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Meeting Name: City Council Agenda status: Final
Meeting date/time: 9/11/2025 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
25-1434 11.1.Roll CallCall of the Roll.Placed on file  Roll call Video Video
25-1435 11.2.RemembrancesRemembrances.Approved  Action details Video Video
25-1436 11.3.MinutesApproval of the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of July 10, 2025.ApprovedPass Action details Video Video
25-1437 11.4.MinutesApproval of the Minutes of the Special Meeting of July 30, 2025.ApprovedPass Action details Video Video
25-1430 12.1.CitationCommending participants of the inaugural Municipal Civics Academy for their commitment to civic engagement and devotion to the city.ApprovedPass Action details Video Video
25-1388 13.1.Grant of LocationEversource applying for a Grant of Location to install a total of 10 feet of conduit in Aldersey Street, from Utility Pole 4/3 to a point of pickup at 17 Aldersey Street.ApprovedPass Action details Video Video
25-1389 13.2.Grant of LocationEversource applying for a Grant of Location to install a total of 40 feet of conduit in Hinckley Street, from Utility Pole 170/6 to a point of pickup at 35 Richardson Street.ApprovedPass Action details Video Video
25-1390 13.3.Grant of LocationEversource applying for a Grant of Location to install a total of 104 feet of conduit in Glenwood Road, from Manhole 7417 to a point of pickup at 72 Glenwood Road.ApprovedPass Action details Video Video
25-1421 14.1.OrderThat this Council discuss the Somerville Special Education Parents Advisory Council (SSEPAC) report sent to the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) in response to the upcoming DESE district review of Somerville Public Schools for the 2025-2026 school year.Placed on filePass Action details Video Video
25-1422 14.2.OrderThat the Commissioner of Public Works provide information regarding the installation, safety and accessibility of a railing on the concrete stairs between the play structures and the soccer field at the Winter Hill Community Innovation School playground.Approved and sent for discussionPass Action details Video Video
25-1423 14.3.OrderThat the City Clerk implement the hiring practices detailed within for positions in the City Council and City Clerk Departments.Referred for recommendation  Action details Video Video
25-1424 14.4.OrderThat the Director of Mobility and the Director of Engineering collaborate to install crosswalks across Walnut Street and Wigglesworth Street near Sunnyside Avenue to protect Winter Hill Community Innovation School students, families, and educators using the Otis Street footbridge.Approved and sent for discussionPass Action details Video Video
25-1426 14.5.OrderThat the City Clerk provide this Council with an update regarding promulgation from the state Cannabis Control Commission of regulations and licensure procedures related to the operation of cannabis consumption lounges.Approved and sent for discussionPass Action details Video Video
25-1427 14.6.OrderThat the Director of Public Space and Urban Forestry discuss with this Council, a policy for use of open space on municipal property around city buildings for community gardens.Approved and sent for discussionPass Action details Video Video
25-1425 14.7.ResolutionThat the Administration, including the Director of Mobility, discuss with this Council a process for establishing municipal standards for furnishings at bus stops and shelters.Approved and sent for discussionPass Action details Video Video
25-1428 14.8.ResolutionThat the Mayor update this Council on any plans to issue a requirement for federal law enforcement agents acting within the City of Somerville to provide identification upon request and preventing the use of identity-concealing masks within the city by federal agents.Approved and sent for discussionPass Action details Video Video
25-1431 16.A.1.Committee ReportReport of the Committee on Finance, meeting on September 9, 2025.ApprovedPass Action details Video Video
25-1271 16.A.2.Mayor's RequestRequesting approval to pay prior year invoices totaling $323.75 using available funds in the CityTV R&M - Audio/Visual Equipment Account for on-site engineering services and travel expenses.ApprovedPass Action details Not available
25-1274 16.A.3.Mayor's RequestRequesting approval to pay prior year invoices totaling $840 using available funds in the Communications Department Food Supplies & Refreshment Account for Slice of the City events pizza orders.ApprovedPass Action details Not available
25-1277 16.A.4.Mayor's RequestRequesting approval to pay prior year invoices totaling $91.62 using available funds in the Office of Immigrant Affairs Neighborhood Improvement Council Account for snacks for Community Get Together event.ApprovedPass Action details Not available
25-1279 16.A.5.Mayor's RequestRequesting approval to pay prior year invoices totaling $19,188.01 using available funds in the Information Technology Maintenance Software and Computer Equipment Accounts for monitoring software and Uninterruptible Power Supply hardware.ApprovedPass Action details Not available
25-1280 16.A.6.Mayor's RequestRequesting the appropriation of $2,630,071 from the Community Preservation Act Affordable Housing Reserve to the Affordable Housing Trust.ApprovedPass Action details Not available
25-1283 16.A.7.Mayor's RequestRequesting approval to pay prior year invoices totaling $1,497.50 using available funds in the Communications Department Food Supplies & Refreshment Account for Civic Day event food.ApprovedPass Action details Not available
25-1284 16.A.8.Mayor's RequestRequesting approval to pay prior year invoices totaling $925 using available funds in the Parks & Recreation Equipment Rental Account for equipment rentals during Family Fun Day event.ApprovedPass Action details Not available
25-1285 16.A.9.Mayor's RequestRequesting approval to accept and expend a $212,842.26 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.ApprovedPass Action details Not available
25-1286 16.A.10.Mayor's RequestRequesting approval to pay prior year invoices totaling $98.39 using available funds in the Parks & Recreation Athletic Supplies Account for tag belts for a teen flag football program.ApprovedPass Action details Not available
25-1289 16.A.11.Mayor's RequestRequesting approval to appropriate $56,601 from the Salary & Wage Stabilization Fund to the Non-Contributory Pension Account to fund an increased pension amount.ApprovedPass Action details Video Video
25-1298 16.A.12.Mayor's RequestRequesting approval to pay prior year invoices totaling $8,748.66 using available funds in the Police Department Maintenance Software, Professional & Technical Services, and In-State Travel accounts for various items.ApprovedPass Action details Not available
25-1299 16.A.13.Mayor's RequestRequesting approval of a transfer of $5,777 from the Police Overtime Account to the Police Grant Match Account for the FY 2025 Shannon Grant match requirement.ApprovedPass Action details Not available
25-1300 16.A.14.Mayor's RequestRequesting approval to accept and expend a $128,500 grant with no new match required, from the Boston Office of Emergency Management to the Police Department for target hardening at the Police Department headquarters.ApprovedPass Action details Not available
25-1301 16.A.15.Mayor's RequestRequesting approval to pay prior year invoices totaling $4,015 using available funds in the Human Resources Professional and Technical Services Account for medical screening services.ApprovedPass Action details Not available
25-1302 16.A.16.Mayor's RequestRequesting approval to pay prior year invoices totaling $100.08 using available funds in the Human Resources Professional and Technical Services Account for confidential shredding services.ApprovedPass Action details Not available
25-1303 16.A.17.Mayor's RequestRequesting the appropriation of $240,664.10 from the Receipts Reserved-Transportation Network Company Revenue Fund to the Transportation Network Company Special Revenue Fund for Vision Zero safety efforts.WithdrawnPass Action details Not available
25-1304 16.A.18.Mayor's RequestRequesting approval to accept and expend a $55,000 grant with no new match required, from the Department of Mental Health to the Police Department for Crisis Intervention Training and technical assistance for personnel and program expenses.WithdrawnPass Action details Not available
25-1305 16.A.19.Mayor's RequestRequesting approval to accept and expend a $10,000 grant with no new match required, from the Department of Mental Health to the Police Department for Jail Diversion Program personnel expenses.WithdrawnPass Action details Not available
25-1309 16.A.20.Mayor's RequestRequesting approval to pay prior year invoices totaling $25.69 using available funds in the Emergency Management Office Supplies Account for office supplies.ApprovedPass Action details Not available
25-1332 16.A.21.Mayor's RequestRequesting approval to pay prior year invoices totaling $71.88 using available funds in the Emergency Management Office Supplies Account for office supplies.ApprovedPass Action details Not available
25-1339 16.A.22.Mayor's RequestRequesting approval to accept and expend a $1,100,000 grant with no new match required, from the Massachusetts Gaming Commission to the Office of Strategic Planning and Community Development and Police Department for the development of the Union Square Plaza and Streetscape Phase 1.ApprovedPass Action details Video Video
25-1401 16.B.1.Committee ReportReport of the Committee on Land Use, meeting on September 4, 2025.ApprovedPass Action details Video Video
25-0975 16.B.2.Public CommunicationSublime Systems submitting comments re: items #24-1460, #25-0128, #25-0129, and #25-0131, amendments to the Zoning Ordinance for laboratory, research and development, and arts uses.Work completed  Action details Not available
25-0976 16.B.3.Public CommunicationBill Valetta submitting comments re: item #25-0085, an Order regarding zoning for bonuses for additional affordable housing and other enumerated community benefits.Work completed  Action details Not available
25-1420 16.C.1.Committee ReportReport of the Committee on Legislative Matters, meeting on September 8, 2025.ApprovedPass Action details Video Video
