Committee Report - PHPS - 9-14-16 — File 202125

Public Health and Public Safety Committee Page 1 of 6 Printed 9/17/2016 September 14, 2016 REPORT OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE Attendee Name Title Status Arrived John M. Connolly Chair Present Mary Jo Rossetti Vice Chair Absent Matthew McLaughlin Ward One Alderman Present Others present: Alderman Mark Niedergang, Patrick Sullivan - Chief Fire Engineer, Travis Miller - Carlson Group, Martin Pillsbury - MAPC, Rositha Durham - Clerk of Committees. The meeting took place in the Committee Room and was called to order at 6:00 PM by Alderman Connolly and adjourned at 7:20 PM. Approval of the May 17, 2016 Minutes RESULT: ACCEPTED 200309: That the Administration arrange for Matrix Consulting to appear before this Board's Public Health and Safety Committee to report their findings on public safety. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 201482: Conveying the Carlson Group's study of Somerville's fire and rescue services. Mr. Miller and Chief Sullivan discussed the Fire Study, addressed the need for future fire stations and explained the methodology used in making predictions about the Fire Department’s response time under four different scenarios. Chief Sullivan spoke about the size of the department’s apparatus relative to the congestion in the city. Alderman Niedergang asked about Assembly Square and a combined public safety building to house both the Fire and Police Departments. Alderman McLaughlin expressed concern about getting to and from Inner Belt in a timely manner due to traffic conditions, adding that it would be grate to have first responders based in Assembly Square. Chairman Connolly asked Mr. Miller to return before the committee (of the whole) when the Administration is available to share thoughts about the proposal.

Public Health and Public Safety Committee Page 2 of 6 Printed 9/17/2016 Two documents, distributed earlier in the day, are attached to the minutes of this committee meeting RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 200140: That the Chief of Police, the Chief Fire Engineer and the Director of Traffic and Parking consider a "Don't Block the Box" program at key intersections that impede the flow of traffic and present a public safety hazard, and report back to this Board in writing within 30 days. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 200519: That the Chief of Police consider deploying body cameras for all police officers, and prepare a feasibility report within 30 days for this Board's Public Health and Public Safety Committee. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 201889: That the Superintendent of Inspectional Services inspect 15-17-19 Henderson Street for all code violations and unauthorized removals of stop work orders and unsafe building notices, and report back to this Board on recommended actions to ensure the public's health and safety. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 201897: That the Commissioner of Public Works and the Chief Fire Engineer report to this Board on plans to deal with gas leaks and explain why utilities are not required to repair Level 3 leaks. Chief Sullivan explained what the utility company must do in cases of a gas leak and said that level 3 leaks are the lowest classification and do not migrate into homes. The Fire Department does not receive notifications on level 3 gas leaks. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 201988: That the Superintendent of Inspectional Services inspect 33-35 Barton Street weekly for continual overgrowth onto the public sidewalk. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 201475: That the Supervisor of Inspectional Services report to this Board his assessment of whether Stop Work Order fines and penalties are sufficient to deter developers from working without permits, and provide a detailed list of all Stop Work orders issued since

Public Health and Public Safety Committee Page 3 of 6 Printed 9/17/2016 May, 2015. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 201789: That the Superintendent of Inspectional Services direct NIT personnel to immediately investigate the property at 40 Columbus Avenue for health and building code violations. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 201790: That the Superintendent of Inspectional Services dispatch NIT personnel to investigate 87 Lowell Street for building code violations. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 201794: That the Director of SPCD report to this Board on measures to design streets and bike lanes, and educate drivers and bicyclists, to increase safety with respect to the door- opening zone for parked cars. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 201932: Requesting the adoption of the 2016 Update of the Hazard Mitigation Plan. Mr. Pillsbury and Chief Sullivan presented the updated hazard mitigation plan. There were talks about adoption of the plan for FEMA funding. Chief Sullivan spoke about the 2008 plan, flooding on the bike path, commuter rail line improvements, drainage improvements and some areas being relevant to the Green Line Extension. Chairman Connolly requested that the Administration be available and prepared to discuss the updated plan in detail with the committee. Alderman McLaughlin’s motion, that a crossing guard be assigned to the Prospect Hill Academy Charter School location on Franklin Street, was approved. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 201375: District Attorney responding to #196432 re: the investigation of the murder of Deanna Cremin. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 201198: DPW Commissioner responding to various Board Orders submitted 3/24/16.

Public Health and Public Safety Committee Page 4 of 6 Printed 9/17/2016 RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 200587: Ben Asack submitting comments re: establishing a Community Emergency Response Team (CERT). RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 201799: That the Director of SPCD update this Board on a bicycle public safety/education campaign. (3rd request) RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 201777: That the Mayor and the Chief of Police update the city website with expanded information on Police policies on Biased Based Policing, with all recent complaints and outcomes, as well as the complaint filing process and relationship with the Human Rights Commission. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 201565: That the Administration work with this Board to provide evidence of the City's runner-friendly activities to the Road Runners Club of America in order to be designated a Runner Friendly Community. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 201498: That the Chief of Police and the Animal Control Officer enforce the leash law on the Community Path and around Lexington Park. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 201410: That the Administration submit a Home Rule Petition relative to allowing Special Police Officers to serve up to age 70. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 201334: That the Commissioner of Public Works report on the LED conversion project to the Committee on Public Health and Public Safety by the second week of June. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 201308: That the Chief of Police extend school crossing guard services from 3:15 PM to 3:30 PM.

Public Health and Public Safety Committee Page 5 of 6 Printed 9/17/2016 RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 200878: That the Commissioner of Public Works update this Board in writing on the street lamp contractor’s repair of street lamps since the last Public Health and Safety Committee meeting. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 200846: That the Administration inform this Board of efforts to assist Riverside Community Care, formerly at 78 College Avenue, in finding a new location for its mental health day treatment program. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 200641: That the Administration consider implementing a Certified Emergency Response Team as outlined by FEMA. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 200479: That the MassPort Community Advisory Committee seek to address Logan Airport noise, pollution, and traffic issues by sponsoring a regional citizens' forum, an online runway database, and federal research. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 200216: That the City Clerk invite the Logan Airport Community Advisory Committee representative to this Board's next meeting to recommend action for the increased impact of Logan air traffic. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 199724: That the Chief of Police and the Chief Fire Engineer appear before the Committee on Public Health and Public Safety to discuss concerns regarding #198703 and #199522 for public safety at Assembly Row and citywide. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 199520: That the Administration prioritize a public health initiative to control the opiate abuse epidemic, including nearby health and educational institutions and any other available resources.

Public Health and Public Safety Committee Page 6 of 6 Printed 9/17/2016 RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 192737: That this Board’s Committee on Public Health and Safety arrange for representatives of Riverside Community Care aka Somerville Mental Health Association, to appear before the Committee to explain where the programs are and how the City can assist them. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE Handouts: • Fire Dept. Study (with 201482) • Memorandum re Future Fire Stations (with 201482)