Committee Report - Legislative Matters - 2-17-11 — File 190912

February 17, 2011 Legislative Matters Committee Page 1 of 2 Printed 2/23/2011 REPORT OF THE LEGISLATIVE MATTERS COMMITTEE Attendee Name Title Status Arrived Thomas F. Taylor Chair Present William A. White Jr. Vice Chair Absent Bruce M. Desmond Alderman At Large Present John M Connolly Alderman At Large Present Rebekah Gewirtz Ward Six Alderman Present William M. Roche Ward One Alderman Present Dennis M. Sullivan Alderman At Large Present Maryann M. Heuston Ward Two Alderman Present Walter F. Pero Ward Four Alderman Absent Robert C. Trane Ward Seven Alderman Absent Sean T. O’Donovan Ward Five Alderman Absent 190730 - 51 Registered Voters submitting a petition for a public hearing on KSS Realty Partners and the use of union labor at the MaxPac site.: Chairman Taylor read an opinion from the City Solicitor stating that the city has no authority to force property owners to use union labor. Alderman Desmond referenced the Boston Jobs Act and said that he would like the city to guarantee minorities, women, Somerville residents and union workers jobs on projects where any city funding was utilized and noted that the entire BOA supported his earlier resolution (#190404) calling for the employment of union labor for all aspects of construction at the MaxPak site, giving preference to qualified Somerville residents. The Public Hearing was opened. (A written statement from Rand Wilson was submitted to the Committee.) Several members of the public spoke on the issue and raised the following concerns: • The intent of the BOA was questioned with regard to its agreement with KSS • Unemployment of local residents • Support for union labor • Collection of fees from developers • Safety of non-union job sites • Effects of foreclosure crisis

Committee of the Whole February 17, 2011 Legislative Matters Committee Page 2 of 2 Printed 2/23/2011 The Public hearing was closed. Alderman Roche’s motion that the City Solicitor appear before the Legislative Matters Committee, with the covenant between the city and KSS, to discuss its legalities and to determine if KSS has breached the agreement, and if so, that their permits be pulled, was approved. Representatives of KSS will be requested to appear at that meeting to discuss their position on this matter. Alderman Connolly requested that the mayor also be requested to attend that meeting. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE