Open Space, Environment and Energy Committee — Minutes, Nov 20, 2023

City of Somerville, Massachusetts City Council Open Space, Environment and Energy Committee Meeting Minutes 6:00 PM Monday, November 20, 2023 This meeting was held via Zoom and was called to order by Chair Burnley at 6:04 pm and adjourned at 6:23 pm with a roll call vote of 3 in favor (Councilor Pineda Neufeld, Councilor Scott, and Chair Burnley), 0 opposed, and 2 absent (Councilor Wilson and Councilor Gomez Mouakad). Others present: Hannah Carrillo – Mayor’s Office, Stephanie Widzowski – Clerk of Committees. Roll Call Chairperson Willie Burnley Jr., Vice Chair Jefferson Thomas (J.T.) Scott and Judy Pineda Neufeld Present: Beatriz Gomez Mouakad and Jake Wilson Absent: 1. Approval of the Minutes of the Open Space, Environment and Energy Committee Meeting of May 8, 2023. Committee Minutes (ID # 23-0734) ACCEPTED RESULT: Chairperson Burnley Jr., Vice Chair Scott and Ward Seven City Councilor Pineda Neufeld AYE: Ward Five City Councilor Gomez Mouakad and City Councilor At Large Wilson ABSENT: 2. By Councilor McLaughlin, Councilor Wilson, Councilor Scott, Councilor Ewen-Campen and Councilor Davis That the Commissioner of Public Works update this Council on the status of the annual Spring Cleanups for the upcoming season. Order (ID # 23-0893) Councilor Scott explained that the Spring Cleanups had been a long-standing tradition to clean popular public spaces in the city, and it brought residents together. They expressed interest in seeing the event return. Liaison Carrillo said that she had spoken briefly with Commissioner Lathan, whose understanding was that the event was driven by councilors rather than DPW. Liaison Carrillo said she would follow up on that conversation. KEPT IN COMMITTEE RESULT: 3. By Councilor Burnley Jr. That the Director of Parks and Recreation ensure a notice is posted on every community board in parks advertising city job postings. Order (ID # 23-0703) Taken together with item 23-1002. Chair Burnley said that he wants to fill Page 1 of 2

Open Space, Environment and Energy Committee Meeting Minutes November 20, 2023 vacancies in a way that uplifts constituents and allows for direct participation in government. Liaison Carrillo said that she had spoken with HR, who are not currently posting in parks, but are willing to explore this idea with Parks & Recreation. Councilor Scott expressed concern that these items have been in committee since April and June, respectively. KEPT IN COMMITTEE RESULT: 4. By Councilor Burnley Jr. and Councilor Clingan That the Director of Parks and Recreation work with the Director of Human Resources to post flyers on community boards indicating vacant job positions. Order (ID # 23-1002) KEPT IN COMMITTEE RESULT: 5. By Councilor Pineda Neufeld and Councilor Ewen-Campen That the Director of Engineering consider installing water fountains along the Community Path Extension. Order (ID # 23-1375) Councilor Pineda Neufeld said that she was not sure whether the infrastructure along the Community Path Extension supported installing water fountains. Chair Burnley said that he heard from Liaison Carrillo recently that this will require a collaboration between the city and the MBTA. Liaison Carrillo said that she brought this item to Dir. Rawson and Dir. Postlewaite, who will discuss this further. KEPT IN COMMITTEE RESULT: 6. By Councilor Burnley Jr., Councilor Wilson, Councilor Davis, Councilor Pineda Neufeld and Councilor Ewen-Campen That the Director of the Office of Sustainability and Environment work with this Council and Green and Open Somerville to consider the creation of an Invasive Species Czar position to spearhead outreach, education, and citywide invasive plant species removal. Order (ID # 23-1600) Liaison Carrillo passed along a message from Dir. Blais that this item will involve multiple departments, but that she is interested in starting the conversation, especially with PSUF. Chair Burnley sponsored Claire O’Neill, who confirmed that Green and Open Somerville just sent a letter to councilors today in support of creating a position dedicated to invasive species response. KEPT IN COMMITTEE RESULT: Page 2 of 2