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Meeting Name: City Council Agenda status: Final
Meeting date/time: 10/22/2020 7:00 PM Minutes status: Final  
Meeting location: Meeting by Remote Participation
Online Meeting - See Below
Published agenda: Agenda Agenda Published minutes: Minutes Minutes  
Meeting video:  
Attachments:
File #Ver.Agenda #TypeTitleActionResultAction DetailsVideo
210766 1210766LicenseRenewing Used Car Dealers License Class 2, DM Auto Body, 48 Joy St.Approved  Action details Not available
210746 1210746CommunicationReporting on the High School Building Committee meeting of October 19, 2020.Placed on file  Action details Not available
210749 1210749Committee ReportReport of the Committee on Land Use, meeting on October 13, 2020.Approved  Action details Not available
210750 1210750Committee ReportReport of the Committee on Traffic and Parking, meeting on October 14, 2020.Approved  Action details Not available
210747 1210747Committee ReportReport of the Committee on Finance, meeting on October 20, 2020.Approved  Action details Not available
210732 1210732Roll CallCall of the Roll.Placed on file  Action details Not available
210733 1210733RemembrancesRemembrances.Approved  Action details Not available
210734 1210734MinutesApproval of the Minutes of the Regular Meeting, September 24, 2020.Approved  Action details Not available
210763 1210763Small Wireless FacilitySmall Wireless Facility License, Extenet Systems attaching small cell equipment on a replacement pole near 278 Broadway.Approved  Action details Not available
210776 1210776LicenseRenewing Used Car Dealers License Class 3, Nissenbaum Auto Parts, 480 Columbia St.Approved  Action details Not available
210777 1210777LicenseRenewing Used Car Dealers License Class 3, Nissenbaum Auto Parts, 0 Windsor St.Approved  Action details Not available
210767 1210767LicenseRenewing Used Car Dealers License Class 2, Teele Sq Auto, 1284 Broadway.Approved  Action details Not available
210768 1210768LicenseRenewing Used Car Dealers License Class 2, Union Gulf Service, 231 Washington St.Approved  Action details Not available
210769 1210769LicenseRenewing Used Car Dealers License Class 2, United Motors, 188 Broadway.Approved  Action details Not available
210770 1210770LicenseRenewing Used Car Dealers License Class 2, Pat's Enterprises, 308 McGrath Hwy.Approved  Action details Not available
210771 1210771LicenseRenewing Used Car Dealers License Class 2, Pat's Enterprises, 182 Washington St.Approved  Action details Not available
210772 1210772LicenseRenewing Used Car Dealers License Class 2, Pat's Towing, 160 McGrath Hwy.Approved  Action details Not available
210773 1210773LicenseRenewing Used Car Dealers License Class 2, Aris Auto, 3 Craigie St.Approved  Action details Not available
210760 1210760LicenseRenewing Flammables License, Trum Field Sunoco, 541 Broadway.Approved  Action details Not available
210759 1210759LicenseRenewing Flammables License, Nissenbaum Auto Parts, 480 Columbia St.Approved  Action details Not available
210764 1210764LicenseRenewing Outdoor Seating License, Thai Massage, 55 Union Sq.Approved  Action details Not available
210765 1210765LicenseRenewing Outdoor Seating License, When Pigs Fly, 241 Elm St.Approved  Action details Not available
210778 1210778LicenseRenewing Used Car Dealers License Class 3, Ed's Used Auto Parts, 516 Columbia St.Approved  Action details Not available
210758 1210758LicenseRenewing Drainlayer's License, Tascon Corp.Approved  Action details Not available
210774 1210774LicenseRenewing Used Car Dealers License Class 2, Somerville Motors, 182 Washington St.Approved  Action details Not available
210755 1210755Officer's CommunicationCity Clerk requesting approval of his Public Official's Bond.Approved  Action details Not available
210775 1210775LicenseRenewing Used Car Dealer's Class 2 License, Barnes and Walsh, 224 Somerville Ave.Approved  Action details Not available
210761 1210761LicenseRenewing Garage License, Barnes and Walsh, 224 Somerville Ave.Approved  Action details Not available
210779 1210779Public Communication2 residents submitting comments re: #210645, Conway Park remediation and renovation.Placed on file  Action details Not available
210762 1210762LicenseRenewing Taxi Medallion License, Somerville Transportation, Med #69,71.Approved  Action details Not available
210800 1210800CommunicationThe Somerville Community Corp nominating Bill Dovhan to the Wage Theft Advisory Committee.Referred for recommendation  Action details Not available
210801 1210801CommunicationThe Carpenters Union nominating Juan Novoa to the Wage Theft Advisory Committee.Referred for recommendation  Action details Not available
210802 1210802CommunicationMassCOSH nominating Mirna Morales to the Wage Theft Advisory Committee.Referred for recommendation  Action details Not available
210803 1210803CommunicationThe Building and Construction Trades Council nominating Jorge Rivera to the Wage Theft Advisory Committee.Referred for recommendation  Action details Not available
210804 1210804CommunicationThe Brazilian Worker Center nominating José Venancio to the Wage Theft Advisory Committee.Referred for recommendation  Action details Not available
210780 1210780CommunicationReporting on the Children's Cabinet.Placed on file  Action details Not available
210739 2210739OrderThat the Director of Engineering and the Director of Infrastructure and Asset Management urge Eversource to fix gas leaks at 721 Somerville Avenue and nearby, as identified by HEET, and appear with Eversource staff at the next meeting of the Council’s Committee on Public Utilities and Public Works to discuss this matter.Approved  Action details Not available
210738 2210738OrderThat the Director of SPCD report to this Council, no later than December 22, 2020, the Administration’s response to the traffic calming petition submitted by 10 residents of Rogers Avenue between Kidder Avenue and Boston Avenue/Broadway.Approved  Action details Not available
210740 2210740ResolutionSupporting passage of the ROE Act (S.1209/H.3320) and committing to the protection of abortion rights, access to reproductive health care, and an individual’s right to make reproductive decisions about one’s own body.Approved  Action details Not available
210741 2210741ResolutionThat the Administration appear before this Council to give a report on the Public School building reopening plans.Approved as amended  Action details Not available
210742 2210742OrderThat the City Solicitor draft an ordinance similar to Boston's PILOT ordinance, formalizing payments in lieu of taxes to create a fair and transparent system of taxation for large tax-exempt non-profit organizations.Approved  Action details Not available
210743 2210743ResolutionProposing a process to create the Somerville Community Safety Coalition.Approved  Action details Not available
210744 2210744OrderThat the Director of Parking address this Council regarding enforcement policies on Resident Permit Parking and other regulations during the Covid-19 pandemic.Approved  Action details Not available
210745 2210745OrderThat the Commissioner of Public Works address the fragility of the trash collection bins in relation to the rat population and inform this Council as to the duration and nature of the contract providing said bins to the City.Approved  Action details Not available
210748 2210748OrderThat the Commissioner of Public Works provide this Council with a report of total known expenses for FY19, FY20 and FY21 to date.Approved  Action details Not available
210781 2210781OrderThat the Director of Health and Human Services appear before this Council’s Committee on Housing and Community Development to discuss the Teen Snow Shoveling Program for the 2020-2021 winter season.Approved  Action details Not available
210782 2210782OrderThat the Director of SPCD present zoning recommendations addressing the size of ground floor commercial spaces produced by development, to ensure that street level development in certain areas maintains multiple smaller-sized commercial spaces to enhance the pedestrian experience.Approved  Action details Not available
210783 2210783OrderThat the Director of SPCD present zoning recommendations to establish density bonuses in certain areas, including increased building height, in exchange for additional community benefits.Approved  Action details Not available
210784 2210784OrderThat the Director of SPCD work with the Ward Six Councilor to prioritize pedestrian uses of public space in Davis Square, including on-street dining and/or retail as a permanent feature in 2021 and beyond.Approved  Action details Not available
210798 2210798Mayor's CommunicationResponding to #210586, a Resolution that the Mayor update this Council on the DPW Fleet Division.Placed on file  Action details Not available
210788 2210788Mayor's RequestRequesting approval of the Surveillance Technology Impact Report for Homeland Security Cameras.Referred for recommendation  Action details Not available
210789 2210789Mayor's RequestRequesting approval of the Surveillance Technology Impact Report for GLX Cameras.Referred for recommendation  Action details Not available
210790 2210790Mayor's RequestRequesting approval of the Surveillance Technology Impact Report for 911.Referred for recommendation  Action details Not available
210791 2210791Mayor's RequestRequesting approval of the Surveillance Technology Impact Report for ShotSpotter.Referred for recommendation  Action details Not available
210807 2210807OrderThat the Director of the Arts Council and the Director of SPCD appear before this Council’s Committee on Housing and Community Development to discuss adapting how the city celebrates the 2020 holiday season, with the emphasis on neighborhood connections and local businesses.Approved  Action details Not available
210805 2210805Mayor's RequestThat this Council meet in Executive Session to discuss the reputation, discipline, or dismissal of, or complaints or charges brought against, Ron Bonney, who was last known as the Director of Fleet.Approved  Action details Not available
210806 2210806OrderThat this Council invoke its right to engage outside counsel to compel the Administration to update this Council in Executive Session on alleged suspicious activity in the DPW Fleet Yard in March, 2020.Approved  Action details Not available
210757 2210757Officer's CommunicationLicensing Commission conveying its policy for outdoor seating for restaurants in the coming year.Placed on file  Action details Not available
210735 2210735ResolutionSupporting the Guaranteed Housing Stability Act (H.5018/S.2918), to prevent a wave of evictions in Massachusetts in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic.Approved  Action details Not available
210736 2210736OrderThat the City Solicitor draft an Ordinance banning the use of tear gas by the Police Department and other law enforcement agencies operating in Somerville.Approved  Action details Not available
210737 2210737ResolutionThat the Administration submit to this Council the Surveillance Technology Impact Reports that are required by the Surveillance Oversight Ordinance, which went into effect on Oct 15, 2020, and which gives this Council 60 days to review and vote on proposed surveillance technologies.Approved  Action details Not available
210692 2210692CommunicationReporting on the demographic breakdown of employees in the E-911 dispatch, Fire Alarm dispatch, and Constituent Services Departments.Laid on the table  Action details Not available
210662 3210662Officer's CommunicationUrban Forestry Committee conveying a statement on the planned remediation of Conway Park.Work completed  Action details Not available
210792 3210792CommunicationRequesting confirmation of the appointment of Justin Bonner to the position of Fire Captain.Referred for recommendation  Action details Not available
210793 3210793CommunicationRequesting confirmation of the appointment of Michael Khoury to the position of Fire Captain.Referred for recommendation  Action details Not available
210794 3210794CommunicationRequesting confirmation of the appointment of Dennis Sullivan to the position of Fire Captain.Referred for recommendation  Action details Not available
210795 3210795CommunicationRequesting confirmation of the appointment of Thomas Bellini to the position of Fire Lieutenant.Referred for recommendation  Action details Not available
210796 3210796CommunicationRequesting confirmation of the appointment of Eric Saulnier to the position of Fire Lieutenant.Referred for recommendation  Action details Not available
210797 3210797CommunicationRequesting confirmation of the appointment of Danielle O'Hearn to the position of Fire Lieutenant.Referred for recommendation  Action details Not available
210677 3210677Public CommunicationBurak Gokmen submitting comments re: #210364, to re-zone six parcels along Medford Street between School Street and Marshall Street.Work completed  Action details Not available
210753 3210753CommunicationRequesting confirmation of the appointment of Christine Stone to the Somerville Redevelopment Authority.Referred for recommendation  Action details Not available
210728 3210728Public Communication2 residents submitting comments re: #210645, Conway Park remediation and renovation.Work completed  Action details Not available
210754 3210754Mayor's RequestSpecial Counsel submitting a Home Rule Petition to permit Cambridge to provide, at no cost to Somerville, snow plowing and removal, water, storm water drainage, sanitary sewer, police, fire, and other emergency services to the Somerville building in the development known as Cambridge Crossing.Referred for recommendation  Action details Not available
210785 3210785Mayor's RequestRequesting a supplemental appropriation of $100,000 to the Executive Administration Special Items Charter Reform Study Account, to contract with a technical expert on charter reform.Approved  Action details Not available
210786 3210786Mayor's RequestRequesting a supplemental appropriation of $24,000 to the Executive Administration Salaries and Wages Temporary Account, to hire part-time staff to manage the Charter Reform Study effort.Approved  Action details Not available
210756 4210756Officer's CommunicationPlanning Board conveying its recommendations re: #s 210452 and 210472, 2 requests for zoning map amendments.Placed on file  Action details Not available
210799 4210799CommunicationInterim Director of Water and Sewer submitting a draft Scope of Services for the long-term Water and Sewer Rate Study and Affordability Analysis.Placed on file  Action details Not available
210751 4210751Mayor's RequestRequesting approval to pay a prior year invoice totaling $473.54 using available funds in the Health & Human Services Supply Account for Somerville Farmers Market bags and folders for a training.Referred for recommendation  Action details Not available
210752 4210752Mayor's RequestRequesting the approval for a change in the scope of the CPA FY16 and FY19 award to the Somerville Museum.Referred for recommendation  Action details Not available
210787 4210787Mayor's RequestRequesting approval of the Winter Hill Urban Renewal Plan.Referred for recommendation  Action details Not available
210673 4210673OrderThat the Director of SPCD update this Council on the citywide parking study that began last year.Work completed  Action details Not available
209189 4209189OrderThat the Director of Parking install the respective missing street signs at the intersection of North Street and Powderhouse Blvd.Work completed  Action details Not available
210586 4210586ResolutionThat the Mayor update this Council, in Executive Session, on alleged suspicious activity in the DPW Fleet yard in March of 2020.Laid on the table  Action details Not available
208823 4208823OrderThat the Director of SPCD provide information about ensuring that pedestrians on the Community Path can travel safely given the sometimes high speeds and volume of bicycles or scooters.Work completed  Action details Not available
208826 4208826OrderThat the Director of SPCD provide an update on progress made on the 2017 Bicycle Friendly Community report card, including plans for actions steps on metrics where Somerville lags other communities.Work completed  Action details Not available
208921 4208921OrderThat the Director of SPCD schedule a meeting with the residents of Partridge Avenue who filed a traffic calming petition, or respond to them with a written communication.Work completed  Action details Not available
209783 4209783OrderThat the Director of SPCD and the Chief of Police discuss what can be done to mitigate delivery trucks’ use of bike lanes and cycling tracks as parking when making deliveries.Work completed  Action details Not available
210294 4210294OrderThat the Land Use Committee review the proposed amendment to Zoning Ordinance 15.4.2.b.iii when developing its own proposal to amend that ordinance.Work completed  Action details Not available
210479 4210479OrderThat the Director of SPCD deploy traffic calming measures to reduce speeding vehicles on Heath Street from Moreland to Temple Streets, on Sycamore Street from Medford Street to Broadway, and on Shore Drive from Rts 16 to 38.Work completed  Action details Not available
210500 4210500OrderThat the Chief of Police, the Director of Parking and the Director of SPCD discuss enforcement to eliminate delivery and other vehicles from parking on the Beacon Street cycle track, in order to provide a safe biking route for bicyclists.Work completed  Action details Not available
210542 4210542OrderThat the Director of SPCD update this Council on the plans and process for the Holland Street and College Avenue mobility improvements.Work completed  Action details Not available
204890 4204890OrderThat the Director of Traffic and Parking install signs on the eastbound side of Broadway to restrict traffic on Victoria Street, Garrison Avenue and Farragut Avenue.Work completed  Action details Not available
205197 4205197OrderThat the Director of Traffic and Parking Place a NO PARKING sign between 161 and 165 Broadway, between the bus stop and the metered spot, to increase vehicle visibility.Work completed  Action details Not available
206178 4206178OrderThat the Chief of Police enforce the state law requiring a white light on the front of a bicycle and a red reflector or light on the back when operated from a-half hour after sunset to a half-hour before sunrise.Work completed  Action details Not available
201993 4201993OrderThat the Director of Traffic and Parking stripe street arrows for Teele Square, in all directions, and on Broadway, at the intersection of Broadway and Route 16.Work completed  Action details Not available
206776 4206776OrderThat the Director of Engineering consider using colored asphalt rather than paint, for bike lanes.Work completed  Action details Not available
207463 4207463OrderThat the Director of Traffic and Parking explain the recent addition of NO PARKING signs on Glen Street and remove them if there is no practical reason for them.Work completed  Action details Not available
207917 4207917OrderThat the Director of Traffic and Parking implement traffic calming measures on Avon Street.Work completed  Action details Not available
207281 5207281OrderThat the Director of SPCD work with the Ward 3 Alderman to address long-standing congestion at the intersection of Highland Avenue and Hamlet Street.Work completed  Action details Not available
208252 5208252OrderThat the Director of SPCD perform traffic volume and speed studies on Summit Avenue and Boston Street during morning and evening rush hours and report the findings to the Ward 3 City Councilor.Work completed  Action details Not available
207894 5207894OrderThat the Director of SPCD update the Ward 6 Councilor on the timeframe for acquiring new signal switching equipment to allow additional traffic/pedestrian cycles in Davis Square.Work completed  Action details Not available
209222 5209222ResolutionThat the Administration advise the Committee on Land Use how compliance with zoning is and will be monitored and enforced post-certificate of occupancy.Work completed  Action details Not available
209648 5209648OrderThat the Director of SPCD use the $220,000 in traffic mitigation funds paid by Maxwell’s Green in 2011 for a traffic-calming table on Lowell Street at the Albion Street crosswalk. (3rd request)Work completed  Action details Not available
209421 6209421OrderThat the Director of SPCD implement traffic-calming measures for Central Street between Highland Avenue and Broadway as soon as possible, since traffic has increased dramatically with the Broadway reconfiguration, and will increase even more with the coming School Street closure.Work completed  Action details Not available
208891 6208891OrderThat the Director of SPCD deploy traffic calming measures on Jacques Street.Work completed  Action details Not available
210645 6210645Mayor's RequestRequesting an appropriation and authorization to borrow $6,086,250 in a bond for the remediation and renovation of Conway Park.Approved  Action details Not available
204791 6204791OrderThat the Commissioner of Public Works and/or the Director of Traffic and Parking install a second crosswalk at the intersection of College Avenue with Kidder Avenue and Summit Street, with additional pedestrian safety measures.Work completed  Action details Not available
207279 6207279OrderThat the Chief of Police enforce the speed limit on Sycamore Street, between Highland Avenue and Medford Street, and inform the Ward 3 Alderman on the outcome.Work completed  Action details Not available
206202 6206202OrderThat the Director of Traffic and Parking share how it enforces the prohibition of cars and trucks parked in bus lanes and bike lanes.Work completed  Action details Not available
206693 6206693OrderThat the Director of SPCD or the Director of Traffic and Parking alter the cycle of the traffic signals at Lowell Street and Highland Avenue ASAP to allow more time for vehicles to turn onto Highland Avenue from Lowell Street, especially during the morning rush hour, to alleviate the traffic backup on Hudson Street when the Cedar Street/Highland Avenue intersection is closed for construction.Work completed  Action details Not available
210698 6210698Mayor's RequestRequesting an appropriation and authorization to borrow $1,440,000 in a bond for the renovation and construction of the West Branch Library.Approved  Action details Not available
210699 6210699Mayor's RequestRequesting approval to pay a prior year invoice totaling $36,000 using available funds in the DPW Fleet Division Professional and Technical Maintenance Account for Stoneham Motor Company, for the rental of plow trucks.Approved  Action details Not available
210704 7210704Mayor's RequestRequesting approval of a 5-year Lease to procure equipment for IT network upgrades.Approved  Action details Not available
207172 7207172OrderThat the Director of SPCD work with this Board to create overlay districts or other policies for "Opportunity Zones" in order to maximize community benefits generated by developments in these areas.Work completed  Action details Not available
210705 7210705Mayor's RequestRequesting approval of a time-only contract extension for Design Technique for construction administration at the West Branch Library through 4/30/21.Approved  Action details Not available
210706 7210706Mayor's RequestRequesting approval of a time-only extension for Designlab for construction administration at the West Branch Library until 4/30/21.Approved  Action details Not available
202105 8202105ResolutionThat the Administration develop a process for interim crosswalk painting and/or other measures to protect pedestrians when road work or other conditions prevent the immediate re-striping of road markings.Work completed  Action details Not available
208031 11208031OrderThat the Director of SPCD use the $220,000 in traffic mitigation funds paid by Maxwell’s Green in 2011 for traffic calming on Lowell Street, between Highland Avenue and Albion Street, by constructing a traffic-calming table at the Albion Street crosswalk.Work completed  Action details Not available