Details 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 Published minutes: Minutes   Meeting video: Video   Attachments: Meeting Items (90) 90 records Group Clear sorting Clear grouping Group by Type Group by Result Export Export to Excel Export to PDF Export to Word Show: Legislation only Legislation only All agenda items File # Ver. Agenda # Type Title Action Result Action Details Video 201268 3 201268 Public Communication Abutters to the West Branch Library submitting comments regarding its renovation. Placed on file   Action details Not available 202224 3 202224 Officer's Communication Assistant City Solicitor responding to #201856 re: possible regulation of AirBnB rentals through a local tax. Placed on file   Action details Not available 202491 3 202491 Officer's Communication Director of Capital Projects responding to #200065 and #202158 re: the city's Inflow and Infiltration policy. Placed on file   Action details Not available 202500 3 202500 Resolution That 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 3 202553 Mayor's Communication Conveying the FY2017-FY2026 Capital Projects List and accompanying documents. Placed on file   Action details Not available 202618 3 202618 Resolution That 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 3 202785 Order That 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 3 202786 Order That 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 3 202875 Order That 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 3 202902 Order That 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 3 202927 Order That 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 3 202971 Public Communication Green Cab requesting a waiver of Taxi Medallion fees. Kept in committee   Action details Not available 203250 3 203250 Order That 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 3 203293 Mayor's Communication Presenting Somerville's water and sewer infrastructure needs and the strategies to meet those needs. Placed on file   Action details Not available 203394 3 203394 Resolution That the Administration explore reducing residential street cleaning from four days a month to two. Work completed   Action details Not available 203395 3 203395 Resolution That the Administration consider a veterans' exemption on fees related to the Community Preservation Act. Kept in committee   Action details Not available 203448 3 203448 Order That 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 3 203733 Order That 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 3 203740 Order That the Grant Manager report to this Board by October 15, 2017 on progress in supporting SomerPromise. Kept in committee   Action details Not available 203741 3 203741 Order That the Director of Personnel implement bi-weekly payroll for all employees. Kept in committee   Action details Not available 203742 3 203742 Order That 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 3 203587 Order That 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 3 203923 Order That the Chief Assessor inform this Board about state laws regarding housing trustees and residential tax exemptions. Work completed   Action details Not available 204185 3 204185 Mayor's Communication Conveying the GLX Memorandum of Agreement and the Drainage Facilities Interconnection Agreement. Placed on file   Action details Not available 204491 3 204491 Resolution That 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 3 204625 Order That the Director of Finance provide this Board with quarterly reports for all stabilization funds. Work completed   Action details Not available 204626 3 204626 Resolution That 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 203288 3 203288 Order That 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 204864 3 204864 Resolution That 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 3 204867 Order That 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 3 204881 Resolution That 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 3 204888 Order That 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 204857 3 204857 Resolution That 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 204895 4 204895 Mayor's Request Requesting acceptance of a $75,000 donation from Tufts University pursuant to its Partnership Agreement with the City. Approved   Action details Not available 202290 4 202290 Officer's Communication City Assessor conveying the Green Line Extension Assessment Study completed by RKG Associates. Placed on file   Action details Not available 204582 4 204582 Communication Director 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 4 203513 Resolution Opposing the Keystone XL Pipeline, and restricting engagement with the financial institutions supporting the pipeline. Work completed   Action details Not available 203571 4 203571 Mayor's Request Requesting 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 4 203572 Mayor's Request Requesting 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 4 202962 Officer's Communication Traffic and Parking Director responding to items approved 2/14/17. Placed on file   Action details Not available 202900 4 202900 Officer's Communication Finance Director submitting a mid-year report of the City's budget performance for FY17. Placed on file   Action details Not available 202157 4 202157 Order That 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 4 202158 Order That 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 4 202164 Order That 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 4 202165 Order That 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 4 201896 Order That 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 4 202080 Officer's Communication Acting Water Superintendent submitting a Water & Sewer Enterprise Funds Financial Analysis and a Water & Sewer Rate Study. Placed on file   Action details Not available 202135 4 202135 Officer's Communication Acting Water Superintendent responding to #202008 re: emergency water and sewer repairs in FY14-FY16. Placed on file   Action details Not available 200982 4 200982 Order That 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 4 201664 Resolution That the Administration provide a 3 year projection of bond requests, by project name, as of June 2016. Work completed   Action details Not available 201856 4 201856 Order That the City Solicitor advise this Board on regulating Air BnB rentals through a possible local tax. Work completed   Action details Not available 199297 5 199297 Resolution That 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 5 199305 Order That 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 5 200064 Order That 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 5 200065 Order That 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 5 200066 Order That 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 5 200592 Order That the Director of Personnel report to this Board June's employee vacancies and all hires since then. Work completed   Action details Not available 200593 5 200593 Order That 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 5 200752 Resolution That 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 5 202026 Order That 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 5 202156 Communication Acting Director of Personnel responding to #201896 re: status of City vacancies. Placed on file   Action details Not available 202282 5 202282 Mayor's Request Requesting 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 5 202711 Officer's Communication Director of SomerStat submitting a memorandum analyzing an increase in the residential exemption. Kept in committee   Action details Not available 203105 5 203105 Communication Chief Assessor responding to #202902 re: residential exemption verifications. Work completed   Action details Not available 204755 5 204755 Mayor's Request Requesting 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 5 204328 Mayor's Request Requesting to brief this Board on the Union Square District Improvement Financing strategy. Work completed   Action details Not available 203810 5 203810 Communication Director of Purchasing responding to #203587 re: the Living Wage Ordinance. Kept in committee   Action details Not available 204762 5 204762 Mayor's Request Requesting 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 204518 5 204518 Mayor's Request Requesting 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 204758 5 204758 Mayor's Request Requesting approval to pay prior year invoices totaling $7,747.68 using available funds in the Sewer Department. Approved   Action details Not available 204759 5 204759 Mayor's Request Requesting 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 5 204756 Mayor's Request Requesting 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 5 204894 Mayor's Request Requesting 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 6 204896 Mayor's Request Requesting 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 204761 6 204761 Mayor's Request Requesting 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 204955 6 204955 Mayor's Request Requesting 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 6 204757 Mayor's Request Requesting 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 6 204760 Mayor's Request Requesting 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 204280 6 204280 Mayor's Request Requesting 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 6 203888 Mayor's Request Requesting approval to appropriate $360,000 from the Capital Stabilization Fund for the Assembly Square Master Plan. Kept in committee   Action details Not available 204497 6 204497 Mayor's Request Requesting 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 6 204558 Mayor's Request Requesting 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 6 204640 Mayor's Request Requesting the appropriation of $200,000 from the Capital Stabilization Fund to implement the Winter Hill Neighborhood Plan. Approved   Action details Not available 202884 6 202884 Mayor's Request Requesting approval to appropriate $360,000 from the Capital Stabilization Fund for the Assembly Square Master Plan. Withdrawn   Action details Not available 202153 6 202153 Mayor's Request Requesting 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 6 202008 Order That 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 6 201868 Order That 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 6 199247 Order That 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 6 201539 Officer's Communication Purchasing Director responding to #201490 re: current Verizon contracts. Placed on file   Action details Not available 201745 7 201745 Mayor's Request Requesting the appropriation of $200,000 from the Capital Projects Stabilization Fund for the Citywide Mobility Plan. Withdrawn   Action details Not available