Committee Report - Youth - 7-2-18 — File 206321

Youth Services Committee Page 1 of 4 Printed 7/12/2018 July 2, 2018 REPORT OF THE YOUTH SERVICES COMMITTEE Attendee Name Title Status Arrived Stephanie Hirsch Chair Present Jesse Clingan Vice Chair Present Katjana Ballantyne Ward Seven Alderman Present Others present: Alderman Mark Niedergang, Doug Kress - HHS, Jeff Curley - School Dept., Andre Green - School Committee, Natalie Vieira - Recreation Commission, Annie Connor - Legislative Liaison, Peter Forcellese - Legislative Clerk. The meeting took place in the Committee Room and was called to order at 6:00 PM by Chairman Hirsch and adjourned at 7:27 PM. Approval of the May 16, 2018 Minutes RESULT: ACCEPTED 205289: That the Director of Purchasing share the process for procuring food, food packaging and flatware for the school cafeterias. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 205290: That the Commissioner of Public Works share the process of handling different types of cafeteria waste, including recyclables and food waste. Mr. Curley reported that he met with DPW staff and they are considering a pilot program to eliminate the use of water cups in one school Chairman Hirsch said that students used to drink from water bottles and drinking fountains and that plastic cups have recently been added. Chairman Hirsch said that the Publics Work Commissioner had said in the last meeting that as of the start of school this fall, the City would start composting the trays and washing/recycling the milk containers. Mr. Curley said that he will double check on the status of these plans. Also, Mr. Curley will be meeting with the Cambridge School’s food services department to learn how this is being handled there. Mr. Green commented that the food issue is a tough nut to crack for the schools and he thinks that a year from now, they'll have tried some things and will have some answers. He asked that the committee be mindful of everything else that the School Committee is responsible for and Chairman Hirsch said that she understood and pointed out, however, that it’s the law. She suggested that the City take on the work to implement waste reduction.

Youth Services Committee Page 2 of 4 Printed 7/12/2018 Alderman Ballantyne also suggested that perhaps the OSEE committee could do some research to take the burden off the schools. She also mentioned a composting program that is offered by a company that will pick up composting materials at your home for approximately $3.25 per week, adding that it might be good to consider something like this for Somerville. Alderman Niedergang asked that Mr. Sellers- Garcia be requested to appear before the committee with some options. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 205358: That the Director of Health and Human Services share a draft plan, organizational chart and budget for the formation of an Out-of-School-Time Division, to coordinate across city departments and nonprofit and volunteer-run organizations. Mr. Kress reported that a draft job description has been written and will be formalized by the Personnel Department. The position will be full time and within the SomerPromise program and should be posted by the end of this week. Because it is under SomerPromise, HHS is establishing a network to assist. Mr. Curley said that 2 needs were seen; 1) how to tie the program in with school registration and other out of school programs, and 2) day to day operational challenges, e.g., transportation. The School Department has been sending the message that school space is a public resource that should be shared. Putting the program in non-school entities will allow resources to be shared. Alderman Ballantyne inquired about an inventory of non-profits that could fall under this program. Mr. Green commented that he’s not aware of all the programs that are available, adding that it's been ad hoc and focused on those that were already out there and had a relationship with the city. Many of the things being undertaken aren't even know and this program will bring everything together. Mr. Kress is looking into how other programs are funded and he is hoping to look at the single point of entry, as well. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 205360: That the Administration share plans for this summer’s youth jobs program, including the cost to nonprofits for hiring youths and any opportunity to create stipend work for younger teens in local nonprofits. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 205442: That the Commissioner of Public Works and the Director of Health and Human Services share an update on options and plans for municipal and school building usage for summer youth programs, including any capacity challenges for this summer. Chairman Hirsch asked how the city side could assist in this matter and Mr. Kress replied that the DPW would be better equipped to answer that question. Mr. Green informed the committee that there are 1,500 youths (1/3 of school year population) involved in summer school programs. Mr. Curley said that he has been looking at facilities with the DPW and more is being done on the front end. Some rooms have been stripped and cleaned and are ready to go. Mr. Curley said that the DPW had worked very hard to compress the regular summer maintenance activities into the times before and after the summer programming. Mr. Kress said that he wants to work out capacities for the future, to be more prepared for where the children will go. He said that both academic and youth programs are involved. The number of school nurses will also be impacted to staff summer programs. Mr. Curley said that presently, there are 26 programs across 9 schools with about 130 classrooms being used.

Youth Services Committee Page 3 of 4 Printed 7/12/2018 Mr. Green said that central to the strategy is that a distinction is not made between summer school and summer programs, i.e., it's all part of the same delivery service. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 205361: That the Director of Parks and Recreation and the Superintendent of Schools share their policies and procedures for allocating indoor spaces and outdoor spaces, in particular for local or youth-serving organizations. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 204871: That the Administration report to this Board, by the next Youth Services Committee meeting, on ways to keep the Kennedy School playground open for public use during non-school day daytime hours. Mr. Curley said that the Superintendent of Schools is behind extending hours on a pilot basis. Signs are being ordered. The playground hours will follow typical park hours and there will be a parental supervision component included. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 204870: That the Administration report to this Board, by the next Youth Services Committee meeting, on ways to expand open swimming hours at the Kennedy School pool, such as Sundays, Friday/Saturday evenings, school holidays and half-day Wednesdays. Mr. Curley said that the Superintendent of Schools is supportive of this. It’s a complicated issue since the pool is within a school building. The Parks and Recreation Department might be involved to help with staffing. Fee schedules and budgets are being considered along with potential costs for staff and maintenance. The DPW needs to be involved for the repair element of the plan. Ms. Connor told the committee that an update will be provided by the end of summer. Alderman Niedergang suggested that it might be worth consulting with the YMCA regarding how to staff the Kennedy pool. Mr. Curley asked if this should be treated as an enterprise account and Alderman Ballantyne suggested that he ask that question of Mr. Bean. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 205895: 185 citizens submitting a petition to expand access to the Kennedy School swimming pools. see 204870 RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 206232: That the Administration install portable toilets at playgrounds and the following parks: Albion, Dickerman, North Street, Lincoln (when it reopens), Marshall Street, Chuckie Harris, Kenney, Grimmons, Healey, Hoyt-Sullivan (when it reopens) and Conway, no later than July 2018.

Youth Services Committee Page 4 of 4 Printed 7/12/2018 Ms. Connor reported that the Administration is looking into this matter and has several questions, e.g., will access to public restrooms be a problem, is there a better way or something more environmentally sound, would drug activity take place there? Ms. Connor said that a pilot program at Albion Park is a possibility, adding that the Administration doesn’t want to rush into something and make the problem worse. Chairman Hirsch said that if there’s to be a process to explore larger issues, they should put port- a-potties in busy parks in the meantime as it is now the middle of the summer and they are, by definition, temporary or portable. . Alderman Ballantyne noted that addressing this issue is long overdue and the any crime concerns could be addressed by the police. Ms. Connor commented that consideration should be given to the needs of the older population that might benefit from them, as well. She stressed that portable toilets are meant to be temporary and suggested that work begin to get a permanent solution. Alderman Niedergang asked to do what can be done immediately and then work towards a permanent solution. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE Handout: • OST Job Description