Meeting Details

Meeting Name: City Council Agenda status: Final
Meeting date/time: 9/10/2026 7:00 PM Minutes status: Final  
Meeting location: City Council Chamber and Remote Participation
Published agenda: Agenda Agenda Published minutes: Minutes Minutes Transcript Not available  
Meeting video:  
Attachments:
File #Ver.Agenda #TypeTitleActionResultAction DetailsVideo
26-1370 11.1.Roll CallCall of the Roll.Placed on file  Roll call Video Video
26-1371 11.2.RemembrancesRemembrances.Approved  Action details Video Video
26-1372 11.3.MinutesApproval of the Minutes of the Regular City Council Meeting of July 9, 2026.Approved  Action details Video Video
26-1217 14.1.ResolutionRecognizing the seriousness of myotonic dystrophy and expressing support for the designation of September 15, as ‘‘International Myotonic Dystrophy Awareness Day’’.Approved  Action details Video Video
26-1359 14.2.ResolutionIn support of striking Encore Boston Harbor workers.Approved  Action details Video Video
26-1360 14.3.ResolutionThat the Director of Engineering and the Commissioner of Public Works discuss with the Committee on Public Utilities and Public Works the City’s current requirements for restoration of streets following utility and other permitted excavations, including whether the City has the authority and ability to require full-lane, expanded, or curb-to-curb restoration on streets that have passed the five-year street opening moratorium but remain in good condition.Approved and sent for discussion  Action details Video Video
26-1361 14.4.ResolutionThat the Director of Engineering and Commissioner of Public Works discuss with the Committee on Public Utilities and Public Works the feasibility of establishing a Street Preservation Offset Fee or similar pavement-degradation fee, modeled on programs such as Cambridge’s, to help offset the City’s costs associated with utility and other excavations in public streets.Approved and sent for discussion  Action details Video Video
26-1362 14.5.ResolutionThat the Director of Engineering, the Commissioner of Public Works, and the Chief Procurement Officer discuss with the Committee on Public Utilities and Public Works the City’s current practices for establishing, monitoring, and enforcing construction timelines for municipal projects, including the use of project milestones, completion deadlines, contractor staffing levels, liquidated damages, and other tools to ensure that projects are completed in a timely manner.Approved and sent for discussion  Action details Video Video
26-1363 14.6.ResolutionThat the Director of Engineering, the Commissioner of Public Works, and the Chief Procurement Officer explore best practices used by other municipalities and public agencies to encourage timely completion of public construction projects, including performance incentives, liquidated damages, milestone requirements, recovery schedules, and cost-plus-time or “A+B” bidding, and discuss which approaches could be appropriate for Somerville.Approved and sent for discussion  Action details Video Video
26-1355 16.A.1.Committee ReportReport of the Committee on Finance, meeting on September 3, 2026.Approved  Action details Video Video
26-1219 16.A.2.Mayor's RequestRequesting approval to accept and expend a $65,000 grant with no new match required, from the Mass Department of Mental Health to the Police Department for operational funding for the Metro Boston Crisis Intervention Training and Technical Assistance Center.Approved  Action details Not available
26-1220 16.A.3.Mayor's RequestRequesting approval to accept and expend a $12,000 grant with no new match required, from the Mass Department of Mental Health to the Police Department to partially fund the operation of the jail/arrest diversion program.Approved  Action details Not available
26-1226 16.A.4.Mayor's RequestRequesting approval of a transfer of $315,000 from the Sewer Enterprise Debt Service Account to the Morrison Avenue & Greater Davis Square Area Sewer Separation Design Capital Fund to fund required project expenditures.Approved  Action details Not available
26-1234 16.A.5.Mayor's RequestRequesting approval to use available funds in the Police Salaries account in the amount of $8,800 to fund Fiscal Year 2027 cost of living increases for the Deputy Chief positions.Approved  Action details Not available
26-1241 16.A.6.Mayor's RequestRequesting approval to accept and expend a $284,700 grant with no new match required, from the Massachusetts Gaming Commission to the Strategy and Development Department for Eastern Washington Street Transit Priority Project.Approved  Action details Not available
26-1242 16.A.7.Mayor's RequestRequesting approval to pay a prior year invoice totaling $3,572 using available funds in the Professional & Technical Services Account for the implementation of ArcGIS Urban module.Approved  Action details Not available
26-1243 16.A.8.Mayor's RequestRequesting approval to accept and expend a $85,933.60 grant with no new match required, from the Boston Region Metropolitan Planning Organization to the Mobility Division for the Bluebikes state of good repair equipment replacement.Approved  Action details Not available
26-1248 16.A.9.Mayor's RequestRequesting approval to accept and expend a $366,729.25 grant with no new match required, from the Metropolitan Area Planning Council to the Mobility Division, for new e-bikes, replacement batteries and two new docking stations as a part of the Bluebikes bikeshare system.Approved  Action details Not available
26-1249 16.A.10.Mayor's RequestRequesting approval to create the Tufts Street Soil Project Stabilization Fund and accept a payment to the Fund of $332,497 from the Unifirst Corporation to pay for cleanup and soil disposal costs associated with remediation work at 50 Tufts Street.ApprovedPass Action details Video Video
26-1250 16.A.11.Mayor's RequestRequesting approval to appropriate $332,497 from the Tufts Street Soil Project Stabilization Fund for remediation efforts at 50 Tufts Street.ApprovedPass Action details Video Video
26-1255 16.A.12.Mayor's RequestRequesting approval to accept and expend a $187,200.00 Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness Grant with no new match required, from the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs to the Public Space and Urban Forestry Division for the Green and Cool Somerville: Sustainable Sidewalk and Tree's project.Approved  Action details Not available
26-1256 16.A.13.Mayor's RequestRequesting approval to accept and expend a $20,239 grant with no new match required, from the United States Bureau of Justice Assistance to the Police Department for overtime related to the Fédération Internationale de Football Association In World Cup 2026 summer games.Approved  Action details Not available
26-1316 16.A.14.Mayor's RequestRequesting approval of a transfer of $60,000 from the DPW-Admin Salaries & Wages Temp Account to the DPW-Admin Professional & Technical Services Account to support temporary clerical staffing.Approved  Action details Not available
26-1356 16.B.1.Committee ReportReport of the Committee on Land Use, meeting on September 3, 2026.Approved  Action details Video Video
26-0746 16.B.2.Mayor's RequestRequesting approval of the Urban Center Housing Tax Increment Financing (UCH-TIF) Zone, Plan, and Form of Agreement for Assembly Square and East Somerville.ApprovedPass Action details Video Video
26-0835 16.B.3.Zoning OrdinanceProposing an amendment to Section 2.1.1 of the Zoning Ordinance regarding Homeless Shelters.Ordinance ordained as amendedPass Action details Video Video
26-1357 16.C.1.Committee ReportReport of the Committee on School Building Facilities and Maintenance, meeting on September 8, 2026.Approved  Action details Video Video
26-0063 16.C.2.ResolutionThat the Commissioner of Public Works and the Director of Engineering explore the feasibility of establishing a teen center at the Cummings School, accessible via School Street, considering current building uses and provide this Council with an analysis on space availability, operational considerations, community impacts, and potential next steps.Work completed  Action details Not available
26-0839 16.C.3.OrderThat the Commissioner of Public Works provide an update to this Council on improvements made to custodial staffing at the East Somerville Community School.Work completed  Action details Not available
26-1022 16.C.4.ResolutionRecognizing and expressing appreciation to the Department of Public Works, the Department of Health and Human Services Division of Public Health, and the Inspectional Services Department for their work in addressing rodent issues at the West Somerville Neighborhood School.Work completed  Action details Not available
26-1364 17.1.Mayor's RequestRequesting that this Council convene in Executive Session to receive an update on collective bargaining negotiations.Approved  Action details Video Video
26-1258 17.2.Mayor's RequestRequesting ordainment of an amendment to Sections 3.2.17, 4.1.15, 4.2.15, 4.3.15, 4.4.15, 5.1.16, 6.1.13, 6.2.14, 6.3.13, 6.4.16, 6.5.13 of the Somerville Zoning Ordinance to correct parking maximums.Referred for recommendation  Action details Video Video
26-1259 17.3.Mayor's RequestRequesting ordainment of an amendment to Sections 2.4.4, 3.1.7, 3.1.8, 3.1.9, 3.1.10, 3.1.11, 3.2.7, 3.2.8, 3.2.9, 3.2.10, 3.2.11, 4.1.7, 4.2.7, 4.3.7, 4.4.7 of the Somerville Zoning Ordinances to remove ground story elevation requirements.Referred for recommendation  Action details Video Video
26-1261 17.4.Mayor's RequestRequesting ordainment of an amendment to Sections 3.1.5, 3.2.5, 6.3.5, 6.4.6, 7.3.5, 8.3.6, 10.10.3, 15.2.1, 15.3.2, 15.7.2 of the Somerville Zoning Ordinance to streamline the jurisdiction of review boards.Referred for recommendation  Action details Video Video
26-1336 17.5.Mayor's RequestRequesting ordainment of an amendment to Sections 3.1.3, 3.1.6, 3.1.8, 3.1.9, 3.1.11, 3.1.12, 3.1.13, 3.1.16, 3.2.6 of the Somerville Zoning Ordinance to align with State Law regarding protected accessory dwelling units.Referred for recommendation  Action details Video Video
26-1337 17.6.Mayor's RequestRequesting ordainment of an amendment to Sections 2.4.5, 3.1.17, 3.2.16, 4.1.8, 4.1.9, 4.1.14, 4.2.8, 4.2.9, 4.2.14, 4.3.8, 4.3.9, 4.3.14, 4.4.8, 4.4.9, 4.4.15, 5.1.7, 5.1.8, 5.1.9, 5.1.16, 6.1.12, 6.2.7, 6.2.8, 6.2.14, 6.3.12, 6.4.9, 6.4.15, 6.5.7, 7.2.8 of the Somerville Zoning Ordinance to clarify requirements for principal entrances.Referred for recommendation  Action details Video Video
26-1338 17.7.Mayor's RequestRequesting ordainment of an amendment to Sections 2.1.1, 2.4.5, 3.1.16, 3.2.8, 3.2.9, 3.2.10, 3.2.11, 3.2.15, 4.1.3, 4.1.7, 4.1.8, 4.1.9, 4.1.10, 4.1.13, 4.2.3, 4.2.7, 4.2.8, 4.2.9, 4.2.10, 4.2.13, 4.3.3, 4.3.7, 4.3.8, 4.3.9, 4.3.10, 4.3.13, 4.4.3, 4.4.7, 4.4.8, 4.4.9, 4.4.13, 5.1.3, 5.1.7, 5.1.8, 5.1.9, 5.1.10, 5.1.11, 5.1.14, 6.1.3, 6.1.7, 6.1.8, 6.1.11, 6.2.3, 6.2.7, 6.2.8, 6.2.9, 6.2.12, 6.3.3, 6.3.8, 6.4.3, 6.4.9, 6.4.11, 6.5.3, 6.5.7, 6.5.8, 6.5.11, 7.2.7, 7.2.10, 7.4.3, 7.4.6, 7.4.7, 7.4.8, 7.4.11, 8.1.1, 8.1.2, 8.1.4, 8.1.5, 8.1.6, 8.2.2, 8.2.4, 8.2.5, 8.4.16, 8.4.17, 8.4.19, 9.1.7, 12.1.1, 12.1.2, 12.1.4, 12.1.5, 12.1.6, 12.1.7, 12.3.5, 12.3.6, 12.3.7 of the Somerville Zoning Ordinance to update terminology for affordable dwelling units and commercial spaces.Referred for recommendation  Action details Video Video
26-1334 17.8.Mayor's RequestRequesting approval to appropriate $350,000 from the Immigrant Legal Services Stabilization Fund for legal services for immigrants and asylum seekers seeking permanent residency.Referred for recommendation  Action details Video Video
26-1240 17.9.Mayor's RequestRequesting approval to appropriate $255,045 from the Transportation Network Receipts Reserved Account to the Transportation Network Revolving Account for Fiscal Year 2027 Vision Zero efforts.Referred for recommendation  Action details Video Video
26-1322 17.10.Mayor's RequestRequesting approval to accept and expend a $295,463 grant with no new match required, from the State 911 Department to the Police Department for E911 dispatcher personnel costs.Referred for recommendation  Action details Video Video
26-1254 17.11.Mayor's RequestRequesting approval to accept and expend a $215,919.15 grant with no new match required, from the Metropolitan Area Planning Council to the Health and Human Services Department for a Shared Services Coordinator and a Clinical Community Health Worker.Referred for recommendation  Action details Video Video
26-1323 17.12.Mayor's RequestRequesting approval to accept and expend a $159,754.04 grant with no new match required, from the State 911 Department to the Police Department for training costs for E911 dispatcher certification and recertification.Referred for recommendation  Action details Video Video
26-1320 17.13.Mayor's RequestRequesting approval to accept and expend a $24,500 grant with no new match required, from the State 911 Department to the Police Department for emergency medical dispatch.Referred for recommendation  Action details Video Video
26-1221 17.14.Mayor's RequestRequesting approval to accept and expend a $9,809.81 grant that requires a match, from the United States Bureau of Justice Assistance to the Somerville Police Department for body armor vests.Referred for recommendation  Action details Video Video
26-1341 17.15.Mayor's RequestRequesting approval to pay prior year invoices totaling $80,852.95 using available funds in various Department of Public Works accounts for various services.Referred for recommendation  Action details Video Video
26-1271 17.16.Mayor's RequestRequesting approval to pay prior year invoices totaling $1,687.50 using available funds in the Fire Department Professional and Technical Services Account for medical screening services.Approved  Action details Video Video
26-1328 17.17.Mayor's RequestRequesting approval to pay prior year invoice totaling $19.76 using available funds in the Immigrant Advancement Professional and Technical Services Account for on demand phone interpretation services.Approved  Action details Video Video
26-1335 17.18.WithdrawnWithdrawn.Withdrawn  Action details Not available
26-1365 17.19.Mayor's CommunicationProclaiming that the week of September 10 through September 19, 2026 is Welcoming Week. Placed on file  Action details Video Video
26-1366 17.20.Mayor's CommunicationProclaiming that September 15, 2026 is International Myotonic Dystrophy Awareness Day.Placed on file  Action details Video Video
26-1353 17.21.Mayor's CommunicationConveying an update on Civilian Oversight. Placed on file  Action details Video Video
26-1330 17.22.Mayor's CommunicationConveying the appointment of Lena Warnke to the Somerville Arts Council Board.Placed on file  Action details Video Video
26-1331 17.23.Mayor's CommunicationConveying the appointment of Josh Breeden to the Somerville Arts Council Board.Placed on file  Action details Video Video
26-1332 17.24.Mayor's CommunicationConveying the appointment of Sharon Lacey to the Somerville Arts Council Board.Placed on file  Action details Video Video
26-1333 17.25.Mayor's CommunicationConveying the appointment of Bess Paupeck to the Somerville Arts Council Board.Placed on file  Action details Video Video
26-1367 17.26.Mayor's CommunicationConveying the appointment of Christopher Oates to the Ranked Choice Voting Committee.Placed on file  Action details Video Video
26-1339 18.1.Officer's CommunicationDirector of Emergency Management conveying the 2025-2026 Cummings School Winter Warming Center After Action Report and Improvement Plan.Placed on file and sent for discussion  Action details Video Video
26-1352 18.2.Officer's CommunicationCity Clerk conveying Block Party Licenses issued.Placed on file  Action details Video Video
26-1349 19.1.Public EventTheatre@First applying for a Public Event License for Iphigenia by Euripides on various dates between September 26 and October 11 from 3pm to 7:30pm.Approved  Action details Video Video
26-1351 19.2.Public EventSaint Benedict Parish applying for a Public Event License for Journey to World Youth Day 2027 Fundraiser on September 12 from 11:30am to 2pm (raindate September 19).Approved  Action details Video Video
26-1348 19.3.Public EventMatthew Taylor applying for a Public Event License for 21st Honk! Festival on October 9, 10 & 11 for various times.Approved  Action details Video Video
26-1346 19.4.Public EventBow Market applying for a Public Event License for Bow Market Renaissance Faire on November 7 from 8am to 8:30pm (raindate November 14).Approved  Action details Video Video
26-1347 19.5.Public EventSomerville Road Runners applying for a Public Event License for 30th Annual Gobble Gobble Gobble Road Race on November 26 from 6am to 1pm.Approved  Action details Video Video
26-1350 19.6.Public EventMayor's Office applying for a Public Event License for City Hall Truck O' Treat 2026 Spectacular! on October 29 from 4pm to 8pm (raindate November 5).Approved  Action details Video Video
26-1342 19.7.LicenseNew Drainlayer's License, Valor Excavation, LLC.Approved  Action details Video Video
26-1343 19.8.LicenseNew Livery License, Lubana Coach, 2 Snow Terrace, operating 1 vehicle.Approved  Action details Video Video
26-1344 19.9.LicenseNew Second Hander Dealer License, Somerville Communications, 52 Broadway.Approved  Action details Video Video
26-1345 19.10.LicenseRenewing Taxi Medallion License, Country Club Transportation Inc, Med. #3,4,5,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,46.Approved  Action details Video Video
26-1368 19.11.Public CommunicationBruce Schulman submitting comments re: snow emergencies.Placed on file  Action details Video Video
26-1369 19.12.Public CommunicationMarianne Walles submitting comments re: item #26-1268, comments related to Zoning Ordinance Sections 3.1.7c, 3.1.8c, 3.1.9c, 3.1.10c, 3.1.11c, 3.1.15a.i, 3.2.7c, 3.2.8c, 3.2.9c, 3.2.10c, 3.2.11c, 4.1.7c, 4.2.7c, 4.3.7c, 4.4.7c.Placed on file and sent for discussion  Action details Video Video
26-1373 110.1.Zoning OrdinanceThat Section 3.1.7.c of the Zoning Ordinances be amended as detailed within.Referred for recommendation  Action details Video Video
26-1354 110.2.Mayor's RequestRequesting approval to enter into lease agreements with various tenants to provide commercial arts space at the Somerville Armory Building, 191 Highland Avenue.Referred for recommendation  Action details Video Video
26-1379 110.3.Public EventVeteran Services applying for a Public Event License for 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony on September 11 from 5:30pm to 7:30pm.Approved  Action details Video Video
26-1377 110.4.Public EventJunkyard LLC applying for a Public Event License for Junkyard Davis Square on September 19 from 10am to 11:30pm.Approved  Action details Video Video
26-1375 110.5.LicenseNew Drainlayer's License, Knight Excavation Co. Inc.Approved  Action details Video Video
26-1376 110.6.LicenseNew Second Hand Dealer License, The Heartland Roadshow, 30 Washington Street.Approved  Action details Video Video
26-1374 110.7.Public CommunicationPresident of Tufts University submitting comments re: #26-1302, in support of a fair and dignified resolution for an international graduate student at Tufts University.Placed on file  Action details Video Video
26-1388 111.1ResolutionCouncilor Ewen-Campen resignation.Placed on file  Action details Video Video
26-1389 111.2ResolutionCouncilor Scott resignation.Placed on file  Action details Video Video