Committee Report - C of APM - 4-27-21 — File 211831

Confirmation of Appointments and Personnel Matters Committee Page 1 of 4 Printed 4/28/2021 April 27, 2021 REPORT OF THE CONFIRMATION OF APPOINTMENTS AND PERSONNEL MATTERS COMMITTEE Attendee Name Title Status Arrived Mary Jo Rossetti Chair Present Jefferson Thomas ("J.T.") Scott Vice Chair Absent Wilfred N. Mbah City Councilor at Large Present Jesse Clingan Ward Four City Councilor Present Kristen Strezo City Councilor at Large Present Others present: Anne Gill - Personnel, Laura Beretsky - CPC, Alan Inacio - SOPCD, Kate Van Sleet - Library, Lauren Racaniello - Legislative Liaison, Kim Wells - Assistant Clerk of Committees, Peter Forcellese - Legislative Clerk. The meeting took place virtually via GoToWebinar and was called to order at 6:02 PM by Chair Rossetti and adjourned at 6:56 PM on a roll call vote of 4 in favor (Councilors Mbah, Clingan, Strezo and Rossetti), 0 against and 1 absent (Councilor Scott). Councilor Scott was unable to attend this meeting as he was experiencing some side effects from having received his 2nd dose of the COVID vaccine. 211300: Requesting confirmation of the re-appointment of Nicholas Salerno as Election Commissioner. Ms. Gill introduced Mr. Salerno and Chair Rossetti informed the committee that this is a 3-year appointment ending on March 31, 2024. Mr. Salerno said that it has been an honor and a pleasure serving the city for the past 18 years. Councilor Mbah asked about the upcoming elections and Mr. Salerno stated that the process will revert to the usual election procedure, with no early voting, unless the state directs otherwise. The election calendar that was previously approved by the City Council will be followed. Chair Rossetti praised the Election Department staff under Mr. Salerno's leadership and she asked him to thank them on her behalf. Councilors Strezo and Clingan thanked Mr. Salerno for his professionalism, knowledge, and experience. Chair Rossetti moved for approval of the item. The item was approved on a roll call vote. Chair Rossetti explained that the committee’s action on this item would be reported to the City Council at its next meeting on May 13th and that this action would not become official until the Council takes final action on it.

Confirmation of Appointments and Personnel Matters Committee Page 2 of 4 Printed 4/28/2021 RESULT: APPROVED. [UNANIMOUS] AYES: Rossetti, Mbah, Clingan, Strezo ABSENT: Scott 211415: Requesting confirmation of the appointment of Rose White to the Community Preservation Act Committee. Ms. Beretsky, Chair of the Community Preservation Committee, (CPC), introduced Ms. White, a 20-year resident of Somerville. She has worked as a Housing Development Planner and invested CPA funds to preserve and create affordable housing for the City of Cambridge. Ms. White said that she is excited about this opportunity and looks forward to serving. Councilor Mbah asked the candidate where she sees the need for CPA funding. She responded by saying that her area of expertise is in affordable housing and she would like to be able to use her real estate financial background, as well, to allocate these critical resources. Councilor Clingan thanked the candidate for applying for the position and said that she appears to be a great fit for the CPC. Chair Rossetti commented that there was a lot of support for her from the community and she asked Ms. White to speak about her work as a planner. Ms. White explained that she worked as a planner in the Housing Division for the City of Cambridge, but now works as a Housing Finance Specialist for a nonprofit organization whose mission is to build and operate service-enriched housing for seniors in Massachusetts. Chair Rossetti spoke about the legally required percentages of CPA distributions to affordable housing and open space projects noting that although affordable housing is a critical need, there are many people in the community who desire additional open space. She asked that the candidate examine all the requests put before the CPC and make considered decisions. Ms. White said that she comes to this position without a personal agenda and would remain open to all requests. Mr. Inacio stated that this is the only opening on the CPC at the moment. Chair Rossetti moved for approval of the item. The item was approved on a roll call vote. Chair Rossetti explained that the committee’s action on this item would be reported to the City Council at its next meeting on May 13th and that this action would not become official until the Council takes final action on it. RESULT: APPROVED. [UNANIMOUS] AYES: Rossetti, Mbah, Clingan, Strezo ABSENT: Scott 210951: Requesting confirmation of the appointment of Ami Feldman to the position of Library Trustee. Ms. Van Sleet introduced Ms. Feldman, a Somerville resident, as an educator, writer, and performing artist who holds the city’s libraries close to her heart. Ms. Feldman has been recommended by several members of the community for this position. With her children being grown, Ms. Feldman wants to give back to the community. Ms. Feldman addressed the committee saying that she believes in education and thinks that libraries are the hearts of communities. Councilors Mbah and Clingan thanked her for volunteering her time.

Confirmation of Appointments and Personnel Matters Committee Page 3 of 4 Printed 4/28/2021 Chair Rossetti noted that the candidate is involved with several committees at her place of employment, among them the Diversion and Equity Inclusion Committee, and suggested that her experience might be helpful to the city as it develops its own Department of Racial and Social Justice. Chair Rossetti moved for approval of the item. The item was approved on a roll call vote. Chair Rossetti explained that the committee’s action on this item would be reported to the City Council at its next meeting on May 13th and that this action would not become official until the Council takes final action on it. RESULT: APPROVED. [UNANIMOUS] AYES: Rossetti, Mbah, Clingan, Strezo ABSENT: Scott 210952: Requesting confirmation of the appointment of Georgenia Toussaint to the position of Library Trustee. Ms. Van Sleet introduced Ms. Toussaint as an experienced educator, specializing in early childhood education, and a self-taught artist who volunteers her time for many community activities and wants to further expand her commitment to the city. Ms. Toussaint addressed the committee saying that she thinks that this would be a good opportunity for her to share her experiences. Councilors Clingan and Mbah thanked her for volunteering. Chair Rossetti commented that she was moved by her decision to become the guardian for one of her students. Chair Rossetti moved for approval of the item. The item was approved on a roll call vote. Chair Rossetti explained that the committee’s action on this item would be reported to the City Council at its next meeting on May 13th and that this action would not become official until the Council takes final action on it. RESULT: APPROVED. [UNANIMOUS] AYES: Rossetti, Mbah, Clingan, Strezo ABSENT: Scott 208284: Requesting confirmation of the appointment of Nicholas Antanavica to the position of Director of Inspectional Services. This item will be discussed at a committee meeting in May. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 209512: Requesting confirmation of the re-appointment of Nick Antanavica as Director of Inspectional Services. This item will be discussed at a committee meeting in May. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE

Confirmation of Appointments and Personnel Matters Committee Page 4 of 4 Printed 4/28/2021 211296: Requesting confirmation of the appointment of Nick Antanavica as Director of Inspectional Services. This item will be discussed at a committee meeting in May. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE Referenced Material: • R White - Submission to CC (with 211415)