Meetings ▸ Agenda
City Council — Agenda, Jan 26, 2023
City of Somerville, Massachusetts
City Council
Regular Meeting Agenda
City Council Chamber and Remote
Participation
7:00 PM
Thursday, January 26, 2023
Published January 24, 2023 5:05 PM. Revised January 26, 2023 1:35 PM. Revised January 26, 2023
2:00 PM (additional item in Legislative Matters Committee).
NOTICE: Pursuant to Chapter 107 of the Acts of 2022, this meeting of the City Council may be
conducted and 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.
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1.
OPENING CEREMONIES
1.1.
Roll Call
(ID # 23-0156)
Call of the Roll.
1.2.
Remembrances
(ID # 23-0151)
Remembrances.
1.3.
Minutes
(ID # 23-0124)
Approval of the Minutes of the Regular Meeting, December 8,
2022.
2.
CITATIONS
3.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
3.1.
Grant of Location
(ID # 23-0114)
Eversource applying for a Grant of Location to install 33 feet
of conduit in Morrison Avenue, from Utility Pole 238/24A to a
point of pickup at 195 Morrison Avenue.
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4.
ORDERS, ORDINANCES, RESOLUTIONS AND MOTIONS OF MEMBERS
4.1.
Order
(ID # 23-0127)
By Councilor Ewen-Campen
That this City Council invites Somerville resident David Gibbs
to speak about the youth mental health crisis in the city.
4.2.
Order
(ID # 23-0128)
By Councilor Ewen-Campen and Councilor Wilson
That the Director of Engineering build an ADA-compliant
sidewalk bump-out around the large tree on Walnut Street, just
south of Summit Avenue.
4.3.
Order
(ID # 23-0129)
By Councilor Ewen-Campen
That the Director of Engineering expand the traffic island at
Spring and Atherton Streets to remove the slip lane, and
connect the green space to the west side of Spring Street.
4.4.
Order
(ID # 23-0131)
By Councilor Kelly
That the Director of Inspectional Services and the
Environmental Health Coordinator update this Council on the
SMART box program and other rodent control measures.
4.5.
Resolution
(ID # 23-0130)
By Councilor Kelly
That the Participatory Budgeting Working Group update this
Council on the status of the participatory budgeting process.
4.6.
Order
(ID # 23-0136)
By Councilor Clingan
That the Commissioner of Public Works fill the pothole on Ten
Hills Road, near Governor Winthrop Road.
4.7.
Order
(ID # 23-0137)
By Councilor Clingan and Councilor Wilson
That the Director of Communications provide this Council
with an accounting of how the cable franchise fees have been
expended over the past five years.
4.8.
Order
(ID # 23-0157)
By Councilor Clingan
That the Committee on Public Utilities and Public Works hold
a public hearing regarding the cable franchise agreements at its
February 13, 2023 meeting.
4.9.
Resolution
(ID # 23-0138)
By Councilor Clingan
That the Administration provide an update on contract
negotiations with local cable providers at the February 13,
2023 meeting of this Council’s Committee on Public Utilities
and Public Works.
4.10.
Resolution
(ID # 23-0139)
By Councilor Pineda Neufeld and Councilor Strezo
Recognizing January 27, 2023 as International Holocaust
Remembrance Day.
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4.11.
Order
(ID # 23-0140)
By Councilor Strezo
That the Chief of Police report to this Council, in writing, the
number of drink-spiking incidents reported in the past two
years.
4.12.
Order
(ID # 23-0141)
By Councilor Strezo
That the Director of Parks and Recreation, the Director of
Health and Human Services, and the Director of Libraries work
with the School Department to discuss creating a Somerville
restaurant surplus supply program, in collaboration with the
Teen Center.
4.13.
Order
(ID # 23-0142)
By Councilor Strezo
That the Commissioner of Public Works immediately remove
the wires hanging from the pole and tied to the porch railing at
9 Pearl Street Place, and report to this Council who owns the
pole.
4.14.
Order
(ID # 23-0143)
By Councilor Strezo
That the Commissioner of Public Works immediately remove
the wires wrapped around a telephone pole and in the street in
front of 19 Church Street, and report to this Council who owns
the pole.
4.15.
Order
(ID # 23-0144)
By Councilor Gomez Mouakad
That the Director of Infrastructure and Asset Management
provide an update on issues with the High School Field House
track flooring material and bleachers.
4.16.
Order
(ID # 23-0145)
By Councilor Gomez Mouakad
That the Director of Public Space and Urban Forestry and the
Director of Infrastructure and Asset Management explain the
selections of surface materials for school parks and
playgrounds.
4.17.
Order
(ID # 23-0146)
By Councilor Gomez Mouakad
That the Director of Infrastructure and Asset Management
provide an update on the status of the Cummings School, and
the potential for future occupancies and uses.
4.18.
Order
(ID # 23-0147)
By Councilor Gomez Mouakad
That the Director of Economic Development provide an update
on Use and Occupancy agreements for all Armory tenants, and
explain how extensions are being coordinated with the Master
Plan process.
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4.19.
Order
(ID # 23-0148)
By Councilor Gomez Mouakad
That the Director of Infrastructure and Asset Management
provide updates on any capital projects or improvements
planned for the Armory building as part of the Master Plan
process.
4.20.
Order
(ID # 23-0149)
By Councilor Gomez Mouakad
That the Commissioner of Public Works provide an update on
current and future maintenance plans for the Armory building.
5.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
6.
REPORTS OF COMMITTEES
6.A.
CHARTER REVIEW SPECIAL COMMITTEE
6.A.1. Committee Report
(ID # 23-0135)
Report of the Special Committee on Charter Review, meeting
as a Committee of the Whole on January 25, 2023.
6.A.2. Resolution
(ID # 23-0168)
By Councilor Scott
Supporting the recommended language by the Charter Review
Committee to maintain the Mayor-Council system of
governance.
6.A.3. Resolution
(ID # 23-0169)
By Councilor McLaughlin
Supporting the recommended language by the Charter Review
Committee to retain the current City Council structure.
6.A.4. Resolution
(ID # 23-0170)
By Councilor Burnley Jr.
Supporting the recommended language by the Charter Review
Committee to retain a two-year City Council term.
6.A.5. Resolution
(ID # 23-0171)
By Councilor Burnley Jr.
That the proposed Charter be revised to change the language to
a two-year mayoral term, and to revise the proposed vacancy
process to align with that change.
6.B.
FINANCE COMMITTEE
6.B.1. Committee Report
(ID # 23-0134)
Report of the Committee on Finance, meeting on January 24,
2023.
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6.B.2. Resolution
(ID # 22-1798)
By Councilor Ewen-Campen, Councilor Burnley Jr., Councilor
Clingan, Councilor Davis, Councilor Gomez Mouakad,
Councilor Kelly, Councilor McLaughlin, Councilor Pineda
Neufeld, Councilor Scott, Councilor Strezo and Councilor
Wilson
That the Administration update this Council on efforts to use
District Improvement Financing to capture new tax growth,
specifically for new affordable housing.
RECOMMENDED: Recommended to be marked work
completed.
6.B.3. Mayor's Request
(ID # 22-2060)
Requesting approval to pay prior year invoices totaling $358
using available funds in the Human Resources Professional &
Technical Services Account for pre-employment placement
exams and drug screens.
RECOMMENDED: Recommended to be approved.
6.B.4. Mayor's Request
(ID # 22-2061)
Requesting approval to pay a prior year invoice totaling
$3,012.03 using available funds in the Human Resources
Professional & Technical Services Account for May 2021
Employee Assistance Program.
RECOMMENDED: Recommended to be approved.
6.B.5. Mayor's Request
(ID # 22-2062)
Requesting approval to pay a prior year invoice totaling $4,950
using available funds in the Human Resources Arbitration
Services Account for FY 2022 arbitration services.
