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November 26, 2024 ·7:00 PM Final

City Council Chamber and Remote Participation

Agenda PDF Minutes PDF 📹 Watch video Official record ↗

Agenda — 88 items

  1. 1 Published November 22, 2024, 1:00 PM, Revised Published November 26, 2024, 12:30 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_5JCQCge9RPu5wYqJ8hAFfw 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. 1. OPENING CEREMONIES
  5. 3 The meeting was called to order at 7:00 PM by Ward Three City Councilor Ben Ewen-Campen.
  6. 1.1. Call of the Roll. 24-1675 Placed on file ▶ jump to 0:25
  7. 1.2. Remembrances. 24-1676 Approved Pass ▶ jump to 0:58
  8. 1.3. Approval of the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of October 24, 2024. 24-1677 Approved Pass ▶ jump to 8:16
  9. 2. CITATIONS
  10. 3. PUBLIC HEARINGS
  11. 8 page break
  12. 3.1. RCN applying for a Grant of Location to install approximately 20 feet of conduit in Foley Street, from existing Manhole 001 to a point of pickup at 45 Middlesex Avenue. 24-1662 Approved Pass ▶ jump to 8:24
  13. 3.2. Chief Assessor presenting proposed FY 2025 Tax Classifications and requesting the adoption of a minimum residential factor for FY 2025 and acceptance of Massachusetts General Law Chapter 59 Section 5C, a residential exemption of 35% of average assessed value for owner-occupied properties. 24-1668 Approved Pass ▶ jump to 21:26
  14. 4. ORDERS, ORDINANCES, RESOLUTIONS AND MOTIONS OF MEMBERS
  15. 4.1. Conveying a report of the Municipal Job Creation and Retention Trust Fund. 24-1671 Placed on file ▶ jump to 78:35
  16. 4.2. Conveying a report of the Affordable Housing Trust Fund. 24-1672 Placed on file Pass ▶ jump to 80:53
  17. 4.3. That the Director of Parking discuss with this Council how to ensure that permit-only parking is available to non-resident parents with shared custody of children enrolled in Somerville Public Schools. 24-1673 Approved and sent for discussion Pass ▶ jump to 82:13
  18. 4.4. That the Director of Parking install signage indicating the grace period, during daycare pickup and drop-off hours, during which parking tickets will not be issued in front of 99A Dover Street. 24-1674 Approved as amended and sent for discussion Pass ▶ jump to 83:36
  19. 5. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
  20. 6. REPORTS OF COMMITTEES
  21. 6.A. HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
  22. 6.A.1. Report of the Committee on Housing and Community Development, meeting on November 21, 2024. 24-1647 Approved Pass ▶ jump to 88:12
  23. 6.A.2. That the Administration work with the vendor to review the certification and re-certification processes for affordable housing units and identify ways to streamline the process and make it less onerous for residents. 24-1009 Work completed
  24. 21 page break
  25. 6.B. LAND USE COMMITTEE
  26. 22 page break
  27. 6.B.1. Report of the Committee on Land Use, meeting on November 21, 2024. 24-1646 Approved Pass ▶ jump to 93:43
  28. 6.B.2. NRL WSC 200 Inner Belt Prop, LLC requesting a Zoning Map Amendment to change the zoning district of 200 Inner Belt Road from Commercial Industry (CI) to High-Rise (HR). Placed on file Pass
  29. 6.B.3. Charles Zammuto requesting the adoption of an amendment to the Zoning Ordinance Map to change the zoning district of 563-565 Broadway from Urban Residence (UR) to Mid-Rise 4 (MR4). Placed on file Pass
  30. 6.B.4. Requesting ordainment of an amendment to Article 2, Article 3, Article 4, Article 5, Article 8, and Article 10 of the Zoning Ordinances to remove conflicts with the State Building Code. 24-0416 Placed on file Pass
  31. 6.B.5. Requesting ordainment of an amendment to the Somerville Zoning Ordinance to add Section 8.5 Interim Planning Overlay District (IPOD) and the Brickbottom sub-area. 24-0551 Placed on file Pass
  32. 6.B.6. 14 registered voters requesting a Zoning Text Amendment to amend the Zoning Ordinances to add section 8.4.19, Somernova Innovation Sub-Area. 24-0679 Placed on file Pass
  33. 6.B.7. 15 registered voters requesting a Zoning Map Amendment to include 8 Park Street, 10 Park Street, 504 Somerville Avenue, 7-9 Properzi Way, 15-27 Properzi Way, 29 Properzi Way, 26-32 Park Street, 8-14 Tyler Street, 40 Park Street, 15 Dane Street, 7-9 Tyler Street, 30 Dane Street, 24-28 Dane Street, 460 Somerville Avenue, 444 Somerville Avenue, 440 Somerville Avenue, and 502 Somerville Avenue in the Somernova Innovation Sub-Area. 24-0680 Placed on file Pass
  34. 6.B.8. Walter Tauro requesting a Zoning Map Amendment to change the zoning district of 282 McGrath Highway from Neighborhood Residence (NR) to Small Business (SB) Overlay District. 24-1080 Ordinance ordained Pass ▶ jump to 98:06
  35. 6.B.9. Requesting ordainment of an amendment to Sections 2.2.1, 3.1.16, 3.2.15, 4.1.13, 4.2.13, 4.3.13, 4.4.14, 5.1.15, 6.1.11, 6.2.13, 6.3.11, 6.4.14, 9.2.6.h, 9.2.14.b.v, and Table 9.1.1 of the Zoning Ordinance to streamline the regulation of daycare services and permit additional daycare operation in the Residential, Mid-Rise, and Commercial zoning districts. 24-1196 Ordinance ordained Pass ▶ jump to 99:41
  36. 6.B.10. Requesting ordainment of an amendment to Articles 2-7, Articles 9-11, Article 13, and Article 15 of the Zoning Ordinance to make corrections, clarifications, and regulatory framework improvements. 24-1259 Ordinance ordained Pass ▶ jump to 101:27
  37. 6.C. LEGISLATIVE MATTERS COMMITTEE
  38. 6.C.1. Report of the Committee on Legislative Matters, meeting on November 19, 2024. 24-1645 Approved Pass ▶ jump to 102:29
  39. 6.D. SCHOOL BUILDING FACILITIES AND MAINTENANCE SPECIAL COMMITTEE
  40. 6.D.1. Report of the Special Committee on School Building Facilities and Maintenance, meeting on November 18, 2024. 24-1644 Approved Pass ▶ jump to 108:56
  41. 6.D.2. That the Director of Infrastructure and Asset Management provide an update on the redesign plan for the Kennedy School front playground. 24-1591 Work completed
  42. 6.D.3. That the Director of Infrastructure and Asset Management provide an update on the condition of the Somerville High School building exterior tiles. 24-1593 Work completed
  43. 6.D.4. That the Commissioner of Public Works provide information on the procurement and installation of window blinds for certain classrooms at Somerville High School that have unobstructed views from the hallways and need blinds in order to conduct lockdown procedures. 24-1596 Work completed
  44. 7. COMMUNICATIONS OF THE MAYOR
  45. 7.1. Requesting the appropriation of $122,000 from the FY 2025 Property Tax Levy to the Emergency Stabilization Fund for the operational cost of the 2025 Warming Center. 24-1650 Approved Pass ▶ jump to 10:55
  46. 7.2. Requesting approval to appropriate $388,000 from the Emergency Stabilization Fund for the 2025 Warming Center. 24-1651 Approved Fail ▶ jump to 10:55
  47. 7.3. Requesting approval to appropriate $350,000 from the Municipal Composting Program stabilization fund to implement a municipal composting pilot program. 24-1656 Approved Pass ▶ jump to 110:24
  48. 7.4. Requesting approval to appropriate $340,000 from the Union Square Community Benefits Fund, with $200,000 for Workforce Development Services and $140,000 for Small Business Technical Assistance Services. 24-1649 Referred for recommendation ▶ jump to 110:24
  49. 7.5. Requesting approval to appropriate $147,902 from the Energy Stabilization Fund to replace steam traps. 24-1574 Referred for recommendation ▶ jump to 110:24
  50. 7.6. Requesting approval to accept and expend a $82,357.50 grant with no new match required from Massachusetts Executive Office of Elder Affairs to the Council on Aging for social, educational and physical wellness programming. 24-1635 Referred for recommendation ▶ jump to 110:24
  51. 7.7. Requesting approval to pay prior year invoices totaling $29,074.72 using available funds in various Police Department Ordinary Maintenance Accounts for unpaid invoices. 24-1654 Referred for recommendation ▶ jump to 110:24
  52. 7.8. Requesting approval for the 2025 Preliminary Municipal Election to be held on Tuesday, September 16, 2025. 24-1648 Approved Pass ▶ jump to 10:07
  53. 7.9. Requesting confirmation of the appointment of Amanda Nagim-Williams as Director of Racial and Social Justice. 24-1620 Referred for recommendation ▶ jump to 113:54
  54. 7.10. Requesting confirmation of the promotion of Sean M. Sheehan to the position of Police Captain. 24-1657 Referred for recommendation ▶ jump to 110:24
  55. 7.11. Requesting confirmation of the promotion of Paul Anderson to the position of Police Lieutenant. 24-1658 Referred for recommendation ▶ jump to 110:24
  56. 7.12. Requesting confirmation of the promotion of Juan Ducasse Ayala to the position of Police Sergeant. 24-1661 Referred for recommendation ▶ jump to 110:24
  57. 7.13. Requesting confirmation of the appointment of Carlos Ayala to the Community Preservation Committee. 24-1669 Approved Pass ▶ jump to 114:07
  58. 7.14. Requesting confirmation of the appointment of Mary Jo Bohart to the Community Preservation Committee. 24-1670 Approved Pass ▶ jump to 114:22
  59. 7.15. Requesting approval of an exemption for Charles Graham as required by Massachusetts General Law Chapter 268A, Section 20(b). 24-1652 Approved Pass ▶ jump to 114:32
  60. 7.16. Conveying the draft Armory Master Plan. 24-1580 Placed on file and sent for discussion Pass ▶ jump to 7:09
  61. 8. COMMUNICATIONS OF CITY OFFICERS
  62. 8.1. Memorialization Committee conveying the naming of a new park at 217 Somerville Ave in honor of Ken Kelly. 24-1532 Placed on file Pass ▶ jump to 114:49
  63. 8.2. Memorialization Committee conveying the naming of a new public street as part of the Clarendon Hill redevelopment in honor of Mary-Louise Daly. 24-1533 Placed on file Pass ▶ jump to 115:04
  64. 8.3. Planning Board conveying recommendations for items #24-1080, #24-1196, and #24-1259. 24-1621 Placed on file Pass ▶ jump to 115:16
  65. 61 page break
  66. 9. NEW BUSINESS
  67. 9.1. Renewing Used Car Dealer Class 2 License, Green Automotive Inc., 600 Windsor Place. 24-1666 Approved Pass ▶ jump to 115:28
  68. 9.2. Interdisciplinary Design Group and Victor Tessler applying for a Public Event License for Libertadores Final Match Celebrations on November 30 from 1pm to 7pm. 24-1663 Approved Pass ▶ jump to 115:28
  69. 9.3. Withdrawn. 24-1664 Withdrawn
  70. 9.4. Janine Fay applying for a Public Event License for Dancing in the Dark on December 21 from 3pm to 8pm. 24-1665 Approved Pass ▶ jump to 115:28
  71. 9.5. Ashley Stearns submitting comments re: Arts at the Armory. 24-1667 Placed on file Pass ▶ jump to 116:24
  72. 10. SUPPLEMENTAL ITEMS
  73. 10.1. Commending Reebee Garofalo on the auspicious occasion of his 80th birthday. 24-1690 Laid on the table ▶ jump to 6:23
  74. 10.2. Reaffirming Somerville’s commitment as a Welcoming Community for justice, equity, and inclusion. 24-1682 Approved and sent for discussion Pass ▶ jump to 106:11
  75. 10.3. That the City Solicitor draft a Home Rule Petition to prohibit the forced imposition of brokers’ fees onto renters. 24-1683 Approved Pass ▶ jump to 116:32
  76. 10.4. That the Director of Grants and External Funds explain to this Council in writing whether the city can apply for a grant through the Advanced Transportation Technologies and Innovation (ATTAIN) Program to fund a North-South microtransit pilot program, and apply if it is possible. 24-1684 Approved and sent for discussion Pass ▶ jump to 121:32
  77. 10.5. That the City Solicitor confirm whether an LGBTQ Legal Services Stabilization Fund can be created to pay fees associated with gendered document changes and potential court sealing of records associated with such documents. 24-1686 Approved as amended and sent for discussion Pass ▶ jump to 124:43
  78. 10.6. 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 Approved and sent for discussion Pass ▶ jump to 127:42
  79. 10.7. In support of Cambridge Health Alliance (CHA) SHARE workers. 24-1687 Approved Pass ▶ jump to 71:05
  80. 10.8. City Clerk conveying the non-binding votes of the 2025 City Council Caucus. 24-1688 Placed on file Pass ▶ jump to 131:52
  81. 10.9. Director of Economic Development and Director of the Arts Council requesting that this Council's Finance Committee hold a public hearing on the draft Armory Master Plan. 24-1691 Approved and sent for discussion Pass ▶ jump to 7:09
  82. 10.10. Mayor's Office applying for a Public Event License for Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony on December 5 from 4pm to 8pm (raindate December 10). 24-1693 Approved Pass ▶ jump to 115:28
  83. 10.11. Michele Hansen and Matthias Rudolf submitting comments re: Central Somerville Ave. 24-1692 Placed on file Pass ▶ jump to 132:12
  84. 10.12. Withdrawn. 24-1073 Withdrawn Pass
  85. 12. ADJOURNMENT
  86. 11. LATE ITEMS
  87. 11.1. Requesting the appropriation of $2,400,000 from the Receipts Reserved for Appropriation, Parking Meter Receipts Account to reduce the FY 2025 Tax Rate. 24-1606 Approved Pass
  88. 84 The meeting was Adjourned at 9:12 PM.