01-14-2021 Executive Session Minutes (Security) Redacted — File 211181

City of Somerville, Massachusetts Matters of Business of the City Council MINUTES OF THE EXECUTIVE SESSION January 14, 2021, 9:15 PM Remote Participation via GoToWebinar ****************** CITY COUNCILORS for all or part of the meeting: President Matt McLaughlin, City Councilors Will Mbah, Mary Jo Rossetti, Kristen Strezo, William White Jr., JT Scott, Ben Ewen-Campen, Jesse Clingan, Mark Niedergang, Lance Davis, Katjana Ballantyne. OTHERS PRESENT for all or part of the meeting: Mayor Joseph Curtatone, Acting Police Chief Charles Femino, City Clerk John Long, Legislative Liaisons Khushbu Webber and Lauren Racaniello. The Mayor opened the executive session for # 211181 to discuss security concerns in the wake of the January 6 insurrection at the Capitol in Washington DC. He said there have been security alerts at cities nationwide, and we have elevated security at city buildings and at elected officials’ residences. He said the Police Department is tuned into federal sources for information. There is no current indication of a threat in Somerville or in our contiguous cities or towns, and his office would communicate with the Council if there were. Acting Chief Femino said directed patrols are operating through January 20 as a precaution, and on Inauguration Day there will be a Patrol Officer at City Hall and additional officers at the East and West substations. Councilor Strezo asked if there was an insurgent event scheduled at the State House on Sunday, and Acting Chief Femino said there was, and 10 officers are scheduled for that day in addition to the regular patrol force. The Mayor said the State House and Boston City Hall are hardened, so he’s concerned about Cambridge and Somerville. Intelligence says violent actions are planned, but we don’t know where. Councilor Rossetti said she declined a call offering stepped-up patrols at her home, and she doesn’t feel threatened by our community. She worries about the cost and wondered how many Councilors accepted the patrol. Councilor Strezo said she appreciated the offer. Councilor Davis said Councilor Rossetti’s question was out of order, because it was not appropriate for Executive Session, and she withdrew it. She asked how much overtime would be accrued, and Acting Chief Femino said he didn’t know, but on-duty resources were being used to cover most directed patrols. Councilor Ewen-Campen asked if any police officers were at the insurrection, and the Mayor and Acting Chief Femino said they believe none were. The Mayor said he would notify the Council if he found otherwise. Councilor Mbah appreciated the offer of directed patrols, saying we don’t currently know what we’re dealing with. Councilor Niedergang said he had declined the offer of protection but thanked the Mayor and Acting Chief for protection, saying it’s the right thing to do, even if it costs a lot of money. Councilor Scott said everyone’s feelings are valid, and he appreciates the city taking it seriously. He stated that he had declined any directed patrols, but noted that white supremacist graffiti had been painted on his business that week. He asked if the primary focus of any law enforcement action would be to ensure that any pro-insurrection protest activity would be contained to public spaces. He noted that he had seen a Somerville Police Officer with the same insignia on his car as had been worn by insurrectionists at the Capitol. REDACTED

The Mayor concluded that if any public safety response was needed, cost would not be a factor. No votes were taken. At 9:40 PM, there being no further discussion, the City Council voted 11-0 to adjourn. _______________________________________________ John J. Long, City Clerk