City of Somerville header
Meeting Name: City Council Agenda status: Final
Meeting date/time: 11/9/2023 7:00 PM Minutes status: Final  
Meeting location: City Council Chamber and Remote Participation
Published agenda: Agenda Agenda Published minutes: Minutes Minutes  
Meeting video:  
Attachments:
File #Ver.Agenda #TypeTitleActionResultAction DetailsVideo
23-1688 11.1.Roll CallCall of the Roll.Placed on file  Roll call Video Video
23-1689 11.2.RemembrancesRemembrances.Approved  Action details Video Video
23-1690 11.3.MinutesApproval of the Minutes of the Regular Meeting, October 12, 2023.ApprovedPass Action details Video Video
23-1680 13.1.Grant of LocationEversource applying for a Grant of Location to install 47 feet of conduit in Albion Street, from Utility Pole 3/22 to a point of pickup at 156 Albion Street.ApprovedPass Action details Video Video
23-1681 13.2.Grant of LocationEversource applying for a Grant of Location to install 147 feet of conduit in Lowell Street, from Utility Pole 215/2 to a point of pickup at the rear of 657 Somerville Avenue.ApprovedPass Action details Video Video
23-1682 13.3.Grant of LocationEversource applying for a Grant of Location to install 160 feet of conduit in the intersection of Broadway and Thurston Street, from Manhole 1922 to a point of pickup at 115 Thurston Street.ApprovedPass Action details Video Video
23-1683 13.4.Grant of LocationEversource applying for a Grant of Location to install 10 feet of conduit in Medford Street, from Utility Pole 228/2 to a point of pickup at 22 McGrath Highway.ApprovedPass Action details Video Video
23-1662 14.1.ResolutionSupporting Somerville’s application to the Fossil Fuel Free Demonstration Program.ApprovedPass Action details Video Video
23-1664 14.2.ResolutionCommending the actions taken to improve the safety of the municipal fleet.ApprovedPass Action details Video Video
23-1665 14.3.OrderThat the Director of Engineering relocate the western curb cut where the Community Path crosses School Street so it simply goes straight.Approved and sent for discussionPass Action details Video Video
23-1667 14.4.OrderThat the Director of Mobility either widen the newly constructed intersection at Benton Road and Summer Street or make Benton Road a one-way street.ApprovedPass Action details Video Video
23-1666 14.5.CommunicationConveying an important upcoming opportunity to support changes to the state plumbing code that will facilitate the creation of gender-neutral single occupancy restrooms.Placed on filePass Action details Video Video
23-1677 14.6.OrderThat the Director of Water and Sewer explain the increases in water bills for households with new water meters and consider a forgiveness period for unexpected increases due to inaccuracies in prior metering.Approved and sent for discussionPass Action details Video Video
23-1678 14.7.OrderThat the Director of Planning, Preservation and Zoning consider a modification to the Zoning Ordinances in the Neighborhood Residence District to allow full reconstruction of roof line, or larger modifications to roof line, by right for projects that commit to meeting requirements of the new Specialized Stretch Code for Passive House and all electric standards, even when not applicable.Approved and sent for discussionPass Action details Video Video
23-1679 14.8.ResolutionThat this City Council commit to facilitating and procuring interpretation when sponsoring non-English speaking speakers.ApprovedPass Action details Video Video
23-1643 16.A.1.Committee ReportReport of the Committee on Confirmation of Appointments and Personnel Matters, meeting on November 1, 2023.ApprovedPass Action details Video Video
23-0439 16.A.2.Mayor's RequestRequesting confirmation of the appointment of Michael Santangelo to the Housing Authority Board of Commissioners.Placed on filePass Action details Not available
23-1349 16.A.3.Mayor's RequestRequesting confirmation of the appointment of Courtney Koslow to the Commission on Energy Use and Climate Change.ApprovedPass Action details Not available
23-1632 16.A.4.Mayor's RequestRequesting confirmation of the reappointment of Linda Dubuque as City Treasurer and Collector of Taxes.ApprovedPass Action details Not available
23-1635 16.A.5.Mayor's RequestRequesting confirmation of the reappointment of Francis J. Golden as Chief Assessor and Chair of the Board of Assessors.ApprovedPass Action details Not available
23-1645 16.B.1.Committee ReportReport of the Committee on Finance, meeting on November 6, 2023.ApprovedPass Action details Video Video
23-1517 16.B.2.Mayor's RequestRequesting approval of a transfer of $32,000 from the Office of Strategic Planning and Community Development Housing Division Personal Services Account to the Office of Sustainability and Environment Personal Services Account to transfer the clean green program manager position to the Office of Sustainability and Environment.ApprovedPass Action details Not available
23-1550 16.B.3.Mayor's RequestRequesting approval to accept and expend a $108,226.70 grant with no new match required from the Metropolitan Area Planning Council to the Health and Human Services Department to support implementation of the Somerville-Cambridge Shared Public Health Service Initiative.ApprovedPass Action details Not available
23-1552 16.B.4.Public CommunicationDavid Thorpe submitting comments re: Somerville High School Scholarship Foundation.Work completedPass Action details Not available
23-1554 16.B.5.Mayor's RequestRequesting approval of a transfer of $5,925.42 from the Infrastructure & Asset Management Personal Services Account to the Engineering Personal Services Account to fund an existing position.ApprovedPass Action details Not available
23-1555 16.B.6.Mayor's RequestRequesting approval to create a Senior Project Manager position in the Department of Infrastructure and Asset Management - Engineering Division.ApprovedPass Action details Not available
23-1585 16.B.7.Mayor's RequestRequesting authorization to borrow $5,561,768 in a bond, and to appropriate the same amount for street and sidewalk reconstruction.ApprovedPass Action details Video Video
23-1642 16.C.1.Committee ReportReport of the Committee on Legislative Matters, meeting on October 30, 2023.ApprovedPass Action details Video Video
23-1590 16.C.2.Mayor's RequestRequesting ordainment of an amendment to the Code of Ordinances to add Chapter 6 Article VII to restrict and prohibit new building construction and major renovation projects that are not fossil fuel-free.Placed on filePass Action details Not available
23-1646 16.D.1.Committee ReportReport of the Committee on Licenses and Permits, meeting on November 8, 2023.ApprovedPass Action details Video Video
23-1339 16.D.2.LicenseNew Garage License, Quick Auto Center, 30 Joy Street, 0 cars inside, 40 cars outside, for charging money to store vehicles, maintaining and operating a tow vehicle, and storing unregistered vehicles, Mon-Fri:8am-6pm, Sat: 8am-2pm, and Sun: closed.Not approvedPass Action details Not available
23-1560 16.D.3.Grant of LocationComcast applying for a Grant of Location to install 20 feet of conduit in Beacon Street, from Utility Pole 142/25 to a point of pickup at 205 Beacon Street.ApprovedPass Action details Not available
23-1644 16.E.1.Committee ReportReport of the Committee on Public Health and Public Safety, meeting on November 2, 2023.ApprovedPass Action details Video Video
23-1289 16.E.2.OrderThat the Director of Housing and the Director of Health and Human Services update this Council regarding repeated requests to provide shelter to homeless residents.Work completedPass Action details Not available
23-1367 16.E.3.OrderThat the Commissioner of Public Works ensure that the new Police sub-station in East Somerville is easily accessible to the public and includes public restrooms.Work completedPass Action details Not available
23-1370 16.E.4.OrderThat the Director of Health and Human Services create a homeless worker program, similar to the Roca program, that offers compensated community cleanup and other community service jobs to the un-housed.Work completedPass Action details Not available
23-1372 16.E.5.OrderThat the Director of Health and Human Services update this Council on homelessness outreach efforts, including the hiring of four clinicians, case managers and home visitations.Work completedPass Action details Not available
23-1373 16.E.6.OrderThat the Director of Inspectional Services update this Council on enforcement of the Dark Skies ordinance that restricts light pollution and reduces energy consumption.Work completedPass Action details Not available
23-1314 17.1.WithdrawnWithdrawn.Withdrawn  Action details Not available
23-1659 17.2.Mayor's RequestRequesting ordainment of an amendment to the Code of Ordinances to add Chapter 6 Article VII to restrict and prohibit new building construction and major renovation projects that are not fossil fuel-free.Ordinance ordainedPass Action details Video Video
23-1655 17.3.Mayor's RequestRequesting approval to appropriate $165,687 from the Energy Stabilization Fund to pay for the final phase of the LED conversion project at the Albert F. Argenziano School.Referred for recommendation  Action details Video Video
23-1516 17.4.Mayor's RequestRequesting approval to appropriate $56,215.42 from the Bike Share Stabilization Fund for installation and startup cost of a BlueBike station at the 74 Middlesex Avenue Development site.Referred for recommendation  Action details Video Video