25-1317 16.C.2.Officer's CommunicationLicensing Commission requesting the acceptance of Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 138, Section 12D, to allow current wine and malt beverages license holders to apply to convert to a non-transferable all forms alcohol license.ApprovedPass Action details Video Video
25-1335 16.C.3.Public CommunicationFormer Mayor Eugene C. Brune, former Mayor Dorothy Kelly Gay, and former Alderman John "Jack" Connolly submitting comments re: Chapter 53, Section 18B of the Massachusetts General Laws.Work completed  Action details Not available
25-1373 16.C.4.OrderThat the City of Somerville hereby accepts the provisions of Chapter 53 Section 18B of the Massachusetts General Laws.Referred for recommendation  Action details Video Video
25-1407 17.1.Mayor's RequestRequesting approval of a Home Rule Petition to raise the sound business practices and written quote contract thresholds under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 30B for city contracts with certified disadvantaged businesses.Referred for recommendation  Action details Video Video
25-1382 17.2.Mayor's RequestRequesting approval of the discontinuance of a portion of Sewall Court.Referred for recommendation  Action details Video Video
25-1383 17.3.Mayor's RequestRequesting approval of the partial termination of the City Utility Easement on Sewall Court.Referred for recommendation  Action details Video Video
25-1411 17.4.Mayor's RequestRequesting authorization to borrow $4,300,000 in a bond, and to appropriate the same amount for the design of the Morrison Avenue Linear Storage Sewer Separation project.Referred for recommendation  Action details Video Video
25-1384 17.5.Mayor's RequestRequesting approval to extend and amend a contract with Eastern Bank for an additional year until 8/31/2026, for the banking services of the Treasury Department.Referred for recommendation  Action details Video Video
25-1412 17.6.Mayor's RequestRequesting approval of a transfer of $350,048 from the Department of Infrastructure and Asset Management (IAM) Ordinary Maintenance Professional & Technical Services Account to the IAM Capital Outlay Professional & Technical Services Account.Referred for recommendation  Action details Video Video
25-1385 17.7.Mayor's RequestRequesting approval to accept and expend a $301,000 grant with no new match required, from the Department of Mental Health to the Police Department for Crisis Intervention Training and technical assistance for personnel and program expenses.ApprovedPass Action details Video Video
25-1409 17.8.Mayor's RequestRequesting approval to accept and expend a $295,463 grant with no new match required, from the Massachusetts State 911 Department to the Police Department for enhanced 911 telecommunicator personnel costs.Referred for recommendation  Action details Video Video
25-1408 17.9.Mayor's RequestRequesting approval to accept and expend a $155,271.38 grant with no new match required, from the Massachusetts State 911 Department to the Police Department for training costs for 911 certification.Referred for recommendation  Action details Video Video
25-1295 17.10.Mayor's RequestRequesting approval to accept and expend a $50,000 grant with no new match required, from Commonwealth of MA Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs to the Office of Sustainability and Environment for a study investigating possible zoning incentives to increase the ability to comply with the Fossil Fuel Free Ordinance.Referred for recommendation  Action details Video Video
25-1386 17.11.Mayor's RequestRequesting approval to accept and expend a $50,000 grant with no new match required, from the Department of Mental Health to the Police Department for Jail Diversion Program personnel expenses.ApprovedPass Action details Video Video
25-1410 17.12.Mayor's RequestRequesting approval to accept and expend a $24,500 grant with no new match required, from the Massachusetts State 911 Department to the Police Department for emergency medical dispatch.Referred for recommendation  Action details Video Video
25-1418 17.13.Mayor's RequestRequesting approval to accept and expend a $10,000 grant with no new match required, from the Fenway Community Health Center to the Police Department for post-overdose support.Referred for recommendation  Action details Video Video
25-1413 17.14.Mayor's RequestRequesting approval to pay prior year invoices totaling $10,452.22 using available funds in the Department of Infrastructure & Asset Management Ordinary Maintenance Professional & Technical Account for Strategic Asset Management Plan.Referred for recommendation  Action details Video Video
25-1414 17.15.Mayor's RequestRequesting approval to pay prior year invoices totaling $596.25 using available funds in the Department of Public Works Repairs-Comm Equipment, Repairs-Fire Alarm, and Reimbursement of Licenses Accounts.Referred for recommendation  Action details Video Video
25-1387 17.16.Mayor's RequestRequesting approval to pay prior year invoices totaling $545.31 using available funds in the Police Department Equipment Maintenance Account for electronic access door service.Referred for recommendation  Action details Video Video
