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Meeting Name: Finance Committee Agenda status: Final
Meeting date/time: 1/16/2018 6:00 PM Minutes status: Final  
Meeting location: Committee Room – 2nd Floor – City Hall
City Hall
Published agenda: Agenda Agenda Published minutes: Minutes Minutes  
Meeting video:  
Attachments:
File #Ver.Agenda #TypeTitleActionResultAction DetailsVideo
201268 3201268Public CommunicationAbutters to the West Branch Library submitting comments regarding its renovation.Placed on file  Action details Not available
202224 3202224Officer's CommunicationAssistant City Solicitor responding to #201856 re: possible regulation of AirBnB rentals through a local tax.Placed on file  Action details Not available
202491 3202491Officer's CommunicationDirector of Capital Projects responding to #200065 and #202158 re: the city's Inflow and Infiltration policy.Placed on file  Action details Not available
202500 3202500ResolutionThat the Administration report to this Board on outreach efforts to seniors who are home owners, to help them take advantage of property tax exemptions and deferral opportunities.Work completed  Action details Not available
202553 3202553Mayor's CommunicationConveying the FY2017-FY2026 Capital Projects List and accompanying documents.Placed on file  Action details Not available
202618 3202618ResolutionThat the Administration update this Board on the proposed Community Advisory Committee for Capital Improvement Projects and explain how it will interact with this Board.Work completed  Action details Not available
202785 3202785OrderThat the Director of Traffic and Parking consider purchasing 70 temporary speed bumps to be deployed beginning in April, or as soon as possible, on residential streets that have requested traffic calming measures.Work completed  Action details Not available
202786 3202786OrderThat the Director of Traffic and Parking consider purchasing 21 flashing speed monitoring sign boards to deploy on streets where residents are concerned about speeding.Work completed  Action details Not available
202875 3202875OrderThat the Water and Sewer Superintendent report to this Board whether homeowners could install a separate water meter for outdoor water lines, which would not incur sewer fees.Work completed  Action details Not available
202902 3202902OrderThat the Chief Assessor inform this Board about whether a review is conducted each fiscal year to verify that residential exemptions are accurate, whether an audit is conducted before an exemption is granted, and whether there is data about the percentage of properties where residency cannot be verified.Work completed  Action details Not available
202927 3202927OrderThat the Director of SPCD report to this Board on the Administration’s intention to budget in FY18 for workforce development and job training programs.Work completed  Action details Not available
202971 3202971Public CommunicationGreen Cab requesting a waiver of Taxi Medallion fees.Kept in committee  Action details Not available
203250 3203250OrderThat the Chief Assessor and SPCD Counsel appear before this Board to explain the transaction between Federal Realty Investment Trust and Partners Health Care for Partners' building at Assembly Square, and advise whether there are any legal avenues for the City to collect property tax payments from Federal Realty for that parcel.Work completed  Action details Not available
203293 3203293Mayor's CommunicationPresenting Somerville's water and sewer infrastructure needs and the strategies to meet those needs.Placed on file  Action details Not available
203288 3203288OrderThat the Director of Finance provide this Board with the total amount of meals tax received in each of the last five fiscal years and, to the extent possible, those receipts broken out by business district.Work completed  Action details Not available
203394 3203394ResolutionThat the Administration explore reducing residential street cleaning from four days a month to two.Work completed  Action details Not available
203395 3203395ResolutionThat the Administration consider a veterans' exemption on fees related to the Community Preservation Act.Kept in committee  Action details Not available
203448 3203448OrderThat the City Assessor and Finance Director provide revenue comparisons for real estate and other taxes received, for a hotel vs. a commercial building of comparable size.Kept in committee  Action details Not available
203733 3203733OrderThat this Board deems it necessary to include in the FY18 budget an appropriation of $18,000 from the General Fund to the Dilboy Field Enterprise Fund to provide the use of Dilboy Field to Somerville non-profit youth football and soccer organizations without charge, and so requests that the Mayor make that appropriation.Work completed  Action details Not available
203740 3203740OrderThat the Grant Manager report to this Board by October 15, 2017 on progress in supporting SomerPromise.Kept in committee  Action details Not available
203741 3203741OrderThat the Director of Personnel implement bi-weekly payroll for all employees.Kept in committee  Action details Not available
203742 3203742OrderThat the Fleet Manager provide a 2017 mid-year report of all services provided by the Fleet Management Department, and the expenses to date in each of its line items.Kept in committee  Action details Not available
203587 3203587OrderThat the Director of Purchasing provide a written review for this Board on the implementation of the Living Wage Ordinance, including the current hourly rate and its use in city agreements.Kept in committee  Action details Not available
203923 3203923OrderThat the Chief Assessor inform this Board about state laws regarding housing trustees and residential tax exemptions.Work completed  Action details Not available
204185 3204185Mayor's CommunicationConveying the GLX Memorandum of Agreement and the Drainage Facilities Interconnection Agreement.Placed on file  Action details Not available
204491 3204491ResolutionThat the Administration consider increasing permit fees to cover the cost of a new position to oversee street reconstruction and utility work.Kept in committee  Action details Not available
204625 3204625OrderThat the Director of Finance provide this Board with quarterly reports for all stabilization funds.Work completed  Action details Not available
204626 3204626ResolutionThat representatives from US2 appear before the Finance Committee to explain what they're committing to build in Union Square, when it will be built, and what it will be worth.Work completed  Action details Not available
204857 3204857ResolutionThat the Administration inform the Ward 3 Aldermen who will bear the financial costs of mitigating the recent flooding and related damage at 125 Lowell Street.Work completed  Action details Not available
204864 3204864ResolutionThat the Administration consider a mid-year appropriation for additional traffic coordination or engineering staff to manage the many complex projects underway, communicate with residents and businesses, and carry out any possible immediate traffic calming using real-time data.Kept in committee  Action details Not available
204867 3204867OrderThat the Chief Assessor and the Director of Communications provide an update on how this year’s tax deferral program can be advertised to each eligible home owner, and how the application process can be streamlined.Kept in committee  Action details Not available
204881 3204881ResolutionThat the Mayor allocate $25,000 for the remainder of FY18 for this Board to hire its own legal counsel to provide independent legal analysis and advice on legal matters.Kept in committee  Action details Not available
204888 3204888OrderThat the Director of Parks and Recreation and the Director of Finance report to this Board how much money was spent per year on girls' programs and boys' programs during FY16, FY17 and FY18 to date.Kept in committee  Action details Not available
204895 4204895Mayor's RequestRequesting acceptance of a $75,000 donation from Tufts University pursuant to its Partnership Agreement with the City.Approved  Action details Not available
202290 4202290Officer's CommunicationCity Assessor conveying the Green Line Extension Assessment Study completed by RKG Associates.Placed on file  Action details Not available
204582 4204582CommunicationDirector of Parks & Recreation and City Solicitor responding to #204160, #203889, and #203733 re: nonprofit soccer and football organizations' use of Dilboy Field.Kept in committee  Action details Not available
203513 4203513ResolutionOpposing the Keystone XL Pipeline, and restricting engagement with the financial institutions supporting the pipeline.Work completed  Action details Not available
203571 4203571Mayor's RequestRequesting the acceptance of a gift of $10,000 from Wynn for the Memorial on the Mystic Fireworks celebration on May 29, 2017.Withdrawn  Action details Not available
203572 4203572Mayor's RequestRequesting the acceptance of a gift of $5,000 from Federal Realty Investment Trust for the Memorial on the Mystic Fireworks celebration on May 29, 2017.Withdrawn  Action details Not available
202962 4202962Officer's CommunicationTraffic and Parking Director responding to items approved 2/14/17.Placed on file  Action details Not available
202900 4202900Officer's CommunicationFinance Director submitting a mid-year report of the City's budget performance for FY17.Placed on file  Action details Not available
202157 4202157OrderThat the Water Superintendent provide this Board with a report of the number of commercial customers that are being charged the residential rate, prior to this Board's next meeting on October 13, 2016.Work completed  Action details Not available
202158 4202158OrderThat the Water Superintendent inform this Board about the State Law regarding 4 to 1 infiltration in-flow for water and sewer charges for large developments, and that the water and sewer fees for Assembly Row, Maxwell Green, and other large scale developments be provided as well.Work completed  Action details Not available
202164 4202164OrderThat the Director of Finance review with this Board a residential and commercial real estate tax bill, clearly identifying all additional fees that taxpayers are paying (e.g. CPA charge).Work completed  Action details Not available
202165 4202165OrderThat the Director of Finance discuss review with this Board a water/sewer bill for all rate payers (tiered), clearly identifying all additional fees that rate payers are paying (e.g. base monthly charge).Work completed  Action details Not available
201896 4201896OrderThat the Director of Personnel provide an updated report of any and all positions filled and/or vacated since the FY17 budget discussions.Work completed  Action details Not available
202080 4202080Officer's CommunicationActing Water Superintendent submitting a Water & Sewer Enterprise Funds Financial Analysis and a Water & Sewer Rate Study.Placed on file  Action details Not available
202135 4202135Officer's CommunicationActing Water Superintendent responding to #202008 re: emergency water and sewer repairs in FY14-FY16.Placed on file  Action details Not available
200982 4200982OrderThat the Superintendent of the Water and Sewer Enterprise Funds appear before the Finance Committee to discuss the policy of charging homeowners who request that their meter be checked when water bills are questioned.Work completed  Action details Not available
201664 4201664ResolutionThat the Administration provide a 3 year projection of bond requests, by project name, as of June 2016.Work completed  Action details Not available
201856 4201856OrderThat the City Solicitor advise this Board on regulating Air BnB rentals through a possible local tax.Work completed  Action details Not available
199297 5199297ResolutionThat the Administration implement a PILOT program to promote partnerships with major local non-profit institutions for fair-value voluntary PILOTs.Kept in committee  Action details Not available
199305 5199305OrderThat the Director of SPCD provide this Board with a comprehensive financial plan to develop Union Square, including expenditures to date and future costs, by early September.Work completed  Action details Not available
200064 5200064OrderThat the Director of SPCD consult with the new management team at North Point and report back to this Board on their plans.Work completed  Action details Not available
200065 5200065OrderThat the City Engineer provide this Board with the storm water policy and a discussion of the 4 to 1 plan.Work completed  Action details Not available
200066 5200066OrderThat the City Treasurer provide this Board with Water and Sewer Enterprise Fund balance sheets and a report of water and sewer rates in the 15 largest MA communities.Work completed  Action details Not available
200592 5200592OrderThat the Director of Personnel report to this Board June's employee vacancies and all hires since then.Work completed  Action details Not available
200593 5200593OrderThat this Board discuss the two reports received from the Fire and Police Departments of tax exempt facilities and services rendered over a two year span.Kept in committee  Action details Not available
200752 5200752ResolutionThat the Administration provide assistance, including financial where appropriate, to resident homeowners whose property is damaged from the roots of trees planted by the City.Work completed  Action details Not available
202026 5202026OrderThat the Water Superintendent report to this Board on the imposition or suspension of water and sewer base charges for customers.Work completed  Action details Not available
202156 5202156CommunicationActing Director of Personnel responding to #201896 re: status of City vacancies.Placed on file  Action details Not available
202282 5202282Mayor's RequestRequesting approval of an appropriation of $47,500 from the Capital Stabilization Fund to retain an economic planning/real estate consultant to assist in developing a District Improvement Financing application.Withdrawn  Action details Not available
202711 5202711Officer's CommunicationDirector of SomerStat submitting a memorandum analyzing an increase in the residential exemption.Kept in committee  Action details Not available
203105 5203105CommunicationChief Assessor responding to #202902 re: residential exemption verifications.Work completed  Action details Not available
204755 5204755Mayor's RequestRequesting the transfer of a City-owned parcel (82-D-1) in the North Prospect Block to the Redevelopment Authority.Kept in committee  Action details Not available
204328 5204328Mayor's RequestRequesting to brief this Board on the Union Square District Improvement Financing strategy.Work completed  Action details Not available
203810 5203810CommunicationDirector of Purchasing responding to #203587 re: the Living Wage Ordinance.Kept in committee  Action details Not available
204518 5204518Mayor's RequestRequesting a transfer of $32,500 from the Salary Contingency Account to the Health & Human Services Personal Services Salaries Account to fund an Environmental Health Liaison.Kept in committee  Action details Not available
