Committee Report - Youth - 4-8-19 — File 207946

Youth Services Committee Page 1 of 7 Printed 4/10/2019 April 8, 2019 REPORT OF THE YOUTH SERVICES COMMITTEE Attendee Name Title Status Arrived Stephanie Hirsch Chair Present Jesse Clingan Vice Chair Absent Lance L. Davis Ward Six City Councilor Present Others present: Jill Lathan - Parks & Recreation, Rick Liberatore - Recreation Commission, Natalie Vieira - Recreation, Doug Kress - HHS, Oliver Sellers-Garcia - OSE, Anna Doherty - SomerPromise, 2 students from Harvard School of Public Health, Rositha Durham - Clerk of Committees. The meeting took place in the Committee Room and was called to order at 6:05 PM by Chairman Hirsch and adjourned at 7:40 PM. Approval of the July 2, 2018 Minutes RESULT: ACCEPTED Approval of the October 24, 2018 Minutes RESULT: ACCEPTED Waste Reduction in Schools (OSE, District Administration) 205289: That the Director of Purchasing share the process for procuring food, food packaging and flatware for the school cafeterias. Mr. Sellers-Garcia stated an analysis will be prepared in the summer after the budget hearings. 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. Sellers-Garcia talked about the roll out in schools this school year. He stated that Mr. Koty was very enthusiastic about this program, but did not believe there were enough funds to roll out

Youth Services Committee Page 2 of 7 Printed 4/10/2019 to all schools in this schoolyear. A recommendation will be coming soon stating what will happen with the program in the fall of 2019, such as which schools will go first and in which order. Chair Hirsch stated it would be great to have the plan before the end of the school year. This program needs the support and coordination of the principals, and it affects kitchen and cafeteria staff, so may require more staff in each school that runs a composting program. Councilor Davis encouraged Mr. Sellers-Garcia to ask for funds to move this program forward. Mr. Sellers-Garcia meets regularly with relevant departments on this matter. Mr. Kress talked with the Board of Health about a shared table when students do not want something on their plate, and they passed a policy. The school committee will need to decide how to roll out this program. The chair will have a meeting next month and invite Mr. Koty from DPW, representatives from the District and school committee to determine if there is a way to consider next steps with the composting/recycling program and with the share table program. Councilor Davis motioned and it was accepted that the Administration include in the Fiscal Year 2020 Budget the funding necessary to expand school cafeteria recycling and food waste reduction and collection programs beyond the current pilot program to all schools. Councilor Davis motioned and it was accepted that the Administration report to this Council on the specific plans to expand school cafeteria recycling and food waste reduction and collection programs beyond the current pilot program to all schools. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE Vision (SomerPromise, District Administration) 204996: That this Board's Committee on Youth Services organize one or more workshops to ask tweens and young teens about how the city can make sure our community is a great place for them to live. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 206644: That the Director of SomerPromise or Health and Human Services provide this Board with an overview of the Somerville Learning 2030 initiative and how the Board may be involved. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 207154: That the Administration share how the SomerVision 2040 process will be linked to the Somerville Learning 2030 City/District visioning process. There was a recap a year ago funding secure to contract a team of consultants of 2030. There was an accelerated endeavor with the selection of consultants last May. Ms. Fox-Doherty stated there were several focus groups with well over 600 people responding. There will be a community cabinet meeting this week to report what was captured from the community. There will be chapters on birth to 5 years along with childhood years. The next step is to “cross walk” the contents of the report. After this phase over the next couple of months, is to look at the

Youth Services Committee Page 3 of 7 Printed 4/10/2019 priorities based off of funding. There were discussions about building on the mental health services and SomerBaby program. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED Out-of-School Time & Coordination (Recreation, SomerPromise, District Administration) 205284: That the Administration consider hiring a software engineer in the FY19 budget cycle to design and maintain information management systems to link data, such as information related to properties. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 207436: That the Director of Parks and Recreation work with the School Dept. and SomerPromise to pilot neighborhood-based snow-day care at each elementary school. Ms. Lathan stated that opening the gym during snow-days has mediocre attendance. DPW needs to be involved because there could be some safety issues. There are also issues with the staff getting around during snow emergencies. To provide activities during snow emergencies, Ms. Lathan has opened the skating rink. Additionally, libraries are open during snow emergencies. There were discussions about having classrooms open during snow days, but she said the school would need to have a teacher or staff there to supervise. Councilor Davis may have a conversation with the school committee on this matter. Some parents may be challenged with getting their children out during snow emergencies. Ms. Lathan stated concerns with having children out during snow emergencies. 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. Mr. Kress distributed an email on this matter that was previously shared with the committee dated March 4, 2019. He talked about some of the challenges with the program. The new living wage is $12.80 an hour. Ms. Lathan talked about advocating hiring 15 year olds in the champions program. She stated that the Parks and Recreation department hires 80-90 youths during the summer and up to 50 youths who can be champions. Mr. Kress further stated that around 50 youths will be paid by local businesses. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED Fields & Facilities (Recreation, Adminiatration) 204582: Director of Parks & Recreation and City Solicitor responding to #204160, #203889, and #203733 re: nonprofit soccer and football organizations' use of Dilboy Field.

Youth Services Committee Page 4 of 7 Printed 4/10/2019 RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 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. This item was left in committee due to not having anyone from DPW to attend the meeting. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 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. Ms. Lathan stated there has been no movement yet. The District reviews and approves permitting and DPW has a big role too. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 205438: That the Administration consider the following steps to address the field space crisis: petition DCR for a waiver for a reduced expectation to schedule regional uses, cover costs of using Dilboy for teams displaced from less expensive fields to Dilboy, and prioritize youth sports over adults sports for field usage. Items 205438 and 205669 were discussed together. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 205669: That the Director of Parks and Recreation prioritize Somerville youth sports leagues before any adult sports leagues from outside the city until the city’s field conflicts are resolved. Items 205438 and 205669 were discussed together. Ms. Lathan stated the permitting process remains the same. The priorities are the youth. Somerville has majority use of Dilboy Stadium. Some groups request a lot fields and do not use it. This happens less at Dilboy due to the fee structure. Youth soccer has a couple of hours a week. It was stated that Somerville does not have enough fields. Ms. Lathan is working very hard to get fields open on Saturday. Councilor Davis asked for information on who is not using the field. The committee asked for a one-page update on the field master plan. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED Pools (Recreation) 205895: 185 citizens submitting a petition to expand access to the Kennedy School swimming pools.

Youth Services Committee Page 5 of 7 Printed 4/10/2019 Ms. Lathan stated the pool could have more hours, once the pool is stabilized. There are facilities to be addressed such as a new compressor and refrigerant. The chemical feeder control needs to be replaced. Ms. Lathan has spent three months assessing the pool and will be asking for funds in the budget hearing, including a request for an Aquatics Director that would coordinate all of the pools. Ms. Lathan stated the pool is closed on Fridays and Sundays. It was stated that from 3:30 on people are in the pool. There is lap swimming in the mornings Monday through Fridays. There is also 3rd graders swim lessons and family swim. Additionally, the YMCA uses the pool and there is a special needs program in the mornings. Chair Hirsch stated she would like to see an after school program at the pool and would like to see it open on Fridays and on Sundays. Additionally, there was a discussion about having pool information available in multiple languages. Ms. Lathan stated there are translators available in her office and is working with the school to collaborate putting flyers in the school bags. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 206302: That the Director of Parks and Recreation report on how often the public outdoor pools reach capacity and what, if any, pool staffing or policy changes may enable more people to access pools on hot days. Ms. Lathan stated that the Dilboy pool is open until 7 p.m. Usually, the pool starts to clear out around 6:30 p.m. Ms. Lathan further stated that it is hard to retain lifeguards end of the summer because most go back to school/college. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 206457: Parks and Recreation Director responding to #206302 re: outdoor pool utilization and capacity. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 206647: That the Director of Parks and Recreation express to DCR the importance of keeping public pools and water fountains open later in the season due to climate change. Ms. Lathan stated she would like to have a couple of lifeguards to work until Labor Day. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 206699: That the Administration provide information regarding the transfer of some Kennedy Pool functions to the Parks and Recreation Department. Ms. Lathan stated the Kennedy Pool is very hot and humid. Currently, there are staffing issues. She would like to see recreational staff at the pool year round. Ms. Lathan discussed a junior lifeguard program to allow students to get student credit. She has had a conversation with the school superintendent who is on board with this program. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE

Youth Services Committee Page 6 of 7 Printed 4/10/2019 Port-a-Potties 2019 (Administration) 206188: That the Administration update this Board prior to July 12, 2018, on providing public restrooms at public parks, including parks that will be used by programs that would otherwise use Conway Park, including Dickerman Park. Chair Hirsch stated that three port-a-potties were set up. The city is hoping to expand the program for next summer. Councilor Davis stated he has received a lot of emails to get more potties in the parks. The administration was not at tonight’s meeting and this item was kept in committee. 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. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 206643: That the Administration report on how the port-a-potty pilot went this summer, whether or not it can be expanded, and how residents should notify the city if port-a-potties need cleaning. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE Miscellaneous 205532: Parks and Recreation Director submitting the Department's Fall, 2017 youth participation statistics. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 206701: That the Commissioner of Public Works report on the materials and practices used for school cleaning in terms of their impact on childhood health conditions, such as asthma. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 206858: That the Director of Personnel work with the School District to advertise open City or School positions to families of Public School students. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE Handouts: • Assessing the Porta Potty Pilot 4.5.19 (with 206643)

Youth Services Committee Page 7 of 7 Printed 4/10/2019 • HHS Response (with 205360)