Agenda Text
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Congratulating the elected Board members of the Union Square Neighborhood Council on their formation and acknowledging that they are prepared to negotiate a CBA for Union Square.
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Official Text
WHEREAS: The City of Somerville has undertaken a years-long process to identify its values and prioritize development in certain neighborhoods to secure its goals as a city; and
WHEREAS: The City of Somerville seeks to ensure that the community as a whole secures appropriate benefits from the development of Union Square; and
WHEREAS: The Master Developer specified in the Master Developer Designation Agreement (MDDA) has agreed to work with a recognized neighborhood organization to negotiate a Community Benefits Agreement ("CBA") under a Covenant signed with the current Mayor of Somerville; and
WHEREAS: The indisputable need for representation of local businesses, workers and residents in the development of their community confirms the necessity of a strong, independent and empowered voice for the neighborhood in the development of Union Square and the implementation of the SomerVision comprehensive plan; and
WHEREAS: The Union Square Neighborhood Council Working Group formed as a collection of engaged citizens to craft a coalition of stakeholders into a functional and representative body that could serve the many purposes envisioned by the city administration and community; and
WHEREAS: The Union Square Neighborhood Council Working Group drafted bylaws to form as an independent, nonprofit organization to educate and involve the people of their neighborhood in the process of their governance and to advocate for the interests of their community; and
WHEREAS: The Union Square Neighborhood Council's stated goals are to build community, empower residents and local businesses, minimize displacement, promote affordable housing, increase economic opportunity and develop vibrant commercial spaces and healthy, accessible public spaces; and
WHEREAS: The Union Square Neighborhood Council held public elections to ratify their bylaws in October of 2017; and
WHEREAS: The Union Square Neighborhood Council held public elections to select 15 Founding Board Members in December of 2017, in which over 700 people participated from the Union Square area; and
WHEREAS: The Union Square Neighborhood Council has begun to hold public meetings and the Founding Board has voted to form committees that can begin the work of the Neighborhood Council, including outreach and engagement to our members and other neighborhood businesses, workers and residents; and
WHEREAS: The Union Square Neighborhood Council deserves acknowledgment for these accomplishments; NOW, THEREFORE BE IT
RESOLVED: That the Somerville Board of Aldermen:
1) acknowledges the formation of the Union Square Neighborhood Council;
2) congratulates the many volunteers who devoted efforts to its formation and the Founding Board members who were elected fairly and openly; and
3) acknowledges the Union Square Neighborhood Council as a body duly formed and prepared to negotiate in good faith a Community Benefits Agreement (“CBA”) with the Master Developer.