City Council

City of Somerville, Massachusetts City Council Regular Meeting Agenda Thursday, March 28, 2024 7:00 PM City Council Chamber and Remote Participation Published March 26, 2024, 12:30 PM, Revised March 28, 2024, 1:15 PM. NOTICE: Pursuant to Chapter 2 of the Acts of 2023, this meeting of the City Council may be conducted via remote participation. We will post an audio recording, audiovideo recording, transcript, or other comprehensive record of these proceedings as soon as possible after the meeting on the City of Somerville website and local cable access government channels. Register at the following website to listen to this meeting live or to testify at any public hearing: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_8xeOG02qQNqIWJ2oht4Z6g Individuals with disabilities who need auxiliary aids and services for effective communication (i.e. CART, ASL), written materials in alternative formats, or reasonable modifications in policies and procedures, in order to access the programs and activities of the City of Somerville or to attend meetings, should contact Adrienne Pomeroy in advance, at 617-625-6600 x2059 or ada@somervillema.gov. 1. OPENING CEREMONIES 1.1. Roll Call Call of the Roll. (ID # 24-0447) 1.2. Remembrances Remembrances. (ID # 24-0448) 1.3. Minutes Approval of the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of (ID # 24-0449) February 22, 2024. 2. CITATIONS 3. PUBLIC HEARINGS 3.1. Grant of Location Eversource applying for a Grant of Location to install 12 (ID # 24-0434) feet of conduit in Alewife Brook Parkway, from Manhole 12332 at the intersection of Alewife Brook Parkway and Broadway. Page 1 of 12 City Council Regular Meeting Agenda March 28, 2024 4. ORDERS, ORDINANCES, RESOLUTIONS AND MOTIONS OF MEMBERS 4.1. Order By Councilor Strezo (ID # 24-0417) That the Executive Director of the Arts Council appear before the Housing and Community Development Committee to present a Porchfest safety plan that addresses pedestrian safety concerns, promotion of street closures, intersection crossing safety and the prevention of aggressive and dangerous driver behavior during the active event hours. 4.2. Order By Councilor Strezo (ID # 24-0419) That the Director of the Office of Sustainability and Environment and the Director of Health and Human Services discuss how climate change affects residents over 65 years old and how climate forward programs can address this demographic. 4.3. Resolution By Councilor Strezo (ID # 24-0418) That the Administration discuss post-pilot plan considerations of the Guaranteed Basic Income pilot program. 4.4. Communication By Councilor Strezo (ID # 24-0420) Conveying a report of the Children's Cabinet. 4.5. Resolution By Councilor Clingan (ID # 24-0428) That the Administration provide an update on the Braille embosser purchased in summer 2023, including its current location and the plan to put it to use. 4.6. Order By Councilor McLaughlin (ID # 24-0429) That the Director of Inspectional Services update the Ward 1 City Councilor on the recent collapse of a house at 16 Bonair Street. 4.7. Order By Councilor McLaughlin (ID # 24-0430) That the Director of Inspectional Services update the Ward 1 City Councilor on the status of any permits issued to contractors associated with 16 Bonair Street. 4.8. Order By Councilor McLaughlin (ID # 24-0431) That the Commissioner of Public Works ensure that city trash barrels in Ward 1 are emptied on a regular basis. 4.9. Order By Councilor McLaughlin (ID # 24-0432) That the Commissioner of Public Works replace any defective Big Belly trash barrels in Ward 1 with standard trash barrels until they are repaired. Page 2 of 12 City Council Regular Meeting Agenda March 28, 2024 4.10. Communication By Councilor McLaughlin (ID # 24-0433) Announcing monthly Ward 1 community cleanups on the first Monday of every month, beginning at 5:30 pm at Connexion Church. 5. UNFINISHED BUSINESS 6. REPORTS OF COMMITTEES 6.A. FINANCE COMMITTEE 6.A.1. Committee Report Report of the Committee on Finance, meeting on March (ID # 24-0395) 19, 2024. 6.A.2. Officer's Finance Director conveying FY 2024 Mid-Year Financial Communication Report in accordance with Section 2-48 of the Code of (ID # 24-0210) Ordinances. RECOMMENDED: Recommended to be marked work completed. 