23-1661 17.5.Mayor's RequestRequesting the appropriation of $2,502,191 from the Receipts Reserved for Appropriation, Parking Meter Receipts Account to reduce the FY 2024 Tax Rate.Referred for recommendation  Action details Video Video
23-1568 17.6.Mayor's RequestRequesting the appropriation of $1,370,177 from the Unreserved Fund Balance ("Free Cash") to the 90 Washington Demonstration Project Account for additional legal services.Referred for recommendation  Action details Video Video
23-1676 17.7.Mayor's RequestRequesting a supplemental appropriation of $500,000 from the FY 2024 Tax Levy to the Capital-Building Improvements Account to fund needed building improvements.Referred for recommendation  Action details Video Video
23-1670 17.8.Mayor's RequestRequesting a supplemental appropriation of $384,858 from the FY 2024 Tax Levy to the School Department for unbudgeted expenditures relating to the relocation of Winter Hill Community Innovation School students.Referred for recommendation  Action details Video Video
23-1671 17.9.Mayor's RequestRequesting a supplemental appropriation of $272,970 from the FY 2024 Tax Levy to the School Department to fund forensic services on the School Department Information Technology (IT) network.Referred for recommendation  Action details Video Video
23-1674 17.10.Mayor's RequestRequesting a supplemental appropriation of $219,697 from the FY 2024 Tax Levy to various Department of Public Works Accounts to fund unbudgeted expenditures related to the Winter Hill Community Innovation School move.Referred for recommendation  Action details Video Video
23-1673 17.11.Mayor's RequestRequesting a supplemental appropriation of $49,974 from the FY 2024 Tax Levy to the School Department School Lunch Revolving Fund for providing meal services to participants in summer programs run by the Parks & Recreation Department.Referred for recommendation  Action details Video Video
23-1663 17.12.Mayor's RequestRequesting a supplemental appropriation of $28,200 to the Department of Public Works Snow Removal Account for the procurement of roadway sensors for snow removal equipment.Referred for recommendation  Action details Video Video
23-1675 17.13.Mayor's RequestRequesting a supplemental appropriation of $8,150 from the FY 2024 Tax Levy to the Public, Education, and Government (PEG) Access Salaries Account to correct a budget miscalculation.Referred for recommendation  Action details Video Video
23-1588 17.14.Mayor's RequestRequesting approval to pay a prior year invoice totaling $2,205 using available funds in the Human Resources Professional and Technical Services Account for employment medical screens.Referred for recommendation  Action details Video Video
23-1587 17.15.Mayor's RequestRequesting approval to pay a prior year invoice totaling $1,424 using available funds in the Human Resources Professional and Technical Services Account for employment medical screens.Referred for recommendation  Action details Video Video
23-1591 17.16.Mayor's RequestRequesting approval to pay prior year invoices totaling $900 using available funds in the Parks and Recreation Transportation Account for Dilboy Field bus transportation.Referred for recommendation  Action details Video Video
23-1672 17.17.Mayor's RequestRequesting approval to pay prior year invoices totaling $718.51 using available funds in the Mayor's Office Maint Contract-Office Equip Account for additional printing needed for Community Meeting materials.Referred for recommendation  Action details Video Video
23-1640 17.18.Mayor's RequestRequesting approval to pay prior year invoices totaling $475 using available funds in the City Clerk's R&M - Software Account for ordinance hosting annual support fee.Referred for recommendation  Action details Video Video
23-1669 17.19.Mayor's RequestRequesting approval to pay a prior year invoice totaling $375 using available funds in the Mayor's Office Food Supplies and Refreshment Account for dinner for staff for FY 2024 budget hearings.Referred for recommendation  Action details Video Video
23-1581 17.20.Mayor's RequestRequesting approval to accept and expend a Community Compact Best Practices Technical Assistance grant for $45,000 with no new match required, from the MA Department of Revenue Division of Local Services to the Economic Development Division for the development of a Commercial Tenant Guidebook.Referred for recommendation  Action details Video Video
23-1553 17.21.Mayor's RequestRequesting approval of a time-only contract extension of five months for Suffolk Construction, for Construction Manager services for the Somerville High School project.Referred for recommendation  Action details Video Video
23-1586 17.22.Mayor's RequestRequesting approval of a thirty-month extension to the Benefit Strategies, LLC contract for Flexible Spending Account employee benefit administration.Referred for recommendation  Action details Video Video
23-1570 17.23.WithdrawnWithdrawn.Withdrawn  Action details Not available
23-1637 17.24.WithdrawnWithdrawn.Withdrawn  Action details Not available
23-1652 18.1.Officer's CommunicationChief Assessor requesting to appear at this Council's November 21, 2023 meeting for the Tax Classification Public Hearing and the determination and adoption of tax levy percentages for FY 2024.ApprovedPass Action details Video Video
23-1657 18.2.Officer's CommunicationCommissioner of Public Works conveying updates regarding ten City Council orders approved at the meeting of September 28, 2023.Placed on filePass Action details Video Video
23-1684 19.1.LicenseRenewing Used Car Dealer License Class 2, Broadway Motor Cars, 161 Broadway.ApprovedPass Action details Video Video
23-1685 19.2.LicenseRenewing Used Car Dealer License Class 3, Joseph Talewsky & Son Inc, 508-512 Columbia Street.ApprovedPass Action details Video Video
23-1686 19.3.LicenseRenewing Used Car Dealer License Class 2, Real Auto Shop Inc, 463 McGrath Hwy.ApprovedPass Action details Video Video
23-1687 19.4.LicenseRenewing Used Car Dealer License Class 2, Webster Auto Sales, 61 Prospect Street.ApprovedPass Action details Video Video
23-1638 19.5.Public CommunicationFour residents submitting comments re: item #23-1198, an amendment to the Zoning Ordinances to permit the house and triple-decker building types without any conditions.Placed on filePass Action details Video Video
23-1639 19.6.Public CommunicationJennifer Schultz submitting comments re: item #23-1306, an amendment to the Zoning Map to change the zoning district of 627 Somerville Avenue from Neighborhood Residence (NR) to Mid-Rise 3 (MR3).Placed on filePass Action details Video Video
23-1654 19.7.Public CommunicationCommunity Action Agency of Somerville (CAAS) submitting comments re: zoning amendments, item #23-1198, item #23-1489, and item #23-1205.Placed on filePass Action details Video Video
23-1656 19.8.Public CommunicationEight residents submitting comments re: item #23-1305, an amendment to the Zoning Map to change the zoning district of 295-297 Medford Street and 93 Walnut Street from Mid-Rise 3 (MR3) to Mid-Rise 5 (MR5).Placed on filePass Action details Video Video
23-1658 19.9.Public CommunicationReverend Philip Michael Mitza submitting comments re: issues on Lower Broadway.Placed on filePass Action details Video Video
23-1668 19.10.Public CommunicationPat Jehlen submitting comments re: item #23-1198, an amendment to the Zoning Ordinances to permit the house and triple-decker building types without any conditions.Placed on filePass Action details Video Video
23-1694 110.1.Mayor's RequestRequesting approval of a Home Rule Petition authorizing the City of Somerville to regulate rent in residential dwelling units.Referred for recommendation  Action details Video Video
23-1660 110.2.Mayor's RequestRequesting approval to pay prior year invoices totaling $1,970 using available funds in the Department of Racial and Social Justice Professional and Technical Services Account for transcription services.Referred for recommendation  Action details Video Video
23-1508 110.3.Mayor's RequestRequesting approval to pay prior year invoices totaling $500 using available funds in the Department of Racial and Social Justice Professional and Technical Services Account for transcription services.Referred for recommendation  Action details Video Video
23-1692 110.4.Officer's CommunicationCity Solicitor requesting that this Council convene in Executive Session to discuss property at Matignon pursuant to Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 30A, Section 21(a)(6).ApprovedPass Action details Video Video
23-1695 110.5.LicenseRenewing Used Car Dealer License Class 2, United Motors, 188 Broadway.ApprovedPass Action details Video Video
23-1696 110.6.Public EventHealth and Human Services Department applying for a Public Event License for Transgender Day of Remembrance on November 20 from 4:30pm to 6:30pm.ApprovedPass Action details Video Video
23-1691 110.7.Public Communication58 residents submitting comments re: traffic calming on Ivaloo, Harrison, Kent, and Morgan Streets.Placed on file and sent for discussionPass Action details Video Video
23-1693 110.8.Public CommunicationLuke Miratrix submitting comments re: brick replacement in Davis Square.Placed on filePass Action details Video Video