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Meeting Name: City Council Agenda status: Final
Meeting date/time: 2/14/2013 7:00 PM Minutes status: Final  
Meeting location: City Council Chamber-City Hall-93 Highland Avenue
City Hall
Published agenda: Agenda Agenda Published minutes: Minutes Minutes  
Meeting video:  
Attachments:
File #Ver.Agenda #TypeTitleActionResultAction DetailsVideo
194309 1194309Committee ReportReport of the Committee on Veterans and Public Services, meeting on January 29, 2013.Approved  Action details Not available
194306 1194306Committee ReportReport of the Committee on Public Utilities and Public Works, meeting on January 29, 2013.Approved  Action details Not available
194302 1194302Committee ReportReport of the Committee on Information Technology, meeting on January 31, 2013.Approved  Action details Not available
194303 1194303Committee ReportReport of the Committee on Legislative Matters, meeting on February 5, 2013.Approved  Action details Not available
194304 1194304Committee ReportReport of the Committee on Licenses and Permits, meeting on February 6, 2013.Approved  Action details Not available
194305 1194305Committee ReportReport of the Committee on Public Health and Public Safety, meeting on February 6, 2013.Approved  Action details Not available
194301 1194301Committee ReportReport of the Committee on Finance, meeting on February 12, 2013.Approved  Action details Not available
194325 1194325Public CommunicationEllen Reisner submitting comments re: #194060, a zoning amendment to permit a larger ground-floor supermarket at Assembly Square.Placed on file  Action details Not available
194324 1194324Public CommunicationJobs for Somerville submitting a petition and comments re: #194060, a zoning amendment to permit a larger ground-floor supermarket at Assembly Square.Placed on file  Action details Not available
194326 1194326Public CommunicationDavid Dahlbacka submitting comments re: #194060, a zoning amendment to permit a larger ground-floor supermarket at Assembly Square.Placed on file  Action details Not available
194327 1194327Public CommunicationWig Zamore submitting comments re: #194060, a zoning amendment to permit a larger ground-floor supermarket at Assembly Square.Placed on file  Action details Not available
194286 1194286Roll CallCall of the Roll.Placed on file  Action details Not available
194287 1194287MinutesApproval of the Minutes of the Organizational Meeting, January 7, 2013, and the Regular Meeting, January 10, 2013.Approved  Action details Not available
194328 1194328Public CommunicationKaren Molloy submitting comments re: #194060, a zoning amendment to permit a larger ground-floor supermarket at Assembly Square.Placed on file  Action details Not available
194329 1194329Public CommunicationKaren Molloy submitting comments re: #193288, a Resolution opposing the transport of ethanol by train through Somerville.Placed on file  Action details Not available
194330 1194330Public CommunicationOwner of 68 Holland Street submitting comments re: #193946, a Fortune Teller license issued at that address to Maryann Mitchell dba Astrology by Gia.Placed on file  Action details Not available
194331 1194331Public CommunicationMA DOT responding to #194058 re: Pedestrian lighting under Rt 93 at Sullivan Square.Placed on file  Action details Not available
194299 2194299CommunicationActing as President, submitting an updated set of Committee assignments.Placed on file  Action details Not available
194298 2194298OrderThat this Board discharges #190456, the Inspectional Services Division organizational review, from the Committee on Finance and the Committee on Public Health and Safety (leaving it solely in the Committee on Public Utilities and Works).Approved  Action details Not available
194288 2194288Grant of LocationGrant of Location submitted by NStar Electric to install 41 feet of conduit in Broadway, from a manhole to 1323 Broadway.Approved  Action details Not available
194289 2194289Grant of LocationGrant of Location submitted by NStar Electric to install 9 feet of conduit in Porter St., from a pole to 23 Porter St.Approved  Action details Not available
194290 2194290Grant of LocationGrant of Location submitted by NStar Electric to install 7 feet of conduit in Linden Ave., from a pole to 16 Linden Ave.Approved  Action details Not available
194322 2194322LicenseRenewing Outdoor Seating License, PJ Ryans, 239 Holland St.Referred for recommendation  Action details Not available
194323 2194323LicenseRenewing Outdoor Seating License, Blue Shirt Cafe, 424 Highland Ave.Referred for recommendation  Action details Not available
194320 2194320Public EventPublic Event Permit, Unity Church Palm Sunday Donkey Walk, College Avenue from Powderhouse Park to Davis Square, Mar 24, 8:30-9:45AM.Approved  Action details Not available
194321 2194321Public EventPublic Event Permit, Unity Church Easter Sunrise Service, Powderhouse Park, Mar 31, 6-7AM.Approved  Action details Not available
194319 2194319Public EventPublic Event Permit, Groundwork Somerville Maple Syrup Boil Down Festival, Community Growing Center, Mar 9, 8:30AM-3PM.Approved  Action details Not available
194308 2194308OrderThat the Director of SPCD (Transportation and Infrastructure) contact the MBTA and the State Delegation to remedy the problems with the fence at the end of Nashua Street, and report any suggested remedies from the MBTA to this Board's Committee on Public Utilities and Works within 30 days.Approved  Action details Not available
194307 2194307OrderThat the Director of SPCD (Transportation and Infrastructure) contact the MBTA and the State Delegation to eradicate all graffiti on the retaining wall between the railroad tracks and the Lowell Street bridge, and report any corrective actions to this Board's Committee on Public Utilities and Works.Approved  Action details Not available
194291 2194291OrderThat the Chief of Police monitor the pedestrian signals at Lombardi Way, Broadway and Mt. Vernon Street to ensure that motorists are stopping for pedestrians in the crosswalks and to ticket violators accordingly.Approved  Action details Not available
194295 2194295OrderThat the City Solicitor draft an ordinance preventing the construction of occupancy dwellings attached to existing structures in RA and RB Zones without a Special Permit and neighborhood involvement.Approved  Action details Not available
194293 2194293OrderThat the Chief of Police advise this Board whether crossing guards can be placed at all crosswalks near schools throughout the city.Approved  Action details Not available
194294 2194294ResolutionThat this Board requests that municipal lots remain open to resident parking until the snow melts more substantially and street parking becomes available.Approved  Action details Not available
194292 2194292OrderThat the Director of SPCD (ISD) inspect all residential and business sidewalks around all public schools and senior buildings to make sure all sidewalks have been shoveled, and to ticket accordingly.Approved  Action details Not available
194297 2194297ResolutionThat this Board, with the Mayor, requests that the City of Peabody increase public safety in the area of Saint Adelaide's Church, following the tragic accidental death of a Somerville resident there.Approved  Action details Not available
194296 2194296ResolutionThat this Board requests that the Mayor consider implementing a Community Emergency Response Team, a volunteer citizen support group which is part of FEMA, to assist response efforts during emergencies.Approved  Action details Not available
194300 2194300CommunicationActing as President, requesting that any member of a Committee of this Board who cannot attend a meeting of that Committee, to inform the Committee Chair and the Clerk of Committees of their absence with as much notice as possible.Placed on file  Action details Not available
194332 2194332OrderThat the Director of SPCD (ISD) inform Burger King officials of the disregard for public safety by the store at 185 Somerville Avenue, which has not shoveled their sidewalks more than 5 days after a major snow event.Approved  Action details Not available
194333 2194333ResolutionThat this Board requests that the Traffic Commission review existing GO SLOW SCHOOL signals and other signage around schools, and add additional signals and signage as needed, to ensure that there is appropriate traffic signage and signals to protect students from speeding vehicles.Approved  Action details Not available
194334 2194334OrderThat the Commissioner of Public Works examine the status of crosswalks around all schools and recommend any locations that should be slated for raised crosswalks.Approved  Action details Not available
194335 2194335OrderThat the Chief of Police implement speeding enforcement measures around schools during the morning and evening, to reduce speeding when children are going to or leaving school.Approved  Action details Not available
194341 2194341LicenseTransferring Taxi Medallion, Med. #59 from Ike Inc. to Raymy Inc.Approved  Action details Not available