RECOMMENDED: Recommended to be approved.
6.B.6. Mayor's Request
(ID # 22-2083)
Requesting approval to appropriate $75,000 from the Bike
Share Stabilization Fund for a Blue Bike Station at Boynton
Yards at 101 South Street.
RECOMMENDED: Recommended to be approved.
6.B.7. Mayor's Request
(ID # 23-0016)
Requesting approval to appropriate $100,000 from the Encore
Artist and Cultural Support Stabilization Fund to support Local
Cultural Council grants to artists, organizations, and schools.
RECOMMENDED: Recommended to be approved.
6.B.8. Mayor's Request
(ID # 23-0017)
Requesting approval to pay prior year invoices totaling $3,332
using available funds in the Office of Sustainability and
Environment Ordinary Maintenance Professional and
Technical Services Account for preventative maintenance of
solar arrays.
RECOMMENDED: Recommended to be approved.
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6.B.9. Mayor's Request
(ID # 23-0035)
Requesting approval to extend a contract with the Community
Action Agency of Somerville for an additional four months to
2/29/2023 for housing search and stabilization services.
RECOMMENDED: Recommended to be approved.
6.B.10.Mayor's Request
(ID # 23-0037)
Requesting approval of a transfer of $5,000 from the Office of
Sustainability and Environment Ordinary Maintenance
Account to the Office of Sustainability and Environment
Personal Services Account to reallocate approved funding for
interns to the appropriate budget line.
RECOMMENDED: Recommended to be approved.
6.B.11.Mayor's Request
(ID # 23-0043)
Requesting approval to accept and expend a $1,050 gift with
no new match required, from Tufts University Technology
Support Center to the Council on Aging to reduce the cost of a
luncheon for older adults.
RECOMMENDED: Recommended to be approved.
6.B.12.Mayor's Request
(ID # 23-0044)
Requesting approval to pay prior year invoices totaling $796.67
using available funds in the City Clerk Office Supplies
Account for various supplies.
RECOMMENDED: Recommended to be approved.
6.B.13.Mayor's Request
(ID # 23-0046)
Requesting approval to pay prior year invoices totaling
$95,474.26 using available funds in various Department of
Public Works Ordinary Maintenance Accounts for various
services.
RECOMMENDED: Recommended to be approved.
6.B.14.Mayor's Request
(ID # 23-0049)
Requesting authorization to borrow $4,545,827 in a bond, and
to appropriate the same amount for streets and sidewalk
reconstruction.
RECOMMENDED: Recommended to be approved.
6.C.
LEGISLATIVE MATTERS COMMITTEE
6.C.1. Committee Report
(ID # 23-0132)
Report of the Committee on Legislative Matters, meeting on
January 17, 2023.
6.C.2. Order
(ID # 22-1056)
By Councilor Burnley Jr. and Councilor Ewen-Campen
That the Chief of Police report to this Council, any verified or
suspected false reports of gunshots by ShotSpotter.
RECOMMENDED: Recommended to be marked work
completed.
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6.C.3. Order
(ID # 22-1057)
By Councilor Burnley Jr. and Councilor Ewen-Campen
That the Chief of Police report to this Council, any
communications between the Police Department and
ShotSpotter regarding ambiguous or contested detections.
RECOMMENDED: Recommended to be marked work
completed.
6.C.4. Order
(ID # 22-1452)
By Councilor Burnley Jr.
That the City hereby rescinds its adoption of the provisions of
Chapter 90, Section 20A½ of the Massachusetts General Laws.
RECOMMENDED: Recommended to be approved.
6.C.5. Order
(ID # 22-1453)
By Councilor Burnley Jr.
That the City hereby adopts the provisions of Chapter 90,
Section 20A of the Massachusetts General Laws.
RECOMMENDED: Recommended to be approved.
6.C.6. Mayor's Request
(ID # 22-2050)
Requesting ordainment of an amendment to Chapter 7, Article
X of the Code of Ordinances, to add a registry component to
the short-term rentals ordinance.
RECOMMENDED: Recommended to be approved as
amended.
6.C.7. Officer's
Communication
(ID # 23-0085)
Chief of Police conveying a response to item 22-1056, an order
that the Chief of Police report to this Council, any verified or
suspected false reports of gunshots by ShotSpotter.
RECOMMENDED: Recommended to be marked work
completed.
6.C.8. Mayor's Request
(ID # 23-0101)
Requesting approval of a Home Rule Petition to require the
adoption of Institutional Master Plans.
RECOMMENDED: Recommended to be approved.
6.C.9. Mayor's Request
(ID # 23-0103)
Requesting approval of a Home Rule Petition to provide legal
voting rights in municipal elections for residents aged 16 and
17 years old.
RECOMMENDED: Recommended to be approved.
6.C.10.Mayor's Request
(ID # 23-0104)
Requesting approval of a Home Rule Petition further defining
the purposes of the Affordable Housing Trust.
RECOMMENDED: Recommended to be approved.
6.C.11.Order
(ID # 23-0172)
By Councilor Davis
That the Council amend the Surveillance Technology
Ordinance to clarify that it covers cameras used for automated
traffic or parking enforcement.
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City Council
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6.D.
PUBLIC HEALTH AND PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE
6.D.1. Committee Report
(ID # 23-0133)
Report of the Committee on Public Health and Public Safety,
meeting on January 23, 2023.
6.D.2. Order
(ID # 22-0058)
By Councilor Kelly and Councilor Scott
That the Director of Inspectional Services discuss with this
Council how to increase reliability and frequency of
enforcement of public health violations in the City.
RECOMMENDED: Recommended to be marked work
completed.
6.D.3. Order
(ID # 22-0959)
By Councilor Clingan, Councilor Pineda Neufeld and
Councilor Gomez Mouakad
That the Chief of Police provide this Council with a list of
confirmed shootings between April 2018 and April 2022.
RECOMMENDED: Recommended to be marked work
completed.
6.D.4. Order
(ID # 22-1055)
By Councilor Burnley Jr., Councilor Davis and Councilor
Wilson
That the Chief of Police deliver to this Council, a written report
of the Police Department's protocol for addressing
encampments of un-housed individuals, including any
resources that are offered, and whether those individuals are
transported and to where.
RECOMMENDED: Recommended to be marked work
completed.
6.D.5. Order
(ID # 22-1307)
By Councilor Burnley Jr.
That the Chief of Police provide this Council with a written
report on the number of calls for service related to un-housed
individuals, the nature of those calls, and the number directed
toward or responded to in collaboration with the Somerville
Homeless Coalition.
RECOMMENDED: Recommended to be marked work
completed.
6.D.6. Order
(ID # 22-1359)
By Councilor McLaughlin
That the Community Outreach, Help and Recovery (COHR)
team work in conjunction with the Homeless Coalition to
address homelessness in East Somerville open spaces.
RECOMMENDED: Recommended to be marked work
completed.
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6.D.7. Order
(ID # 22-1445)
By Councilor Gomez Mouakad and Councilor Wilson
That the Director of Inspectional Services report on the status
of the enforcement of Section 11-111 of the Code of
Ordinances, regarding Registration and maintenance of vacant
property.
RECOMMENDED: Recommended to be marked work
completed.
6.D.8. Order
(ID # 22-1739)
By Councilor McLaughlin
That the Director of Housing and the Director of Health and
Human Services update this Council regarding repeated
requests to provide shelter to homeless residents.
RECOMMENDED: Recommended to be marked work
completed.
6.D.9. Order
(ID # 22-1757)
By Councilor Burnley Jr., Councilor Kelly and Councilor
Davis
That the ARPA Specialist update this Council on the City's
plans to use ARPA funding to address chronic homelessness.
RECOMMENDED: Recommended to be marked work
completed.
6.D.10.Order
(ID # 22-1761)
By Councilor Burnley Jr.
