Committee Report - Leg Matters - 3-19-15 — File 198663

Legislative Matters Committee Page 1 of 5 Printed 3/20/2015 March 19, 2015 REPORT OF THE LEGISLATIVE MATTERS COMMITTEE Attendee Name Title Status Arrived Mary Jo Rossetti Chair Present Mark Niedergang Vice Chair Present Katjana Ballantyne Ward Seven Alderman Present Matthew McLaughlin Ward One Alderman Present William A. White Jr. Alderman At Large Present Maryann M. Heuston Ward Two Alderman Present Robert J. McWatters Ward Three Alderman Absent Tony Lafuente Ward Four Alderman Present Rebekah L. Gewirtz Ward Six Alderman Absent John M. Connolly Alderman At Large Absent Dennis M. Sullivan Alderman At Large Present Others present: David Shapiro - Law, Matt Buckley - Law, Nicholas Salerno - Elections, Maria Perrotti - Elections, Oliver Sellers-Garcia - Sustainability & Environment, Omar Boukili - Mayor's Office, Clint Richman - Sierra Club 1. Approval of the February 19, 2015 Minutes RESULT: ACCEPTED 2. Approval of the February 25, 2015 Minutes RESULT: ACCEPTED 198634: Requesting approval of the attached 2015 local election calendar. Alderman White’s motion to not hold the preliminary election on September 22, 2015, was approved. Mr. Salerno spoke about the election calendar, suggesting alternative dates, explaining why some dates would not be advisable due to timing and cost. One option is to hold the preliminary election on Thursday, September 17th, however, this would require that a Home Rule Petition be

Legislative Matters Committee Page 2 of 5 Printed 3/20/2015 passed by the legislature. There were discussions of how dates might be affected by the school calendar and Labor Day. Alderman Niedergang stated that September 1st is Yom Kippur and that an election should not be held on that day. Members also discussed when nomination papers should be made available. Alderman White requested that a copy of the state law mandates be provided and that the committee send a communication to the School Committee regarding the proposed dates. Chairman Rossetti will schedule another committee meeting for September 26th and would like to hear about the discussions with the State House leadership on this matter. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 198251: Assistant City Solicitor submitting a proposed Plastic Bag Reduction Ordinance. Members discussed the proposed ordinance and heard from Mr. Richman, who spoke about Brookline’s ordinances, bag thickness and a loophole regarding bag thickness. The Sierra Club prefers thicker bags (more than 2.5 mm) but pointed out that although thinner bags pose an immediate danger, the thicker bags are more dangerous in the long run. Alderman Niedergang expressed his desire for a more stringent ordinance and does not want to exclude compostable and marine degradable bags. Aldermen Ballantyne and Lafuente favor a total plastic ban and Alderman Heuston suggested banning plastic bags at small establishments, also. Alderman White suggested that a public hearing be held on the item. Chairman Rossetti’s motion that a communication be sent to the Somerville Chamber of Commerce, Union Square Main Streets and East Somerville Main Streets to make them aware of this proposed ordinance, was approved. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 198630: Clint Richmond submitting comments re: the plastic bag ban. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 198318: That this Board discuss an amendment to the Snow Ordinance as it relates to the time frame for clearing sidewalks following a storm. Mr. Shapiro discussed changes to the ordinance, the fine structure for certain property types and defining certain terms in the ordinance. Members discussed the importance of clearing snow from large vs. small commercial properties. Chairman Rossetti would like to know how many of the fines issued after the last storm were to absentee landlords and Alderman White requested that the Law Department research the ability of the city to fine absentee landlords differently.

Legislative Matters Committee Page 3 of 5 Printed 3/20/2015 Chairman Rossetti’s motion that the six hour timeline be changed to twenty four hours was defeated on a Roll Call vote of 1 in favor, 7 against and 3 absent. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 198462: Linda Siraco submitting comments re: the snow removal ordinance. RESULT: PLACED ON FILE 198463: Kate Wheeler and David Guss submitting comments re: the snow removal ordinance. RESULT: PLACED ON FILE 198464: Rob Cheyne submitting comments re: the snow removal ordinance. RESULT: PLACED ON FILE 198465: Karen Molloy submitting comments re: the snow removal ordinance. RESULT: PLACED ON FILE 198466: Jennifer Grande submitting comments re: the snow removal ordinance. RESULT: PLACED ON FILE 198467: Mark Gallagher submitting comments re: the snow removal ordinance. RESULT: PLACED ON FILE 198468: MaJa Kietzke submitting comments re: the snow removal ordinance. RESULT: PLACED ON FILE 198535: Kirsten Wesselhoeft submitting comments re: the snow removal ordinance. RESULT: PLACED ON FILE 198536: Erica Voolich submitting comments re: the snow removal ordinance. RESULT: PLACED ON FILE 198537: Kevin Oliver submitting comments re: the snow removal ordinance.

Legislative Matters Committee Page 4 of 5 Printed 3/20/2015 RESULT: PLACED ON FILE 198538: Fred Berman and Lori Segall submitting comments re: the snow removal ordinance. RESULT: PLACED ON FILE 198539: John Bunzick submitting comments re: the snow removal ordinance. RESULT: PLACED ON FILE 198540: Rob Cheyne submitting comments re: the snow removal ordinance. RESULT: PLACED ON FILE 198555: Joe Lynch submitting comments re: the snow removal ordinance. RESULT: PLACED ON FILE 198556: Elizabeth Levy submitting comments re: the snow removal ordinance. RESULT: PLACED ON FILE 198557: Allison Stieber submitting comments re: the snow removal ordinance. RESULT: PLACED ON FILE 198612: Mary Mangan submitting comments re: the snow removal ordinance. RESULT: PLACED ON FILE 198613: Brendan Kearney submitting comments re: the snow removal ordinance. RESULT: PLACED ON FILE 198614: Leonard Tower submitting comments re: the snow removal ordinance. RESULT: PLACED ON FILE 197785: Proposing an Anti-Nepotism Ordinance. Members discussed this item and offered their opinions regarding: • the co-habitation language,

Legislative Matters Committee Page 5 of 5 Printed 3/20/2015 • children of city officials not being able to participate in some city programs, • exempting youth workers, • age and salary exemptions, • monetary limits, • excluding individuals due to relationships, • preventing children of elected officials from being employed by the city, • including in-laws and first cousins in the proposal and • impact on Civil Service exam employees. Alderman McLaughlin stated that the existence of the Confirmation of Appointments Committee negates the need for this proposed ordinance. It was pointed out that not all city positions require approval by the Confirmation of Appointments Committee. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE