Open Space, Environment and Energy Committee

Virtual

Agenda — 13 items

1. 1 (Posted online: 4/6/24 at 8:00 AM)
2. 1 The meeting took place virtually via Zoom and was called to order at 6:00 PM by Chair Mbah and adjourned at 6:48 PM on a roll call vote of 3 in favor (Councilors Wilson, Strezo and Mbah), none against and 2 absent (Councilors Scott and Sait). Others present: Luisa Oliveira – Director of Public Space and Urban Forestry, Kim Hutter – Legislative Liaison, Peter Forcellese – Legislative Clerk.
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_7QR2UacDTkGE1isKrak2xQ 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. 3 Roll Call
5. 1. Approval of the Minutes of the Open Space, Environment and Energy Committee Meeting of November 20, 2023. Accepted Pass
6. 2. That the Director of the Office of Sustainability and Environment provide this Council with any updated plans and timelines for a municipal composting program. 24-0042 Kept in committee
7. 3. That the Administration explain the issues that are preventing Reavis Field from opening and how the process may be expedited. 24-0086 Kept in committee
8. 4. That the Director of Parks and Recreation and the Director of Public Space and Urban Forestry report to this Council’s Committee on Open Space, Environment and Energy on the status of the parks and open spaces that have been completed or are under construction and planning as part of redevelopment projects. 24-0091 Recommended to be marked work completed
9. 5. That the Director of the Office of Sustainability and Environment work with this Council and Green and Open Somerville to develop a job description for an Invasive Species position to spearhead outreach, education, and citywide invasive plant species removal and to allocate funding for such a position in the FY 2025 budget. 24-0106 Kept in committee
10. 6. That the Director of the Office of Sustainability and Environment update this Council on the design, cost, and implementation timeline for the city's composting program. 24-0370 Kept in committee
11. 7. Green & Open Somerville and Earthwise Aware submitting comments re: invasive plant species. 24-0457 Kept in committee
12. 8. That the Commissioner of Public Works update this Council on the condition of Conway Field and the displacement of infill that is occurring there during extreme rainfall events, as well as the schedule for regular grooming and maintenance of the City’s artificial turf athletic fields. 24-0472 Recommended to be marked work completed
13. 11 Referenced Documents: • OSEE - 2024-04-18 DPW Memo (with 24-0472) • OSEE - 2024-04-18 Citywide Composting Program (with 24-0042, 24-0370)