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May 9, 2024 ·7:00 PM Final

City Council Chamber and Remote Participation

Agenda PDF Minutes PDF 📹 Watch video Official record ↗

Agenda — 117 items

  1. 1 Published May 7, 2024, 1:30 PM, Revised May 9, 2024 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_G-Pp0xeqQcuOTq9y2cpN-g 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. The City Council entered recess at 7:36 PM and returned at 7:43 PM. The City Council entered recess at 8:58 PM and returned at 9:10 PM.
  6. 1.1. Call of the Roll. 24-0675 Placed on file ▶ jump to 0:26
  7. 1.2. Remembrances. 24-0676 Approved ▶ jump to 0:50
  8. 1.3. Approval of the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of April 11, 2024. 24-0677 Approved Pass ▶ jump to 7:18
  9. 1.4. Approval of the Minutes of the Special Meeting of April 11, 2024. 24-0678 Approved Pass ▶ jump to 7:25
  10. 2. CITATIONS
  11. 3. PUBLIC HEARINGS
  12. 3.1. Eversource applying for a Grant of Location to install 7 feet of conduit in Main Street, from Utility Pole 146/5 to a point of pickup at 37-39 Main Street. 24-0628 Approved Pass ▶ jump to 7:33
  13. 3.2. Eversource applying for a Grant of Location to install 77 feet of conduit in Clyde Street, from Utility Pole 74/2 to a point of pickup at 13-15 Clyde Street. 24-0639 Approved Pass ▶ jump to 8:16
  14. 4. ORDERS, ORDINANCES, RESOLUTIONS AND MOTIONS OF MEMBERS
  15. 4.1. That the Director of Engineering assess the timing of the traffic light at Main Street and Broadway and consider lengthening the cycle time. 24-0662 Approved and sent for discussion Pass ▶ jump to 130:39
  16. 4.2. That the Environmental Health Coordinator appear before the Special Committee on Rodent Issues to present the 2024 Integrated Pest Management Plan. 24-0663 Approved and sent for discussion Pass ▶ jump to 130:39
  17. 4.3. That the Director of Infrastructure and Asset Management address the structural safety and rodent issues with the city-owned building on Skilton Avenue. 24-0664 Approved and sent for discussion Pass ▶ jump to 131:56
  18. 4.4. That the Director of Infrastructure and Asset Management devise and share with this Council a long-term plan for the city-owned building at 10 Skilton Avenue. 24-0665 Approved and sent for discussion Pass ▶ jump to 131:56
  19. 4.5. In Support of An Act Establishing Protections and Accountability for Transportation Network Companies (TNC) and Delivery Network Companies (DNC) Workers. 24-0667 Approved Pass ▶ jump to 18:35
  20. 5. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
  21. 6. REPORTS OF COMMITTEES
  22. 6.A. CONFIRMATION OF APPOINTMENTS AND PERSONNEL MATTERS COMMITTEE
  23. 6.A.1. Report of the Committee on Confirmation of Appointments and Personnel Matters, meeting on May 1, 2024. 24-0620 Approved Pass ▶ jump to 33:30
  24. 6.A.2. Requesting confirmation of the promotion of Charles D. Richardson to the position of Fire Captain. 24-0474 Approved Pass
  25. 23 page break
  26. 6.B. FINANCE COMMITTEE
  27. 6.B.1. Report of the Committee on Finance, meeting on May 7, 2024. 24-0625 Approved Pass ▶ jump to 133:31
  28. 6.B.2. That the Director of Water and Sewer and the Director of Procurement and Contracting Services update this Council on the bidding process for IFB 24-39 (Repairs to Water Main Gate Valves and Appurtenance) and IFB 24-29 (Water Distribution System Maintenance & Repairs) and ensure documentation is updated on the city's website for these bids and the previous versions of these bids (IFB 21-51 and IFB 21-52) when they were previously awarded in 2021. 24-0337 Work completed
  29. 6.B.3. Requesting approval of a transfer of $13,800 from the Police Salaries Account to the Police Special Items Rental Buildings Account to pay the remaining East Substation lease payments for FY 2024. 24-0564 Approved Pass
