Minutes - PHPS - 9-23-24 Dispositions — File 24-1342

City of Somerville, Massachusetts Public Health and Public Safety Committee Meeting Minutes Dispositions 6:00 PM Virtual Monday, September 23, 2024 COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE The meeting took place virtually via Zoom and was called to order at 6:06 PM by Chair McLaughlin and adjourned at 8:30 PM with a roll call vote of 10 in favor (Councilor Davis, Councilor Wilson, Councilor Sait, Councilor Scott, Councilor Mbah, Councilor Burnley, Councilor Clingan, Councilor Strezo, Councilor Pineda Neufeld, Councilor McLaughlin), none against and 1 absent (Councilor Ewen-Campen). Councilor Clingan joined the meeting at 6:08pm and Councilor Burnley joined the meeting at 6:42pm. Others present: Director of Intergovernmental Affairs - Neha Singh, Director of Libraries - Cathy Piantigini, Director of Parks and Recreation - Susan Yerkes, Director of Student Services - Liz Doncaster, High School Principal - Alicia Kersten, Deputy Chief of Police- James Stanford, Legislative Services Manager - Madalyn Letellier. Roll Call Ward One City Councilor Matthew McLaughlin, Ward Six City Councilor Lance L. Davis, Ward Five City Councilor Naima Sait, Wilfred N. Mbah, Judy Pineda Neufeld, Jefferson Thomas (J.T.) Scott, Kristen Strezo and Jake Wilson Present: Willie Burnley Jr., Jesse Clingan and Ben Ewen-Campen Absent: 1. Approval of the Minutes of the Public Health and Public Safety Committee Meeting of September 11, 2024. 24-1318 Accepted Ward One City Councilor McLaughlin, Ward Six City Councilor Davis, Ward Five City Councilor Sait, Burnley Jr., Clingan, Mbah, Pineda Neufeld, Scott, Strezo and Wilson Aye: Ewen-Campen Absent: Library Overview 2. Conveying an invitation to the public to a community conversation about 24-1314 Page 1 of 3

Public Health and Public Safety Committee Meeting Minutes Dispositions September 23, 2024 resources needed to restore full library access, hosted by Somerville's youth community and Somerville Municipal Employees Association members. Councilor Scott, Councilor Clingan and Councilor Ewen-Campen Sponsors: Recommended to be marked work completed 3. Conveying full support for the Public Library Board of Trustees and Director of Libraries in their efforts to maintain safe and accessible library environments for patrons and employees alike. 24-1313 Councilor Scott, Councilor Clingan and Councilor Ewen-Campen Sponsors: Recommended to be marked work completed 4. That the Administration update this Council on the status of the process to provide the resources and programming needed to safely re-open the Central Library during mid-day hours. 24-1273 Councilor Ewen-Campen, Councilor Sait, Councilor Clingan, Councilor Wilson, Councilor Strezo, Councilor Burnley Jr., Councilor Pineda Neufeld, Councilor Davis and Councilor Scott Sponsors: Recommended to be marked work completed Incidents Report 5. That the Chief of Police and the Chief Fire Engineer provide a record of all calls to first responders regarding incidents at all Somerville Public Library locations since September 1, 2023. 24-1295 Councilor McLaughlin Sponsors: Recommended to be marked work completed 6. That the Director of Libraries, and other relevant departments, appear before this Council’s Committee on Equity, Gender, Seniors, Families and Vulnerable Populations to discuss the plans for the library closing in the middle of the day and what immediate steps are being taken to reopen the library during this time period to best support library staff and patrons. 24-1263 Councilor Strezo Sponsors: Recommended to be marked work completed Teen Space 7. That the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Coordinator take the necessary measures to ensure ADA compliance for the second floor of 165 Broadway for the purposes of expanding youth services. 24-1326 Councilor McLaughlin and Councilor Strezo Sponsors: Page 2 of 3

Public Health and Public Safety Committee Meeting Minutes Dispositions September 23, 2024 Recommended to be marked work completed 8. That the Administration discuss the sufficiency of after school programs for high school students and the methods of outreach and guidance to ensure that all students have access to activities that meet their needs and interests. 24-1270 Councilor Mbah Sponsors: Recommended to be marked work completed 9. That the Administration and relevant city departments discuss an immediate action plan to address the increase of fights happening at Edward L. Leathers Community Park after students are released from school. 24-1267 Councilor Strezo and Councilor Clingan Sponsors: Recommended to be marked work completed Schools 10. That the Administration discuss the scope and limitations of staff at Somerville High School to supervise high school students in the after school period. 24-1271 Councilor Mbah Sponsors: Recommended to be marked work completed 11. That the Administration explore activating Somerville High School for community uses outside of school hours. 24-1305 Councilor Wilson, Councilor Scott, Councilor Sait and Councilor Clingan Sponsors: Recommended to be marked work completed Referenced Documents: • PHPS - 2024-09-23 PHPS Data - Fire (with 24-1295 • PHPS - 2024-09-23 PHPS Data - SPD (with 24-1295) Page 3 of 3