25-1294 17.17.Mayor's RequestRequesting approval to pay prior year invoices totaling $330 using available funds in the Office of Sustainability and Environment Professional and Technical Services Account for monitoring the Argenziano School solar array.Referred for recommendation  Action details Video Video
25-1416 17.18.Mayor's RequestRequesting approval to pay prior year invoices totaling $137.77 using available funds in the Emergency Management Office Supplies Account for office supplies.Referred for recommendation  Action details Video Video
25-1417 17.19.Mayor's RequestRequesting approval to pay prior year invoices totaling $71.88 using available funds in the Emergency Management Office Supplies Account for office supplies.Referred for recommendation  Action details Video Video
25-1415 17.20.Mayor's RequestRequesting approval to pay prior year invoices totaling $23.41 using available funds in the Emergency Management Public Safety Supplies Account for public safety supplies.Referred for recommendation  Action details Video Video
25-1374 17.21.Mayor's RequestRequesting approval of an exemption for Johnathan Tsirigotis as required by Massachusetts General Law Chapter 268A, Section 20(b).ApprovedPass Action details Video Video
25-1405 18.1.Officer's CommunicationCity Clerk conveying Block Party Licenses issued.Placed on filePass Action details Video Video
25-1391 19.1.LicenseNew Drainlayer's License, Mackay Construction Services Inc.ApprovedPass Action details Video Video
25-1392 19.2.Small Wireless FacilityCrown Castle Fiber LLC applying for a Small Wireless Facility License for facilities on an existing pole at 8 Central Street.ApprovedPass Action details Video Video
25-1371 19.3.Public EventNeighborways Design applying for a Public Event License for Assembly Mobility Hub Paint Day on June 18 from 4pm to 7:30pm.ApprovedPass Action details Video Video
25-1397 19.4.Public EventFederal Realty applying for a Public Event License for Riverfest on September 13 from 9am to 11pm (raindate September 14).ApprovedPass Action details Video Video
25-1395 19.5.Public EventDavis Square Village applying for a Public Event License for Davis Square Village Community Event on September 13 from 11am to 5pm (raindate September 14).ApprovedPass Action details Video Video
25-1393 19.6.Public EventBluBoiBooking applying for a Public Event License for Astrofest on September 20 from 12pm to 10pm.ApprovedPass Action details Video Video
25-1394 19.7.Public EventOffice of Immigrant Affairs applying for a Public Event License for ChocoMingle: Level Up on September 25 from 2:30pm to 6:30pm.ApprovedPass Action details Video Video
25-1396 19.8.Public EventArts Council applying for a Public Event License for Ignite Festival on September 27 from 2pm to 10pm (raindate September 28).ApprovedPass Action details Video Video
25-1398 19.9.Public EventMobility Division applying for a Public Event License for Western Pearl Street Reconstruction Updated Design Open House on October 1 from 3:30pm to 7:30pm.ApprovedPass Action details Video Video
25-1399 19.10.Public EventElizabeth Peabody House applying for a Public Event License for Winter Hill Community Event on October 18 from 8am to 6pm (raindate October 19).ApprovedPass Action details Video Video
25-1403 19.11.Public CommunicationMichael Vaglica submitting comments re: bike lanes.Placed on filePass Action details Video Video
25-1404 19.12.Public CommunicationGreta Pintacuda submitting comments re: bird feeding.Placed on filePass Action details Video Video
25-1406 19.13.Public CommunicationLindsay Macasay submitting comments re: Davis Square.Placed on filePass Action details Video Video
25-1438 110.1.ResolutionThat the Administration inform this Council of the process, action and communication used to consider acquiring the closed school building privately owned by the Archdiocese of Boston, on Thurston Street, after the Winter Hill Community Innovation School was deemed unsuitable for use.Referred for recommendation  Action details Video Video
25-1439 110.2.OrderThat the City Clerk work with this Council to amend the Code of Ordinances to better regulate the sale of second-hand goods.Referred for recommendation  Action details Video Video
25-1445 110.3.OrderThat the City Solicitor update this Council on the new Immigration and Customs Enforcement cooperation requirements attached to forthcoming Urban Area Security Initiative grants.Referred for recommendation  Action details Video Video
25-1446 110.4.OrderThat the Chief of Police or the Metro Boston Homeland Security Region representative update this Council on the strategy for applying for Urban Area Security Initiative or any other federal grants that require Immigration and Customs Enforcement cooperation.Referred for recommendation  Action details Video Video
25-1400 110.5.Mayor's RequestRequesting the adoption of an Order of Taking for the acquisition of Lot 3 at 299 Broadway for municipal purposes including parking.Referred for recommendation  Action details Video Video
25-1433 110.6.Mayor's RequestRequesting approval of temporary and permanent easements over Lot 3 of 299 Broadway in favor of 299 Broadway Property Owner, LLC.Referred for recommendation  Action details Video Video
25-1444 110.7.LicenseNew Livery License, Med Transportation, 34 Grant Street, operating 2 vehicles.ApprovedPass Action details Video Video