  30. 6.B.4. Requesting approval of a Pedestrian Access Sidewalk Easement and Maintenance License at 599 Somerville Avenue. 24-0565 Approved Pass ▶ jump to 138:54
  31. 6.B.5. Requesting the appropriation of $237,468 from the Unreserved Fund Balance ("Free Cash") to the Department of Public Works Buildings Interior Building Maintenance Account for repairs to the Dilboy Pool. 24-0572 Approved Pass
  32. 6.B.6. Requesting approval of a transfer of $1,095,000 from various Department of Public Works personal services accounts to the Department of Public Works Buildings Electricity Account to cover a deficit. 24-0573 Approved Pass
  33. 6.B.7. Requesting the appropriation of $248,111 from the Unreserved Fund Balance ("Free Cash") to the Department of Public Works Buildings Natural Gas Account for the remediation of an expected year end deficit. 24-0574 Approved Pass
  34. 6.B.8. Requesting approval to accept and expend a $243,094 grant with no new match required, from the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center to the Office of Sustainability and Environment, for a residential decarbonization outreach campaign and two-year Energy Advisor position. 24-0575 Approved Pass
  35. 6.B.9. Requesting the appropriation of $150,000 from the Unreserved Fund Balance ("Free Cash") to the Facility Renovation and Reconstruction Stabilization Fund for building improvements at 77 Broadway for the East Somerville Police sub-station. 24-0576 Approved Pass
  36. 6.B.10. Requesting the appropriation of $2,041,000 from the Unreserved Fund Balance ("Free Cash") to the Facility Renovation and Reconstruction Stabilization Fund for continued renovations to the Edgerly School to accommodate Pre-K and Kindergarten classrooms for the Winter Hill Community Innovation School students. 24-0577 Approved Pass
  37. 6.B.11. Requesting approval to appropriate $2,041,000 from the Facility Renovation and Reconstruction Stabilization Fund for continued renovations to the Edgerly School to accommodate Pre-K and Kindergarten classrooms for the Winter Hill Community Innovation School students. 24-0578 Approved Pass ▶ jump to 139:29
  38. 6.B.12. Requesting the appropriation of $400,000 from the Unreserved Fund Balance ("Free Cash") to the Emergency Response Stabilization Fund to provide temporary shelter, food, and other common necessaries of life to displaced individuals and families. 24-0579 Approved Pass
  39. 6.B.13. Requesting approval to appropriate $400,000 from the Emergency Stabilization Fund to support critical emergency shelter services. 24-0580 Approved Pass ▶ jump to 139:29
  40. 6.C. HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
  41. 6.C.1. Report of the Committee on Housing and Community Development, meeting on May 7, 2024. 24-0624 Approved Pass ▶ jump to 140:11
  42. 6.C.2. That the Director of Economic Development update this Council on the "Mitigating Commercial Displacement in Somerville" report, released in December 2023, and any action steps taken as a result of the report. 24-0043 Work completed
  43. 6.C.3. That the Director of Housing and the Director of the Office of Housing Stability report on the feasibility of fair housing enforcement. 24-0047 Work completed
  44. 6.C.4. That the Director of Housing and the Director of the Office of Housing Stability discuss the parameters of qualification used by building owners and managers in selecting lottery winners for awarding lower income units. 24-0152 Work completed
  45. 6.D. LAND USE COMMITTEE
  46. 6.D.1. Report of the Committee on Land Use, meeting in Joint Session with the Planning Board on May 2, 2024. 24-0621 Approved Pass ▶ jump to 144:16
  47. 6.E. LEGISLATIVE MATTERS COMMITTEE
  48. 6.E.1. Report of the Committee on Legislative Matters, meeting on April 30, 2024. 24-0619 Approved Pass ▶ jump to 145:18
  49. 6.E.2. Conveying the 2023 Surveillance Technology Annual Report. 24-0145 Work completed
  50. 6.E.3. That Section 9-35 of the Code of Ordinances be amended to fulfill quorum requirements for the Wage Theft Advisory Committee. 24-0543 Placed on file Pass
  51. 49 page break
  52. 6.F. LICENSES AND PERMITS COMMITTEE
  53. 6.F.1. Report of the Committee on Licenses and Permits, meeting on May 8, 2024. 24-0626 Approved Pass ▶ jump to 147:48
  54. 6.F.2. New Garage License, Mercedes Benz of Boston, 161 Linwood St, 0 vehicles inside, 25 vehicles outside for mechanical repairs, auto body work, and spray painting, Mon-Fri: 8am-6pm, Sat: 8am-2pm, Sun: closed. 24-0549 Approved Pass
  55. 6.G. OPEN SPACE, ENVIRONMENT AND ENERGY COMMITTEE
  56. 6.G.1. Report of the Committee on Open Space, Environment and Energy, meeting on May 6, 2024. 24-0623 Approved Pass ▶ jump to 150:39
  57. 6.H. RULES SPECIAL COMMITTEE
  58. 6.H.1. Report of the Special Committee on Rules, meeting on May 6, 2024. 24-0622 Approved Pass ▶ jump to 154:21
  59. 6.H.2. City Clerk submitting an amendment to the Rules of the City Council to accommodate remote participation and facilitate accessibility. 24-0415 Approved as amended Pass ▶ jump to 156:07
  60. 6.I. TRAFFIC AND PARKING COMMITTEE
  61. 6.I.1. Report of the Committee on Traffic and Parking, meeting on April 29, 2024. 24-0618 Approved Pass ▶ jump to 157:07
  62. 6.I.2. That the Director of Engineering update this Council on any plans to refresh worn and missing pedestrian crosswalk pavement markings on South Street, between Medford Street and Windsor Street. 24-0339 Work completed
  63. 6.I.3. That the Director of Mobility work with the Massachusetts Department of Transportation to preserve the pedestrian footbridge on McGrath Highway as part of the grounding McGrath project. 24-0467 Work completed
  64. 6.I.4. That the Director of Mobility return the TEMPORARY PARKING sign, that serves local businesses, to the corner of Washington and Myrtle Streets. 24-0468 Work completed
  65. 6.I.5. That the Director of Mobility update this Council on plans to address increased cut-through commuter traffic on Temple Street and Fellsway West on weekday mornings, including any plans to prohibit right turns onto Temple Street and Fellsway West from 7 AM to 9 AM on weekdays. 24-0470 Work completed
  66. 6.I.6. That the Director of Parking update this Council on the timeline for citywide rollout of Safety Sticks, including which areas will be prioritized for enforcement. 24-0544 Work completed
  67. 7. COMMUNICATIONS OF THE MAYOR
  68. 7.1. Requesting authorization to borrow $3,010,000 in a bond, and to appropriate the same amount for the recurring FY 2024 Building Improvements program. 24-0644 Referred for recommendation ▶ jump to 160:38
  69. 7.2. Requesting the appropriation of $250,000 from the Unreserved Fund Balance (“Free Cash”) to the Law Department Legal Services Account for anticipated outside legal counsel invoices. 24-0655 Referred for recommendation ▶ jump to 160:38
  70. 7.3. Requesting approval of a transfer of $80,000 from the Department of Public Works (DPW) Lights & Lines accounts to the DPW Grounds Professional and Technical account to cover year-end grounds maintenance expenses. 24-0668 Referred for recommendation ▶ jump to 160:38
  71. 7.4. Requesting approval to use available funds in the City Clerk Salaries account in the amount of $1,913.40 to fund a Legislative Services Manager position. 24-0654 Referred for recommendation ▶ jump to 160:38
