City Council — Agenda, Jan 8, 2026

City of Somerville, Massachusetts City Council Regular Meeting Agenda City Council Chamber and Remote Participation 7:00 PM Thursday, January 8, 2026 Published January 6, 2026, 2:30 PM, Revised Published January 8, 2026, 11:00 AM. NOTICE: Pursuant to Chapter 2 of the Acts of 2025, 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_mXbZSYFCSyGQdlz3ygivaQ 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 [phone removed] x2059 or ada@somervillema.gov. 1. OPENING CEREMONIES 1.1. Roll Call (ID # 26-0076) Call of the Roll. 1.2. Remembrances (ID # 26-0077) Remembrances. 1.3. Minutes (ID # 26-0078) Approval of the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of November 25, 2025. 2. CITATIONS 3. PUBLIC HEARINGS 3.1. Grant of Location (ID # 26-0033) Eversource applying for a Grant of Location to install approximately a total of 2.7 feet of conduit in Highland Avenue, from an existing Manhole 18944 to an approximate point of pickup at 185 Highland Avenue. Page 1 of 8

City Council Regular Meeting Agenda January 8, 2026 3.2. Grant of Location (ID # 26-0032) Eversource applying for a Grant of Location to install approximately a total of 110 feet of conduit in Jaques Street, from Utility Pole 182/4 to an approximate point of pickup at 146 Jaques Street. 4. ORDERS, ORDINANCES, RESOLUTIONS AND MOTIONS OF MEMBERS 4.1. Ordinance (ID # 26-0046) By Councilor Davis Amending Chapter 2, Article III of the Code of Ordinances by adding a new section establishing the time and place of regular meetings of the City Council. 4.2. Order (ID # 26-0049) By Councilor Strezo That the Director of Housing report to this Council how many new housing units have been approved for development, year-by-year, since adoption of SomerVision 2040, and of those numbers, how many are permanently affordable, and how the department defines affordability. 4.3. Order (ID # 26-0050) By Councilor Strezo That the Director of Office of Housing Stability discuss the current status of residents facing displacement and the number of households seeking rental assistance. 4.4. Order (ID # 26-0051) By Councilor Strezo That the Director of Parks and Recreation provide an update on upcoming inclusive playground accessibility plans and redesign projects. 4.5. Order (ID # 26-0052) By Councilor Strezo That the Commissioner of Public Works and relevant departments discuss the future community use of Founders Rink for 2026 and beyond. 4.6. Order (ID # 26-0059) By Councilor McLaughlin That the Director of Mobility provide an update on the Kensington Connector. 4.7. Resolution (ID # 26-0057) By Councilor McLaughlin That the Director of Human Resources and the Chief of Police work with state officials to provide crossing guards on McGrath Highway. 4.8. Resolution (ID # 26-0058) By Councilor McLaughlin That the Administration collaborate with East Somerville Main Streets and the Ward 1 City Councilor to promote Eat Out in East to support East Somerville immigrant-owned businesses. Page 2 of 8

City Council Regular Meeting Agenda January 8, 2026 4.9. Resolution (ID # 26-0060) By Councilor McLaughlin That the Director of Engineering and the Director of Mobility work to block off the end of Virginia Street and Aldrich Street to through traffic. 4.10. Resolution (ID # 26-0061) By Councilor McLaughlin That the Director of Planning, Preservation and Zoning draft an amendment to the Zoning Ordinances for transit-oriented height and density bonuses for additional affordable housing and other enumerated community benefits. 4.11. Order (ID # 26-0070) By Councilor Wheeler and Councilor Ewen-Campen That the Director of Mobility discuss with this Council the recommendations of the Pedestrian and Transit Advisory Committee regarding the 25% design documents of the Massachusetts Department of Transportation McGrath Boulevard project. 4.12. Order (ID # 26-0068) By Councilor Wheeler That this Council work with the Administration to clarify understanding of the rules for accessory dwelling units or affordable dwelling units as detailed within. 4.13. Resolution (ID # 26-0069) By Councilor Wheeler That the Administration consider convening issue-specific community meetings for residents to share their perspectives and experiences on long-term issues such as: mobility and transportation, school integration, inclusion, choice and specialization. 4.14. Order (ID # 26-0062) By Councilor Link That the Chief Assessor provide this Council with an inventory of city-owned parcels as detailed within. 4.15. Resolution (ID # 26-0063) By Councilor Link That the Commissioner of Public Works and the Director of Engineering explore the feasibility of establishing a teen center at the Cummings School, accessible via School Street, considering current building uses and provide this Council with an analysis on space availability, operational considerations, community impacts, and potential next steps. Page 3 of 8

City Council Regular Meeting Agenda January 8, 2026 4.16. Resolution (ID # 26-0064) By Councilor Link That the Director of Mobility, install a NO TURN ON RED sign at the intersection of Bow Street and Warren Avenue to improve pedestrian and cyclist safety, and report back to this Council on implementation timing. 4.17. Withdrawn (ID # 26-0065) Withdrawn. 4.18. Resolution (ID # 26-0066) By Councilor Link That the Director of Public Space and Urban Forestry develop and report on a standardized green score for public parks and identify appropriate benchmarks and expectations for publicly owned parkland. 4.19. Resolution (ID # 26-0067) By Councilor Link That the Administration explore the feasibility of a year with no swag, as detailed within. 5. UNFINISHED BUSINESS 5.1. Order (ID # 25-1770) By Councilor Strezo That this City Council discuss the safety of the Summer Street bike lane design around or near Putnam Street to Benton Road and how and if additional safety modifications can be made. 6. REPORTS OF COMMITTEES 7. COMMUNICATIONS OF THE MAYOR 7.1. Mayor's Request (ID # 26-0041) Requesting approval to use available funds in the Executive-Administration Salaries account in the amount of $4,543.04 to fund Executive Liaison - Public, Executive Liaison - Community Partnerships, and Executive Liaison - Legislative positions. 7.2. Mayor's Request (ID # 26-0011) Requesting approval of a time-only contract extension for three months with a new expiration date of 3/31/2026, for Stantec Consulting Services, Inc. for design services for the Spring Hill Sewer Separation project. 7.3. Mayor's Request (ID # 26-0053) Requesting approval to accept and expend a $200,000 grant with no new match required, from the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities to the Office of Housing Stability for the continuation of the short term housing bridge pilot program. Page 4 of 8

City Council Regular Meeting Agenda January 8, 2026 7.4. Mayor's Request (ID # 26-0045) Requesting approval to accept and expend a $50,000 grant with no new match required, from the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources to the Health and Human Services Office of Food Access and Healthy Communities for the Somerville Mobile Farmers Market. 7.5. Mayor's Request (ID # 26-0054) Requesting approval to accept and expend a $20,000 grant with no new match required, from the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities to the Office of Housing Stability for the housing bridge pilot program for seniors. 7.6. Mayor's Request (ID # 26-0012) Requesting confirmation of the re-appointment of Ed Bean as City Auditor. 7.7. Mayor's Request (ID # 26-0013) Requesting confirmation of the re-appointment of Ed Bean as Finance Director. 7.8. Withdrawn (ID # 26-0014) Withdrawn. 7.9. Mayor's Request (ID # 26-0015) Requesting confirmation of the re-appointment of Anne Gill as Director of Human Resources. 7.10. Mayor's Request (ID # 26-0016) Requesting confirmation of the appointment of Kimberly Wells as Chief Administrative Officer. 7.11. Mayor's Request (ID # 26-0017) Requesting confirmation of the appointment of David Goodridge as Chief Information Officer. 7.12. Mayor's Request (ID # 26-0018) Requesting confirmation of the appointment of William Fisher as Director of Emergency Management. 7.13. Mayor's Request (ID # 26-0019) Requesting confirmation of the appointment of Denise Taylor as Director of Communications and Community Engagement. 7.14. Mayor's Request (ID # 26-0020) Requesting confirmation of the appointment of Karin Carroll as Director of Health and Human Services. 7.15. Mayor's Request (ID # 26-0021) Requesting confirmation of the appointment of Ohemeng Kyeremateng as Director of Parks and Recreation. 7.16. Mayor's Request (ID # 26-0022) Requesting confirmation of the appointment of Jerome Thomas as Director of Veterans Services. 7.17. Mayor's Request (ID # 26-0023) Requesting confirmation of the appointment of Thomas Galligani as Executive Director of the Office of Strategic Planning and Community Development. Page 5 of 8

City Council Regular Meeting Agenda January 8, 2026 7.18. Mayor's Request (ID # 26-0024) Requesting confirmation of the appointment of James Plotkin as Municipal Hearing Officer. 7.19. Mayor's Request (ID # 26-0025) Requesting confirmation of the appointment of David Jackson as Tree Warden. 7.20. Mayor's Request (ID # 26-0026) Requesting confirmation of the appointment of Steven Ross as City Sealer of Weights and Measures. 7.21. Mayor's Request (ID # 26-0027) Requesting confirmation of the appointment of Chris Roche as Deputy City Sealer of Weights and Measures. 7.22. Mayor's Request (ID # 26-0073) Requesting confirmation of the promotion of Samir Messaoudi to the posisiton of Police Lieutenant. 7.23. Mayor's Request (ID # 26-0074) Requesting confirmation of the promotion of Diogo deOliveira to the position of Police Captain. 7.24. Mayor's Request (ID # 26-0028) Requesting that City Councilors submit budget funding priorities by March 26, 2026. 7.25. Mayor's Communication (ID # 26-0029) Conveying the temporary appointment of Kevin Klein as Interim Director of Inspectional Services. 7.26. Mayor's Communication (ID # 26-0030) Conveying the temporary appointment of Neil Viner as Interim Director of Water and Sewer. 7.27. Mayor's Communication (ID # 26-0031) Conveying an updated End of Term Report at the request of former Mayor Ballantyne. 8. COMMUNICATIONS OF CITY OFFICERS 8.1. Officer's Communication (ID # 26-0042) City Clerk requesting acceptance of Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 41, Section 91, relating to the appointment and removal of constables. 8.2. Officer's Communication (ID # 26-0043) City Clerk submitting an amendment to Section 10-20 of the Code of Ordinances to align the constable appointment process with the provisions of the revised City Charter. 8.3. Officer's Communication (ID # 26-0044) City Clerk submitting an amendment to Chapter 2, Article V, Division 1 of the Code of Ordinances to add a review of multiple-member bodies, pursuant to the requirements of the City Charter. Page 6 of 8

City Council Regular Meeting Agenda January 8, 2026 8.4. Officer's Communication (ID # 26-0047) City Clerk conveying information regarding the City Council's responsibilities pursuant to the 2025 City Charter. 9. NEW BUSINESS 9.1. License (ID # 26-0034) Renewing Used Car Dealer Class 2 License, Assembly Square Auto Sales, 37 Mystic Avenue. 9.2. License (ID # 26-0038) Renewing Used Car Dealer Class 2 License, Broadway Sunoco, 258 Broadway. 9.3. License (ID # 26-0035) Renewing Used Car Dealer Class 2 License, Gene Automotive, 56 Joy Street. 9.4. License (ID # 26-0037) Renewing Used Car Dealer Class 2 License, Pat's Enterprises, Inc, 308 McGrath Highway. 9.5. License (ID # 26-0036) Renewing Used Car Dealer Class 2 License, Pat's Enterprises, Inc, 182 Washington Street. 9.6. License (ID # 26-0039) New Livery License, DRN Bus Transportation, 40A Memorial Road, operating 1 vehicle. 9.7. License (ID # 26-0040) New Second Hand Dealer License, Cambridge Used Bicycles, 378R Somerville Avenue. 9.8. Public Communication (ID # 26-0071) Cole Rainey-Slavick submitting comments re: cannabis social consumption. 9.9. Public Communication (ID # 26-0072) Harriotte Ranvig submitting comments re: Commission for Persons with Disabilities. 9.10. Public Communication (ID # 26-0048) Crystal Huff submitting comments re: surveillance cameras. 10. SUPPLEMENTAL ITEMS 10.1. Order (ID # 26-0082) By Councilor Strezo That the Director of Parks and Recreation report on the stock and condition of previously installed playground communication boards that assist nonverbal children in playtime. Page 7 of 8

City Council Regular Meeting Agenda January 8, 2026 10.2. Order (ID # 26-0083) By Councilor Strezo That the Director of Health and Human Services discuss the findings from the recent U.S. Surgeon General Advisory on the Mental Health and Well-Being of Parents and its recommendations to better support parents and caregivers. 10.3. Mayor's Request (ID # 26-0088) Requesting approval of a transfer of $103,421 from the Salary Contingency account to various departmental Personal Services accounts to fund a memorandum of agreement with the Somerville Municipal Employees Union, Unit B. 10.4. Public Communication (ID # 26-0086) Pedestrian and Transit Advisory Committee submitting comments re: McGrath Boulevard. 10.5. Public Communication (ID # 26-0087) Margery Williams submitting comments re: ballot question. 11. ADJOURNMENT Page 8 of 8