204762 5204762Mayor's RequestRequesting the acceptance of a 27-foot Boston Whaler and corresponding trailer, given to the Police Department by the Boston Police Department, with no match required.Approved  Action details Not available
204758 5204758Mayor's RequestRequesting approval to pay prior year invoices totaling $7,747.68 using available funds in the Sewer Department.Approved  Action details Not available
204759 5204759Mayor's RequestRequesting acceptance of a $30,000 grant with no new match required, from the MA Department of Environmental Protection to the Office of Sustainability & Environment for school recycling equipment and implementation assistance.Approved  Action details Not available
204756 5204756Mayor's RequestRequesting an appropriation and authorization to borrow $1,500,000 in a bond for Sewer Rehabilitation and Replacement, as part of the Capital Improvement Program.Approved  Action details Not available
204894 5204894Mayor's RequestRequesting approval to pay prior year invoices totaling $1441.25 using available funds in the Capital Projects and Planning Professional and Technical Services Account for construction administration services at the former School Administration Building.Approved  Action details Not available
204896 6204896Mayor's RequestRequesting acceptance of a $45,625 grant with no new match required, from the MA Office of Housing and Economic Development to SPCD's Economic Development Division for an Advanced Manufacturing Training program.Approved  Action details Not available
204955 6204955Mayor's RequestRequesting acceptance of a $400,000 grant that requires a match, from the MA Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs PARC Grant Program to SPCD for renovations to Prospect Hill Park.Approved  Action details Not available
204757 6204757Mayor's RequestRequesting approval of a transfer of $9,500 in Planning and Zoning, from the Professional Services Account to the Personal Services Salaries Account, for a temporary hire due to a medical leave.Approved  Action details Not available
204760 6204760Mayor's RequestRequesting acceptance of an $8,700 grant with no new match required, from Somerville Cambridge Elder Services to the Council on Aging, for transportation.Approved  Action details Not available
204761 6204761Mayor's RequestRequesting acceptance of a $7,816 grant with no new match required, from Somerville Cambridge Elder Services to the Council on Aging, for health and wellness programs.Approved  Action details Not available
204280 6204280Mayor's RequestRequesting approval to create the 0 Elmwood Stabilization Fund Account and accept a payment to the Fund of $25,000 from 27 Eaton Street LLC for streetscape improvements.Approved  Action details Not available
203888 6203888Mayor's RequestRequesting approval to appropriate $360,000 from the Capital Stabilization Fund for the Assembly Square Master Plan.Kept in committee  Action details Not available
204497 6204497Mayor's RequestRequesting an appropriation and authorization to borrow $2,000,000 in a bond to repair and improve the Buena Vista Garage.Kept in committee  Action details Not available
204558 6204558Mayor's RequestRequesting approval to create the 290 Highland Ave Stabilization Fund, and accept a payment to the Fund of $10,000 from 290 Highland Ave LLC for Ward 5 Improvements.Approved  Action details Not available
204640 6204640Mayor's RequestRequesting the appropriation of $200,000 from the Capital Stabilization Fund to implement the Winter Hill Neighborhood Plan.Approved  Action details Not available
202884 6202884Mayor's RequestRequesting approval to appropriate $360,000 from the Capital Stabilization Fund for the Assembly Square Master Plan.Withdrawn  Action details Not available
202153 6202153Mayor's RequestRequesting an appropriation and authorization to borrow $94,000 in a bond for additional design services for the West Branch Library Renovation Project.Kept in committee  Action details Not available
202008 6202008OrderThat the Director of Finance and the Superintendent of Water and Sewer provide this Board with the total costs associated with emergency water and sewer repairs for FY14, FY15 and FY16 by this Board's September 13 regular meeting.Work completed  Action details Not available
201868 6201868OrderThat the Director of Water and Sewer appear before this Board at its September 13 regular meeting to discuss the new base water charge, the reasons for its adoption, and why the Board was not informed of it during the budget meetings.Work completed  Action details Not available
199247 6199247OrderThat the Director of SPCD provide this Board with written responses to certain requests for residential and commercial data since 2010.Work completed  Action details Not available
201539 6201539Officer's CommunicationPurchasing Director responding to #201490 re: current Verizon contracts.Placed on file  Action details Not available
201745 7201745Mayor's RequestRequesting the appropriation of $200,000 from the Capital Projects Stabilization Fund for the Citywide Mobility Plan.Withdrawn  Action details Not available