That the Chief of Police work with the Office of Housing
Stability to submit a written report answering the questions
contained within.
RECOMMENDED: Recommended to be marked work
completed.
6.D.11.Order
(ID # 22-1767)
By Councilor Pineda Neufeld
That the Director of Health and Human Services report to this
Council on COVID and flu vaccination clinics and strategies to
increase opportunities for residents to access vaccines.
RECOMMENDED: Recommended to be marked work
completed.
6.D.12.Order
(ID # 22-1932)
By Councilor Pineda Neufeld, Councilor Scott, Councilor
Burnley Jr., City Council Organizational Meeting, Councilor
Clingan, Councilor Davis, Councilor Ewen-Campen, Councilor
Gomez Mouakad, Councilor Kelly, Councilor McLaughlin,
Councilor Strezo and Councilor Wilson
That the Chief Fire Engineer inform the appropriate Ward
Councilor and Councilors-at-Large, as soon as safely
practicable, when a major fire has occurred in their Ward,
including the number of residents impacted.
RECOMMENDED: Recommended to be marked work
completed.
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6.D.13.Order
(ID # 22-1933)
By Councilor Pineda Neufeld, Councilor Scott and Councilor
Kelly
That the Director of Emergency Management, the Director of
the Office of Housing Stability, the Director of Health and
Human Services, the Chief Fire Engineer, and other relevant
staff, discuss with this Council the resources and support
services provided to residents impacted by a disaster or crisis
such as fire or flood.
RECOMMENDED: Recommended to be marked work
completed.
6.D.14.Resolution
(ID # 22-1934)
By Councilor Pineda Neufeld, Councilor Scott and Councilor
Kelly
That the Mayor designate a central point of contact for
providing on-site response for mass displacement events such
as fires and floods, and coordinating efforts to assist impacted
residents.
RECOMMENDED: Recommended to be marked work
completed.
6.D.15.Order
(ID # 22-2123)
By Councilor Wilson, Councilor Pineda Neufeld, Councilor
Kelly and Councilor Burnley Jr.
That the Director of Health and Human Services and the
Superintendent of Water and Sewer update this Council on the
feasibility of partnering with a vendor to conduct COVID-19
wastewater testing.
RECOMMENDED: Recommended to be marked work
completed.
6.D.16.Order
(ID # 23-0081)
By Councilor Burnley Jr.
That the Board of Health deliver its annual report to this City
Council in January, in compliance with Section 6-20 of the
Code of Ordinances, with emphasis on the work to mitigate the
spread of COVID-19.
RECOMMENDED: Recommended to be marked work
completed.
6.D.17.Order
(ID # 23-0094)
By Councilor Pineda Neufeld, Councilor Kelly, Councilor
Burnley Jr., Councilor Strezo and Councilor Scott
That the Director of Health and Human Services share with
this Council any plans to encourage or require indoor masking
in light of the recent COVID-19 surge.
RECOMMENDED: Recommended to be marked work
completed.
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7.
COMMUNICATIONS OF THE MAYOR
7.1.
Mayor's Request
(ID # 23-0095)
Requesting ordainment of an amendment to Section 10.8
Commercial Signs, of the Zoning Ordinances, to permit
commercial signs by right.
7.2.
Mayor's Request
(ID # 23-0111)
Requesting confirmation of the appointment of Ryan Kiracofe
to the Community Preservation Committee.
7.3.
Mayor's Request
(ID # 23-0110)
Requesting approval of the Urban Center Housing Tax
Increment Financing (UCH-TIF) Zone, Plan, and Form of
Agreement for Winter Hill.
7.4.
Mayor's Request
(ID # 23-0125)
Requesting approval to create the Opioid Recovery and
Remediation Stabilization Fund.
7.5.
Mayor's Request
(ID # 23-0109)
Requesting approval to accept and expend a $91,211.79 grant
with no new match required, from MA Executive Office of
Public Safety to the Fire Department for staffing costs.
7.6.
Mayor's Request
(ID # 23-0119)
Requesting approval of a time-only extension to the contract
with Barletta Heavy Division, for work on the Somerville
Avenue Utilities and Streetscape Improvements project.
7.7.
Mayor's Request
(ID # 23-0058)
Requesting approval to extend the Invoice Cloud contract for
credit card processing for over-the-counter and meter
transactions.
7.8.
Mayor's Request
(ID # 23-0155)
Requesting that City Councilors submit budget funding
priorities by March 29, 2023.
7.9.
Mayor's
Communication
(ID # 23-0123)
Conveying an update on Participatory Budgeting.
7.10.
Mayor's
Communication
(ID # 23-0159)
Conveying updates to the FY 2023 City Council budget
requests and requesting budget priorities for FY 2024.
8.
COMMUNICATIONS OF CITY OFFICERS
9.
NEW BUSINESS
9.1.
License
(ID # 23-0153)
Amending Dog Kennel License, RiverDog Daycare, 321
Somerville Ave, expanding to increase capacity to 45 dogs.
9.2.
License
(ID # 23-0115)
Renewing Outdoor Goods License, 130 Broadway LLC, 130
Broadway.
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9.3.
License
(ID # 23-0154)
Renewing Outdoor Parking License, Star Market, 275 Beacon
St.
9.4.
License
(ID # 23-0120)
Transferring Taxi Medallion License, from Lochmere Taxi Inc
to Pierre Michel, Medallion #91.
9.5.
License
(ID # 23-0117)
Renewing Taxi Medallion License, V.I.N.L. Transportation
Inc, Med #65.
9.6.
License
(ID # 23-0118)
Renewing Used Car Dealer License Class 2, Pearl Street Auto
Sales, 182 Pearl St.
9.7.
Public Event
(ID # 23-0116)
Zachary Chang-Otanez applying for a Public Event License for
Engineers Without Borders 6K Run on April 23 from 12pm to
5:30pm (raindate April 30).
10.
SUPPLEMENTAL ITEMS
10.1.
Resolution
(ID # 23-0163)
By Councilor Scott, Councilor Kelly and Councilor Burnley Jr.
That the Administration provide an update regarding the
progress in establishing a Warming Center for un-housed
residents.
10.2.
Resolution
(ID # 23-0164)
By Councilor Scott
Urging the Mayor to move forward without further delay on the
Purchasing Parity Study.
10.3.
Order
(ID # 23-0166)
By Councilor Burnley Jr.
That the Director of Health and Human Services update this
Council on the progress toward a Safe Consumption Site and
provide a timeline for establishment.
10.4.
Order
(ID # 23-0167)
By Councilor Burnley Jr.
That the Director of Mobility provide a report on acquiring
e-bikes through the city's BlueBike partnership.
10.5.
Mayor's Request
(ID # 23-0074)
Requesting approval of a Home Rule Petition to authorize the
continued employment of Acting Somerville Police Chief
Charles J. Femino.
10.6.
Mayor's Request
(ID # 23-0096)
Requesting approval to pay prior year invoices totaling
$6,318.46 using available funds in the Information Technology
Computer Supplies Account for computer supplies, internet
services, and phone services.
10.7.
Mayor's Request
(ID # 23-0121)
Requesting approval of a time-only contract extension for CBA
Landscape Architects, for the Henry Hansen Memorial Park
design services beyond the three year maximum, to 9/30/2024.
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10.8.
Mayor's Request
(ID # 23-0126)
Requesting approval of a time-only contract extension for the
Weston and Sampson Engineering and Licensed Site
Professional contract for Conway park beyond the three year
maximum, to 12/31/2023.
10.9.
Officer's
Communication
(ID # 23-0042)
Economic Development Director conveying a Request for
Qualifications (RFQ) and accompanying memorandum on the
90 Washington Street Demonstration Project Plan.
10.10. Public
Communication
(ID # 23-0152)
Somerville Stands Together submitting comments re: Comcast
franchise negotiations.
11.
LATE ITEMS
12.
ADJOURNMENT
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