Finance Committee

Virtual

Agenda — 37 items

1. 1 (Posted online: 2/6/25 at 9:00 AM)
2. 2 Pursuant to Chapter 2 of the Acts of 2023, 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_kwVxzvobREy2jDOg07SlHg 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.
3. 3 This meeting was held via Zoom and was called to order by Chair Wilson at 6:00pm and adjourned at 7:45pm on a roll call vote of 3 in favor (Councilors Burnley, Jr, Clingan, Wilson), 0 opposed, and 1 absent (Councilor Scott and Councilor Strezo). Councilor Strezo joined the meeting at 7:10pm and left at 7:40pm. President Pineda Neufeld appointed Councilor at Large Strezo to replace Councilor at Large Mbah for this meeting only. Others present: Mohammed Uddin - City Council Finance Analyst, Kimberley Hutter - Legislative Liaison, Alan Inacio - Director of Administration and Finance of OSPCD, Michael Richards - Director of Finance DPW Infrastructure and Asset Management, Charles Breen - Fire Chief, Garrett Anderson - Residential Decarbonization Program Manager, David Shapiro - Deputy City Solicitor, Jill Lathan - DPW Commissioner, Madalyn Letellier - Legislative Services Manager.
4. 4 Roll Call
5. 1. Approval of the Minutes of the Finance Committee Meeting of January 21, 2025. 25-0151 Accepted Pass
6. 2. Approval of the Minutes of the Finance Committee of the Whole Meeting of January 30, 2025. 25-0167 Accepted Pass
7. 8 Contracts and Easements
8. 3. 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 Recommended to be approved Pass
9. 4. 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 Recommended to be approved Pass
10. 5. 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 Recommended to be approved Pass
11. 6. 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 Recommended to be approved Pass
12. 13 Grant and Gift Acceptances
13. 7. 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 Recommended to be approved Pass
14. 8. 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 Recommended to be approved Pass
15. 9. 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 Recommended to be approved Pass
16. 17 Prior Year Invoices
17. 10. 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 Recommended to be approved Pass
18. 11. Requesting approval to pay prior year invoices totaling $486 using available funds in the City Clerk Advertising account for legal hearing notices. 25-0103 Recommended to be approved Pass
19. 20 Transfers
20. 12. Requesting the transfer of $346,492 from the Community Preservation Act (CPA) Undesignated Fund Balance to the CPA Community Housing Reserve. 25-0051 Recommended to be approved Pass
21. 22 Appropriations
22. 13. 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 Recommended to be approved Pass
23. 14. Requesting the appropriation of $1,475,428 from the Community Preservation Act Affordable Housing Reserve to the Affordable Housing Trust. 25-0053 Recommended to be approved Pass
24. 15. 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 Recommended to be approved Pass
25. 16. 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 Recommended to be approved Pass
26. 17. Requesting the appropriation of $300,000 from the Community Preservation Act (CPA) Fund to the CPA Open Space Land Acquisition Fund. 25-0057 Recommended to be approved Pass
27. 18. 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 Recommended to be approved Pass
28. 19. 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 Recommended to be approved Pass
29. 20. 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 Recommended to be approved Pass
30. 21. Requesting the appropriation of $100,000 from Water Enterprise Fund Retained Earnings to satisfy a court judgment. 25-0047 Recommended to be approved Pass
31. 32 Communications and Discussions
32. 22. City Council Finance Analyst conveying FY 2025 second quarter spending update. 25-0023 Recommended to be marked work completed
33. 34 Orders and Resolutions
34. 23. 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 Recommended to be marked work completed
35. 24. 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 Kept in committee
36. 25. 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 Kept in committee
37. 26. That the Administration discuss the decision to stop the annual employee holiday breakfast at the Department of Public Works building. 25-0060 Recommended to be marked work completed