Traffic and Parking Committee — Minutes, May 18, 2026

City of Somerville, Massachusetts City Council Traffic and Parking Committee Meeting Minutes 6:00 PM Monday, May 18, 2026 This meeting was held via Zoom and was called to order by Chair Sait at 6:02 pm and adjourned at 8:11 pm on a roll call vote of 3 in favor (Councilors Wheeler, Mbah, Sait), 0 opposed, and 0 absent. Councilor Mbah joined the meeting at 6:04 pm. Others present: Elio LoRusseo - Inspectional Services Department Building Inspector, Floyd Richardson - Inspectional Services Department Local Building Inspector, Brad Rawson - Director of Mobility, Justin Schreiber - Senior Planner, Michael Holland - Lieutenant, Madalyn Letellier - Assistant City Clerk, Legislative Services. Roll Call City Councilor At Large Ben Wheeler and Ward Five City Councilor Naima Sait Present: City Councilor At Large Wilfred N. Mbah Absent: 1. By Councilor Ewen-Campen and Councilor Scott That the Director of Mobility update this Council on the intersection improvements at Webster Avenue and Prospect Street. Order (ID # 26-0123) Chair Sait shared the goal of this conversation is to hear from the Inspectional Services Department (ISD) about enforcement mechanisms that are currently in place. Elio LoRusso, ISD Building Inspector, was present to discuss parking on Oak, Houghton, Bolston, and Prospect Streets. Inspector LoRusso spoke to the efforts made to address contractors and requesting they be respectful while acknowledging parking this winter, due to the snow, made it more difficult on these streets. Inspector LoRusso mentioned the multiple projects happening on the street at once are exasperating the current problem. Floyd Richardson, ISD Local Building Inspector, spoke to Oak Street and Prospect Street projects that should be ending and will remove some vehicles from the streets. Chair Sait asked if ISD is meeting with contractors to discuss parking issues and what enforcement actions are being taken to address repeat offenders, Inspector LoRusso shared the issue that has been brought up to contractors to be made aware and more considerate to the current concerns. ISD does not have the ability to stop a project, they are there to enforce building codes, and Traffic and Parking would be the more appropriate department to address parking concerns. Conversation ensued and a request from the Councilors for ISD, Police Department, and Traffic and Parking to get together regularly to discuss these concerns and find ways to address them. Page 1 of 4

Traffic and Parking Committee Meeting Minutes May 18, 2026 Lieutenant Holland from the Somerville Police Department (SPD) was present to discuss prioritization for details. He explained if residents would like to call in while a concern is happening, like blocking fire lanes or fire hydrants, SPD can come and respond and issue a citation or tow the vehicle if they are unable to contact the owner and get it moved. Chair Sait asked how 311 tickets are addressed and how they are routed. Lieutenant Holland stated SPD does not interact with 311 tickets in that way, they are sometimes forwarded to the department, but he stated calling the non-emergent line is the fastest way to get someone to respond. Chair Sait sponsored resident Serena Bodner to speak, who thanked the department staff and their willingness to connect. She expressed frustration with certain responses from SPD about traffic concerns and agrees with the approaches discussed this evening. Director Rawson was present to address accessibility and updates at Webster Avenue and Prospect Street. Director Rawson shared this item is independent of the traffic concerns discussed earlier in the meeting. These locations are a part of the streetscape design and there is a significant amount of work left, more information can be found online about where the project is in the phase and what is to come. The estimated design budget is about $1.2 million dollars, the city has secured a grant of about $800,000 and is looking for more funding sources to begin construction designs. There are many financial components that are still left to be addressed. If funds can be obtained the earlier construction could start on those streets is in the Spring of 2028. RECOMMENDED TO BE MARKED WORK COMPLETED RESULT: City Councilor At Large Wheeler, City Councilor At Large Mbah and Ward Five City Councilor Sait AYE: 2. 64 residents submitting comments re: parking on Oak, Houghton, Bolton, and Prospect Streets. Public Communication (ID # 26-0634) This item was discussed with item #26-0123. RECOMMENDED TO BE MARKED WORK COMPLETED RESULT: City Councilor At Large Wheeler, City Councilor At Large Mbah and Ward Five City Councilor Sait AYE: 3. By Councilor Wheeler That this Council review construction-related parking in the area of Oak Street and Bolton Street. Order (ID # 26-0373) This item was discussed with item #26-0123. Page 2 of 4

Traffic and Parking Committee Meeting Minutes May 18, 2026 RECOMMENDED TO BE APPROVED RESULT: City Councilor At Large Wheeler, City Councilor At Large Mbah and Ward Five City Councilor Sait AYE: 4. Conveying the 2026 Safe Streets Ordinance Annual Report. Mayor's Communication (ID # 26-0303) Director Rawson was present to provide an update on the ordinance, he shared the ordinance was adopted in 2024 to improve public information sharing and safe streets. The city is required to publish an annual report by March 1st, this submission being the second since the ordinance was adopted. Senior Planner Justin Schreiber spoke to the presentation submitted with the report which can also be found online, SSO 2026 Annual Report . In response to Councilor Mbah, Director Rawson shared the complexities of maintaining the cities bike plan and the commitment to public engagement. Senior Planner Schreiber spoke more to the status of road repairs, and some are not prioritized due to the requirements from the State, and the city made the decision to focus on other projects that could be more reasonably completed without the need for State support. Councilor Mbah asked how the administration is prioritizing the community goals. In response, Director Rawson spoke to the many departments involved in these processes and the operational aspects that often gets overlooked and can lead to bottlenecks. Director also spoke to resource limitations, in finance and staffing needs, that have prevented Mobility from moving at a faster pace. Director Rawson discussed in depth all the components and considerations that go into the design plans for safe streets, bike lanes, and paving. Councilor Wheeler asked how the height of speed humps is decided throughout the city. Director Rawson pointed back to the slides in his response and the first generation of speed humps are larger than the most recent ones installed. Over time there has been improved quality control from the city and the contractors to create more consistent sizes. Director Rawson stated the goal is to maintain the speed of traffic from 18-20 miles per hour, which is proven to be achieved through traffic calming measures. RECOMMENDED TO BE MARKED WORK COMPLETED RESULT: City Councilor At Large Wheeler, City Councilor At Large Mbah and Ward Five City Councilor Sait AYE: 5. By Councilor Ewen-Campen That the Director of Mobility pilot the installation of dedicated bicycle YIELD signals to operate during the walk cycle at several intersections throughout the city, including Washington Street and Somerville Avenue, and Prospect Street and Somerville Avenue. Resolution (ID # 26-0121) Page 3 of 4

Traffic and Parking Committee Meeting Minutes May 18, 2026 Director Rawson stated the city follows federal guidelines that currently prohibit the city from signing off on this signal pattern at this time. City staff from Engineering and Mobility are looking at other avenues to address mobility at intersections. RECOMMENDED TO BE MARKED WORK COMPLETED RESULT: City Councilor At Large Wheeler, City Councilor At Large Mbah and Ward Five City Councilor Sait AYE: 6. By Councilor Clingan That Director of Mobility evaluate opportunities for improved pedestrian safety at the intersection of Broadway and Main Street. Resolution (ID # 26-0363) Director Rawson addressed the concerns at this intersection are due to the higher volume of cars and speed. The Director shared small scale traffic tweaks and upgrades have been implemented to reduce wait times at signals. Engineering and Mobility were able to upgrade equipment to change the signal pattern and reduce some congestion in the short term. There is an appetite for longer term intersection redesign. Director Rawson mentioned this location is part of the five year sidewalk plan, but specifics have not been determined on a timeline for construction. RECOMMENDED TO BE MARKED WORK COMPLETED RESULT: City Councilor At Large Wheeler, City Councilor At Large Mbah and Ward Five City Councilor Sait AYE: Page 4 of 4