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February 22, 2024 ·7:00 PM Final

City Council Chamber and Remote Participation

Agenda PDF Minutes PDF 📹 Watch video Official record ↗

Agenda — 75 items

  1. 1 Published February 20, 2024 1:15 PM, Revised February 22, 2024 1:00 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_0_W6GyMlTMS0zPKs33Q3Zw 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.
  6. 1.1. Call of the Roll. 24-0207 Placed on file ▶ jump to 0:56
  7. 1.2. Remembrances. 24-0208 Approved ▶ jump to 1:37
  8. 1.3. Approval of the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of January 25, 2024. 24-0209 Approved Pass ▶ jump to 3:14
  9. 2. CITATIONS
  10. 3. PUBLIC HEARINGS
  11. 4. ORDERS, ORDINANCES, RESOLUTIONS AND MOTIONS OF MEMBERS
  12. 4.1. That this City Council hold a public hearing in the Committee on Finance on the community’s Fiscal Year 2025 budget priorities. 24-0178 Approved and sent for discussion Pass ▶ jump to 3:26
  13. 4.2. That the Administration provide this Council with a report on the implementation of a Universal Basic Income pilot, which was announced to be implemented with American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds in 2021. 24-0194 Approved Pass ▶ jump to 5:24
  14. 4.3. Conveying budget priorities and requests for FY 2025. 24-0202 Placed on file and sent for discussion Pass ▶ jump to 3:26
  15. 4.4. That the Environmental Health Coordinator discuss the current contract with the pest control company that administers the city's rat abatement program. 24-0203 Approved and sent for discussion Pass ▶ jump to 6:14
  16. 4.5. That the Administration fund the creation of an entire unit within the Department of Public Works tasked with battling the city's growing rodent infestation. 24-0204 Referred for recommendation ▶ jump to 3:26
  17. 5. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
  18. 6. REPORTS OF COMMITTEES
  19. 6.A. FINANCE COMMITTEE
  20. 6.A.1. Report of the Committee on Finance, meeting on February 20, 2024. 24-0187 Approved Pass ▶ jump to 7:03
  21. 6.A.2. Requesting approval to pay prior year invoices totaling $278.40 using available funds in the Department of Public Works Buildings Plumbing Supply Account for building related plumbing materials. 24-0127 Approved Pass
  22. 6.A.3. Requesting approval to pay prior year invoices totaling $638 using available funds in the Department of Public Works Public Safety Supplies Account for Verizon Fleet subscription services. 24-0128 Approved Pass
  23. 6.A.4. Requesting the transfer of $280,010 from the Community Preservation Act (CPA) Fund Undesignated Fund Balance to the Historic Preservation Reserve. 24-0129 Approved Pass
  24. 6.A.5. Requesting the appropriation of $650,000 from the Community Preservation Act (CPA) Fund for the Capital Projects Division to restore the City Hall clock tower and roof. 24-0130 Approved Pass
  25. 6.A.6. Requesting approval to appropriate $49,250 from the Energy Stabilization Fund for insulation projects for Department of Public Works steam systems. 24-0134 Approved Pass ▶ jump to 15:04
  26. 6.A.7. Requesting approval to appropriate $75,900 from the Energy Stabilization Fund for design services for a building project at 42 Cross Street. 24-0135 Approved Pass ▶ jump to 15:04
  27. 6.A.8. Requesting approval to accept and expend a $48,529.99 grant with no new match required, from the Boston Mayor's Office of Emergency Management to the Police Department for installation of access controls, card entry access, and indoor fencing. 24-0140 Approved Pass
  28. 6.A.9. Requesting the use of available funds in the amount of $24,317 from the Library's Personal Services account to reestablish a Librarian III West Branch Manager position. 24-0141 Approved Pass
  29. 6.A.10. Requesting the acceptance of a 30-year lease with BRE-BMR Assembly Innovation I LLC, and the appropriation of $171,969 from Free Cash to the Fire Department Special Items Account to fund said lease, for the Assembly Square Fire Station for the remainder of FY 2024. 24-0154 Approved Pass ▶ jump to 2:06
  30. 6.B. LAND USE COMMITTEE
  31. 6.B.1. Report of the Committee on Land Use, meeting on February 15, 2024. 24-0185 Approved Pass ▶ jump to 21:38
  32. 6.B.2. 234 Pearl Street Realty Trust and Goodpitch, LLC requesting the adoption of an amendment to the Zoning Ordinance Map to change the zoning district of 234 and 236 Pearl Street from Mid-Rise 4 (MR4) to Mid-Rise 6 (MR6). Withdrawn
  33. 6.B.3. 13 registered voters requesting a Zoning Map Amendment to change the zoning district of 8 Park Street, 10 Park Street, 504 Somerville Avenue, and 7-9 Properzi Way from Mid-Rise 4 (MR4) to Climate & Equity Innovation Sub-Area Overlay District, and 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, 460 Somerville Avenue, 444 Somerville Avenue, 440 Somerville Avenue, 30 Dane Street, and 24-28 Dane Street from Fabrication (FAB) to Climate & Equity Innovation Sub-Area Overlay District. Withdrawn
  34. 6.B.4. 15 registered voters requesting a Zoning Text Amendment to amend the Zoning Ordinances to add Section 8.4.19, Climate & Equity Innovation Sub-Area Overlay District. Withdrawn
  35. 6.C. LEGISLATIVE MATTERS COMMITTEE
  36. 6.C.1. Report of the Committee on Legislative Matters, meeting on February 13, 2024. 24-0181 Approved Pass ▶ jump to 23:33
  37. 6.D. LICENSES AND PERMITS COMMITTEE
  38. 6.D.1. Report of the Committee on Licenses and Permits, meeting on February 14, 2024. 24-0183 Approved Pass ▶ jump to 28:42
  39. 6.D.2. New Billiards and Bowling License, Lucky Strike, 325 Revolution Drive, for 5 billiard tables and 8 bowling lanes. 24-0020 Withdrawn
  40. 6.D.3. New Extended Operating Hours License, Dunkin, 504 Broadway, opening 24/7 for in store and take-out services. 24-0022 Approved Pass
  41. 6.D.4. New Extended Operating Hours License, Lucky Strike, 325 Revolution Drive, opening Monday-Sunday until 2am for in-store service only. 24-0023 Withdrawn
  42. 6.D.5. New Garage License, Broadway Gulf Inc, 212 Broadway, 3 vehicles inside, 7 vehicles outside, for mechanical repairs and storing vehicles, Mon-Fri: 6am-10pm, Sat: 7am-3pm, Sun: closed. 24-0024 Approved with conditions Pass ▶ jump to 31:44
  43. 6.D.6. New Used Car Dealer Class 2 License, Broadway Gulf Inc, 212 Broadway, 3 vehicles inside, 10 vehicles outside, Mon-Fri: 8am-6pm, Sat: 8am-2pm, Sun: closed. 24-0027 Approved with conditions Pass ▶ jump to 31:44
  44. 6.D.7. New Extended Operating Hours License, Everfitness, 14 McGrath Highway, opening Monday-Friday 24/5 for in-store service only. 24-0060 Withdrawn
  45. 6.D.8. New Garage License, John's Auto Sales Inc, 181 Somerville Ave, for 2 vehicles inside and 22 vehicles outside for mechanical repairs only, Mon-Fri: 8am-6pm, Sat: 8am-2pm, Sun: Closed. 24-0124 Approved Pass
  46. 6.E. PUBLIC UTILITIES AND PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE
  47. 6.E.1. Report of the Committee on Public Utilities and Public Works, meeting on February 12, 2024. 24-0179 Approved Pass ▶ jump to 33:42
  48. 6.E.2. That the Commissioner of Public Works discuss with this City Council how the sidewalk clearing pilot program is working this winter. 24-0085 Work completed
  49. 6.E.3. That the Commissioner of Public Works and the Director of Infrastructure and Asset Management report on leaks at the Arts at the Armory Building and any exterior envelope damages in the past six months, and actions being taken to address such leaks and damages including the recently dislodged downspout. 24-0118 Work completed
  50. 48 page break
  51. 7. COMMUNICATIONS OF THE MAYOR
  52. 7.1. Requesting approval of the discontinuance of Palmer Avenue. 24-0081 Referred for recommendation ▶ jump to 3:26
  53. 7.2. Requesting authorization to borrow $2,240,740 in a bond, and to appropriate the same amount to participate in the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund for the Lead Line Service Replacement program. 24-0201 Referred for recommendation ▶ jump to 3:26
  54. 7.3. Requesting approval to accept and expend a $14,327.56 grant with no new match required, from the Department of Fire Services to the Fire Department for the purchase of firefighter safety equipment. 24-0189 Referred for recommendation ▶ jump to 3:26
  55. 8. COMMUNICATIONS OF CITY OFFICERS
  56. 8.1. City Clerk requesting confirmation of the appointment of Natasha Frazier to the position of Assistant Clerk of Committees. 24-0190 Referred for recommendation ▶ jump to 35:24
  57. 8.2. City Clerk requesting confirmation of the re-appointment of Peter Forcellese, Sr. to the position of Legislative Clerk. 24-0191 Approved Pass ▶ jump to 35:38
  58. 8.3. City Clerk requesting confirmation of the re-appointment of Stephanie Widzowski to the position of Clerk of Committees. 24-0192 Approved Pass ▶ jump to 36:00
  59. 9. NEW BUSINESS
  60. 9.1. Korean-American Citizens League of New England Inc applying for a Public Event License for 4th Annual Lunar New Year Celebration on March 3 from 1:30pm to 3:15pm (raindate March 10). 24-0205 Approved Pass ▶ jump to 36:11
  61. 9.2. BA Events Promotion applying for a Public Event License for Race of Ireland on March 24 from 7am to 1:30pm. 24-0196 Approved Pass ▶ jump to 36:11
  62. 9.3. St Benedict Parish applying for a Public Event License for Good Friday-Stations of the Cross Procession on March 29 from 4pm to 7:30pm. 24-0198 Approved Pass ▶ jump to 36:11
  63. 9.4. Arts Council applying for a Public Event License for Porchfest on May 11 from 11am to 7pm (raindate May 12). 24-0197 Approved Pass ▶ jump to 36:11
  64. 9.5. Union Square Main Streets applying for a Public Event License for Union Square Farmers Market on every Saturday, May 11 to October 26 from 6:45am to 2pm. 24-0206 Approved Pass ▶ jump to 36:11
  65. 9.6. Elizabeth Hunter applying for a Public Event License for Marian, or the True Tale of Robin Hood on May 28-30, June 1-6, June 15-16, June 22-23 from 5pm to 9pm (raindate June 29 and June 30). 24-0195 Approved Pass ▶ jump to 36:11
  66. 9.7. Chasen Williams submitting comments re: intersection at Powder House Boulevard and Alewife Brook Parkway. 24-0199 Placed on file Pass ▶ jump to 36:30
  67. 9.8. Four individuals submitting comments re: item 24-0089 a resolution in support of an enduring ceasefire in Gaza. 24-0200 Placed on file Pass ▶ jump to 36:30
  68. 10. SUPPLEMENTAL ITEMS
  69. 10.1. That the Administration include in the FY 2025 budget, additional funding for rodent mitigation efforts, including an Office of Rodent Prevention similar to the one proposed in Boston, with appropriate staffing. 24-0211 Referred for recommendation ▶ jump to 3:26
  70. 10.2. That the Administration include in the FY 2025 budget, funding for a home air filtration pilot program to address air pollution along Interstate 93. 24-0212 Referred for recommendation ▶ jump to 3:26
  71. 10.3. Conveying budget priorities and requests for FY 2025. 24-0214 Placed on file and sent for discussion Pass
  72. 10.4. Finance Director conveying FY 2024 Mid-Year Financial Report in accordance with Section 2-48 of the Code of Ordinances. 24-0210 Placed on file and sent for discussion Pass ▶ jump to 3:26
  73. 10.5. Yitzchok Segall submitting comments re: item 24-0089 a resolution in support of an enduring ceasefire in Gaza. 24-0213 Placed on file Pass ▶ jump to 36:30
  74. 11. ADJOURNMENT
  75. 72 The meeting was Adjourned at 7:37 PM on a Roll Call vote of 11 in favor (McLaughlin, Davis, Wilson, Sait, Scott, Mbah, Burnley, Clingan, Strezo, Pineda Neufeld, Ewen-Campen), 0 opposed.