6.B. FINANCE COMMITTEE 6.B.1. Committee Report Report of the Committee on Finance, meeting as a (ID # 24-0396) Committee of the Whole on March 19, 2024. 6.B.2. Order By Councilor Wilson (ID # 24-0178) That this City Council hold a public hearing in the Committee on Finance on the community’s Fiscal Year 2025 budget priorities. RECOMMENDED: Recommended to be marked work completed. 6.C. FINANCE COMMITTEE 6.C.1. Committee Report Report of the Committee on Finance, meeting as a (ID # 24-0401) Committee of the Whole on March 26, 2024. 6.C.2. Resolution By Councilor Ewen-Campen (ID # 24-0459) That this Council conveys its support for Housing Stabilization as outlined in memos and budget priorities submitted by City Councilors. RECOMMENDED: Recommended to be approved. 6.C.3. Resolution By Councilor Wilson (ID # 24-0460) That this Council conveys its support in the FY 2025 budget, for homeless services including all approaches listed in councilor memos, and specifically including funding for a permanent brick and mortar location. RECOMMENDED: Recommended to be approved. Page 3 of 12 City Council Regular Meeting Agenda March 28, 2024 6.C.4. Resolution By Councilor Burnley Jr. (ID # 24-0461) That all items in the Alternative Emergency Response category be submitted to the Mayor to be included in the FY 2025 budget. RECOMMENDED: Recommended to be approved. 6.C.5. Resolution By Councilor Scott (ID # 24-0462) That this Council conveys to the Mayor, the importance of housing affordability, including the creation of an Acquisition Fund, as a Council priority for inclusion in the FY 2025 budget. RECOMMENDED: Recommended to be approved. 6.C.6. Resolution By Councilor Ewen-Campen (ID # 24-0463) That this Council conveys its support for the inclusion of municipal composting in the FY 2025 budget, including all approaches listed in Councilor memos. RECOMMENDED: Recommended to be approved. 6.C.7. Resolution By Councilor McLaughlin (ID # 24-0464) That the Administration include rodent mitigation in the FY 2025 budget as outlined in Councilor memos and resolutions, and increase funding and staffing in the city for rodent mitigation. RECOMMENDED: Recommended to be approved. 6.C.8. Resolution By Councilor Burnley Jr. (ID # 24-0465) That this Council conveys its support for providing resources in the FY 2025 budget for medical debt forgiveness, municipal building decarbonization, out of school time programming, and an overdose prevention center, as outlined in Councilor memos for their FY 2025 budget priorities. RECOMMENDED: Recommended to be approved. 6.D. HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE 6.D.1. Committee Report Report of the Committee on Housing and Community (ID # 24-0397) Development, meeting on March 20, 2024. Page 4 of 12 City Council Regular Meeting Agenda March 28, 2024 6.D.2. Resolution By Councilor Strezo (ID # 24-0073) That the Administration, in conjunction with the Housing and Water and Sewer Departments, provide optional, affordable, water utility assessments in low-income housing units and in benevolent landlord and subsidized landlord housing, whereby residents would pay their own water and sewer bills. RECOMMENDED: Recommended to be marked work completed. 6.E. LAND USE COMMITTEE 6.E.1. Committee Report Report of the Committee on Land Use, meeting on (ID # 24-0399) March 21, 2024. 6.E.2. Mayor's Request Requesting ordainment of an amendment to the Zoning (ID # 24-0037) Ordinances to amend Article 9: Use Provisions, and the Permitted Uses tables of all zoning districts, to establish a Recreational Camp for Children use within the Recreational Services use category. RECOMMENDED: Recommended to be approved. 6.E.3. Public Gregg Donovan requesting a Zoning Map Amendment to Communication change the zoning district of 321 Washington Street from (ID # 24-0059) Fabrication (FAB) to Commercial Industry (CI). RECOMMENDED: Recommended to be not approved. 6.E.4. Public Five residents submitting comments re: proposed Zoning Communication Ordinance Climate & Equity Innovation Sub-Area (ID # 24-0112) Overlay District. RECOMMENDED: Recommended to be marked work completed. 