Committee Report - C of APM - 3-18-19 — File 207743

Confirmation of Appointments and Personnel Matters Committee Page 1 of 3 Printed 3/22/2019 March 18, 2019 REPORT OF THE CONFIRMATION OF APPOINTMENTS AND PERSONNEL MATTERS COMMITTEE Attendee Name Title Status Arrived Jefferson Thomas ("J.T.") Scott Chair Present Ben Ewen-Campen Vice Chair Present Jesse Clingan Ward Four City Councilor Present Wilfred N. Mbah City Councilor at Large Present Mary Jo Rossetti City Councilor at Large Present Matthew McLaughlin Ward One City Councilor Present Mark Niedergang Ward Five City Councilor Present Lance L. Davis Ward Six City Councilor Present Katjana Ballantyne Ward Seven City Councilor Present Stephanie Hirsch City Councilor At Large Absent William A. White Jr. City Councilor At Large Present Others present: George Proakis - OSPCD, Doug Kress - HHS, Nancy Bacci - HHS, Tim Snyder - Mayor's Office, Rositha Durham - Clerk of Committees. The meeting took place in the Committee Room and was called to order at 6:00 PM by Chairman Scott and adjourned at 12:25 AM. 207417: Requesting the confirmation of the appointment of Pat McCormick to the Somerville Redevelopment Authority. Councilor Ewen-Campen recused himself from this item. Mr. Proakis introduced this candidate. The candidate has lived in Somerville for many years and has a Master’s in Public Administration. Mr. McCormick worked for the City of Somerville as the Chief Information Officer for four years. There was discussion about the SRA having an important role to achieve a balance for the city. The committee talked about trying to restore trust from the community and how the process needs to be more open. The chair did not vote in favor of this candidate, all other members voted in favor. This item was approved. RESULT: APPROVED

Confirmation of Appointments and Personnel Matters Committee Page 2 of 3 Printed 3/22/2019 207418: Requesting the confirmation of the appointment of Emily Hedeman to the Somerville Redevelopment Authority. Councilor Ewen-Campen recused himself from this item. Ms. Hedeman was introduced by Mr. Proakis and she used to work in the City of Somerville in planning as Economic Development Assistant. She had worked on Union Square DIF, pushing funding during construction period for affordable commercial space. There was a question why the administration would put someone on the board who used to work with the board when the board worked very poorly. Councilors Scott and Niedergang did not vote in favor. All others voted in favor. This item was approved. RESULT: APPROVED 207543: Requesting confirmation of the appointment of Amelia Aboff to the position of Planning Board member. Mr. Proakis introduced Ms. Aboff who lives in Ward 2. There are two vacancies on the planning board at this time. Ms. Aboff has been a Somerville resident for four years. Her background is in environmental studies, urban studies and real estate. Ms. Aboff stated she is strongly in favor of building as much affordable housing as possible. There were questions about how to incorporate public opinions. Ms. Aboff was also asked if she had worked with a marginalized communities and displaced people. Ms. Aboff stated she had worked with families who were impacted by hurricane Sandy. It was stated that Ms. Aboff does not have an extensive track record in community involvement. All voted in favor, Councilor Clingan did not vote in favor of this item. RESULT: APPROVED 207544: Requesting confirmation of the appointment of Tim Talun to the position of Planning Board member. Councilor Ballantyne came into the meeting to cast her vote, then returned to the School Committee meeting. Mr. Proakis introduced Mr. Talun and stated there are five members and one alternate on the planning board. Mr. Talun has an architect background. He lives in Prospect Hill with his family. Mr. Talun stated he is always willing to use design and strategies to make the neighborhood look better. Councilor Ballantyne asked Mr. Proakis for highlights of the position. Some of the key roles are: keeper of the master plan and receives/reviews all zoning amendments. Committee members asked Mr. Talun about 181 Washington Street and if he spoke against or in favor of the project. There were other questions about marginalized community or with people who have been displaced. There were questions about affordable housing and the height of various buildings. There was a roll call vote with 4 voted in favor and 6 voted against, 1 councilor was absent. This item was not approved.

Confirmation of Appointments and Personnel Matters Committee Page 3 of 3 Printed 3/22/2019 RESULT: NOT APPROVED. [4 TO 6] AYES: Rossetti, Niedergang, Ballantyne, White Jr. NAYS: Scott, Ewen-Campen, Clingan, Mbah, McLaughlin, Davis ABSENT: Hirsch 207419: Requesting the confirmation of the appointment of Andrew Arbaugh to the Design Review Committee. Mr. Proakis introduced Mr. Arbaugh. It was stated that this committee has not had a landscape architect for a long time. Mr. Arbaugh lives in East Somerville with his family. This position is a two year term. Mr. Arbaugh is also active in East Somerville Main Streets. This item was approved by all members. RESULT: APPROVED 207511: That the Administration meet with the Committee on Confirmation of Appointments and Personnel Matters to discuss the implications of designating every commission's members as Special Municipal Employees. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 207416: Requesting confirmation of the re-appointment of Christopher Hosman as Executive Director of the Women's Commission. RESULT: APPROVED Handout: • Public Comments (with 207544)