Traffic and Parking Committee — Minutes, Nov 4, 2024

City of Somerville, Massachusetts City Council Traffic and Parking Committee Meeting Minutes 6:00 PM Monday, November 4, 2024 The meeting took place remotely via Zoom and was called to order at 6:04 PM by Chair Sait and adjourned at 6:43 PM on a roll call vote of 3 in favor (Councilors Wilson, Pineda Neufeld, and Sait), none against and none absent. Others present: Brad Rawson - Director of Mobility, Madalyn Letellier - Legislative Services Manager Roll Call Ward Five City Councilor Naima Sait, Ward Seven City Councilor Judy Pineda Neufeld and City Councilor At Large Jake Wilson Present: 1. Approval of the Minutes of the Traffic and Parking Committee Meeting of September 16, 2024. Committee Minutes (ID # 24-1382) ACCEPTED RESULT: Ward Five City Councilor Sait, Ward Seven City Councilor Pineda Neufeld and City Councilor At Large Wilson AYE: 2. By Councilor Sait, Councilor Wilson and Councilor Davis That the Director of Mobility work with the Ward 5 Councilor on installing bike parking next to Neighborhood Produce after the Broadway at Boston Avenue intersection work is completed. Order (ID # 24-1416) Director Rawson was present to answer any questions on the additional bike parking added. Councilor Wilson confirmed the bike parking was installed into concrete not asphalt, to which Director Rawson confirmed. RECOMMENDED TO BE MARKED WORK COMPLETED RESULT: 3. By Councilor Wilson and Councilor Burnley Jr. That the Administration facilitate bike parking for large licensed public events in the city. Resolution (ID # 24-1400) Director Rawson will relay this request to the Events Team and confirmed the intent is for temporary one-day event-based parking. Councilor Wilson confirmed the intent is on how to handle the volume of residents who would like to bike to the various events held within the city and how to keep the streets clear with the option of bike valet. Page 1 of 4

Traffic and Parking Committee Meeting Minutes November 4, 2024 KEPT IN COMMITTEE RESULT: 4. By Councilor Wilson, Councilor Ewen-Campen and Councilor Davis That the Director of Mobility update this Council on the current timeline for the Highland Avenue Redesign Project. Order (ID # 24-1399) Director Rawson said there is not a specific timeline on the new version of the Capitol Investment plan but looking to the past plan it states that fiscal 2026 is allotted for redesign on the Highland Avenue project. RECOMMENDED TO BE MARKED WORK COMPLETED RESULT: 5. By Councilor Sait, Councilor Burnley Jr., Councilor Clingan, Councilor Davis, Councilor Ewen-Campen, Councilor Mbah, Councilor McLaughlin, Councilor Pineda Neufeld, Councilor Scott, Councilor Strezo and Councilor Wilson That the Director of Mobility install speed limit signage, and update the signage to NO MOTORIZED VEHICLES and include scooters and mopeds, along the Community Path and at all its various entrances. Order (ID # 24-1394) Chair Sait provided background on the order, explaining that some participants who were using scooters and mopeds did not interpret the "NO MOTORIZED VEHICLES" sign as applying to those modes of transportation. Director Rawson mentioned that the Mobility team is working on the most effective ways to communicate with users of community paths, including exploring speed control measures and adding additional signage. Councilor Sait asked when the updated signage could be expected. Director Rawson explained that the sign changes could occur between now and September 2025, with the final decision on the updates coming from Director Rinfret and parking. Councilor Wilson raised the concern of how to address the issue without limiting mobility devices. They suggested including graphics on the signs to clarify which modes of transportation are allowed. Director Rawson responded that they are currently discussing both plain language and graphic designs, with the goal of making it clear which vehicles and behaviors are being regulated. RECOMMENDED TO BE MARKED WORK COMPLETED RESULT: Page 2 of 4

Traffic and Parking Committee Meeting Minutes November 4, 2024 6. By Councilor Ewen-Campen, Councilor Davis, Councilor Wilson, Councilor Sait, Councilor Pineda Neufeld, Councilor McLaughlin and Councilor Clingan That the Chief of Police resume the practice of issuing tickets rather than warnings for serious moving violations that endanger public safety, including speeding and running red lights. Order (ID # 24-1392) KEPT IN COMMITTEE RESULT: 7. By Councilor McLaughlin That the Director of Mobility place speed bumps and other traffic calming measures along Bonair Street by the Edgerly School. Order (ID # 24-1294) Director Rawson stated that this location has been added to the city's traffic calming list, and data collection is ongoing, with the expectation that the measures will be implemented in 2025. RECOMMENDED TO BE MARKED WORK COMPLETED RESULT: 8. By Councilor Ewen-Campen and Councilor Sait That the Administration update this Council on the status of implementing the recommendations of the Parking & Curb Use Study, and respond to the July 2024 recommendations of the Somerville Alliance of Safe Streets (SASS). Resolution (ID # 24-1274) Councilor Pineda Neufeld shared at the end of 2022 a request for a full council report out on the Study did not happen but would like for one to still occur. Director Rawson said he can relay those points to the Intergovernmental Affair teams (IGA) to include in the discussion. Chair Sait recommended this item be kept in committee to wait for Director Rinfret to have a full discussion. KEPT IN COMMITTEE RESULT: 9. By Councilor Sait That the Director of Mobility install a raised crosswalk at the intersection of Boston and Kidder Avenues. Order (ID # 24-1266) Director Rawson asked for clarification on the exact issue and reason for request. Further stating staff will review the location with all other traffic calming request to look for any opportunities to improve safety. Chair Sait stated cars are not stopping at the stop signs and will follow up with the email request that include all the specific concerns. RECOMMENDED TO BE MARKED WORK COMPLETED RESULT: Page 3 of 4

Traffic and Parking Committee Meeting Minutes November 4, 2024 10. By Councilor Sait That the Director of Mobility and the Director of Engineering explore how to make the raised sidewalk located at the intersection of Broadway and Boston Avenue safer. Order (ID # 24-1265) Chair Sait spoke on this item and the request for this to be addressed before any snow in the season. Director Rawson said the ramps are an engineering technique and highlighted it is on the list to be reviewed along with engineering and mobility department ahead of wintertime. RECOMMENDED TO BE MARKED WORK COMPLETED RESULT: Page 4 of 4