations for arts and creative enterprise, office, and residential uses. 25-0129 Referred for recommendation ▶ jump to 146:42
7.5. Requesting ordainment of an amendment to Articles 8 and 12 of the Zoning Ordinance to establish a new Arts & Innovation sub-area of the Master Planned Development Overlay District. 25-0131 Referred for recommendation ▶ jump to 146:58
7.6. Requesting the appropriation of $1,472,992 from the Salary Contingency account to various departmental Personal Services accounts to fund a collective bargaining settlement with the Somerville Municipal Employees Union, Unit B. 25-0196 Approved Pass ▶ jump to 42:46
7.7. Requesting the appropriation of $500,000 from the Community Preservation Act Fund Open Space Reserve for the renovation of Quincy Street Park. 25-0170 Referred for recommendation ▶ jump to 172:33
7.8. Requesting approval of an Intermunicipal Agreement between the City of Somerville, City of Cambridge, Cambridge Health Alliance, and Metropolitan Area Planning Council, for the establishment and operation of the Somerville-Cambridge Public Health Collaborative. 25-0104 Approved Pass ▶ jump to 86:11
7.9. Requesting approval to accept and expend a $2,500,000 grant with no new match required, from MA Executive Office of Economic Development to the Office of Strategic Planning and Community Development Economic Development Division for the 299 Broadway redevelopment project. 25-0174 Referred for recommendation ▶ jump to 184:13
7.10. Requesting approval to accept and expend a $1,000,000 grant with no new match required, from the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities to the Office of Strategic Planning and Community Development Economic Development Division for 14-16 Sewall Street acquisition. 25-0173 Referred for recommendation ▶ jump to 173:00
7.11. Requesting approval to accept and expend a $54,400 grant with no new match required, from the Mass Cultural Council to the Arts Council for the Local Cultural Council grant program. 25-0158 Referred for recommendation ▶ jump to 184:59
7.12. Requesting approval to accept and expend an $18,300 grant with no new match required, from the Mass Cultural Council to the Arts Council for unrestricted operating support. 25-0159 Referred for recommendation ▶ jump to 187:58
7.13. Requesting the use of available funds in the Water Enterprise Fund Wages account in the amount of $14,798.95 to fund a Utility Billing Manager position. 25-0258 Referred for recommendation
7.14. Requesting the use of available funds in the Water Enterprise Fund Wages account in the amount of $13,928.44 to fund a new Service Operations Manager position. 25-0260 Referred for recommendation
7.15. Requesting the use of available funds in the Water Enterprise Fund Wages account in the amount of $1,569.10 to fund a Billing Analyst position. 25-0262 Referred for recommendation
7.16. Requesting approval to pay prior year invoices totaling $1,312.50 using available funds in the Department of Racial and Social Justice Translation Services Account for Communication Access Realtime Translation (CART) services. 25-0169 Referred for recommendation
7.17. Requesting confirmation of the appointment of Guylerna Pierre to the position of Police Officer. 25-0212 Laid on the table ▶ jump to 173:01
7.18. Requesting confirmation of the appointment of Kristopher Taylor to the position of Police Officer. 25-0215 Laid on the table ▶ jump to 173:00
7.19. Requesting confirmation of the promotion of Thomas Bellini to the position of Fire Captain. 25-0218 Referred for recommendation ▶ jump to 173:00
7.20. Requesting confirmation of the promotion of Andrew Tkaczuk to the position of Fire Lieutenant. 25-0219 Referred for recommendation ▶ jump to 173:00
7.21. Requesting confirmation of the promotion of Christopher Galvin to the position of Fire Lieutenant. 25-0220 Referred for recommendation ▶ jump to 173:00
7.22. Requesting confirmation of the appointment of Henry Lima to the position of Firefighter. 25-0221 Laid on the table ▶ jump to 173:00
7.23. Requesting confirmation of the appointment of Christopher Carvalho to the position of Firefighter. 25-0222 Laid on the table ▶ jump to 173:00
7.24. Requesting confirmation of the appointment of Brandon Coco to the position of Firefighter. 25-0223 Laid on the table ▶ jump to 173:01
7.25. Requesting confirmation of the appointment of Rory Gallivan to the position of Firefighter. 25-0224 Laid on the table ▶ jump to 173:01
7.26. Requesting confirmation of the appointment of Jake Hardy to the position of Firefighter. 25-0225 Laid on the table ▶ jump to 173:01
7.27. Requesting confirmation of the appointment of Todd Headley to the position of Firefighter. 25-0226 Laid on the table ▶ jump to 173:01
7.28. Requesting confirmation of the appointment of Gavin Tierney to the position of Firefighter. 25-0227 Laid on the table ▶ jump to 173:01
7.29. Requesting confirmation of the appointment of Matthew White to the position of Firefighter. 25-0228 Laid on the table ▶ jump to 173:01
7.30. Requesting confirmation of the appointment of Niki Aurora to the Commission for Persons with Disabilities. 25-0211 Approved Pass ▶ jump to 173:01
7.31. Conveying a forthcoming appropriation request from the Salary Contingency Account to various city departments to fund the costs of the Memorandum of Agreement with the Somerville Municipal Employees Union, Unit B. 25-0179 Placed on file Pass ▶ jump to 42:45
7.32. Conveying an update on a potential shift in the art studio ecosystem in Somerville. 25-0192 Placed on file Pass ▶ jump to 70:41
8. COMMUNICATIONS OF CITY OFFICERS
8.1. City Solicitor conveying the response to #25-0105, Laura Ortiz's Open Meeting Law complaint of January 11, 2025. 25-0165 Placed on file Pass ▶ jump to 88:40
8.2. Executive Director of the Office of Strategic Planning and Community Development conveying the traffic mitigation commitment for 501 Mystic Valley Parkway. 25-0210 Placed on file Pass ▶ jump to 174:08
8.3. Somerville Redevelopment Authority conveying the 2024 Annual Report. 25-0191 Placed on file Pass ▶ jump to 174:20
8.4. Chief of Police conveying the Municipal Road Safety Grant application. 25-0259 Placed on file Pass ▶ jump to 88:32
8.5. Director of Human Resources conveying the Non-Union Compensation Study. 25-0261 Placed on file Pass ▶ jump to 174:25
8.6. Director of Economic Development and Director of the Arts Council conveying the draft Armory Master Plan. 25-0263 Placed on file Pass ▶ jump to 174:38
9. NEW BUSINESS
9.1. New Drainlayer's License, Boston Pipe Lining Company LLC. 25-0182 Approved Pass ▶ jump to 176:00
9.2. New Drainlayer's License, Mitchell Associates Construction Corporation. 25-0183 Approved Pass ▶ jump to 176:00
9.3. New Garage License, Assembly Square Auto Sales, 37 Mystic Avenue, 1 vehicle inside, 18 vehicles outside for washing vehicles and storing unregistered vehicles, 7 days a week: 8am-8pm. 25-0184 Referred for recommendation ▶ jump to 176:20
9.4. Renewing Open Air Vendor License, The Somerville Flea, Buena Vista parking lot. 25-0185 Approved Pass ▶ jump to 176:00
9.5. Renewing Used Car Dealer Class 2 License, Automotive Transport Service Inc, 40 Joy Street. 25-0186 Approved Pass ▶ jump to 176:00
9.6. Renewing Used Car Dealer Class 2 License, Pat's Enterprises, Inc., 308 McGrath Highway. 25-0188 Approved Pass ▶ jump to 176:00
9.7. Renewing Used Car Dealer Class 2 License, Pat's Enterprises, Inc., 182 Washington Street. 25-0187 Approved Pass ▶ jump to 176:00
9.8. Renewing Used Car Dealer Class 2 License, Pearl Street Auto Sales, 182 Pearl Street. 25-0189 Approved Pass ▶ jump to 176:00
9.9. Communications and Community Engagement Department applying for a Public Event License for Civic Day on April 5 from 9am to 5pm. 25-0190 Approved Pass ▶ jump to 176:00
9.10. 15 registered voters requesting a Zoning Text Amendment to amend the Zoning Ordinance sections 3.1.8c, 3.1.9c, 3.1.10c, 3.1.13k, 3.1.13l, 3.2.12l. and 3.2.12m. 25-0200 Referred for recommendation ▶ jump to 176:30
p9.11. Donal Waide submitting comments re: Immigration and Customs Enforcement. 25-0195 Placed on file Pass ▶ jump to 176:49
9.12. Jim Bossi submitting comments re: Tufts dorm. 25-0197 Placed on file Pass ▶ jump to 176:49
9.13. Nine residents submitting comments re: item #25-0147, Fiscal Year 2026 budget priorities. 25-0198 Placed on file Pass ▶ jump to 176:49
9.14. David Liang submitting comments re: Chinese Communist Party. 25-0199 Placed on file Pass ▶ jump to 176:49
9.15. Angela DiTucci submitting comments re: bike infrastructure. 25-0201 Placed on file Pass ▶ jump to 176:49
9.16. Shim and Lea Berkovits submitting comments re: ceasefire. 25-0202 Placed on file Pass ▶ jump to 176:49
9.17. Bill Roche submitting comments re: PJ Motorcars. 25-0203 Placed on file Pass ▶ jump to 176:49
10. SUPPLEMENTAL ITEMS
10.1. That the Director of Health and Human Services discuss with this City Council which school buildings have free menstrual product dispensers, how many dispensers are in each building, and how frequently they are restocked. 25-0275 Approved and sent for discussion Pass ▶ jump to 176:50
10.2. That the Director of Health and Human Services discuss with this City Council the barriers to placing menstrual product dispensers in each school building and the projected date for each school building to have them installed. 25-0276 Approved and sent for discussion Pass ▶ jump to 176:50
10.3. 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 Approved and sent for discussion Pass ▶ jump to 177:43
10.4. That the City Auditor provide in writing to this Council, the revenue generated by the short-term rental tax and an estimate of how much additional revenue would be generated if a 3% community impact fee was adopted. 25-0252 Approved and sent for discussion Pass ▶ jump to 178:52
10.5. That the Chief of Police present to this Council the financial implications of the Public Safety for All recommendations, specifically the costs to fund additional officers, acquire and utilize body cameras, and implement a co-response model. 25-0254 Approved and sent for discussion Pass ▶ jump to 180:19
10.6. That the City Solicitor provide an assessment of whether a trust could be created for funds from a short-term rental program, half of which would be allocated for grants to local artists for beautification projects, as proposed by the Creative Displacement Task Force. 25-0255 Approved and sent for discussion Pass ▶ jump to 180:38
10.7. That the City Solicitor discuss with this Council whether elements of Boston's proposed Ordinance for Road Safety and Accountability for Delivery Providers could be used to disincentivize mopeds on the community path. 25-0256 Approved and sent for discussion Pass ▶ jump to 181:50
10.8. That this Council consider including a Plain Language section within the Language Access Ordinance. 25-0253 Approved Pass ▶ jump to 183:57
10.9. In support of a contract for Tufts University's full-time lecturers. 25-0250 Approved Pass ▶ jump to 24:15
10.10. Conveying the cost of changes to identity documents, in support of item #24-1686. 25-0270 Placed on file and sent for discussion Pass ▶ jump to 17:34
10.11. Director of Human Resources conveying the Civil Service signing lists for various certifications. 25-0278 Laid on the table ▶ jump to 173:01
10.12. New Sign/Awning License, Tall Order, 70 Beacon Street, 2 signs. 25-0272 Approved Pass ▶ jump to 176:00
10.13. New Used Car Dealer Class 2 License, Assembly Square Auto Sales, 37 Mystic Avenue, 1 vehicle inside and 18 vehicles outside, Monday - Sunday: 8am to 8pm. 25-0271 Referred for recommendation ▶ jump to 188:16
10.14. Union Square Main Streets applying for a Public Event License for Union Square Farmers Market on Saturdays, May 10 to October 25 from 6:45am to 2pm. 25-0273 Approved Pass ▶ jump to 176:00
10.15. John Fragione and Agostino Feola, Trustees of Frala Realty Trust, requesting a Zoning Map Amendment to change the zoning district of 295-297 Medford Street and 93 Walnut Street from Mid-Rise 3 (MR3) to Mid-Rise 4 (MR4). 25-0269 Referred for recommendation ▶ jump to 188:26
10.16. Greta Pintacuda submitting comments re: bird feeding. 25-0277 Placed on file Pass ▶ jump to 188:44
190 The meeting was Adjourned at 10:09 PM.
11. ADJOURNMENT ▶ jump to 188:57