Committee Report - PHPS - 11-15-17 — File 204632

Public Health and Public Safety Committee Page 1 of 6 Printed 11/20/2017 November 15, 2017 REPORT OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE Attendee Name Title Status Arrived John M. Connolly Chair Present Mary Jo Rossetti Vice Chair Present Matthew McLaughlin Ward One Alderman Present Others present: Alderman Mark Niedergang, Alderman Katjana Balantyne, Alderman Lance Davis, Dan Bartman - OSPCD, Annie Connor - Legislative Liaison, Rositha Durham - Clerk of Committees. The meeting took place in the Committee Room and was called to order at 6:00 PM by Chairman Connolly and adjourned at 7:08 PM. Approval of the October 4, 2017 Minutes RESULT: ACCEPTED 202776: That the Superintendent of Inspectional Services, with the assistance of other departments as necessary, forward to this Board’s Committee on Public Health and Safety a list of AirBnB-type lodging facilities in the city. Ms. Connor has a list of Airbnb properties directly from Airbnb. This agenda item continues to be on top of the list for MAPC. Chairman Connolly distributed a copy of a recently enacted ordinance from the City of Cambridge re: Airbnb. The ordinance was enacted in August but does not go into effect until April 2018 due to the capacity to enforce it. The City of Somerville’s Inspectional Services Department does not believe it has the capacity for enforcement at this time. Ms. Connor spoke about having meetings as opposed to public hearings about this matter. She believes that Airbnb can get operators to attend these meetings. When asked how soon the city would have a draft ready for review with the community, Ms. Connor said that Cambridge had a year-long process, which was critical to getting everyone in agreement. At this point the Somerville has not heard from the public on this matter. Chairman Connolly would like to invite representatives from the Law Department, ISD, the Fire Department and the Planning Department to make comments on a draft ordinance and to review Cambridge's ordinance as a starting point. Aldermen Rossetti and McLaughlin would like to put this matter before the Legislative Matters Committee by the 1st of the year. Chairman Connolly will try to schedule a

Public Health and Public Safety Committee Page 2 of 6 Printed 11/20/2017 meeting with the aforementioned departments before the end of this calendar year. Alderman Rossetti raised a question about temporary parking passes for Airbnb customers and Ms. Connor stated that she believes that each resident may have two or three visitor passes. Alderman Niedergang spoke about how long this item has been an issue in Somerville and said that there are no inspections of Airbnb units unless there are problems. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 202801: That the Administration advise this Board on the proposed state regulation of AirBnB properties, and options the city might have for taxation and regulation. See discussion of item 202776. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 203802: That the City Solicitor and the Superintendent of Inspectional Services provide this Board with a plan to address the use of AirBnB for whole house rentals, including communications to residents who report such uses. See discussion of item 202776. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 203988: That the Mayor’s Legislative Liaison and appropriate city staff attend a meeting of this Board’s Public Health and Public Safety Committee to review Airbnb matters before the Committee. See discussion of item 202776. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 202907: Conveying statistical and policy information from Airbnb relative to home sharing usage in Somerville. See discussion of item 202776. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 203066: That the Administration update this Board on recent efforts to minimize Logan air traffic noise. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 203966: That the Administration update this Board on the request that the FAA reject any design of the Millennium Tower in Boston that includes 775 feet of height, which would lead to more traffic on Logan Airport's Runway 33L.

Public Health and Public Safety Committee Page 3 of 6 Printed 11/20/2017 RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 204128: That the Administration convene a meeting to discuss airplane noise, similar to a meeting being held in Cambridge, and include congressional representatives, the state delegation, elected city officials and city staff. Ms. Connor reported that there have been no formal discussions yet. Alderman Rossetti commented about hearing from an organization with supporters from Belmont, Watertown, Arlington and other communities that were distributing flyers in Somerville regarding the airplane noise issue and said that the Cities of Medford and Cambridge are working very hard on resolving this matter. She suggested that someone from the City Solicitor's office attend the next meeting of the Public Health and Public Safety Committee to discuss this matter further. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 204515: Declaring that the FAA and Massport, by increasing traffic on Logan Airport Runway 33L, are neglecting the health, welfare, and quality of life of Somerville's residents, and urging the Administration to determine the city’s legal options for recourse. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 202914: Conveying Mike Wiser's report of the Massport RNAV Hearing and Forum, held on February 22, 2017, with the associated Massport presentation. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 202182: That the Chief of Police or the Director of SPCD report to this Board on plans to educate motorists about using the “Dutch Reach” to open the driver’s door as a way to avoid “dooring” cyclists. Ms. Connor informed the committee that she has received updates from the city’s Director of Transportation and Infrastructure. A mailing will be sent in January that will have bike safety information, including and "dutch reach". Alderman Rossetti’s motion that the Director of Transportation and Infrastructure send copies of the planned January bicycle safety mailing to the Committee on Public Health and Public Safety, prior to mailing the information to residents, was approved. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 202625: That the Director of SPCD develop and report to this Board an outreach campaign to start in the spring of 2017, to educate motorists about using the “Dutch Reach” to open the driver’s side door to avoid “dooring” cyclists.

