City Council
City Council Chamber and Remote Participation
Agenda — 152 items
- 1 Published November 12, 2024, 2:15 PM, Revised Published November 14, 2024 2:45 PM.
- 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_9JXGfloUT6SJ5T1NjfZdUA 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 into recess at 8:12 PM and returned at 8:25 PM. The City Council entered into recess at 8:57 PM and returned at 9:00 PM. The CIty Council entered into recess at 10:06 PM and returned at 10:13 PM.
- 1.1. Call of the Roll.
- 1.2. Remembrances.
- 1.3. Approval of the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of October 10, 2024.
- 2. CITATIONS
- 3. PUBLIC HEARINGS
- 3.1. Comcast applying for a Grant of Location to install approximately 43 feet of conduit in Warren Street, starting from Utility Pole 1 to a point of pickup at 16 Medford Street.
- 3.2. Eversource applying for a Grant of Location to install approximately 115 feet of conduit in Medford Street and Warren Street, starting from Utility Pole 228/4 to a point of pickup at 16 Medford Street.
- 3.3. Eversource applying for a Grant of Location to install approximately 4,098 feet of conduit and three new manholes in McGrath Highway, Washington Street, and Joy Street.
- 3.4. Eversource applying for a Grant of Location to install approximately 65 feet of conduit in Washington Street, from Utility Pole 358/29 to a point of pickup at 192 Washington Street.
- 3.5. Eversource applying for a Grant of Location to install approximately 53 feet of conduit in Somerville Avenue, from existing Manhole 28941 to an approximate point of pickup at 557 Somerville Avenue.
- 3.6. Eversource applying for a Grant of Location to install approximately 122 feet of conduit in Laurel Street and Somerville Avenue, from Utility Pole 199/0 to an approximate point of pickup at a proposed handhole at 515 Somerville Avenue.
- 4. ORDERS, ORDINANCES, RESOLUTIONS AND MOTIONS OF MEMBERS
- 4.1. That the Director of Infrastructure and Asset Management provide an update on the redesign plan for the Kennedy School front playground.
- 4.2. That the Director of Mobility install a raised crosswalk at the intersection of Cedar Street and the Community Path.
- 4.3. That the Administration, in its capacity as owner and landlord of The Armory, ensure that all tenants of the facility are offered legal leases or licenses.
- 4.4. That the Director of Infrastructure and Asset Management provide an update on the condition of the Somerville High School building exterior tiles.
- 4.5. 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.
- 4.6. That the Director of Infrastructure and Asset Management provide a timeline and update on the creation of a production kitchen at the Argenziano School.
- 4.7. 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.
- 4.8. That the Administration provide an update to this Council on the Citywide Parking and Curb Use report and what recommendations, if any, have been implemented.
- 4.9. That the Administration work to establish a Language Access Ordinance to codify constituents’ right to timely, meaningful, and culturally competent language access services.
- 4.10. Reaffirming Somerville’s commitment as a Sanctuary and Trust Act City for justice, equity, and inclusion.
- 4.11. That the Director of Mobility re-evaluate and strengthen the NO TRUCKS signage at the corner of Warren Avenue and Bow Street in the aftermath of the 18-wheeler that became seriously stuck and blocked traffic on November 10-11, 2024.
- 4.12. That the Director of Engineering update this Council on the timeline to straighten the community path crossing of School Street.
- 4.13. That the Director of Mobility install bicycle traffic lights and appropriate YIELD TO PEDESTRIANS signage at the intersection of Somerville Avenue and Park Street.
- 4.14. That the Administration provide this Council with a comprehensive status update of all Veterans Monuments affected by the construction and renovations around the High School complex.
- 5. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
- 6. REPORTS OF COMMITTEES
- 6.A. CHARTER REVIEW SPECIAL COMMITTEE
- 6.A.1. Report of the Special Committee on Charter Review, meeting as a Committee of the Whole on October 29, 2024.
- 6.A.2. That the Administration update this City Council on the status of Charter reform.
- 6.B. CHARTER REVIEW SPECIAL COMMITTEE
- 6.B.1. Report of the Special Committee on Charter Review, meeting as a Committee of the Whole on November 13, 2024.
- 6.C. OPEN SPACE, ENVIRONMENT AND ENERGY COMMITTEE
- 6.C.1. Withdrawn.
- 6.D. PUBLIC HEALTH AND PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE
- 6.D.1. Report of the Committee on Public Health and Public Safety, meeting on November 12, 2024.
- 6.D.2. That the Director of Racial and Social Justice update this Council on the promised road map from the consultant for implementing the recommendations in the report on Police Staffing and Operations delivered in November.
- 6.D.3. That the Administration convene the appropriate departments to discuss the monitoring efforts of the wild turkey population within Somerville and the surrounding regions.
- 6.D.4. That the Administration discuss with this Council, the programs and services being offered to the un-housed population in Davis Square.
- 6.D.5. That the Administration discuss with this Council, its policies and plans to address the widespread and open drug use in Davis Square.
- 6.D.6. That the Administration greatly increase the trash and needle pickup in and around Davis Square, including Seven Hills Park and the Community Path.
- 6.D.7. That the Administration install or replace needle disposal receptacles in Seven Hills Park and other areas with secure, appropriately designed equipment.
- 6.D.8. That the Administration update the Ward Six Councilor in writing on efforts to address open substance use in Seven Hills Park and other areas.
- 6.D.9. That the Administration update this City Council on efforts to open an Overdose Prevention Center.
- 6.D.10. That the Director of Health and Human Services update this Council on the establishment of an Overdose Prevention Center, including a timeline for implementation.
- 6.D.11. That the Director of Health and Human Services update this Council on interdepartmental efforts to establish a Warming Center at the Cummings School and the repairs needed to accomplish this.
- 6.D.12. That the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Coordinator take the necessary measures to ensure ADA compliance for the second floor of 165 Broadway for the purposes of expanding youth services.
- 6.D.13. That the Director of Inspectional Services submit a written report of outstanding 311 requests submitted for the Edgerly School building and provide an update to this Council with a plan to ensure that staff and students have safe and appropriate facilities.
- 6.D.14. That the Chief of Police update this Council on how the Police Department will ensure members of the public remain separated during counter-protests.
- 6.E. PUBLIC UTILITIES AND PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE
- 6.E.1. Report of the Committee on Public Utilities and Public Works, meeting on October 30, 2024.
- 6.E.2. That the Commissioner of Public Works re-install the bench, previously donated and installed in honor of longstanding Brown School principal Marilyn Haggerty, on the Brown School grounds.
- 6.E.3. That the Commissioner of Public Works install big belly trash barrels at the intersection of Meacham and Moreland Streets.
- 6.E.4. 76 registered voters submitting a petition for a public hearing on the Somerville Internet Task Force 2019 Report and a Feasibility Study on Municipal Broadband, pursuant to Section 8 of the City Charter.
- 6.E.5. That the Commissioner of Public Works create a process for residents to report downed and dangling utility lines.
- 6.E.6. That the Director of Inspectional Services inspect any exterior finishing down to the wood to ensure there is no asbestos shingling present before granting building permits.
- 6.E.7. That the Administration allocate additional resources to proactively clean up used needles and other potentially hazardous items in Seven Hills Park and other areas.
- 6.E.8. Eversource applying for a Grant of Location to install a new hip guy and anchor at Utility Pole 291/11 in Prospect Street.
- 6.E.9. That the Director of Communications discuss the communication plan to address move-in/move-out related discarded furniture, including items left on sidewalks blocking pedestrian pathways and restricting public way accessibility.
- 6.E.10. That the Director of Inspectional Services and the Commissioner of Public Works appear before this Council to discuss the problems of local restaurants complying with the requirements of proper waste handling and contracting for city waste collection.
- 6.E.11. That the Chief Assessor determine the ownership of open space parcels along McGrath Highway, behind Alston Street and Chester Avenue to determining who is responsible for maintenance.
- 6.E.12. That the Director of Inspectional Services inspect open space parcels along McGrath Highway, behind Alston Street and Chester Avenue for rodent activity and bait accordingly.
- 6.E.13. That the Commissioner of Public Works clean the open space parcels along McGrath Highway, behind Alston Street and Chester Avenue of trash and debris.
- 6.E.14. That the Director of Parking install a NO THROUGH STREET sign on Alston Street by the Cross Street intersection.
- 6.E.15. That the Tree Warden inspect the trees behind Chester Avenue and address falling limbs.
- 6.E.16. That the Director of Inspectional Services address graffiti on Alston Street and ensure the property owners are maintaining their properties.
- 6.E.17. That the Director of Mobility place a sided bump on Alston Street.
- 6.E.18. That the Director of Mobility prioritize Alston Street for a potential Neighborways project.
- 6.E.19. That the Director of Parking enforce parking permit laws on Alston Street.
- 6.F. SCHOOL BUILDING FACILITIES AND MAINTENANCE SPECIAL COMMITTEE
- 6.F.1. Report of the Special Committee on School Building Facilities and Maintenance, meeting on October 28, 2024.
- 6.F.2. That the Commissioner of Public Works provide an update on efforts to eliminate rat infiltration in school buildings.
- 6.F.3. That the Commissioner of Public Works discuss use restrictions in place for Somerville Public School athletic teams at Reavis field.
- 6.F.4. That the Commissioner of Public Works provide an update about the functionality of public address, or PA, systems at multiple Somerville Public School buildings.
- 6.F.5. That the Commissioner of Public Works provide an update on repairs to damaged play structures at the Capuano Early Education Center schoolyard.
- 6.F.6. That the Commissioner of Public Works provide an update on the reliability and repairs of the elevator(s) at the Winter Hill and Edgerly Schools.
- 6.F.7. That the Director of Parks and Recreation and the Commissioner of Public Works update this Council on plans to minimize the timing impacts of future closures of the Ginny Smithers Sanders Pool for periodic maintenance.
- 6.F.8. That the Commissioner of Public Works work with the Superintendent of Schools to present a plan to re-introduce composting in the schools.
- 6.F.9. That the Director of Parks and Recreation ensure that all information relating to the schedule for, including any closures of, the Ginny Smithers pool be communicated to pool users and updated on the Parks and Recreation and general city websites.
- 6.G. TRAFFIC AND PARKING COMMITTEE
- 6.G.1. Report of the Committee on Traffic and Parking, meeting on November 4, 2024.
- 6.G.2. That the Director of Mobility update this Council on the current timeline for the Highland Avenue Redesign Project.
- 6.G.3. That the Director of Mobility and the Director of Engineering explore how to make the raised sidewalk located at the intersection of Broadway and Boston Avenue safer.
- 6.G.4. That the Director of Mobility install a raised crosswalk at the intersection of Boston and Kidder Avenues.
- 6.G.5. That the Director of Mobility place speed bumps and other traffic calming measures along Bonair Street by the Edgerly School.
- 6.G.6. That the Director of Mobility install speed limit signage, and update the signage to NO MOTORIZED VEHICLES and include scooters and mopeds, along the Community Path and at all its various entrances.
- 6.G.7. That the Director of Mobility work with the Ward 5 Councilor on installing bike parking next to Neighborhood Produce after the Broadway at Boston Avenue intersection work is completed.
- 7. COMMUNICATIONS OF THE MAYOR
- 7.1. Requesting ordainment of an amendment to Articles 6, 9, and 10 of the Zoning Ordinance to establish a new Research & Development zoning district.
- 7.2. Requesting the appropriation of $2,400,000 from the Receipts Reserved for Appropriation, Parking Meter Receipts Account to reduce the FY 2025 Tax Rate.
- 7.3. Requesting approval of the use of available funds in the amount of $60,000 from the Department of Public Works Highway Wages Account to fund the Lets Get Working Program.
- 7.4. Requesting the transfer of $5,425 from the Human Resources Professional & Technical Services Account to the Law Professional & Technical Services Account for invoices for the physician on the Medical Panel Review Board.
- 7.5. Requesting approval of a time-only contract extension of three years for PMA, LLC for Owner's Project Manager services for the Somerville High School project.
- 7.6. Requesting approval of a time-only contract extension for Suffolk Construction, for Construction Manager services for the Somerville High School project.
- 7.7. Requesting approval of a time-only contract extension for Symmes Maini & McKee Associates, Inc. for design services for the Somerville High School project.
- 7.8. Requesting approval to pay prior year invoices totaling $38,803.02 using available funds in the Department of Public Works Natural Gas Account for natural gas delivery services.
- 7.9. Requesting approval to pay prior year invoices totaling $35,917.36 using available funds in the Department of Public Works Electricity Account for solar generation services.
- 7.10. Requesting approval to pay prior year invoices totaling $7,539.86 using available funds in the Department of Public Works Electricity Account for solar generation services.
- 7.11. Requesting approval to pay a prior year invoice totaling $5,730 using available funds in the Law Department's Legal Services Account for outside legal counsel services.
- 7.12. Requesting approval to pay prior year invoices totaling $2,682 using available funds in the Department of Public Works Buildings Rental Equipment Account for equipment rental services.
- 7.13. Requesting approval to pay prior year invoices totaling $2,569.52 using available funds in the Department of Public Works Buildings HVAC R&M Account for HVAC repair services.
- 7.14. Requesting approval to pay prior year invoices totaling $1,710 using available funds in the Department of Public Works Sanitation Benches & Barrels Account for Big Belly containers.
- 7.15. Requesting approval of an exemption for Elyse Best as required by Massachusetts General Law Chapter 268A, Section 20(d).
- 7.16. Requesting approval of an exemption for Ingrid Schneider as required by Massachusetts General Law Chapter 268A, Section 20(d).
- 7.17. Requesting confirmation of the re-appointment of Alan Bishop as Constable.
- 7.18. Conveying an update on water and sewer rate restructuring.
- 8. COMMUNICATIONS OF CITY OFFICERS
- 8.1. Fair Housing Commission conveying the FY 2023 Annual Report pursuant to Section 17-7 of the Code of Ordinances.
- 8.2. Chief Assessor requesting to appear at this Council's November 26, 2024 meeting for the Tax Classification Public Hearing and the determination and adoption of tax levy percentages for FY 2025.
- 8.3. Director of Sustainability and Environment conveying an overview of the Commonwealth’s Clean Energy Goals, Electric Sector Modernization Plan, demand growth in Somerville, and capital projects underway or planned.
- 9. NEW BUSINESS
- 9.1. New Flammables License, 74M Property Owner, LLC, 74 Middlesex Avenue, storing 6,870 gallons.
- 9.2. New Sign/Awning License, JMC/STM/TGCI Union Square I LLC, 346 Somerville Avenue, 2 signs.
- 9.3. Transferring Taxi Medallion License, from Cinema Taxi to Jean B. Victor for Medallion #85.
- 9.4. Renewing Used Car Dealer Class 2 License, Broadway Motor Cars, 161 Broadway.
- 9.5. Renewing Used Car Dealer Class 3 License, Nissenbaum Auto Parts Inc, 480 Columbia Street.
- 9.6. Renewing Used Car Dealer Class 3 License, Nissenbaum Auto Parts Inc, 0 Windsor Street.
- 9.7. Renewing Used Car Dealer Class 2 License, Real Auto Shop, Inc., 463 McGrath Highway.
- 9.8. Renewing Used Car Dealer Class 2 License, Webster Auto Sales, 61 Prospect Street.
- 9.9. Kinsey Scales applying for a Public Event License for Kinsey Scales Fall Concert on November 17 from 12pm to 3pm (raindate November 24).
- 9.10. BA Event Promotions applying for a Public Event License for Jingle Bell 5K Run/Walk on December 15 from 6am to 1:30pm.
- 9.11. Somerville Museum applying for a Public Event License for Jan 1 Flag Raising Ceremony on January 1 from 8am to 2:30pm.
- 9.12. Horace-Ward LLC, Bealm Realty, LLC, Delhi Properties, LLC, and Delhi Properties ll, LLC requesting a Zoning Map Amendment to change the zoning district of 11 Horace Street, 5-7, 9, 13, and 15 Ward Street, and 15 and 21 South Street from Mid-Rise 4 (MR4) to Mid-Rise 6 (MR6).
- 9.13. 34 individuals submitting comments re: ceasefire.
- 9.14. Oisín King submitting comments re: leaf blowers.
- 9.15. Greentown Labs submitting comments re: items #24-0680 and #24-0679, a Zoning Map and Zoning Text amendment to create the Somernova Innovation Sub-Area.
- 9.16. Mary Burke submitting comments re: towing.
- 9.17. Veterans of Foreign Wars 529 and Disabled American Veterans 27 submitting comments re: Veterans memorials and monuments.
- 10. SUPPLEMENTAL ITEMS
- 10.1. Commending Dagmara Wozniak for her Olympic success and continued fencing legacy.
- 10.2. That the Director of Human Resources address the actions the Administration has taken to adopt the recommendations of RESPOND, per item #24-0458, to support survivors of domestic and sexual violence.
- 10.3. That the Director of Human Resources update this Council on efforts to establish an expanded municipal Paid Family and Medical Leave policy, based on the Commonwealth's program.
- 10.4. That the Director of Racial and Social Justice ensure that the Commission for Persons with Disabilities has an assigned note taker.
- 10.5. To keep Massachusetts Healthy Incentives Program (HIP).
- 10.6. In support of local social workers.
- 10.7. Conveying that the Administration is hosting a community meeting regarding the Cummings School Overnight Warming Center on Monday November 18 at 6:00pm in the Somerville High School cafeteria.
- 10.8. In his capacity as President, cancelling the Regular Meeting of this Council scheduled for December 26, 2024.
- 10.9. That the Director of Water and Sewer appear before this Council to discuss recent extended outages in Ward 2 and mitigation plans for future work.
- 10.10. Requesting a supplemental appropriation of $34,000 from the FY 2025 Property Tax Levy to the Department of Public Works Buildings, Rental Buildings Account for the rental of Porta Potties for the Warming Center.
- 10.11. Requesting a supplemental appropriation of $30,000 from the FY 2025 Property Tax Levy to the Health & Human Services, Professional & Technical Service Account for the procurement of additional security services for the Warming Center.
- 10.12. Requesting approval of an exemption for Murshid Buwembo as required by Massachusetts General Law Chapter 268A, Section 20(d).
- 10.13. Amy White submitting comments re: biking infrastructure.
- 10.14. Withdrawn.
- 10.15. Withdrawn.
- 11. ADJOURNMENT
- 150 The meeting was Adjourned at 10:51 PM.