Committee Report - Housing - 3-3-15 — File 198590

Housing and Community Development Committee Page 1 of 4 Printed 3/12/2015 March 3, 2015 REPORT OF THE HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE Attendee Name Title Status Arrived Mark Niedergang Chair Present Tony Lafuente Vice Chair Present Katjana Ballantyne Ward Seven Alderman Present Matthew McLaughlin Ward One Alderman Absent Maryann M. Heuston Ward Two Alderman Present Robert J. McWatters Ward Three Alderman Absent Rebekah L. Gewirtz Ward Six Alderman Absent Dennis M. Sullivan Alderman At Large Present John M. Connolly Alderman At Large Present Mary Jo Rossetti Alderman at Large Present William A. White Jr. Alderman At Large Present Others present: Michael Glavin, Ed O'Donnell, Goran Smiljic, Leo Karapetian, John Driscoll, Jim Aurelio, Kevin Klein, Amanda Mayer, Jaclyn Rossetti, Kelly Donato, Michael Feloney, Omar Boukili 1. Approval of the October 30, 2014 Minutes RESULT: ACCEPTED 2. Approval of the November 24, 2014 Minutes RESULT: ACCEPTED 198206: That the Director of SPCD (ISD) demonstrate to this Board the CitizenServe software that is being used for the permitting process. Mr. Smiljic gave a presentation on the new software and explained that it is able to track permits, tickets, fines and enforcement. Alderman Lafuente expressed concern about the needs of ISD personnel and believes that the department should be proactive in hiring.

Housing and Community Development Committee Page 2 of 4 Printed 3/12/2015 RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 198090: That the Director of SPCD (ISD) appear before this Board to explain the new process of obtaining permits and why it takes so long to obtain one, even on simple projects. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 198180: That the Director of SPCD (ISD) explain to this Board why permits for solar panels have been placed on hold by the Inspectional Services Department. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 198089: That the Director of SPCD (ISD) appear before this Board to discuss morale issues at the Building Dept. Mr. Boukili stated that this is an Human Resources Department matter and added that he is not aware of any morale issues. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 198094: That the Director of SPCD (ISD) appear before this Board to explain why inspectors are asking to take pictures during inspections inside people's homes. Mr. Smiljic explained that pictures are taken for inspectional purposes. Alderman Lafuente asked for a report on the issue. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 196285: That the Director of SPCD (ISD) provide this Board with an update on improvements and developments in the Inspectional Services Division, including data on new hires over the past six months. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 197887: That the Administration update this Board on the status of the Jobs Linkage Fee Home Rule Petition at the statehouse, and the implementation of a Job Creation and Retention Trust Fund, and share their strategy for moving it forward. Mr. O'Donnell discussed the city's efforts regarding this matter. Ms. Mayer reported that workforce development grant applications have been filed. Mr. Boukili spoke about linkage and the Home Rule petition. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED

Housing and Community Development Committee Page 3 of 4 Printed 3/12/2015 196437: That the Director of SPCD (Economic Development) report on the development of and funding for the local hiring and workforce development First Source program, and report on the outcome of FRIT's recent job fairs for Assembly Square, including Somervillians getting jobs. Mr. O'Donnell discussed the city's efforts regarding this matter. Ms. Mayer reported that workforce development grant applications have been filed. Mr. Boukili spoke about linkage and the Home Rule petition. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 198174: SPCD Director responding to #196437 re: local hiring and workforce development initiatives. Mr. O'Donnell discussed the city's efforts regarding this matter. Ms. Mayer reported that workforce development grant applications have been filed. Mr. Boukili spoke about linkage and the Home Rule petition. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 196287: That the Director of SPCD, the Planning Director, and the Housing Director appear before this Board for an update on raising the inclusionary housing ordinance to promote development of more affordable housing. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 196366: That the Director of SPCD submit a plan to create “Middle Class” housing. Mr. Feloney discussed ways to expand the city's affordable housing stock, "middle class" housing, the SCC, affordable home strategy, the impact of the GLX and a local transfer tax. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 197884: That the Director of SPCD and the Director of Traffic and Parking report to this Board, before the Community Path extension is completed in November, on plans to protect pedestrians and cyclists from speeding motorists when Path users come up onto Lowell Street at the Lowell Street bridge. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 198508: That the Director of SPCD (Transportation and Infrastructure) schedule with the Ward 5 Alderman a follow-up community meeting for March or April to report on safety improvements planned for the Lowell Street bridge area, since the Community Path Extension will open onto the Lowell Street bridge in the spring.

Housing and Community Development Committee Page 4 of 4 Printed 3/12/2015 RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 196370: That the Director of SPCD and the City Solicitor submit to this Board a proposal to impose institutional master plans. Alderman Ballantyne stated her desire to build in preservation for the neighborhoods. Mr. Glavin will work with the Law Department and report to the Legislative Matters Committee within 3 months. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 197861: That the City Solicitor and the Director of SPCD (ISD) update this Board on the court filing for 75-77 Gordon Street (as requested in July), pertaining to operating a business and storing construction materials at the site. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 198212: That the Director of SPCD update the Ward 7 Alderman on asphalt removal at 125 West Adams Street. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 197847: That the Director of SPCD and the Director of Traffic and Parking advise when the signs limiting entrance and exit from the 118 Holland Street driveway will be installed. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 197862: That the Director of SPCD (Planning) update this Board on the construction start date at 77-83 North Street. Alderman Ballantyne requested that Mr. Proakis report back on this item, since the permit sunsets in the next 2 weeks. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 198096: That the Director of SPCD inquire of the developer of the complex on McGrath Highway, between Otis and Bonair Streets, why they aren't abiding by their promises for resident parking, lighting, and repairs to the McGrath Highway overpass. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE