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January 9, 2025 ·7:00 PM Final

City Council Chamber and Remote Participation

Agenda PDF Minutes PDF 📹 Watch video Official record ↗

Agenda — 89 items

  1. 1 Published January 7, 2025, 1:00 PM, Revised Published January 9, 2025 12:00 PM.
  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 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_s9XwX0uTTMWStwJpxEkc-Q 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. 2 The meeting was called to order at 7:00 PM by Ward Seven City Councilor Judy Pineda Neufeld.
  5. 1. OPENING CEREMONIES
  6. 1.1. Call of the Roll. 25-0073 Placed on file
  7. 1.2. Remembrances. 25-0074 Approved ▶ jump to 1:10
  8. 1.3. Approval of the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of November 26, 2024. 25-0075 Approved Pass ▶ jump to 8:40
  9. 2. CITATIONS
  10. 3. PUBLIC HEARINGS
  11. 4. ORDERS, ORDINANCES, RESOLUTIONS AND MOTIONS OF MEMBERS
  12. 4.1. 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 Approved and sent for discussion Pass ▶ jump to 53:38
  13. 4.2. That the Chief of Police, the Director of Parking and the Director of Mobility discuss the previous and ongoing strategy for implementation and public education of drivers violating the NO LEFT TURN signage at the Somerville High School exit on Highland Avenue and Vinal Avenue. 25-0038 Approved and sent for discussion Pass ▶ jump to 55:56
  14. 4.3. 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 Approved and sent for discussion Pass ▶ jump to 58:21
  15. 4.4. 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 Approved and sent for discussion Pass ▶ jump to 59:11
  16. 4.5. 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 Approved and sent for discussion Pass ▶ jump to 59:25
  17. 4.6. 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 Approved and sent for discussion Pass ▶ jump to 60:47
  18. 4.7. 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 Approved and sent for discussion Pass ▶ jump to 62:50
  19. 4.8. 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 Approved and sent for discussion Pass ▶ jump to 63:24
  20. 4.9. 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 Approved and sent for discussion Pass ▶ jump to 64:10
  21. 4.10. 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 Approved and sent for discussion Pass ▶ jump to 65:03
  22. 4.11. That the Director of Mobility install DRIVE SLOW - CHILDREN AT PLAY signs on Heath Street, between Edgar Avenue and Fenwick Street. 25-0061 Approved and sent for discussion Pass
  23. 4.12. That the Administration discuss the decision to stop the annual employee holiday breakfast at the Department of Public Works building. 25-0060 Approved and sent for discussion Pass ▶ jump to 65:50
  24. 4.13. 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 Approved and sent for discussion Pass ▶ jump to 68:13
  25. 4.14. That the Director of Infrastructure and Asset Management update this Council on the timeline for constructing a new school building. 25-0063 Approved and sent for discussion Pass ▶ jump to 71:29
  26. 4.15. That the Chief Fire Engineer and the Commissioner of Public Works discuss with this Council how to ensure Fire Department facilities are well maintained. 25-0064 Approved and sent for discussion Pass ▶ jump to 72:44
  27. 4.16. 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 Approved and sent for discussion Pass ▶ jump to 75:03
  28. 4.17. That the Director of Parks and Recreation update this Council on the progress of conducting a representative, multi-lingual survey of the community to determine recreational programming needs. 25-0072 Approved and sent for discussion Pass ▶ jump to 76:46
  29. 4.18. That the Director of the Office of Sustainability and Environment discuss with this Council plans to connect more households with the new incentives in the 2025-2027 Mass Save Plan. 25-0070 Approved and sent for discussion Pass ▶ jump to 77:38
  30. 4.19. That the Administration form a Community Center Task Force to coordinate community uses of multiple planned and potential community center spaces in the city to guard against duplicative and incomplete addressing of needs. 25-0069 Approved Pass ▶ jump to 78:31
  31. 4.20. That this Council discuss proposed amendments to the Tree Preservation Ordinance, as outlined in item #24-0493. 25-0066 Approved and sent for discussion Pass ▶ jump to 80:03
  32. 4.21. That the Director of Parks and Recreation restore or replace the nearly 30 year old Nunziato Field plaque. 25-0067 Approved and sent for discussion Pass ▶ jump to 83:03
  33. 4.22. In Support of Primary Care Physicians at Mass General Brighams. 25-0065 Approved Pass ▶ jump to 13:26
  34. 4.23. 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 Approved and sent for discussion Pass ▶ jump to 84:38
  35. 5. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
  36. 6. REPORTS OF COMMITTEES
  37. 6.A. CONFIRMATION OF APPOINTMENTS AND PERSONNEL MATTERS COMMITTEE
  38. 6.A.1. Report of the Committee on Confirmation of Appointments and Personnel Matters, meeting on January 8, 2025. 25-0044 Approved Pass ▶ jump to 87:02
  39. 6.A.2. Requesting confirmation of the appointment of Ryan Westgate to the position of Police Officer. 24-1762 Approved Pass ▶ jump to 87:37
  40. 7. COMMUNICATIONS OF THE MAYOR
  41. 7.1. Requesting the appropriation of $4,000,000 from the Overlay Surplus, as declared by the Board of Assessors, to the Judgments and Settlements Account to pay additional costs of purchasing the parcel of land known as 90 Washington Street. 25-0046 Approved Pass ▶ jump to 8:49
  42. 7.2. Requesting the appropriation of $929,513 from the Salary & Wage Stabilization Fund to the Fire - Other Lump Sum Payments account to fund the retrospective portion of a collective bargaining settlement with the Local 76 Firefighters Union. 25-0052 Approved Pass ▶ jump to 11:39
  43. 7.3. Requesting the appropriation of $472,854 from the Salary Contingency account to various Fire Department Personal Services accounts to fund a collective bargaining settlement with the Local 76 Firefighters Union. 25-0054 Approved Pass ▶ jump to 11:56
  44. 7.4. Requesting the appropriation of $100,000 from Water Enterprise Fund Retained Earnings to satisfy a court judgment. 25-0047 Referred for recommendation ▶ jump to 87:43
  45. 7.5. Requesting approval to accept and expend a $109,296 grant with no new match required, from the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security to the Fire Department for staffing costs. 25-0016 Referred for recommendation
  46. 7.6. Requesting approval to accept and expend a $100,000 grant with no new match required, from the Barr Foundation to the Office of Sustainability and Environment for a Community Heat Resilience Pilot Grant Program. 25-0018 Referred for recommendation
  47. 7.7. Requesting approval to accept and expend a $100,000 grant with no new match required, from the Executive Office of Economic Development to the Economic Development Division for a Small Business Success Technical Assistance program. 25-0020 Referred for recommendation
  48. 7.8. Requesting approval to accept and expend a $100,000 grant with no new match required, from Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities to the Office of Housing Stability for a Senior Housing Bridge pilot program. 25-0021 Referred for recommendation
  49. 7.9. Requesting approval to accept a gift valued at $3,594 with no new match required, of an evacuation chair from the Estate of Thomas F. Cahill to the Fire Department. 25-0013 Approved Pass ▶ jump to 90:21
  50. 7.10. Requesting approval to pay prior year invoices totaling $15,764.40 using available funds in the Information Technology Maintenance Software Account for voice maintenance, and in the Information Technology Computer Hardware Account for laptop accessories. 25-0017 Referred for recommendation
  51. 7.11. Requesting confirmation of the re-appointment of Darcy Haynes as Constable. 25-0032 Approved Pass ▶ jump to 87:55
  52. 7.12. Requesting that City Councilors submit budget funding priorities by March 27, 2025. 25-0050 Approved Pass ▶ jump to 88:07
  53. 7.13. Withdrawn. 25-0033 Withdrawn
  54. 7.14. Withdrawn. 25-0048 Withdrawn
  55. 8. COMMUNICATIONS OF CITY OFFICERS
  56. 8.1. City Clerk requesting confirmation of the re-appointment of Peter Forcellese, Sr. to the position of Legislative Clerk. 25-0014 Approved Pass ▶ jump to 88:19
  57. 8.2. City Clerk requesting confirmation of the re-appointment of Madalyn Letellier to the position of Legislative Services Manager. 25-0015 Approved Pass ▶ jump to 88:34
  58. 8.3. Director of Economic Development and Director of the Arts Council conveying an updated draft Armory Master Plan. 25-0019 Placed on file and sent for discussion Pass ▶ jump to 88:47
  59. 8.4. City Council Legislative and Policy Analyst conveying the City Clerk's Office Manual on Legislative Drafting. 25-0022 Placed on file and sent for discussion Pass ▶ jump to 26:52
  60. 8.5. City Council Finance Analyst conveying FY 2025 second quarter spending update. 25-0023 Placed on file and sent for discussion Pass ▶ jump to 89:02
  61. 9. NEW BUSINESS
  62. 9.1. Renewing Used Car Dealer Class 2 License, Gene Automotive, 56 Joy Street. 25-0024 Approved Pass ▶ jump to 90:59
  63. 9.2. Renewing Used Car Dealer Class 2 License, Intercar, 39 Webster Avenue. 25-0025 Approved Pass ▶ jump to 91:02
  64. 9.3. Renewing Used Car Dealer Class 2 License, Union Gulf Service LLC, 231 Washington Street. 25-0026 Approved Pass ▶ jump to 91:03
  65. 9.4. Renewing Used Car Dealer Class 2 License, United Motors, 188 Broadway. 25-0027 Approved Pass ▶ jump to 91:04
  66. 9.5. Cole Rainey-Slavick submitting comments re: broker fees. 25-0028 Placed on file Pass ▶ jump to 91:12
  67. 9.6. Three residents submitting comments re: item #24-1580, draft Armory Master Plan. 25-0029 Placed on file Pass ▶ jump to 91:17
  68. 9.7. Andrew Sessa submitting comments re: West Branch Library. 25-0030 Placed on file Pass ▶ jump to 91:24
  69. 9.8. 1,186 individuals, including one resident, submitting comments re: ceasefire. 25-0031 Placed on file Pass ▶ jump to 91:32
  70. 10. SUPPLEMENTAL ITEMS
  71. 10.1. In her capacity as President, conveying this Council's updated Standing and Special Committee assignments and Commission appointments for 2025. 25-0076 Placed on file Pass ▶ jump to 91:41
  72. 10.2. That the Director of Human Resources provide this Council with details of employee trainings provided and which are required. 25-0081 Approved and sent for discussion Pass ▶ jump to 92:18
  73. 10.3. That the Director of Human Resources appear before the Committee on Confirmation of Appointments and Personnel Matters to discuss the city’s protocols for returning to work when an employee has been disciplined for an offense deemed sexual in nature. 25-0082 Approved and sent for discussion Pass ▶ jump to 94:15
  74. 10.4. That the Commissioner of Public Works make a change to the calendar by extending the yard waste collection by at least one week. 25-0083 Approved and sent for discussion Pass ▶ jump to 95:12
  75. 10.5. That the Director of Mobility, Director of Engineering, and Director of Parking appear before this Council to present on the Citywide Parking and Curb Use Study. 25-0084 Approved Pass ▶ jump to 97:34
  76. 10.6. That the Director of Planning, Preservation and Zoning draft an amendment to the Zoning Ordinances for transit oriented height and density bonuses for additional affordable housing and other enumerated community benefits. 25-0085 Approved and sent for discussion Pass ▶ jump to 91:09
  77. 10.7. That the Director of Mobility update the Ward 1 City Councilor on the status of the Kensington Connector. 25-0086 Approved and sent for discussion Pass ▶ jump to 98:53
  78. 10.8. That the Director of Health and Human Services, Director of Housing, and Director of Housing Stability update this City Council regularly on progress towards addressing homelessness. 25-0087 Approved and sent for discussion Pass ▶ jump to 102:11
  79. 10.9. That the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Coordinator provide an estimate for the costs of upgrading 165 Broadway for ADA compliance. 25-0089 Approved and sent for discussion Pass ▶ jump to 101:50
  80. 10.10. 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 Approved and sent for discussion Pass ▶ jump to 101:50
  81. 10.11. 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 Approved and sent for discussion Pass ▶ jump to 101:51
  82. 10.12. That the Commissioner of Public Works address maintenance issues within 165 Broadway. 25-0092 Approved and sent for discussion Pass ▶ jump to 101:52
  83. 10.13. 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 Approved and sent for discussion Pass ▶ jump to 104:34
  84. 10.14. That the Director of Parking allow public use of school parking lots during snow storms. 25-0094 Approved and sent for discussion Pass ▶ jump to 105:50
  85. 10.15. That the Administration prioritize 165 Broadway for Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance to ensure full use of youth-related activities in the building. 25-0088 Approved and sent for discussion Pass ▶ jump to 101:54
  86. 10.16. New Drainlayer's License, Hunter Environmental Winter Storm Services. 25-0080 Approved Pass
  87. 10.17. Chris Dwan submitting comments re: Urban Forestry Committee recommendations. 25-0077 Placed on file and sent for discussion Pass ▶ jump to 109:04
  88. 11. ADJOURNMENT
  89. 87 The meeting was Adjourned at 8:49 PM.