Committee Report - Housing - 4-24-17 — File 203290

Housing and Community Development Committee Page 1 of 4 Printed 4/25/2017 April 24, 2017 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 Rawson - OSPCD, Carrie Normand - School Committee, Andre Greene - School Committee, Richard Melillo - School Department, Regina Bertholdo - School Department, Tim Snyder - Mayor’s Office, Charles Sillari - Clerk of Committees. The meeting took place in the Committee Room and was called to order at 6:00 PM by Alderman Niedergang and adjourned at 7:48 PM. Approval of the April 3, 2017 Minutes RESULT: ACCEPTED 202497: That the Superintendent of Schools share plans with the Ward 7 Alderman to mitigate the negative student enrollment at the West Somerville Neighborhood School caused by the proposed Clarendon/North Street Public Housing project. Mr. Melillo told the committee that he met with Joe Macaluso and Paul Mackey, both of the SHA, and the developer to get more information on the project which will consist of 531 one, two and three bedroom units. Mr. Melillo stated that 102 families would be impacted. Mr. Melillo said there could be a North Street resolution and noted that identifying the costs of relocating students is difficult. There will be 2 phases involving about 67 students per phase. He said that when this happened at the Mystic Street projects, 33% of the families left the city with their section 8 Certificates and opted not to return to Somerville. Alderman Ballantyne asked how many children the 33% amounted to, but Mr. Melillo did not know the number. Mr. Melillo said there is a group putting a petition together to allow them all to stay and he feels enrollment could go up. Transportation for the relocated families was discussed and it was noted that there is no way to determine how many families will need transportation at this time and what the costs will be however, he would like to see funds provided for transportation. There is a concern about uprooting “at risk” students and what it will cost to counsel them and whether the

Housing and Community Development Committee Page 2 of 4 Printed 4/25/2017 developer should contribute to that cost. Mr. Melillo said he doesn’t know which families would be impacted, or when. Alderman Ballantyne said she heard that families with children in schools will be allowed to stay until school is out. Mr. Melillo said that families will be allowed to move to Mystic Avenue as vacancies occur. He wants this to be a temporary displacement and would like a commitment from the BOA to secure a North Street resolution to keep families in Somerville. Mr. Melillo said his meetings with families indicate that they all want to stay in Somerville schools and added that he is more concerned with maintaining community rather than enrollment. Alderman Ballantyne stated that this is not a city project, but a developer project, and asked who would be moving into the market rate units. The committee would like to know how many additional students will result from the new units. Alderman Lafuente asked how many students will be lost to Charter Schools. Alderman Ballantyne wants to be sure that the city negotiates with the developer RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 202995: That the Director of SPCD redesign the asphalt front playground at the Kennedy School and work with all stakeholders to make it usable by more people for a broader range of activities. Resident Jack Schneider distributed several documents relating to this matter and discussed proposed uses of the playground. He also played voice recordings of kids at the school talking about what they would like to see at the playground. The committee was told that parents are most concerned with green space. Brad Rawson said the city has a great track record in recent years focusing on school yards and Mr. Glavin said there is a need to look at this dialogue and assure the parents that the city is looking at this as a priority. OSPCD will put the matter into context and come up with a timeline and funding needs. Mr. Rawson said the city wants to make sure people can access the green space in the city. A member of the public said there should be a barrier over the windows for the SKIP Program and Chairman Niedergang suggested having the DPW work on this. Mr. Rawson will follow up on this. Members of the public said adults use the basketball courts as well as children. Green infrastructure and getting storm water to the Charles River were discussed. Alderman Ballantyne read an email from Alderman Davis. Who said that he supports investments in open space at schools and wants to include parents in the planning process. He supports the schools being discussed but does not want to put them ahead of the Brown School, which needs green space. Chairman Niedergang said there will be a board order on Thursday (4/27/17) regarding the Brown School and green space. The school’s principal said he will figure out how to get the job done with a small amount of resources. He would like to get rid of the asphalt and he doesn’t want to get into a queue because it may delay the process. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 202308: That the Director SPCD request a redesign and upgrade to the asphalt playground, tot lot and “cave” courtyard at the West Somerville Neighborhood School.

Housing and Community Development Committee Page 3 of 4 Printed 4/25/2017 Mr. Snyder told the committee that the DPW evaluated the area. The fence was fixed, balls no longer go under the fence, the gate issue has been resolved, shrubs will be trimmed and there will be a walk through at the cave. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 203091: Requesting approval of the 2017-2018 HUD One Year Action Plan, for CDBG, HOME, and ESG programming and the revised Community Participation Plan. Members were told that funding has been cut and CDBG have been reduced. RESULT: APPROVED 203069: That the Director of Capital Projects update this Board on the West Branch Library renovation plans and timeline, including possible dates for the next community meeting. A meeting is scheduled for May 10, 2017. The committee was told that a community room is needed and if that is the case, then will be a need for more design work. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 202620: That the Director of SPCD, Director of Engineering, Commissioner of Public Works, ADA Coordinator, and Mayor’s Office work with the Ward 5 Alderman to convene a community meeting in February to discuss improvements in the streetscape on Murdock Street. Mr. Rawson said residents understand the limits in space, adding that there will be a series of tradeoffs. There can’t be sidewalks on both sides of the street. Engineering consulting firms have begun to look into the project and there will be some civil engineering work needed. Storm drainage is needed. Chairman Niedergang said there is a parking concern at Cedar and Murdock Streets and that people are forced to walk in the street. Alderman Niedergang would like to see flashing signs. Resident Joe Lynch said the neighborhood could use the money. Mr. Lynch said the completion of the community path increased pedestrian traffic and painted chicanes are not permanent enough. He also said Lowell Street needs trees. He would like to see raised traffic tables. Mr. Glavin said some of the items have been done with other funds. Mr. Rawson said the city will have to bring requests for appropriation to the BOA. In 2017 Lowell Street and Cedar Street speed issues will be dealt with, and Mr. Rawson said that a striping plan can calm traffic. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 202876: That the Director of SPCD report to this Board on plans to utilize the $220,000 in traffic mitigation funds paid by Maxwell's Green, and whether they can be used for improvements at Cedar Street, Murdock Street, and the “Patch” neighborhood west of Maxwell’s Green.

Housing and Community Development Committee Page 4 of 4 Printed 4/25/2017 RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 203217: That the Director of SPCD provide, by 4/18/17, an assessment of the FRIT Assembly Square development's compliance with the PUD and the intent of the Ordinance, and of its compliance with the levels in effect at the time of the PUD preliminary master plan approval. Mr. Snyder said it will take 8-12 staff hours to put this information together. He told the members that FRIT is in compliance and will provide a more detailed answer with more time. Mr. Glavin said the Ward 1 Alderman has been notified that the Planning Department is working on this item. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE Handouts: • SHA North Street Update (with 202497) • Comments (with 202995) • Comments-2 (with 202995) • Current Layout and Ideas (with 202995) • Green Space Map (with 202995) • Mitigation (with 202876)