  72. 7.5. Requesting approval to accept and expend an up to $60,000 grant with no new match required, from the Low Income Housing Water Assistance Program through the City of Cambridge to the Water and Sewer Department for income eligible ratepayers who are directly billed for their service(s) and who have an arrearage. 24-0669 Referred for recommendation ▶ jump to 160:38
  73. 7.6. Requesting approval to accept and expend a $50,000 grant with no new match required from Home Energy Efficiency Team, Inc. to the Office of Sustainability and Environment for a feasibility study to identify potential locations for geothermal networks. 24-0643 Referred for recommendation ▶ jump to 160:38
  74. 7.7. Requesting approval to accept and expend a $28,000 grant with no new match required, from Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection to the Department of Public Works for the Recycle Dividend Program. 24-0666 Referred for recommendation ▶ jump to 160:38
  75. 7.8. Requesting approval to pay prior year invoices totaling $32,695 using available funds in the Parks and Recreation Building Rental account for portable invoices. 24-0627 Referred for recommendation ▶ jump to 160:38
  76. 7.9. Requesting approval to pay prior year invoices totaling $7,075 using available funds in the Department of Public Works Buildings Division Rental Buildings account for portable restroom rental services. 24-0661 Referred for recommendation ▶ jump to 160:38
  77. 7.10. Requesting approval to pay prior year invoices totaling $70 using available funds in the Department of Public Works Fleet Division R&M Vehicles account for vehicle inspection invoices. 24-0660 Referred for recommendation ▶ jump to 160:38
  78. 7.11. Requesting approval of the proposed 2024-2028 Department of Housing and Urban Development 5-Year Consolidated Plan, One Year Action Plan, and Community Participation Plan for Community Development Block Grant, Home Investment Partnership, and Emergency Solutions Grant programming. 24-0636 Referred for recommendation ▶ jump to 160:48
  79. 7.12. Proclaiming that the City of Somerville recognizes the month of May, 2024 as Older Americans Month. 24-0657 Placed on file Pass ▶ jump to 161:12
  80. 7.13. Proclaiming that the City of Somerville recognizes the week of May 5-11, 2024 as Drinking Water Week. 24-0658 Placed on file Pass ▶ jump to 161:58
  81. 7.14. Conveying information related to item #24-0455: an update on Police and Fire hiring. 24-0659 Placed on file Pass ▶ jump to 162:11
  82. 7.15. Conveying an update on the development of a water bill ratepayer assistance program. 24-0674 Placed on file and sent for discussion Pass ▶ jump to 43:11
  83. 8. COMMUNICATIONS OF CITY OFFICERS
  84. 8.1. City Clerk requesting confirmation of the appointment of Melissa Ripley to the position of Assistant City Clerk. 24-0670 Approved Pass ▶ jump to 162:24
  85. 9. NEW BUSINESS
  86. 9.1. New Drainlayer's License, A&D Services Inc. 24-0672 Approved Pass ▶ jump to 164:55
  87. 9.2. Renewing Drainlayer's License, New England Construction Managers Inc. 24-0629 Approved Pass ▶ jump to 164:55
  88. 9.3. Renewing Drainlayer's License, Super Service Today Inc. 24-0630 Approved Pass ▶ jump to 164:55
  89. 9.4. Renewing Drainlayer's License, W.L. French Excavating. 24-0631 Approved Pass ▶ jump to 164:55
  90. 9.5. New Extended Operating Hours License, Papa John's, 622 Somerville Ave, opening Sun-Thur until 1am, Fri-Sat until 2am for takeout and delivery services. 24-0635 Referred for recommendation ▶ jump to 164:55
  91. 9.6. Renewing Garage License, K Professional Auto Detailing, 682 Mystic Ave. 24-0632 Approved Pass ▶ jump to 164:55
  92. 9.7. Renewing Second Hand Dealer's License, Luce Boutique, 56 Union Square. 24-0633 Approved Pass ▶ jump to 164:55
  93. 9.8. Renewing Taxi Medallion License, Yolande Trans., Inc., Med. #15. 24-0634 Approved Pass ▶ jump to 164:55
