Committee Report - PHPS - 10-2-14 — File 197817

October 2, 2014 Public Health and Public Safety Committee Page 1 of 2 Printed 10/9/2014 REPORT OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE Attendee Name Title Status Arrived John M. Connolly Chair Present Mary Jo Rossetti Vice Chair Present Mark Niedergang Ward Five Alderman Present Other present: Health Director Paulette Renault Caragiano, Asst. City Solicitor David Shapiro 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.: Chairman Connolly would like representatives of CHA to make a presentation/report to the committee regarding the future of this organization. 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.: Ms. Renault-Caragianes said that the CAFE Study has far reaching implications for everyone. Chairman Connolly noted that there is a broad range of services offered and recommended having all participants, (CHA, RCC and CAFÉ) present at a future committee meeting. 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.: Ms. Renault-Caragianes spoke on this item and said that CHA tries to keep the community members and partners in the loop and could appear before the committee to talk about the new vision of health care. At the present time, Community Affairs is being reorganized. The Central

Committee Meeting October 2, 2014 Public Health and Public Safety Committee Page 2 of 2 Printed 10/9/2014 Street facility houses CHA’s administration offices and the Highland Avenue campus has eye surgery and primary care facilities. Patients are also seen on an emergency basis. Ms. Renault- Caragianes reported that Riverside Community Care’s (RCC) taking over the role of mental health provider has been truly seamless and that they have been an incredible partner for the city’s Health Department. The committee would like CHA to provide the committee with information on substance related matters and the service levels at each location and would also like RCC to make a presentation to the committee on their programs and services. 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: WORK COMPLETED 197484 - That the City Solicitor inform this Board or City and State requirements for property owners with condemned or fire-damaged buildings, including time frames to secure the buildings and obligations to maintain them.: Mr. Shapiro reported that he spoke with Alderman Heuston regarding a problem property in Ward 2. He explained that complaint calls go to ISD and are escalated to the NIT when there are coding or other unique issues. Chairman Connolly requested that the committee be kept apprised of any concerns with the property in question. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED