Public Health and Public Safety Committee

Virtual

Agenda — 16 items

1. 1 (Posted online: 3/14/24 at 7:45 AM) Original (Posted online: 3/16/24 at 8:15 AM) Revised
2. 1 The meeting took place virtually via Zoom and was called to order at 6:03 PM by Chair McLaughlin and adjourned at 7:47 PM on a roll call vote of 3 in favor (Councilors Sait, Davis and McLaughlin), none against and none absent. Anne Gill - Director of Human Resources, Karin Carroll - Director of Health and Human Services, Hannah O’Halloran - Director of Homeless Services (Somerville Homeless Coalition), Kimberley Hutter - Mayor’s Office 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_uZb0TwEiQ_uTUjCIdtISXQ 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 Public Health and Public Safety Committee Meeting of February 29, 2024. 24-0255 Accepted Pass
6. 2. That the Administration appear before the Committee on Public Health and Public Safety to update the City Council on the status of the Police Chief search. 24-0177 Recommended to be marked work completed
7. 3. That the Director of Health and Human Services discuss the availability of free city-funded COVID tests going forward after temporary relief funds have evaporated, including any plans and/or consideration of potential sources of COVID testing supplies provided through community partners. 24-0172 Recommended to be marked work completed
8. 4. That the Director of Health and Human Services work with the Administration to allocate funding to secure COVID-19 rapid tests to be distributed at Public Libraries. 24-0168 Recommended to be marked work completed
9. 5. That the Director of Health and Human services create an on-call emergency fire response unit to assist in connecting residents with available resources in the event of a displacement or loss of property due to a fire. 24-0149 Recommended to be marked work completed
10. 6. That the Director of Inspectional Services address trash and other violations by the Rent-A-Center on Broadway. 24-0097 Kept in committee
11. 7. That the Director of Inspectional Services inspect 112 Broadway, 176-182 Broadway, and 24-28 Broadway for violations and report the findings to the Ward 1 City Councilor. 24-0096 Kept in committee
12. 8. That the Director of Inspectional Services update the Ward 1 Councilor regarding any fines associated with 176-182 Broadway, formerly Patsy's Pastries, in the last ten years. 24-0095 Kept in committee
13. 9. That the Director of Inspectional Services update the Ward 1 Councilor regarding any fines associated with 112 Broadway, formerly the East End Grill, for any violations within the last ten years. 24-0094 Kept in committee
14. 10. That the Director of Inspectional Services update the Ward 1 Councilor regarding any fines associated with 24-28 Broadway, the former Taco Loco site, due to repeated cleanliness and business violations within the last two years. 24-0093 Kept in committee
15. 11. That the Director of Health and Human Services provide monthly updates to this Council’s Committee on Public Health and Public Safety regarding ongoing efforts to address homelessness. 24-0062 Kept in committee
16. 14 Referenced Documents: • PHPS - 2024-03-2 ISD Response (with 24-0093, 24-0094, 24-0095, 24-0096)