Committee Report - Housing - 6-30-15 — File 199600

Housing and Community Development Committee Page 1 of 3 Printed 7/8/2015 June 30, 2015 REPORT OF THE HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE Attendee Name Title Status Arrived Mark Niedergang Chair Present Tony Lafuente Vice Chair Present Katjana Ballantyne Ward Seven Alderman Present Others present: Michael Glavin - OSPCD, Brad Rosen - OSPCD, Amanda Mayer - OSPCD, Gelnn Ferdman - Libraries, Omar Boukili - Mayor's Office, Rand Wilson - Good Jobs Somerville, Jack Lister 1. Approval of the May 12, 2015 Minutes RESULT: ACCEPTED 199126: That the Director of Health and Human Services report to this Board on the increase in homeless families and unaccompanied homeless minors, the work of the Homelessness Task Force, and the possible need for city resources to serve them. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 196437: That the Director of SPCD (Economic Development) report on the development of and funding for the local hiring and workforce development First Source program, and report on the outcome of FRIT's recent job fairs for Assembly Square, including Somervillians getting jobs. Ms. Mayer spoke about working with the SCC, the Career Place and local employers to develop soft and hard skills, job placement, a program with Bunker Hill Community College and a program for local residents impacted by brownfields. Mr. Glavin mentioned a needed vote by the BOA to approve a $50,000 disbursement from the stabilization fund. Chairman Niedergang requested that a communication be sent to all aldermen regarding that expenditure. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 198572: That the Mayor report to this Board on new main branch of the Public Library in Union Square.

Housing and Community Development Committee Page 2 of 3 Printed 7/8/2015 Mr. Ferdman spoke about his plans for the libraries as a whole and Mr. Boukili said that conversations will be held regarding the libraries during the Union Square development process. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 196221: That the Director of SPCD provide SomerVision updates twice a year, broken down by ward, showing progress made in residential, affordable units, jobs, public space, trips via transit, bike and walking, and development in transformative areas. Mr. Glavin distributed a report and said that there is more data available. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 198324: That the Director of SPCD report to this Board the possibility of putting a community garden and/or a dog park in the eastern part of Junction Park. Mr. Rosen told members that there is an issue in gaining legal title to the property due to 30 needed hospital parking spaces. Chairman Niedergang said he doesn't see this as a priority and asked if something could be done with Junction Park. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 199127: That the Director of SPCD (Transportation and Infrastructure) report to this Board on plans to convert the city owned parking lot between Central Street and Junction Park to a park. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 197475: That the Administration discuss with DCR, an agreement by which the City takes joint control of the DCR park area from Shore Drive to the riverbank so the City can maintain that area for the benefit and protection of its residents. Mr. Boukili has met with the new DCR commissioner. The committee discussed the design process and community input process. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 199265: That the Director of SPCD report to this Board’s Committee on Housing and Community Development on negotiating with DCR to obtain public input on the design of Draw 7 Park. See 197475 RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 198584: That the Director of SPCD plan a walkway between East Somerville and Assembly

Housing and Community Development Committee Page 3 of 3 Printed 7/8/2015 Square in conjunction with Federal Realty and Criterion Development. Mr. Rosen reported that his office is volunteering in a pilot program to better utilize land underneath highways. Somerville has been added to the DOT list and Stop and Shop will also contribute to the project. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 199452: Good Jobs Somerville and the NE Regional Council of Carpenters expressing concern about FRIT's selection of Callahan Inc. as its general contractor for Assembly Row Parcel 6. Mr. Wilson discussed Good Jobs Somerville and Mr. Lister spoke about his role with the union, adding that Federal Realty (FRIT) should be hiring union workers. Alderman Lafuente said that there should never be a large project that is non-union, adding that the BOA has the power to force FRIT to hire union workers. Alderman Niedergang's motion that the Administration request Federal Realty Investment Trust to provide the wages, hours and residency of everyone employed at the parcel 6 site, was approved. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 198494: Federal Realty Investment Trust requesting to address this Board re: #198410, a Resolution urging FRIT to employ union labor and give preference to Somerville residents for all construction work. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 199296: That the Director of SPCD contact the Ward 7 Alderman to arrange a community meeting to discuss mobility around Teele Square. Mr. Rosen discussed a city wide mobility strategy, scheduled to be launched on July 14th of this year, in Teele Square. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED