Committee Report - PHPS - 11-3-14 — File 197995

November 3, 2014 Public Health and Public Safety Committee Page 1 of 5 Printed 11/12/2014 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 Others present: Michael Glavin, Goran Smiljic, Frank Wright, Kelly Donato, Omar Boukili 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 related information provided by the city's former Health Director. 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. Donato spoke on the item and said that a detailed update will be provided at the next meeting. 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

Committee Meeting November 3, 2014 Public Health and Public Safety Committee Page 2 of 5 Printed 11/12/2014 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 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.: RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 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: 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: WORK COMPLETED 195509 - That the Administration provide an update on air traffic noise over Somerville and continuing efforts to reduce this noise.: RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 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.: RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 196353 - That the Administration take steps to address the snow related concerns affecting public safety, especially of school aged children and elderly residents, expressed in the attached letter.: RESULT: WORK COMPLETED

Committee Meeting November 3, 2014 Public Health and Public Safety Committee Page 3 of 5 Printed 11/12/2014 196432 - That the Middlesex County District Attorney update the City on the investigation into the murder of Deanna Cremin, on this, the 19th anniversary of her death.: RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 196766 - That the Director of SPCD (ISD) and the Director of Public Health explain the policy for food and food donations at charity or nonprofit events.: Mr. Smiljic spoke on the item and referenced the Federal Food Code. Alderman Niedergang would like to see the regulations in writing and asked for contact information of the person who should be contacted for events. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 196787 - That the Director of Public Health and Commissioner of Public Works install a sign on the island at Bow Street and Somerville Avenue prohibiting feeding the birds, and that the Director of Public Health distribute a flyer around the neighborhood explaining why birds may not be fed, and that the Police, Animal Control, ISD, and DPW enforce Ordinance 3-3 at this island.: RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 196891 - That the Director of the SPCD (ISD) and the City Solicitor appear before this Board to discuss the city’s schedule of fines and how and/or why they have or have not been used fully.: Mr. Smiljic stated that 2000 tickets were issues last year. New snow regulations are being worked on, with an increase in fines, and tickets will be tracked electronically. The new regulations will track per season, rather than per storm. Buildings cited for non-compliance will be tagged with a very visible yellow notice. The committee requested that a copy of the notice be sent to all BOA members. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 197367 - That the Director of SPCD (ISD) provide updates on the problems reported at 38 Illinois Avenue and 39-41 Michigan Avenue, detailing a plan of how these properties will be dealt with.: RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 197713 - That the Director of SPCD (ISD) inspect the property at the corner of Broadway and McGrath Highway (formerly a gas station), and issue fines where appropriate.: RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE

Committee Meeting November 3, 2014 Public Health and Public Safety Committee Page 4 of 5 Printed 11/12/2014 197718 - That the Commissioner of Public Works report to this Board any legal action with respect to the broken solar trash barrels in Davis Square and elsewhere.: RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 197755 - Chief Fire Engineer responding to #197483 re: 29 Dickinson St.: RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 197780 - That the City Solicitor review the attached 311 data as it relates to airplane noise pollution and report to this Board on a recommended course of action.: Mr. Wright spoke about the city's previous efforts on this matter and pointed out that air traffic is governed by the FAA. Alderman Rossetti's motion that the city communicate with Congressman Capuano's Office about a possible noise monitoring program was approved. Chairman Connolly's motion that representatives from MassPort and the federal government be invited to attend a future meeting to discuss air traffic noise over Somerville, was approved. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 197858 - DPW Commissioner responding to various Board Orders submitted 9/23/14.: RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 197886 - That the Chief of Police and representatives of the Administration report to this Board on the safety of neighbors of the Vinfen group home at 155 Central Street, and on discussions with Vinfen, DMH, and Somerville's state legislative delegation.: There have been meetings between VinFen and neighbors, with another scheduled. For the time being, no new residents will be allowed at the facility. The committee requested an update on the number of non-profit group homes operating in the city. Alderman Niedergang suggested lobbying the Department of Mental Health to not renew VinFen's contract. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 197915 - FAA Regional Director Corbett submitting comments re: #197474, a resolution to limit airplane noise over Somerville.: RESULT: WORK COMPLETED

Committee Meeting November 3, 2014 Public Health and Public Safety Committee Page 5 of 5 Printed 11/12/2014 197916 - US Representative Capuano submitting comments re: #197474, a resolution to limit airplane noise over Somerville.: RESULT: WORK COMPLETED