Committee Report - Leg Matters - 1-21-16 — File 200649

Legislative Matters Committee Page 1 of 3 Printed 1/29/2016 January 21, 2016 REPORT OF THE LEGISLATIVE MATTERS COMMITTEE Attendee Name Title Status Arrived Mary Jo Rossetti Chair Present Mark Niedergang Vice Chair Present Katjana Ballantyne Ward Seven Alderman Absent John M. Connolly Alderman At Large Present William A. White Jr. Alderman At Large Present Others present: Alderman Dennis Sullivan, Nick Salerno - Elections, Tim Snyder - Mayor's Office, George Proakis - OSPCD, Frank Wright - Law, David Shapiro - Law, Doug Kress - HHS, Rositha Durham - Clerk of Committees The meeting took place in the Aldermen’s Chamber and was called to order at 6:00 PM by Alderman Rossetti and adjourned at 7:00 PM. Document List: • H. R. Petition (with 199356, 199553) Approval of the December 3, 2015 Minutes RESULT: TABLED 196730: Requesting approval to amend the Ordinances at Chapter 15 with respect to undue influence. The Administration asked that this item be placed on file. RESULT: PLACED ON FILE 197795: That this Board explore an ordinance to allow restaurants with outdoor seating the option to be dog friendly. Alderman Sullivan spoke about some establishments that already have water bowls outside for dogs and he would like to make the option for businesses to allow dogs at both outdoor seating and courtyard seating areas. The City of Salem currently has a similar ordinance in place. Mr.

Legislative Matters Committee Page 2 of 3 Printed 1/29/2016 Kress queried how the request should be made to businesses, whether through the licensing process or some other method, and if the option would be renewable or expire when the business ownership changes. Mr. Kress stated that that the food code is silent on this matter with the Board of Health. Alderman White’s motion, that the City Solicitor prepare an Ordinance granting the Board of Aldermen the authority to authorize the Board of Health of the City of Somerville to enact regulations governing the ability of restaurants with outdoor seating to allow dogs to accompany owners in the outdoor seating area, was approved. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 199059: That the Director of SPCD consider drafting an ordinance to clearly define the Historic Preservation process and methods for contacting the appropriate fiduciary members or owners of church and nonprofit properties before designating a building historic. Mr. Proakis informed the committee that 5 or 6 years ago, a pastor and others in a church were not aware of the historic building designation. This resulted in the city attempting to be more holistic when considering buildings for historic designation. Small entities and individuals receive notifications, but with larger entities, there is a need to connect with the entire institution. A process to accomplish this will be established and posted on the city’s website. Alderman Connolly asked that it be made clear to the community that they do not have to designate their property as historic. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 199142: That the management of Earl’s Kitchen and Bar at Assembly Square install a baby changing station. Alderman Sullivan reported that this item has been completed and that he would like a changing table at City Hall. He will submit a resolution at the next BOA meeting for a changing table at municipal buildings, where appropriate. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 199356: That the Legislative Matters Committee work with the City Solicitor on a home rule petition to amend the City Charter by removing the restriction that registered voters may only sign nomination papers for one candidate for each municipal office (and four for alderman at large). Misters Wright, Shapiro and Salerno spoke on this item.

Legislative Matters Committee Page 3 of 3 Printed 1/29/2016 RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 199533: Assistant City Solicitor responding to #199356 re: home rule petition to remove the restriction on signing nomination papers. Alderman White’s motion, to approve the Home Rule Petition as presented to the committee, was approved. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 200523: That the Election Commissioner report to this Board on implementing the new state early voting law, and respond to the recommendations of the MA Election Modernization Coalition Early Voting Challenge. Mr. Salerno told members that he has been in contact with state officials on this matter and reported that the state is getting ready for the March Presidential Primary election. As of now, the state has not provided a formula for the number of early voting locations, nor the hours of same. Once the city receives the regulations from the state, Mr. Salerno will submit them to the BOA for approval. Alderman White would like the City Solicitor and Elections Department to review the city's rights for the Early Voting regulations and its ability to make changes beyond state regulations. Mr. Salerno was asked about the new voting equipment that will be used for the March election. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE