Equity, Gender, Seniors, Families and Vulnerable Populations Committee
Virtual
Agenda — 14 items
- 1 (Posted online: 1/16/25 at 9:45 AM)
- 1 The meeting took place remotely via Zoom and was called to order at 6:02 PM by Chair Strezo and adjourned at 7:50 PM on a roll call vote of 3 in favor (Councilors Sait, Mbah and Strezo), none against and none absent. Others present: Director Ashley Speliotis – Council on Aging, Director Karin Carroll – Board of Health, Director Luisa Oliveira - Public Space and Urban Forestry, Kimberly Hutter – Legislative Liaison, Peter Forcellese – Legislative Clerk.
- 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_L7QSNZ5zSgyXthtur2n_OQ 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 Roll Call
- 4 Councilor Mbah arrived at 6:45 PM
- 1. Approval of the Minutes of the Equity, Gender, Seniors, Families and Vulnerable Populations Committee Meeting of December 10, 2024.
- 2. 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.
- 3. 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.
- 4. 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.
- 5. 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.
- 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.
- 7. 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.
- 8. That the Administration hire a liaison dedicated to working with senior residents in order to amplify their voices in city decision making.
- 9. 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.