City of Somerville header
Meeting Name: City Council Agenda status: Final
Meeting date/time: 11/26/2024 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
24-1675 11.1.Roll CallCall of the Roll.Placed on file  Action details Video Video
24-1676 11.2.RemembrancesRemembrances.ApprovedPass Action details Video Video
24-1677 11.3.MinutesApproval of the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of October 24, 2024.ApprovedPass Action details Video Video
24-1662 13.1.Grant of LocationRCN applying for a Grant of Location to install approximately 20 feet of conduit in Foley Street, from existing Manhole 001 to a point of pickup at 45 Middlesex Avenue.ApprovedPass Action details Video Video
24-1668 13.2.Officer's CommunicationChief Assessor presenting proposed FY 2025 Tax Classifications and requesting the adoption of a minimum residential factor for FY 2025 and acceptance of Massachusetts General Law Chapter 59 Section 5C, a residential exemption of 35% of average assessed value for owner-occupied properties.ApprovedPass Action details Video Video
24-1671 14.1.CommunicationConveying a report of the Municipal Job Creation and Retention Trust Fund.Placed on file  Action details Video Video
24-1672 14.2.CommunicationConveying a report of the Affordable Housing Trust Fund.Placed on filePass Action details Video Video
24-1673 14.3.OrderThat the Director of Parking discuss with this Council how to ensure that permit-only parking is available to non-resident parents with shared custody of children enrolled in Somerville Public Schools.Approved and sent for discussionPass Action details Video Video
24-1674 14.4.OrderThat the Director of Parking install signage indicating the grace period, during daycare pickup and drop-off hours, during which parking tickets will not be issued in front of 99A Dover Street.Approved as amended and sent for discussionPass Action details Video Video
24-1647 16.A.1.Committee ReportReport of the Committee on Housing and Community Development, meeting on November 21, 2024.ApprovedPass Action details Video Video
24-1009 16.A.2.ResolutionThat the Administration work with the vendor to review the certification and re-certification processes for affordable housing units and identify ways to streamline the process and make it less onerous for residents.Work completed  Action details Not available
24-1646 16.B.1.Committee ReportReport of the Committee on Land Use, meeting on November 21, 2024.ApprovedPass Action details Video Video
23-0940 16.B.2.Public CommunicationNRL WSC 200 Inner Belt Prop, LLC requesting a Zoning Map Amendment to change the zoning district of 200 Inner Belt Road from Commercial Industry (CI) to High-Rise (HR).Placed on filePass Action details Not available
23-1617 16.B.3.Public CommunicationCharles Zammuto requesting the adoption of an amendment to the Zoning Ordinance Map to change the zoning district of 563-565 Broadway from Urban Residence (UR) to Mid-Rise 4 (MR4).Placed on filePass Action details Not available
24-0416 16.B.4.Mayor's RequestRequesting ordainment of an amendment to Article 2, Article 3, Article 4, Article 5, Article 8, and Article 10 of the Zoning Ordinances to remove conflicts with the State Building Code.Placed on filePass Action details Not available
24-0551 16.B.5.Mayor's RequestRequesting ordainment of an amendment to the Somerville Zoning Ordinance to add Section 8.5 Interim Planning Overlay District (IPOD) and the Brickbottom sub-area.Placed on filePass Action details Not available
24-0679 16.B.6.Public Communication14 registered voters requesting a Zoning Text Amendment to amend the Zoning Ordinances to add section 8.4.19, Somernova Innovation Sub-Area.Placed on filePass Action details Not available
24-0680 16.B.7.Public Communication15 registered voters requesting a Zoning Map Amendment to include 8 Park Street, 10 Park Street, 504 Somerville Avenue, 7-9 Properzi Way, 15-27 Properzi Way, 29 Properzi Way, 26-32 Park Street, 8-14 Tyler Street, 40 Park Street, 15 Dane Street, 7-9 Tyler Street, 30 Dane Street, 24-28 Dane Street, 460 Somerville Avenue, 444 Somerville Avenue, 440 Somerville Avenue, and 502 Somerville Avenue in the Somernova Innovation Sub-Area.Placed on filePass Action details Not available
24-1080 16.B.8.Public CommunicationWalter Tauro requesting a Zoning Map Amendment to change the zoning district of 282 McGrath Highway from Neighborhood Residence (NR) to Small Business (SB) Overlay District.Ordinance ordainedPass Action details Video Video
24-1196 16.B.9.Mayor's RequestRequesting ordainment of an amendment to Sections 2.2.1, 3.1.16, 3.2.15, 4.1.13, 4.2.13, 4.3.13, 4.4.14, 5.1.15, 6.1.11, 6.2.13, 6.3.11, 6.4.14, 9.2.6.h, 9.2.14.b.v, and Table 9.1.1 of the Zoning Ordinance to streamline the regulation of daycare services and permit additional daycare operation in the Residential, Mid-Rise, and Commercial zoning districts.Ordinance ordainedPass Action details Video Video
24-1259 16.B.10.Mayor's RequestRequesting ordainment of an amendment to Articles 2-7, Articles 9-11, Article 13, and Article 15 of the Zoning Ordinance to make corrections, clarifications, and regulatory framework improvements.Ordinance ordainedPass Action details Video Video
24-1645 16.C.1.Committee ReportReport of the Committee on Legislative Matters, meeting on November 19, 2024.ApprovedPass Action details Video Video
24-1644 16.D.1.Committee ReportReport of the Special Committee on School Building Facilities and Maintenance, meeting on November 18, 2024.ApprovedPass Action details Video Video
24-1591 16.D.2.OrderThat the Director of Infrastructure and Asset Management provide an update on the redesign plan for the Kennedy School front playground.Work completed  Action details Not available
24-1593 16.D.3.OrderThat the Director of Infrastructure and Asset Management provide an update on the condition of the Somerville High School building exterior tiles.Work completed  Action details Not available
24-1596 16.D.4.OrderThat the Commissioner of Public Works provide information on the procurement and installation of window blinds for certain classrooms at Somerville High School that have unobstructed views from the hallways and need blinds in order to conduct lockdown procedures.Work completed  Action details Not available
24-1650 17.1.Mayor's RequestRequesting the appropriation of $122,000 from the FY 2025 Property Tax Levy to the Emergency Stabilization Fund for the operational cost of the 2025 Warming Center.ApprovedPass Action details Video Video
24-1651 17.2.Mayor's RequestRequesting approval to appropriate $388,000 from the Emergency Stabilization Fund for the 2025 Warming Center.ApprovedFail Action details Video Video
24-1656 17.3.Mayor's RequestRequesting approval to appropriate $350,000 from the Municipal Composting Program stabilization fund to implement a municipal composting pilot program.ApprovedPass Action details Video Video
24-1649 17.4.Mayor's RequestRequesting approval to appropriate $340,000 from the Union Square Community Benefits Fund, with $200,000 for Workforce Development Services and $140,000 for Small Business Technical Assistance Services.Referred for recommendation  Action details Video Video
24-1574 17.5.Mayor's RequestRequesting approval to appropriate $147,902 from the Energy Stabilization Fund to replace steam traps.Referred for recommendation  Action details Video Video
24-1635 17.6.Mayor's RequestRequesting approval to accept and expend a $82,357.50 grant with no new match required from Massachusetts Executive Office of Elder Affairs to the Council on Aging for social, educational and physical wellness programming.Referred for recommendation  Action details Video Video
24-1654 17.7.Mayor's RequestRequesting approval to pay prior year invoices totaling $29,074.72 using available funds in various Police Department Ordinary Maintenance Accounts for unpaid invoices.Referred for recommendation  Action details Video Video
24-1648 17.8.Mayor's RequestRequesting approval for the 2025 Preliminary Municipal Election to be held on Tuesday, September 16, 2025.ApprovedPass Action details Video Video
24-1620 17.9.Mayor's RequestRequesting confirmation of the appointment of Amanda Nagim-Williams as Director of Racial and Social Justice.Referred for recommendation  Action details Video Video
24-1657 17.10.Mayor's RequestRequesting confirmation of the promotion of Sean M. Sheehan to the position of Police Captain.Referred for recommendation  Action details Video Video
24-1658 17.11.Mayor's RequestRequesting confirmation of the promotion of Paul Anderson to the position of Police Lieutenant.Referred for recommendation  Action details Video Video
24-1661 17.12.Mayor's RequestRequesting confirmation of the promotion of Juan Ducasse Ayala to the position of Police Sergeant.Referred for recommendation  Action details Video Video
24-1669 17.13.Mayor's RequestRequesting confirmation of the appointment of Carlos Ayala to the Community Preservation Committee.ApprovedPass Action details Video Video
24-1670 17.14.Mayor's RequestRequesting confirmation of the appointment of Mary Jo Bohart to the Community Preservation Committee.ApprovedPass Action details Video Video
24-1652 17.15.Mayor's RequestRequesting approval of an exemption for Charles Graham as required by Massachusetts General Law Chapter 268A, Section 20(b).ApprovedPass Action details Video Video
24-1580 17.16.Mayor's CommunicationConveying the draft Armory Master Plan.Placed on file and sent for discussionPass Action details Video Video
24-1532 18.1.Officer's CommunicationMemorialization Committee conveying the naming of a new park at 217 Somerville Ave in honor of Ken Kelly.Placed on filePass Action details Video Video
24-1533 18.2.Officer's CommunicationMemorialization Committee conveying the naming of a new public street as part of the Clarendon Hill redevelopment in honor of Mary-Louise Daly.Placed on filePass Action details Video Video
24-1621 18.3.Officer's CommunicationPlanning Board conveying recommendations for items #24-1080, #24-1196, and #24-1259.Placed on filePass Action details Video Video
24-1666 19.1.LicenseRenewing Used Car Dealer Class 2 License, Green Automotive Inc., 600 Windsor Place.ApprovedPass Action details Video Video
24-1663 19.2.Public EventInterdisciplinary Design Group and Victor Tessler applying for a Public Event License for Libertadores Final Match Celebrations on November 30 from 1pm to 7pm.ApprovedPass Action details Video Video
24-1664 19.3.WithdrawnWithdrawn.Withdrawn  Action details Not available
24-1665 19.4.Public EventJanine Fay applying for a Public Event License for Dancing in the Dark on December 21 from 3pm to 8pm.ApprovedPass Action details Video Video
24-1667 19.5.Public CommunicationAshley Stearns submitting comments re: Arts at the Armory.Placed on filePass Action details Video Video
24-1690 110.1.CitationCommending Reebee Garofalo on the auspicious occasion of his 80th birthday.Laid on the table  Action details Video Video
24-1682 110.2.ResolutionReaffirming Somerville’s commitment as a Welcoming Community for justice, equity, and inclusion.Approved and sent for discussionPass Action details Video Video
24-1683 110.3.OrderThat the City Solicitor draft a Home Rule Petition to prohibit the forced imposition of brokers’ fees onto renters.ApprovedPass Action details Video Video
24-1684 110.4.OrderThat the Director of Grants and External Funds explain to this Council in writing whether the city can apply for a grant through the Advanced Transportation Technologies and Innovation (ATTAIN) Program to fund a North-South microtransit pilot program, and apply if it is possible.Approved and sent for discussionPass Action details Video Video
24-1686 110.5.OrderThat the City Solicitor confirm whether an LGBTQ Legal Services Stabilization Fund can be created to pay fees associated with gendered document changes and potential court sealing of records associated with such documents.Approved as amended and sent for discussionPass Action details Video Video
24-1685 110.6.ResolutionThat the Administration update this Council on the feasibility of pedestrianizing Elm Street for select hours, including identified obstacles and a potential timeline for implementation.Approved and sent for discussionPass Action details Video Video
24-1687 110.7.ResolutionIn support of Cambridge Health Alliance (CHA) SHARE workers.ApprovedPass Action details Video Video
24-1688 110.8.Officer's CommunicationCity Clerk conveying the non-binding votes of the 2025 City Council Caucus.Placed on filePass Action details Video Video
24-1691 110.9.Officer's CommunicationDirector of Economic Development and Director of the Arts Council requesting that this Council's Finance Committee hold a public hearing on the draft Armory Master Plan.Approved and sent for discussionPass Action details Video Video
24-1693 110.10.Public EventMayor's Office applying for a Public Event License for Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony on December 5 from 4pm to 8pm (raindate December 10).ApprovedPass Action details Video Video
24-1692 110.11.Public CommunicationMichele Hansen and Matthias Rudolf submitting comments re: Central Somerville Ave.Placed on filePass Action details Video Video
24-1073 110.12.WithdrawnWithdrawn.WithdrawnPass Action details Not available
24-1606 111.1.Mayor's RequestRequesting the appropriation of $2,400,000 from the Receipts Reserved for Appropriation, Parking Meter Receipts Account to reduce the FY 2025 Tax Rate.ApprovedPass Action details Not available