  94. 9.9. Abbey Judd applying for a Public Event License for Joy Fest on May 18 from 10am to 8pm (raindate May 19). 24-0671 Approved Pass ▶ jump to 164:55
  95. 9.10. Mass Farmers Market applying for a Public Event License for Davis Square Farmer's Market on every Wednesday May 22 through November 27 from 9:30am to 6:30pm. 24-0673 Approved Pass ▶ jump to 164:55
  96. 9.11. 14 registered voters requesting a Zoning Map Amendment to change the zoning district of 136 School Street from Urban Residence (UR) to Mid-Rise 6 (MR6), 95 Highland Avenue from Neighborhood Residence (NR) to MR6, and 97, 99-99A, 101-103, and 107 Highland Avenue from Mid-Rise 5 (MR5) to MR6. 24-0641 Referred for recommendation ▶ jump to 165:47
  97. 9.12. 14 registered voters requesting a Zoning Map Amendment to change the zoning district of 228, 230, 232, 234, 236 Pearl Street from Mid-Rise 4 (MR4) to Mid-Rise 6 (MR6). 24-0642 Referred for recommendation ▶ jump to 166:16
  98. 9.13. Leah and Jeff Byrnes submitting comments re: School budget. 24-0637 Placed on file Pass ▶ jump to 166:34
  99. 9.14. Edward Woll submitting comments re: item #24-0583, a resolution in support of An Act Relative to the Future of Clean Heat in the Commonwealth and An Act Establishing a Moratorium on New Gas System Expansion. 24-0638 Placed on file Pass ▶ jump to 166:34
  100. 9.15. New England Convenience Store and Energy Marketers Association (NECSEMA) submitting comments re: Nicotine Free Generation. 24-0640 Placed on file Pass ▶ jump to 166:34
  101. 10. SUPPLEMENTAL ITEMS
  102. 10.1. On actions to promote students and community health and resilience in the era of climate change. 24-0682 Approved Pass ▶ jump to 8:57
  103. 10.2. Conveying a report of the Police Chief Selection Committee. 24-0683 Placed on file Pass ▶ jump to 166:42
  104. 10.3. In his capacity as Chair of the Finance Committee, conveying an outline of the FY 2025 Budget Review process. 24-0684 Placed on file Pass ▶ jump to 167:57
  105. 10.4. Renewing Drainlayer's License, The Welch Corp. 24-0690 Approved Pass ▶ jump to 164:55
  106. 10.5. Renewing Flammables License, Teele Square Auto, 1284 Broadway. 24-0691 Approved Pass ▶ jump to 164:55
  107. 10.6. New Garage License, BRE-BMR Assembly Innovation I LLC, 122 Assembly Park Drive, 306 vehicles inside, 0 vehicles outside for charging money to store vehicles and operating a tow, operating 7 days a week 24 hours. 24-0692 Referred for recommendation ▶ jump to 164:55
  108. 10.7. Reena Freedman applying for a Public Event License for Porchfest on Francesca on May 11 from 11:30am to 2:30pm (raindate May 12). 24-0689 Approved Pass ▶ jump to 164:55
  109. 10.8. Yi Lam applying for a Public Event License for Cambridge Somerville Asian Festival on May 11 from 12pm to 5pm. 24-0685 Approved Pass ▶ jump to 164:55
  110. 10.9. Leigh Meunier applying for a Public Event License for Porchfest on Hancock on May 11 from 1pm to 4:30pm (raindate May 12). 24-0694 Approved Pass ▶ jump to 164:55
  111. 10.10. Roberto Fischer applying for a Public Event License for Porchfest on Beech on May 11 from 1:30pm to 4:30pm (raindate May 12). 24-0688 Approved Pass ▶ jump to 164:55
  112. 10.11. Jacob Engelstad applying for a Public Event License for Remembering Bill Conrad on May 18 from 1:30pm to 7pm (raindate May 25). 24-0686 Approved Pass ▶ jump to 162:54
  113. 10.12. Kate Ryan applying for a Public Event License for Brown School Fun Run on May 24 from 8am to 3pm (raindate May 23 and May 31). 24-0687 Approved Pass ▶ jump to 162:55
  114. 10.13. 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 Referred for recommendation ▶ jump to 169:15
  115. 10.14. 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 Referred for recommendation ▶ jump to 169:32
  116. 113 The meeting was Adjourned at 9:51 PM.
  117. 11. ADJOURNMENT