6.E.5. Public Mai Lau, 635 Somerville Avenue LLC, requesting the Communication adoption of an amendment to the Zoning Ordinance Map (ID # 23-1306) to change the zoning district of 627 Somerville Avenue from Neighborhood Residence (NR) to Mid-Rise 3 (MR3). RECOMMENDED: Recommended to be withdrawn. 6.F. LICENSES AND PERMITS COMMITTEE 6.F.1. Committee Report Report of the Committee on Licenses and Permits, (ID # 24-0402) meeting on March 27, 2024. 6.F.2. License New Billiards and Bowling License, Lucky Strike, 325 (ID # 24-0156) Revolution Drive, for 5 billiard tables and 8 bowling lanes. RECOMMENDED: Recommended to be approved. Page 5 of 12 City Council Regular Meeting Agenda March 28, 2024 6.F.3. License New Extended Operating Hours License, Lucky Strike, (ID # 24-0157) 325 Revolution Drive, opening Monday-Sunday until 2am for in-store service only. RECOMMENDED: Recommended to be approved. 6.F.4. License New Used Car Dealer Class 2 License, Ravelo's Auto (ID # 24-0267) Sales, 61 Washington St, for 0 vehicles inside and 1 vehicles outside, Mon-Fri: 8am-6pm, Sat: 8am-2pm, Sun: closed. RECOMMENDED: Recommended to be approved. 6.G. PUBLIC HEALTH AND PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE 6.G.1. Committee Report Report of the Committee on Public Health and Public (ID # 24-0398) Safety, meeting on March 20, 2024. 6.G.2. Order By Councilor Clingan, Councilor Wilson, Councilor (ID # 24-0149) Pineda Neufeld and Councilor Scott That the Director of Health and Human services create an on-call emergency fire response unit to assist in connecting residents with available resources in the event of a displacement or loss of property due to a fire. RECOMMENDED: Recommended to be marked work completed. 6.G.3. Order By Councilor Burnley Jr., Councilor Mbah, Councilor (ID # 24-0168) Pineda Neufeld, Councilor Ewen-Campen and Councilor Scott That the Director of Health and Human Services work with the Administration to allocate funding to secure COVID-19 rapid tests to be distributed at Public Libraries. RECOMMENDED: Recommended to be marked work completed. 6.G.4. Order By Councilor Strezo, Councilor Pineda Neufeld, (ID # 24-0172) Councilor Ewen-Campen and Councilor Scott That the Director of Health and Human Services discuss the availability of free city-funded COVID tests going forward after temporary relief funds have evaporated, including any plans and/or consideration of potential sources of COVID testing supplies provided through community partners. RECOMMENDED: Recommended to be marked work completed. Page 6 of 12 City Council Regular Meeting Agenda March 28, 2024 6.G.5. Order By Councilor Ewen-Campen (ID # 24-0177) That the Administration appear before the Committee on Public Health and Public Safety to update the City Council on the status of the Police Chief search. RECOMMENDED: Recommended to be marked work completed. 6.H. PUBLIC UTILITIES AND PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE 6.H.1. Committee Report Report of the Committee on Public Works and Public (ID # 24-0394) Utilities, meeting on March 18, 2024. 6.H.2. Resolution By Councilor Strezo (ID # 24-0040) That the Administration and the Director of Water and Sewer update this Council, in writing, on the plan to support residents who cannot afford the recent water bill increases. RECOMMENDED: Recommended to be marked work completed. 6.H.3. Order By Councilor Wilson and Councilor Clingan (ID # 24-0148) That the Director of Engineering update this Council on the policy and plans pertaining to repairing leaking gas pipes versus replacing them, and the necessary transition away from gas infrastructure. RECOMMENDED: Recommended to be marked work completed. 6.H.4. Order By Councilor Clingan (ID # 24-0151) That the Director of Water and Sewer address the use of threatening notifications as part of the water meter replacement project. RECOMMENDED: Recommended to be marked work completed. 6.I. SCHOOL BUILDING FACILITIES AND MAINTENANCE SPECIAL COMMITTEE 6.I.1. Committee Report Report of the Special Committee on School Building (ID # 24-0400) Facilities and Maintenance, meeting on March 25, 2024. Page 7 of 12 City Council Regular Meeting Agenda March 28, 2024 6.I.2. Resolution By Councilor Ewen-Campen and Councilor Clingan (ID # 24-0087) That the Administration discuss with this Council’s Special Committee on School Building Facilities and Maintenance, whether the financial comparisons of various new school building scenarios have taken into consideration projected costs of creating new usages at the current Winter Hill and Brown School sites. RECOMMENDED: Recommended to be marked work completed. 