Committee Report - Leg Matters - 2-16-17 — File 202882

Legislative Matters Committee Page 1 of 2 Printed 2/18/2017 February 16, 2017 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 Lance Davis, Mayor Joe Curtatone, Michael Glavin - OSPCD, Brad Rawson - OSPCD, Tom Galligani - OSPCD, Frank Wright - Law, David Shapiro - Law, Annie Connor - Legislative Liaison, Tim Snyder - Mayor’s Office, Rositha Durham - Clerk of Committees. The meeting took place in the Committee Room and was called to order at 6:40 PM by Alderman Heuston and adjourned at 7:30 PM. Approval of the January 19, 2017 Minutes RESULT: ACCEPTED 202256: That this Board be given the powers of the Redevelopment Authority for Union Square redevelopment. Mayor Curtatone, Mr. Glavin and Mr. Snyder spoke about the complexity around the redevelopment. There was a discussion about the best future governance of the Boards and what's best for the Somerville Redevelopment Authority. The Mayor suggested working closely with the President of the BOA on this matter and will start the process immediately. There were discussions about what success looks like in urban renewal strategies. The Mayor suggested using academic expertise to launch this partnership. Alderman Niedergang asked for the timeline of this partnership. Mr. Snyder spoke about the Home Rule Petition process. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 202621: That the Director of SPCD share with this Board any plans for improving the performance and credibility of the Somerville Redevelopment Authority, and distribute to

Legislative Matters Committee Page 2 of 2 Printed 2/18/2017 each Alderman the Kennedy School report on the future of the SRA. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 199934: That the Supervisor of Inspectional Services create a Rental Registration Program to require owners of 6 or more rental units that are not owner-occupied to annually register those units, pay a registration fee, and provide information to facilitate inspections, notices of violations, and resolution of complaints. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 202122: That the Administration present its recommendations and a draft ordinance for the proposed Rental Registration Program (#199934) to the Committee on Legislative Matters at its meeting on October 20, 2016. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 202626: Proposing an Ordinance to safeguard vulnerable road users. Alderman Davis worked collaboratively with resident Alexander Epstein on the ordinance. Ron Bonney, from the DPW, has been talking to City of Boston about their safeguard policy. Somerville’s Law Department has not yet reviewed the proposed ordinance. Ms. Connor has been working with the Purchasing Department on contracting and how this ordinance may affect the competition of bids. This ordinance could include salt trucks and construction vehicles. The committee was told that all new city vehicles have safeguards. However, there are approximately 25 existing vehicles that need retrofitting, at a cost of $500 to $3,000 per vehicle, (depending on the vehicle), for a total cost of $12,000 to $75,000. There are 12 vehicles that already have the safeguards. Mr. Epstein talked about his experience as the former Chair for the Somerville Bicycle Committee. Chairman Rossetti asked Mr. Rawson and Mr. Wright to review the proposed ordinance before the next Legislative Matters meeting. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE Handout: • Update on Item 202023