Public Health and Public Safety Committee Page 4 of 6 Printed 11/20/2017 RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 202314: Director of Transportation and Infrastructure responding to #201794, #201799, and #202111, re: a safety education campaign for bicyclists, pedestrians and drivers. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 202763: That this Board's Committee on Public Health and Safety determine the extent of soundproofing to be installed for the Green Line Extension. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 204372: That the Administration work with the State Delegation to provide sound barriers along I-93 to help with air and noise pollution. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 201482: Conveying the Carlson Group's study of Somerville's fire and rescue services. Chairman Connolly suggested that the Carlson Group continue to update the city into the New Year. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 202913: That the Administration prepare a Home Rule Petition to increase the maximum age of Special Police Officers from 65 years old to 68. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 202922: That the Director of Health and Human Services discuss with the Committee on Public Health and Safety, the plan for using any proceeds realized from medical marijuana facilities. Ms. Connor has discussed this item with the Director of HHS and reported that there is no further information on the subject. Alderman Rossetti’s motion that the Director of HHS provide the Committee on Public Health and Public Safety with a report within 30 days regarding a plan for using any proceeds realized from medical marijuana facilities, was approved. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 203004: That the Mayor work with the State Delegation on an agreement with the State to permit City crossing guards at the crosswalks at Highland Avenue and McGrath Highway, and to permit the Police Department to enforce traffic laws there.

Public Health and Public Safety Committee Page 5 of 6 Printed 11/20/2017 RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 203594: That the City Solicitor draft an Ordinance prohibiting the public consumption of marijuana. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 203801: That the Administration establish a Pedestrian Safety Committee to promote pedestrian concerns and provide feedback from a pedestrian perspective. Ms. Connor will follow up with the Director of Transportation and Infrastructure. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 204390: That the Director of SPCD and the Tree Warden provide any new data to this Board indicating if any city trees are dying from gas leaks. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 204403: Conveying the Executive Policy on Surveillance Technology. Ms. Connor said this request is to rework the procedure from the Police Department on various items such as: how the footage is maintained for transparency. A list of the locations of the cameras posted around the city will be available. Alderman Rossetti would like the Chief of Police to attend one of the next meetings of this committee to discuss this matter further. Alderman McLaughlin believes there may be surplus items available and perhaps the city could look into this matter. Alderman McLaughlin motion, that the Administration and the Chief of Police provide feedback on military technology and weapons capability and capacity, was approved. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 204451: Conveying the School Department's Security Camera Policy to this Board's Committee on Public Health and Public Safety. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 204463: That the Administration revise applicable ordinances and policies to prevent construction crews from closing sidewalks unless accommodations for safe pedestrian passage have been made, including the presence of detail officers at mid-block crossings if needed. Alderman Davis appeared before the committee to talk about construction companies closing off sidewalks and, in turn, forcing children walking to and from school to sometimes walk in the street. He would like the city to consider other options, e.g., having someone from the construction company acting as a crossing guard of some sort. Alderman Davis would like a

Public Health and Public Safety Committee Page 6 of 6 Printed 11/20/2017 strong message sent to construction companies that do not have police details. Alderman Rossetti asked if police officers patrolling the city have the authority to stop the contractors work or bring to the contractors’ attention the need for proper police details during construction. Alderman Rossetti’s motion, that the Administration discuss the issue of pedestrian and traffic safety as it relates to sidewalk and roadway closings due to construction, was approved. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 204478: That the Administration provide a means for Ward 2 residents to report helicopter noise early on weekday mornings, and partner with Cambridge to prepare a formal complaint. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED Handout: • Cambridge Short Term Rental Regs (with 202776)