Committee Report - PHPS - 12-4-13 — File 196002

December 4, 2013 Public Health and Public Safety Committee Page 1 of 9 Printed 12/5/2013 REPORT OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE Attendee Name Title Status Arrived John M Connolly Chair Present Maryann M. Heuston Vice Chair Absent William A. White Jr. Alderman At Large Present 190058 - That the Director of SPCD Provide This Board with the Latest Revision to the City's Rodent Control Policies before the Next Meeting of the Committee on Public Health and Public Safety, and appear with Appropriate Designees at Said Meeting.: RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 194984 - That the Committee on Public Health and Safety request that the Executive Director of the Cambridge Health Alliance appear to explain, at a public hearing, its recent proposal to reduce funding for services to Somerville’s youth community.: RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 195593 - That the Director of SPCD (ISD), the Director of Health and the Administration appear before this Board to report on their strategy to deal with the rodent epidemic being experienced in most parts of the city.: RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 195594 - That the Director of SPCD (ISD ) appear before this Board to report on the mechanics of the city’s rodent baiting strategy.: RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 195625 - The this Board's Committee on Public Health and Safety review the city's enforcement of the prohibition of riding bicycles on sidewalks.:

Committee Meeting December 4, 2013 Public Health and Public Safety Committee Page 2 of 9 Printed 12/5/2013 RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 195644 - That this Board's Committee on Public Health and Safety examine the feasibility of registering bicycles.: RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 195880 - Requesting review and approval of the MAPC's 2013 Update to the 2008 Hazardous Mitigation Plan.: RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 192278 - That the City Clerk send a communication to Senator Patricia Jehlen and Representative Timothy Toomey, inquiring as to the status of the sound barrier along Route 93 and the Nunnery Grounds area.: RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 192737 - That this Board’s Committee on Public Health and Safety arrange for representatives of Riverside Community Care aka Somerville Mental Health Association, to appear before the Committee to explain where the programs are and how the City can assist them.: RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 192919 - Rep. Toomey responding to #192278 re: sound barriers along I-93.: RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 193093 - That the City Solicitor and the Director of SPCD locate any documents or agreements made by the federal government regarding the initial construction of Route 93 through Somerville.: RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 193094 - That the Director of Public Health provide the Committee on Public Health and Safety with the CAFÉ study information once it's completed.: RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE

Committee Meeting December 4, 2013 Public Health and Public Safety Committee Page 3 of 9 Printed 12/5/2013 193095 - That the City Clerk invite representatives from MA DOT to appear before this Board to discuss improving the existing fencing between Route 93 and the Nunnery Grounds.: RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 193318 - That the Director of SPCD (ISD) inspect 24-26 Morrison Avenue for unhealthy and unsafe conditions and report the findings to this Board’s Committee on Public Health and Safety.: RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 194195 - That the City Solicitor prepare an ordinance and/or policy to govern the use of the Automated License Plate Recognition System in preparation for the Police Department's use of these devices again.: RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 194244 - That this Board’s Committee on Public Health and Safety investigate the foreclosed, abandoned and decaying property at 42 Henderson Street to begin the receivership process and have it cleaned.: RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 194296 - That this Board requests that the Mayor consider implementing a Community Emergency Response Team, a volunteer citizen support group which is part of FEMA, to assist response efforts during emergencies.: RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 194334 - That the Commissioner of Public Works examine the status of crosswalks around all schools and recommend any locations that should be slated for raised crosswalks.: RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 194335 - That the Chief of Police implement speeding enforcement measures around schools during the morning and evening, to reduce speeding when children are going to or leaving school.: RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 194368 - That the Chief of Police update the Committee on Public Health and Safety whenever policy changes are made regarding the use of license plate readers and/or quick deploy video cameras.:

