City of Somerville header
Meeting Name: City Council Agenda status: Final
Meeting date/time: 10/12/2023 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
23-1535 11.1.Roll CallCall of the Roll.Placed on file  Roll call Video Video
23-1536 11.2.RemembrancesRemembrances.Approved  Action details Video Video
23-1537 11.3.MinutesApproval of the Minutes of the Regular Meeting, September 14, 2023.ApprovedPass Action details Video Video
23-1533 12.1.CitationCommending Gandhy Aldana for her contributions to the Latino community in Somerville.ApprovedPass Action details Video Video
23-1534 12.2.CitationCommending Ivan Abarca for his contributions to the Latino community in Somerville.ApprovedPass Action details Video Video
23-1527 13.1.Grant of LocationEversource applying for a Grant of Location to install 50 feet of conduit in Allen Street, from Manhole 31939 to a point of pickup at 13 Allen Street.ApprovedPass Action details Video Video
23-1528 13.2.Grant of LocationEversource applying for a Grant of Location to install a total of 302 feet of conduit and a new manhole as follows: Starting from existing Manhole 86582 located at the intersection of Somerville Avenue and Allen Street to a new manhole. From said manhole, to a point of pickup at 21 Allen Street.ApprovedPass Action details Video Video
23-1529 13.3.Grant of LocationEversource applying for a Grant of Location to install 7 feet of conduit in Alpine Street, from Utility Pole 7/1 to a point of pickup at 2 Alpine Street.ApprovedPass Action details Video Video
23-1530 13.4.Grant of LocationCambridge Network Solutions applying for a Grant of Location to install 198 feet of conduit in pathway between Gore Street, Cambridge and Medford Street, from existing Verizon Manhole 26/514 to a point of pickup at 14 McGrath Highway.ApprovedPass Action details Video Video
23-1509 14.1.OrderThat the Director of Engineering consider installing speed humps and additional traffic calming measures to address excessive speed and cut-through traffic on Warren Avenue.Approved and sent for discussionPass Action details Video Video
23-1510 14.2.ResolutionThat the Administration report on the fall and winter food distribution plans for Winter Hill Community Innovation School students at both locations.ApprovedPass Action details Video Video
23-1511 14.3.ResolutionThat the Administration provide an update on the Edgerly building kitchen equipment, and discuss the plan to serve the Winter Hill Community Innovation School youth and future city programs.Approved and sent for discussionPass Action details Video Video
23-1525 14.4.ResolutionThat this City Council hereby recognizes the month from September 15th to October 15th as Hispanic Heritage Month.ApprovedPass Action details Video Video
23-1526 14.5.ResolutionSupporting the passage of H.3802 and S.1489, An Act Creating a Municipal and Public Safety Building Authority.ApprovedPass Action details Video Video
23-1033 15.1.Public CommunicationDavid Einis requesting the adoption of an amendment to the Zoning Ordinance Map to change the zoning district of 0 White Street Place from Mid-Rise 4 (MR4) to Urban Residential (UR) and 14 White Street Place from Neighborhood Residential (NR) to UR.Ordinance ordainedPass Action details Video Video
23-1514 16.A.1.Committee ReportReport of the Committee on Land Use, meeting on October 5, 2023.ApprovedPass Action details Video Video
23-0356 16.A.2.Mayor's CommunicationConveying the Somerville Linkage Nexus Study Final Report.Work completed  Action details Not available
23-0459 16.A.3.OrderThat the Director of Planning, Preservation and Zoning update this Council on the status of the property on Palmer Court, purchased by the city for the purpose of creating green space.Work completed  Action details Not available
23-0635 16.A.4.Public CommunicationUnion Square One Development, LLC requesting the adoption of a Zoning Text Amendment to Section 8.17. g. iii to permit variations to build out regulations by special permit in the CC5 District, USQ sub-area.Placed on filePass Action details Not available
23-1504 16.B.1.Committee ReportReport of the Committee on Legislative Matters, meeting on October 3, 2023.ApprovedPass Action details Video Video
22-0035 16.B.2.OrderThat the City Solicitor draft language to change all pronouns in the city’s ordinances to gender-neutral.Work completed  Action details Not available
22-0168 16.B.3.OrdinanceAmendment to Ordinance 2-221, regarding adult use marijuana licenses, as described within.Placed on file  Action details Not available
22-0278 16.B.4.OrderThat the Director of Mobility review the attached draft Act Relative to the Operation and Regulation of Electric Bicycles in the City of Salem and consider supporting similar legislation.Work completed  Action details Not available
23-0076 16.B.5.OrdinanceAmending Chapter 8, Article I of the Code of Ordinances by adding a new section regarding Closed Captioning Accessibility.Referred for recommendation  Action details Video Video
23-1502 16.C.1.Committee ReportReport of the Committee on Public Utilities and Public Works, meeting on October 2, 2023.ApprovedPass Action details Video Video
23-0055 16.C.2.OrderThat the Director of Engineering and the Superintendent of Water and Sewer appear before this Council’s Committee on Public Utilities and Public Works to discuss the notification protocols for street work and water shutoffs.Work completed  Action details Not available
23-0328 16.C.3.OrderThat the Commissioner of Public Works immediately remove, or raise to a safe height, the cables attached to a pole at the intersection of Harvard and Monmouth Streets, and report to the City Council who owns the pole.Work completed  Action details Not available
23-0524 16.C.4.OrderThat the Commissioner of Public Works remove, or raise to a safe height, the cables attached to a utility pole at 54 Ten Hills Road, and report to this City Council who owns the pole.Work completed  Action details Not available
23-0525 16.C.5.OrderThat the Commissioner of Public Works remove or raise above human reach, the overhead wires tied to a porch railing at 76 Curtis Street, and report back to this City Council who is responsible for the wires.Work completed  Action details Not available
23-0780 16.C.6.OrderThat the Commissioner of Public Works remove, or raise above human height, the dangling wire tied to a street sign in front of 88 Foskett Street, and report to this City Council who owns the pole.Work completed  Action details Not available
23-0783 16.C.7.OrderThat the Commissioner of Public Works remove, or raise above human height, the wire wrapped around a pole at 336 Washington Street, and report to this City Council who owns the pole.Work completed  Action details Not available
23-0787 16.C.8.OrderThat the Commissioner of Public Works remove, or move to a safer location, the heavy cables tied to wires and suspended above the sidewalk in front of 67-69 Merriam Street, and report to this City Council who owns the poles.Work completed  Action details Not available
23-0788 16.C.9.OrderThat the Commissioner of Public Works remove, or raise above human height, the dangling wires in front of 143 Hudson Street, and report to this City Council who owns the poles.Work completed  Action details Not available
23-0789 16.C.10.OrderThat the Commissioner of Public Works remove, or raise above human height, the dangling wires in front of 43 Hudson Street, and report to this City Council who owns the poles.Work completed  Action details Not available
23-0790 16.C.11.OrderThat the Commissioner of Public Works remove or relocate the wires tied around a pole in front of 21 Properzi Way, and report to this City Council who owns the poles.Work completed  Action details Not available
23-0883 16.C.12.OrderThat the Commissioner of Public Works remove or raise above human height, the wire wrapped around a pole in front of 54 Porter Street, and report back to this City Council who owns the pole.Work completed  Action details Not available
23-0884 16.C.13.OrderThat the Commissioner of Public Works remove or raise above human height, the wire wrapped around a street sign in front of 9 Brastow Avenue, and report back to this City Council who owns the pole.Work completed  Action details Not available
23-0885 16.C.14.OrderThat the Director of Engineering, the Director of Water and Sewer, and the Executive Director of the Arts Council collaborate to start an "Adopt a Catch Basin" program to promote visibility and cleanliness of catch basins in creative and artistic ways.Work completed  Action details Not available
23-0887 16.C.15.OrderThat the Director of Mobility install speed bumps on Myrtle Street, Lincoln Avenue and Virginia Street.Work completed  Action details Not available
23-0888 16.C.16.OrderThat the Director of Engineering update the Ward 1 Councilor regarding the pavement of Otis Street, which is half completed on one side.Work completed  Action details Not available
23-0889 16.C.17.OrderThat the Commissioner of Public Works fill the potholes on the unfinished side of Otis Street.Work completed  Action details Not available
23-0892 16.C.18.OrderThat the Director of Mobility repaint the NO BIKES ON SIDEWALKS signs along East Broadway.Work completed  Action details Not available
23-0996 16.C.19.OrderThat the Commissioner of Public Works remove or raise above human height, the low hanging wire in front of 11 Bonair Street, and report to this City Council who owns the pole.Work completed  Action details Not available
23-0997 16.C.20.OrderThat the Director of Engineering utilize the partial paving program to address streets in East Somerville that have private trench restoration, to ensure half-paved streets are fully paved.Work completed  Action details Not available
23-1363 16.C.21.OrderThat the Commissioner of Public Works raise the low-hanging wires in front of 50 Chandler Street so that they do not get snagged on cars.Work completed  Action details Not available
23-1512 16.D.1.Committee ReportReport of the Special Committee on School Building Facilities and Maintenance, meeting on October 4, 2023.ApprovedPass Action details Video Video
23-0992 16.D.2.ResolutionThat the Administration develop a five-year assessment plan for school building systems and structures for all schools over five years old, to ensure proper funding is in place for capital repairs and to ensure the safety and undisrupted operation of schools.Work completed  Action details Not available
23-0993 16.D.3.ResolutionThat the Administration publish yearly on the city website, a list of ongoing school repairs and improvements, similar to that posted by Chelsea Public Schools, and provide a yearly report to the City Council of such repairs and improvements before and after completion.Work completed  Action details Not available
23-1359 16.D.4.OrderThat the Director of Capital Projects provide this Council with a printed timeline for the reconstruction of a new Winter Hill Community School.Work completed  Action details Not available
23-1493 17.1.Mayor's RequestRequesting the appropriation of $113,440 from the Community Preservation Act Historic Preservation Reserve Fund to Just A Start for restoration and reinstallation of a historic window at 24 Webster Ave.Referred for recommendation  Action details Video Video
23-1492 17.2.Mayor's RequestRequesting the appropriation of $67,478 from the Community Preservation Act Historic Preservation Reserve Fund to the Somerville Museum for storage area renovation.Referred for recommendation  Action details Video Video
23-1403 17.3.Mayor's RequestRequesting approval of a transfer of $11,059.72 from the Health and Human Services Professional and Technical Account to the Department of Public Works Building Rentals Account for three additional seasonal, portable bathrooms.Referred for recommendation  Action details Video Video
23-1501 17.4.Mayor's RequestRequesting approval to accept and expend a grant with no new match required, from the Department of Fire Services to the Fire Department for the reimbursement of Hazardous Material Response Team members.Referred for recommendation  Action details Video Video
23-1474 17.5.Mayor's RequestRequesting approval to pay prior year invoices totaling $44,167.81 using available funds in the Department of Public Works Electricity Account for solar net metering.Referred for recommendation  Action details Video Video
23-1496 17.6.Mayor's RequestRequesting approval to pay prior year invoices totaling $26,721.10 using available funds in the Department of Public Works Electricity Account for solar net metering.Referred for recommendation  Action details Video Video
23-1475 17.7.Mayor's RequestRequesting approval to pay prior year invoices totaling $25,418.02 using available funds in the Department of Public Works Electricity Account for solar net metering.Referred for recommendation  Action details Video Video
23-1497 17.8.Mayor's RequestRequesting approval to pay prior year invoices totaling $4,729.64 using available funds in the Department of Public Works Natural Gas Account for natural gas supply services.Referred for recommendation  Action details Video Video
23-1404 17.9.Mayor's RequestRequesting approval to pay prior year invoices totaling $1,625 using available funds in the Office of Strategic Planning and Community Development Parks and Urban Forestry Division Account for Wedding Nook and Quincy Street open space production.Referred for recommendation  Action details Video Video
23-1498 17.10.Mayor's RequestRequesting approval to pay prior year invoices totaling $1,436.40 using available funds in the Department of Public Works Grounds R&M Facility, Parks & Playgrounds for irrigation system repair and maintenance.Referred for recommendation  Action details Video Video
23-1500 17.11.Mayor's RequestRequesting approval to pay prior year invoices totaling $371.44 using available funds in the Department of Public Works Motor Parts & Accessories Account for pump replacement parts.Referred for recommendation  Action details Video Video
23-1499 17.12.Mayor's RequestRequesting approval to pay prior year invoices totaling $280 using available funds in the Department of Public Works Employee Training Account for Construction Supervisor continuing education.Referred for recommendation  Action details Video Video
23-1531 17.13.Mayor's RequestRequesting approval of the Surveillance Technology Impact Report for GrayKey Digital Forensics Analysis Tool.Referred for recommendation  Action details Video Video
23-1532 17.14.Mayor's RequestRequesting approval of the Surveillance Technology Impact Report for Camera Ticket Enforcement.Referred for recommendation  Action details Video Video
23-1507 18.1.Officer's CommunicationCity Clerk conveying information regarding item #23-0076, amending the Code of Ordinances by adding a new section regarding Closed Captioning Accessibility.Placed on file and sent for discussionPass Action details Video Video
23-1524 19.1.Public EventTivoli Olsen applying for a Public Event License for Murdock St BP on October 14 from 10:30am to 6:30pm (raindate October 15).ApprovedPass Action details Video Video
23-1523 19.2.Public EventJack Connolly applying for a Public Event License for Grove St BP on October 14 from 1pm to 7pm (raindates October 15 and October 21).ApprovedPass Action details Video Video
23-1520 19.3.Public EventLorna McKenzie-Pollock applying for a Public Event License for Prospect Hill BP on October 14 from 3pm to 8pm (raindate October 15).ApprovedPass Action details Video Video
23-1518 19.4.Public EventDolly Goldenberg applying for a Public Event License for Belmont St Halloween BP on October 29 from 1pm to 6pm.ApprovedPass Action details Video Video
23-1519 19.5.Public EventKim Durniak applying for a Public Event License for Norwood Ave BP on October 29 from 1pm to 7pm (raindate November 5).ApprovedPass Action details Video Video
23-1522 19.6.Public EventAni Ajemian applying for a Public Event License for Halloween on Heath on October 29 from 1pm to 9pm.ApprovedPass Action details Video Video
23-1521 19.7.Public EventKelsey Kent applying for a Public Event License for Halloween on Lexington on October 31 from 4pm to 9pm.ApprovedPass Action details Video Video
23-1506 19.8.Public CommunicationMassachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) conveying the alteration of location of a section of State highway.Placed on filePass Action details Video Video
23-1334 19.9.Public CommunicationFive residents submitting comments re: item #23-0940, a Zoning Map Amendment to change the zoning district of 200 Inner Belt Road from Commercial Industry (CI) to High-Rise (HR).Placed on file and sent for discussionPass Action details Video Video
23-1495 110.1.WithdrawnWithdrawn.Withdrawn  Action details Not available
23-1538 110.2.Mayor's RequestRequesting approval of a transfer of $30,020 from the Parking Department Parking Meter Receipts Account to the Capital-Building Lease Account for rental of parking spaces per the lease agreement between the Trustees of Tufts College and the City of Somerville.Referred for recommendation  Action details Video Video
23-1540 110.3.LicenseNew Drainlayer's License, C Naughton Corp.ApprovedPass Action details Video Video
23-1541 110.4.LicenseRenewing Flammables License, DW Propco JK LLC, 0 Dawes St.ApprovedPass Action details Video Video
23-1542 110.5.LicenseRenewing Flammables License, U-Haul of Boston, 151 Linwood St.ApprovedPass Action details Video Video
23-1546 110.6.LicenseTransferring Flammables License, from John's Auto sales to Sam's Gas & Service 166 Boston Avenue.Referred for recommendation  Action details Video Video
23-1545 110.7.LicenseNew Garage License, Sam's Gas and Service, 166 Boston Avenue, 2 vehicles inside, 4 vehicles outside, Mon-Fri: 8am-6pm, Sat: 8am-4pm, Sun: closed.Referred for recommendation  Action details Video Video
23-1544 110.8.LicenseNew Used Car Dealer License, Sam's Auto Sales, 166 Boston Avenue, 0 vehicles inside, 28 vehicles outside, Mon-Fri: 8am-6pm, Sat: 8am-2pm, Sun: closed.Referred for recommendation  Action details Video Video
23-1543 110.9.Public EventKatie Aucella applying for a Public Event License for Elizabeth Peabody House Fall Festival on October 14 from 9am to 6pm (raindate October 15).ApprovedPass Action details Video Video
23-1549 110.10.Public EventEmma Garfinkel applying for a Public Event License for Pomi Playground Playdate on October 26 from 2pm to 6:30pm.ApprovedPass Action details Video Video
23-1548 110.11.Public EventMayor's Office applying for a Public Event License for 2nd Annual Truck O Treat on October 26 from 4pm to 8pm.ApprovedPass Action details Video Video
23-1539 110.12.Public CommunicationRobert Collins submitting comments re: transportation infrastructure.Placed on filePass Action details Video Video
23-1480 111.1.OrderThat the Chief of Police provide a written explanation, and any accompanying documentation, of the Police Department’s receipt of GrayKey surveillance technology from Urban Areas Security Initiative (UASI)/Boston without requiring a grant acceptance from the City Council.Approved and sent for discussionPass Action details Not available