6.I.3. Order By Councilor Strezo (ID # 24-0117) That the Commissioner of Public Works and the Director of Infrastructure and Asset Management report on leaks at the Benjamin Brown School and any exterior envelope damages in the past six months, and actions being taken to address such leaks and damages including the recently dislodged downspout. RECOMMENDED: Recommended to be marked work completed. 6.I.4. Order By Councilor Sait, Councilor Burnley Jr., Councilor (ID # 24-0338) Wilson, Councilor Ewen-Campen and Councilor Strezo That the Director of Infrastructure and Asset Management and the Director of the Office of Sustainability and Environment update this Council on plans to decarbonize current school buildings and any future school buildings. RECOMMENDED: Recommended to be marked work completed. 6.I.5. Resolution By Councilor Wilson, Councilor Clingan, Councilor (ID # 24-0341) Ewen-Campen and Councilor Burnley Jr. That the Administration and the Director of Capital Projects, in conjunction with the Somerville Public Schools, update this Council on the scope and costs involved to renovate the basement of the Edgerly School to reunite the Winter Hill Community Innovation School community under one roof, the relevant state and federal laws triggering required compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, and the decision-making process around the timeline for proceeding with this work. RECOMMENDED: Recommended to be marked work completed. Page 8 of 12 City Council Regular Meeting Agenda March 28, 2024 6.I.6. Resolution By Councilor Davis (ID # 24-0466) That the Administration provide the Special Committee on School Building Facilities and Maintenance with regular updates about the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) process for the Winter Hill and Brown Schools. RECOMMENDED: Recommended to be approved. 7. COMMUNICATIONS OF THE MAYOR 7.1. Mayor's Request Requesting ordainment of an amendment to Article 2, (ID # 24-0416) Article 3, Article 4, Article 5, Article 8, and Article 10 of the Zoning Ordinances to remove conflicts with the State Building Code. 7.2. Mayor's Request Requesting approval to accept and expend a $76,867 (ID # 24-0414) grant with no new match required, from the Massachusetts Office of Elder Affairs to the Council on Aging for social, educational and physical wellness programming. 8. COMMUNICATIONS OF CITY OFFICERS 8.1. Officer's City Clerk submitting an amendment to the Rules of the Communication City Council to accommodate remote participation and (ID # 24-0415) facilitate accessibility. 8.2. Officer's Planning Board conveying recommendations for items Communication #24-0037 and #24-0059. (ID # 24-0413) 9. NEW BUSINESS 9.1. License Renewing Drainlayer's License, A.P. Flowers & Son (ID # 24-0435) LLC. 9.2. License Renewing Drainlayer's License, Garrett Construction Co (ID # 24-0436) Inc. 9.3. License Renewing Drainlayer's License, Hydra Tech Inc. (ID # 24-0437) 9.4. License Renewing Drainlayer's License, J. Marchese and Sons (ID # 24-0438) Inc. 9.5. License Renewing Drainlayer's License, Tufts Construction Inc. (ID # 24-0439) 9.6. License Renewing Drainlayer's License, United Civil Inc. (ID # 24-0440) Page 9 of 12 City Council Regular Meeting Agenda March 28, 2024 9.7. License Renewing Garage License, Goodyear Auto Service (ID # 24-0442) Center, 1 Bow St. 9.8. License Renewing Garage License, Sam's Gas and Service, 166 (ID # 24-0441) Boston Ave. 9.9. License Renewing Taxi Medallion License, LaFoi Taxi Inc, Med. (ID # 24-0443) #20. 9.10. License Renewing Taxi Medallion License, Renaissance Taxi (ID # 24-0444) Service LLC, Med. #50. 9.11. License Renewing Taxi Medallion License, BAETDA (ID # 24-0445) Transportation Services LLC, Med. #51, 77, 93. 9.12. License Renewing Taxi Medallion License, Bostonshuttles.com (ID # 24-0446) LLP, Med. #69. 9.13. Public Parent Teacher Associations submitting comments re: Communication Edgerly School. (ID # 24-0421) 9.14. Public Ed Vogel submitting comments re: ShotSpotter. Communication (ID # 24-0422) 9.15. Public Somerville Stands Together submitting comments re: Communication CHERISH Act. (ID # 24-0423) 9.16. Public Eight residents submitting comments re: item 24-0178, Communication for a public hearing held March 19, 2024 in a meeting of (ID # 24-0424) the Finance Committee of the Whole. 9.17. Public David Leung and Calvin Zhao submitting comments re: Communication affordable housing. (ID # 24-0425) 9.18. Public Henry Edward Hardy submitting comments re: public Communication housing. (ID # 24-0426) 9.19. Public Caren Kimball submitting comments re: item 24-0089 a Communication resolution in support of an enduring ceasefire in Gaza. (ID # 24-0427) Page 10 of 12 City Council Regular Meeting Agenda March 28, 2024 10. SUPPLEMENTAL ITEMS 10.1. Order By Councilor Burnley Jr. (ID # 24-0450) That the Director of Parking update this Council on efforts to ticket vehicles with illegal license covers, including how many tickets have been issued for this reason in the last year. 10.2. Order By Councilor Burnley Jr. (ID # 24-0451) That the Director of Health and Human Services update this Council on the plan to prioritize the deployment of masks and tests to reduce the spread of COVID-19. 10.3. Order By Councilor Burnley Jr. (ID # 24-0453) That the Director of the Office of Housing Stability explain to this Council how requirements, paperwork, or means testing will change for American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funded programs that transition to funding from the city. 10.4. Resolution By Councilor Burnley Jr. (ID # 24-0452) That the Administration explain the process of how residents can receive free prepaid Charlie Cards, what paperwork or requirements they must fulfill before they receive this service, or how much funding was allocated to this program. 10.5. Order By Councilor McLaughlin (ID # 24-0467) That the Director of Mobility work with the Massachusetts Department of Transportation to preserve the pedestrian footbridge on McGrath Highway as part of the grounding McGrath project. 10.6. Order By Councilor McLaughlin (ID # 24-0468) That the Director of Mobility return the TEMPORARY PARKING sign, that serves local businesses, to the corner of Washington and Myrtle Streets. 10.7. Order By Councilor McLaughlin (ID # 24-0469) That the Director of Inspectional Services update the Ward 1 Councilor on enforcement of the Dark Skies Ordinance. Page 11 of 12 City Council Regular Meeting Agenda March 28, 2024 10.8. Order By Councilor Wilson and Councilor Clingan (ID # 24-0470) That the Director of Mobility update this Council on plans to address increased cut-through commuter traffic on Temple Street and Fellsway West on weekday mornings, including any plans to prohibit right turns onto Temple Street and Fellsway West from 7 AM to 9 AM on weekdays. 10.9. Order By Councilor Wilson (ID # 24-0471) That the Director of Racial and Social Justice update this Council on the promised road map from the consultant for implementing the recommendations in the report on Police Staffing and Operations delivered in November. 10.10. Order By Councilor Wilson (ID # 24-0472) That the Commissioner of Public Works update this Council on the condition of Conway Field and the displacement of infill that is occurring there during extreme rainfall events, as well as the schedule for regular grooming and maintenance of the City’s artificial turf athletic fields. 10.11. Mayor's Conveying an update on Police and Fire hiring. Communication (ID # 24-0455) 10.12. Public Event Tufts University Engineers Without Borders applying for (ID # 24-0473) a Public Event License for Engineers Without Borders 6K on April 7 from 9:30 AM to 3:00 PM (raindate April 14). 10.13. Public Daniela Gontownik submitting comments re: item Communication 24-0089 a resolution in support of an enduring ceasefire (ID # 24-0454) in Gaza. 10.14. Public Pedestrian and Transit Advisory Committee submitting Communication comments re: FY 2025 budget. (ID # 24-0456) 10.15. Public Green & Open Somerville and Earthwise Aware Communication submitting comments re: invasive plant species. (ID # 24-0457) 10.16. Public RESPOND submitting comments re: item 23-0075, an Communication Ordinance establishing Paid Leave for Survivors. (ID # 24-0458) 11. ADJOURNMENT Page 12 of 12