194344 2194344ResolutionThat this Board requests that the Administration work with Tufts to secure parking at the Tufts Administration Building lot during snow emergencies.Approved  Action details Not available
194345 2194345LicenseSign/Awning Permit, Stanhope Framers, 55 Bow St., new awnings.Referred for recommendation  Action details Not available
194343 2194343ResolutionThat the School Superintendent report to this Board's Committee on Legislative Matters the School Dept.'s use of polystyrene containers, before the Committee next meets to discuss a possible ban on such containers on February 27.Approved  Action details Not available
194342 2194342CommunicationChief of Police responding to #194283 re: policies for the Police Dept.'s use of the automated License Plate Recognition System and the Safe City Monitoring System.Referred for recommendation  Action details Not available
194340 3194340CommunicationRequesting the Appointment of Girard Gover to the Position of Fire Captain.Referred for recommendation  Action details Not available
194339 3194339CommunicationRequesting the Appointment of Wallace Forrest to the Position of District Fire Chief.Referred for recommendation  Action details Not available
194316 3194316CommunicationRequesting confirmation of the appointment of Michael Epstein to the Arts Council.Approved  Action details Not available
194318 3194318CommunicationDirector of Traffic and Parking responding to various Board Orders.Placed on file  Action details Not available
194314 4194314Mayor's RequestRequesting approval of a $10,000 grant from the MA Cultural Council to support the Arts Council's ArtsUnion programming.Referred for recommendation  Action details Not available
194311 4194311Mayor's RequestRequesting a transfer of $554,403 from the Salary Contingency Account to referenced Dept. Personal Services Accounts to fund the FY2013 costs of the Memorandum of Agreement with SMEA Units A, B, and D.Approved  Action details Not available
194310 4194310Mayor's RequestRequesting an appropriation and authorization to borrow $1,000,000 in a bond for the cost of engineering analyses of buildings needing Capital Improvements.Referred for recommendation  Action details Not available
193967 4193967OrderThat the Chief of Police inspect the graffiti on the Lowell Street bridge and its retaining wall adjacent to the railroad tracks, to ascertain whether or not it is gang related.Work completed  Action details Not available
193965 4193965OrderThat the Commissioner of Public Works remove the graffiti from the Lowell Street bridge.Work completed  Action details Not available
194198 4194198OrderThat the Commissioner of Public Works update this Board’s Committee on Public Utilities and Works on the repair/replacement of street-lamps city-wide.Work completed  Action details Not available
192733 4192733ResolutionThat this Board requests that the Administration consider expanding WI-FI capabilities at all city parks and public areas.Work completed  Action details Not available
194007 4194007OrderThat the Director of Constituent Services provide the history and dates of resolution of calls to 311 for trees and fallen branches on Rossmore Street.Work completed  Action details Not available
194040 4194040OrderThat the Commissioner of Public Works repair all sidewalk panels at 27 Josephine Avenue.Work completed  Action details Not available
194041 4194041OrderThat the Chief of Police enforce the STOP sign between Highland Road and Boston Avenue.Work completed  Action details Not available
194043 4194043OrderThat the Commissioner of Public Works and the Director of SPCD construct handicap crosswalks and ramps at Highland Road and Kidder Avenue.Work completed  Action details Not available
194044 4194044OrderThat the Director of SPCD and the City Arborist analyze the safety of the large tree across from the Kennedy School and report back in writing to the Ward 5 Alderman.Work completed  Action details Not available
194049 4194049OrderThat the Commissioner of Public Works erect a barrier or fence at the bottom of Nashua Street that can withstand the force of snow plows pushing snow into it.Work completed  Action details Not available
194050 4194050OrderThat the Commissioner of Public Works address the storm drain and runoff issues at the bottom of Nashua Street.Work completed  Action details Not available
194053 4194053OrderThat the Chief of Police order directed patrols to the Armory after 8 PM on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings and have those patrols ready to record noise levels from homes directly abutting it.Work completed  Action details Not available
194084 4194084Mayor's RequestRequesting the appointment of James Pero as Constable.Approved  Action details Not available
194189 4194189OrderThat the Chief of Police and City Solicitor appear before this Board’s Public Health and Safety Committee to discuss the December 27, 2012 incident at the Holiday Inn and to make any recommendations to prevent another occurrence.Work completed  Action details Not available
194190 4194190OrderThat the Manager of The Home Depot and the Chief of Police appear at the next meeting of this Board’s Public Health and Safety Committee to discuss eliminating illegal activity in The Home Depot parking lot.Work completed  Action details Not available
194238 4194238LicenseRenewing Used Car Dealers License Class 2, PJ's Auto Sales, 161 Broadway.Approved as amended  Action details Not available
194249 4194249LicenseNew Garage License, PJ's Auto Sales, 161 Broadway, 67 autos inside, 4 outside.Approved as amended  Action details Not available
194253 4194253OrderThat the Chief of Police order directed patrols on Woodbine Street at Lowell Street, to prevent trucks from stopping and/or parking, and that the Chief of Police appear at the next meeting of this Board’s Committee on Public Health and Safety to discuss this matter.Work completed  Action details Not available
193843 4193843OrderThat the Director of Veterans Services present to the Committee on Veterans and Public Service recommendations on various designs for dedication signage.Work completed  Action details Not available
194313 4194313Mayor's RequestRequesting an increase in the Council on Aging Revolving Fund Expenditure Cap for FY2013 of $30,000.Referred for recommendation  Action details Not available
194315 4194315Mayor's RequestRequesting the acceptance of a grant of $3,920 from the Somerville Health Foundation so the Council on Aging can provide a Fit 4 Life fitness and wellness program for LBT (Lesbian, Bi-Sexual, Trans-gender) women-only clients.Referred for recommendation  Action details Not available
194317 4194317Officer's CommunicationPlanning Board submitting its recommendation on a zoning ordinance to allow one ground floor supermarket that exceeds the ground level retail size cap in the Assembly Square Mixed-Use District.Referred for recommendation  Action details Not available
194336 4194336Mayor's RequestRequesting that this Board declare the site of the former Powder House School available for disposition, with the restriction that any subsequent use provide for at least 40% publicly accessible open space, and that the Land Disposition Agreement be approved by this Board.Approved  Action details Not available
194337 4194337Mayor's RequestRequesting that this Board vote to establish a value of $5,711,600 for the former Powder House School.Approved  Action details Not available
194312 4194312Mayor's RequestRequesting an appropriation of $24,000 from Unreserved Fund Balance ("Free Cash") to the Office of Sustainability and Environment Professional Services Account to fund a Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation Summit.Referred for recommendation  Action details Not available
194338 5194338Officer's CommunicationRequesting that this Board adopt a zoning ordinance amending Sections 2.2 and 7.11.9.2 to separate supermarkets from the general retail and department store use and define these types of stores.Referred for recommendation  Action details Not available
193866 5193866OrderThat the Director of SPCD (ISD) appear before the Committee on Public Health and Safety to review trash disposal issues at Clarendon Hill Towers and provide answers to neighbors' concerns.Work completed  Action details Not available
194004 5194004LicenseNew Livery License, Sharma Limousine Services, 17 Lake St., 1 auto.Placed on file  Action details Not available
194252 5194252ResolutionThat this Board requests that the Administration update this Board on the closing and disposition of the Transfer Station, including anticipated dates for demolition and arrangements for providing for waste disposal services for the City.Work completed  Action details Not available
192102 5192102CommunicationCommunications Director responding to #191733 re: a July 7 phone outage in the Fire Dept.Work completed  Action details Not available
192598 5192598OrderThat the Director of Communications appear at the next meeting of the Public Works and Utilities Committee with an update and cost of the cable, internet and telephone providers in Somerville.Work completed  Action details Not available
193652 5193652OrderThat the City Solicitor, Superintendent of Inspectional Services, and Director of Public Health contact communities in the Greater Boston area such as Boston, Lynn, Saugus, Chelsea, Malden and Everett, to investigate any changes they have made to their ordinances or regulations to address rodent problems.Work completed  Action details Not available
193202 6193202OrderThat the Director of Health and the 3-member Board of Health Commission report back to this Board regarding their plan/policy to control the rodent problem.Work completed  Action details Not available
193570 6193570OrderThat the Chief of Police increase enforcement of bicycle regulations in the city’s business districts.Work completed  Action details Not available
191014 6191014OrderThat the Director of SPCD (ISD) and the Director of Health advise this Board of the number, location and status of all abandoned properties reported within the past two years.Work completed  Action details Not available
191881 6191881Mayor's RequestRequesting an appropriation of $62,000 from the Capital Projects Stabilization Fund for the purchase of 2 Ford Explorers for the Police Dept.'s traffic division.Approved  Action details Not available
194265 6194265Mayor's RequestRequesting the acceptance of a grant of $10,000 for Preventive Policing Analytics from The Bureau of Justice Assistance.Approved  Action details Not available
194266 6194266Mayor's RequestRequesting the acceptance of a grant of $7,625 from the MA Office of Public Safety and Security for the Fire Dept.'s Student Awareness of Fire Education program.Approved  Action details Not available
194267 6194267Mayor's RequestRequesting the acceptance of an Urban Areas Security Initiative Grant of $2,332.27 from the Boston Office of Emergency Preparedness for radio installation in the Fire Dept.Approved  Action details Not available
192102 6192102CommunicationCommunications Director responding to #191733 re: a July 7 phone outage in the Fire Dept.Work completed  Action details Not available
194214 7194214Mayor's RequestRequesting that the former Powder House Community School be declared surplus and available for disposition, and that the Board vote on the proposed minimum value for the property, as well as any reuse restrictions.Placed on file  Action details Not available
191881 7191881Mayor's RequestRequesting an appropriation of $62,000 from the Capital Projects Stabilization Fund for the purchase of 2 Ford Explorers for the Police Dept.'s traffic division.Mayoral Approval  Action details Not available
190375 7190375OrderThat the Commissioner of Public Works appear before the Committee on Public Health and Public Safety to discuss the impact of the use of brick cross walks, their impact on the handicapped community, the measures in place to ensure that such cross walks comply with all state regulations and whether such cross walks should be used in future road work.Work completed  Action details Not available
193752 7193752OrderThat the Commissioner of Public Works and the City Engineer appear at the September 19, 2012 meeting of the Public Utilities and Works Committee to report on the failure of the utility companies to re-surface streets after opening them.Work completed  Action details Not available
193221 7193221Mayor's RequestRequesting a transfer of $1,500 from the Constituent Services Stationery Account to the Constituent Services Salaries and Wages Temporary Account.Placed on file  Action details Not available
190372 8190372OrderThat the Commissioner of Public Works appear before this Board’s Committee on Public Utilities and Public Works regarding the lack of handicap ramps at the intersection of Highland Road and Kidder Avenue.Work completed  Action details Not available
192050 8192050OrderThat the Chief of Police and the Director of SPCD (ISD) respond to the attached list of problem addresses and be prepared to provide an update at this Board's October 24 Public Health and Safety Committee Meeting.Work completed  Action details Not available
190956 10190956OrderThat the Director of SPCD and the Director of Health update this Board on the public awareness campaign to address rodent control, and describe specific problem areas and plans to address rodent control in those areas.Work completed  Action details Not available
190133 11190133OrderThat the Public Utilities and Public Works Committee discuss the damage done to the roof of 140 Willow Avenue by the utility companies working there.Work completed  Action details Not available