Committee Meeting December 4, 2013 Public Health and Public Safety Committee Page 4 of 9 Printed 12/5/2013 RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 194408 - That this Board requests that representatives of the Community Assessment of Freeway Exposure and Health study and SPCD's Housing Division appear before the Committee on Public Health and Safety to discuss the recent $675,000 grant from the Kresge Foundation to address health risks to residents from I-93.: RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 194651 - That this Board's Committee on Public Health and Safety follow up on the Bicycle Safety Campaign, especially with regard to the use of bicycles on sidewalks in central business districts.: RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 194676 - That the Administration provide information to residents on logging complaints to Massport about plane noise and explain the importance of filing noise complaints with Massport.: RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 194678 - That the Chief of Police provide this Board with the crime statistics near the East Somerville dog park for twelve months prior to, and after, opening.: RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 194760 - That the Director of SPCD (ISD), the Director of Health,and the Licensing Commission investigate why the Armory on Highland Avenue used its driveway on April 20 from 2 PM to Midnight for cooking food and as a staging area, and inform this Board of all violations that took place that day and what will be done to ensure it does not happen again.: RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 194791 - That the Administration inform this Board of the City's emergency response plans, for communication between departments, communication to residents, and temporary relocation of residents.: RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 194811 - That the Director of Traffic and Parking instruct Parking Control Officers to regularly patrol the fire lanes on Pinckney Street at Pinckney Place, and issue warnings for the first offense.:

Committee Meeting December 4, 2013 Public Health and Public Safety Committee Page 5 of 9 Printed 12/5/2013 RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 194825 - That the Director of SPCD (ISD) bait the specified locations for rodents and report back to the Ward 4 Alderman upon completion.: RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 194828 - That the Director of SPCD (ISD) demand that the developer of 87 Wheatland Street clean the entire lot, remove all debris and heavy equipment, and lock all buildings; and that the Director of SPCD (ISD) also issue fines for current violations there, and report back to the Ward 4 Alderman.: RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 194829 - That the Chief of Police inform this Board of all calls regarding 3-5 Walter Terrace and what fines were issued.: RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 194830 - That the Director of SPCD (ISD) inspect 3-5 Walter Terrace for violations and fine the landlord accordingly, and report back to the Ward 4 Alderman.: RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 194909 - That the Director of SPCD (ISD) provide the Ward 1 Alderman with an update on the attached properties.: RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 194939 - That this Board requests that the Cambridge Health Alliance cease, or shelve, its proposed consolidation plan until they convene stakeholders to discuss how best to meet the challenges of an ever changing health care landscape, while meeting the needs of our community.: RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 194941 - That the Director of Recreation appear before this Board to discuss the agreement with the Professional Soccer League for the temporary stands and trailer that have been installed at Dilboy field.: RESULT: WORK COMPLETED

Committee Meeting December 4, 2013 Public Health and Public Safety Committee Page 6 of 9 Printed 12/5/2013 194967 - That the Chief of Police investigate commercial vehicle overnight parking on and around Wheatland Street, including vehicles with regular plates being used for commercial work.: RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 194969 - That the Chief Fire Engineer appear before the Committee on Public Health and Safety to discuss the travel of ethanol trains through the City.: RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 194973 - That the Director of SPCD (ISD) inform the Ward 1 Alderman of proactive rodent control measures being implemented now that rodent activity and visibility is more prevalent.: RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 195028 - Director of Traffic and Parking responding to various Board Orders.: RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 195034 - That the Chief of Police provide residents with recommended actions to be taken to deter trespassers from rummaging through trash barrels on private property.: RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 195067 - That the Chief of Police enforce the speed limit on Linden Avenue and report observations and citation issuance to the Ward 5 Alderman.: RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 195075 - That the Director of SPCD (ISD) present this Board with a comprehensive plan for rodent control that is inclusive of all facets of preventive measures including commercial and residential enforcement of ordinances, manpower, geographic emphasis, and other resources.: RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 195082 - That the City's Disability Coordinator appear before the Committee on Public Health and Safety to update the Committee on pending claims on accessibility issues and the status of plans to improve access to City buildings and sidewalks, including the East and West Branch Libraries.:

Committee Meeting December 4, 2013 Public Health and Public Safety Committee Page 7 of 9 Printed 12/5/2013 RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 195146 - That the Chief of Police implement a directed patrol in the neighborhood of Houghton, Bolton, Prospect and Oak Streets as a result of the recent break-ins, and contact the Cambridge Police Department to coordinate efforts.: RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 195243 - That the Director of SPCD (ISD) inspect Winter Street for an increase in rodent activity and overflowing trash, distribute literature about proper trash storage, and report back to this Board with findings.: RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 195249 - That the Director of SPCD (ISD) bait Maple Street, Oakland Avenue, Marshall Street from Broadway to Pearl Street and Richdale Avenue from School Street to Sycamore Street.: RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 195253 - That the Chief of Police explain the street closure plan associated with Boston’s July 4th fireworks celebration.: RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 195254 - That the Commissioner of Public Works repair the chain link fence located between the states avenues and Rt. 93 South.: RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 195307 - That the Director of SPCD (ISD) and the Director of Public Health appear before this Board’s Committee on Public Health and Safety to provide an update on the city-wide rodent problem, including all areas that have been baited, and to present a comprehensive approach to deal with this problem, including the necessary resources and funding.: RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 195310 - DPW Commissioner responding to various Board Orders submitted this evening.: RESULT: WORK COMPLETED

Committee Meeting December 4, 2013 Public Health and Public Safety Committee Page 8 of 9 Printed 12/5/2013 195321 - That the Director of Traffic and Parking install an audio tone device for the pedestrian walk signal at Highland and College Avenues for the benefit of visually impaired individuals utilizing that crosswalk.: RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 195328 - That the Director of SPCD request the Neighborhood Impact Team to investigate 11 Pearson Road for all building, fire and zoning code infractions, including the possible use of the basement as a living area.: RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 195491 - Representative Provost submitting comments re: #193288, a Resolution opposing the shipment of ethanol by train through the city.: RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 195502 - That the Environmental Programs Manager report to the Ward 6 Alderman and the Committee on Public Health and Safety, the impact of bamboo and whether it is a plant that should be limited due to its invasive nature.: RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 195509 - That the Administration provide an update on air traffic noise over Somerville and continuing efforts to reduce this noise.: RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 195657 - That the Administration consider moving SomerStreets events to areas around city parks to alleviate the burden placed on residents trying to navigate around these festivals.: RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 195658 - That the Administration map out 5K road race routes in different locations around the city, so the same location is not used every time.: RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 195671 - That the Director of the Women's Commission appear at a future Public Health and Safety Committee meeting to update this Board on the city's domestic violence prevention efforts.:

Committee Meeting December 4, 2013 Public Health and Public Safety Committee Page 9 of 9 Printed 12/5/2013 RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 195673 - That the Chief of Police enforce the NO BIKING ON SIDEWALK ordinance in commercial districts, and attend the next Public Health and Safety Committee meeting to discuss bicycle safety and enforcement issues.: RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 195718 - That the Chief of Police investigate noise ordinance violations in association with street performances in Davis Square and take necessary steps to alleviate the problem.: RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 195779 - Traffic and Parking Interim Director submitting responses to various Board Orders from the 8/22/13 BOA meeting.: RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 195794 - That the Commissioner of Public Works, the Director of SPCD (ISD) and the Director of Traffic and Parking ensure that the barriers around 296 Beacon Street insure the safe passing of pedestrians, and that pedestrians NOT be directed to cross Beacon Street.: RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 195809 - That the Director of SPCD (ISD) inspect 50-54 Murdock Street for compliance with all zoning and municipal ordinances and submit a report to the Public Health and Safety Committee.: RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 195835 - That the Director of SPCD (ISD) determine if 46 South Street is being used as a rooming house and take all necessary actions.: RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE