Public Health and Public Safety Committee

Virtual

Agenda — 20 items

1. 1 (Posted online: 9/18/24 at 4:30 PM)
2. 1 The meeting took place virtually via Zoom and was called to order at 6:06 PM by Chair McLaughlin and adjourned at 8:30 PM with a roll call vote of 10 in favor (Councilor Davis, Councilor Wilson, Councilor Sait, Councilor Scott, Councilor Mbah, Councilor Burnley, Councilor Clingan, Councilor Strezo, Councilor Pineda Neufeld, Councilor McLaughlin), none against and 1 absent (Councilor Ewen-Campen). Councilor Clingan joined the meeting at 6:08pm and Councilor Burnley joined the meeting at 6:42pm. Others present: Director of Intergovernmental Affairs - Neha Singh, Director of Libraries - Cathy Piantigini, Director of Parks and Recreation - Susan Yerkes, Director of Student Services - Liz Doncaster, High School Principal - Alicia Kersten, Deputy Chief of Police- James Stanford, Legislative Services Manager - Madalyn Letellier.
3. 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_Y_JVNowQSACqX2X64qzCiQ 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. 4 Roll Call
5. 1. Approval of the Minutes of the Public Health and Public Safety Committee Meeting of September 11, 2024. 24-1318 Accepted Pass
6. 7 Library Overview
7. 2. Conveying an invitation to the public to a community conversation about resources needed to restore full library access, hosted by Somerville's youth community and Somerville Municipal Employees Association members. 24-1314 Recommended to be marked work completed
8. 3. Conveying full support for the Public Library Board of Trustees and Director of Libraries in their efforts to maintain safe and accessible library environments for patrons and employees alike. 24-1313 Recommended to be marked work completed
9. 4. That the Administration update this Council on the status of the process to provide the resources and programming needed to safely re-open the Central Library during mid-day hours. 24-1273 Recommended to be marked work completed
10. 11 Incidents Report
11. 5. That the Chief of Police and the Chief Fire Engineer provide a record of all calls to first responders regarding incidents at all Somerville Public Library locations since September 1, 2023. 24-1295 Recommended to be marked work completed
12. 6. That the Director of Libraries, and other relevant departments, appear before this Council’s Committee on Equity, Gender, Seniors, Families and Vulnerable Populations to discuss the plans for the library closing in the middle of the day and what immediate steps are being taken to reopen the library during this time period to best support library staff and patrons. 24-1263 Recommended to be marked work completed
13. 14 Teen Space
14. 7. 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. 24-1326 Recommended to be marked work completed
15. 8. That the Administration discuss the sufficiency of after school programs for high school students and the methods of outreach and guidance to ensure that all students have access to activities that meet their needs and interests. 24-1270 Recommended to be marked work completed
16. 9. That the Administration and relevant city departments discuss an immediate action plan to address the increase of fights happening at Edward L. Leathers Community Park after students are released from school. 24-1267 Recommended to be marked work completed
17. 18 Schools
18. 10. That the Administration discuss the scope and limitations of staff at Somerville High School to supervise high school students in the after school period. 24-1271 Recommended to be marked work completed
19. 11. That the Administration explore activating Somerville High School for community uses outside of school hours. 24-1305 Recommended to be marked work completed
20. 20 Referenced Documents: • PHPS - 2024-09-23 PHPS Data - Fire (with 24-1295 • PHPS - 2024-09-23 PHPS Data - SPD (with 24-1295)