Tuesday, February 14, 2023 at 6 PM

Agenda 8 items

1. 1.
   22-1991 Order Kept in committee

   That the City Solicitor work with this Council to amend the Code of Ordinances to include nondiscrimination provisions based on relationship status.

   {\rtf1\ansi\ansicpg1252\deff0\deflang1033{\fonttbl{\f0\froman\fprq2\fcharset0 Times New Roman;}{\f1\fnil\fcharset0 Times New Roman;}} {\colortbl ;\red0\green0\blue0;} \viewkind4\uc1\pard\nowidctlpar\qj\f0\fs24 Taken together with items 22-1992, 22-1993, 22-1994, 22-1995, and 22-1996. Councilor Burnley explained that the city passed an ordinance in 2020 allowing more than two members in a domestic partnership, but did not codify non-discrimination ordinances to match. He sponsored Alexander Chen, founding director of the Harvard Law School LGBTQ+ Advocacy Clinic, to elaborate on the discrimination or fear thereof that non-monogamous face regularly. Mr. Chen highlighted a change that he and Councilor Burnley are requesting to the proposed amendments: to substitute the phrase \ldblquote family and relationship structure\rdblquote for the term \ldblquote relationship status\rdblquote . Councilor Burnley added that these protections go beyond polyamory, as people in Somerville buy homes together for many reasons, including economic. This language protects them as well.\par \par Chair Davis suggested moving the definition of \ldblquote intimate personal relationship\rdblquote under the definition for \ldblquote family and relationship structure\rdblquote . He then reviewed each of the proposed amendments. He expressed concern that by adding \ldblquote domestic partner\rdblquote to Sec. 15-31 of the Code of Ordinances, it may be construed as excluding the term elsewhere, and said he would like the City Solicitor\rquote s opinion there.\par \par Liaison Singh and Dir. Feloney spoke to the Administration\rquote s ongoing conversations about enforcement regarding housing, as the Fair Housing Commission does not yet have the capacity to investigate complaints not covered by the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination (MCAD). Councilor Kelly asked Dir. Feloney to outline the process for investigating fair housing complaints. In his response, Dir. Feloney noted that this new protected class would likely not be covered by MCAD, but Councilor Kelly added that many existing protected classes under Somerville ordinance are not covered by MCAD either. She requested the yearly number of complaints filed to the Commission, sorted by those that are MCAD-protected and those that are not. Councilor Scott added a request for the resolutions of each complaint.\par \par Councilor Burnley requested that if there are any questions or comments from departments, that those be submitted in writing before the next Legislative Matters Committee meeting. \i He made motions to change all instances of \ldblquote relationship status\rdblquote to \ldblquote family and relationship structure\rdblquote in the proposed amendments to sections 1-4, 2-326, 7-41, 7-43, 7-44, 7-47, 15-31, and 10-102 of the Code of Ordinances.\i0 These motions were tabled, taken up together, and approved by a roll call vote of all in favor (Councilor Scott, Councilor McLaughlin, Councilor Burnley, Councilor Kelly, and Chair Davis), none opposed, and none absent.\par \pard\cf1\f1\par }

2. 2.
   22-1992 Ordinance Kept in committee

   Amending Section 1-4 of the Code of Ordinance to add definitions for relationship status and intimate personal relationship.

   • 📎 Amendment to Sec 1-4
   • 📎 02.14.23 LM Approved Amendments Section 1-4
   • 📎 03.23.23 CC Amendments Section 1-4
3. 3.
   22-1993 Ordinance Kept in committee

   Amending Section 2-326 of the Code of Ordinances, related to the Personnel program.

   • 📎 Amendment to Sec 2-326
   • 📎 02.14.23 LM Approved Amendments Section 2-326
   • 📎 03.23.23 CC Amendments Section 2-326
4. 4.
   22-1994 Ordinance Kept in committee

   Amending Sections 7-41, 7-43, 7-44, and 7-47 of the Code of Ordinances, related to Fair Housing.

   • 📎 Amendment to Fair Housing Secs. 7-41, 7-43, 7-44, 7-47
   • 📎 02.14.23 LM Approved Amendments Chapter 7 Article III Fair Housing
   • 📎 05.25.23 CC Amendment Chapter 7 Article III Fair Housing
5. 5.
   22-1995 Ordinance Kept in committee

   Amending Section 15-31 of the Code of Ordinances, related to the Code of Conduct, Ethics, and Financial Disclosure.

   • 📎 Amendment to Sec 15-31
6. 6.
   22-1996 Ordinance Kept in committee

   Amending Section 10-102 of the Code of Ordinances, regarding the definition of biased based policing.

   • 📎 Amendment to Sec. 10-102
   • 📎 02.14.23 LM Approved Amendments Section 10-102
   • 📎 03.23.23 CC Amendments Section 10-102
7. 7.
   23-0234 Mayor's Request Kept in committee

   Requesting approval of the Surveillance Technology Impact Report for Camera Ticket Enforcement.

   {\rtf1\ansi\ansicpg1252\deff0\deflang1033{\fonttbl{\f0\froman\fprq2\fcharset0 Times New Roman;}{\f1\fnil\fcharset0 Times New Roman;}} {\colortbl ;\red0\green0\blue0;} \viewkind4\uc1\pard\nowidctlpar\qj\f0\fs24 Councilor Scott commented that section 3e of the report would affect how the city enters into agreements and expressed concern about not knowing how the vendor of the solar-powered parking enforcement sticks would use the data they collect. Chair Davis said he felt that the report blurred lines between the ticket processing system, the city\rquote s database, and third-party databases. Dir. Rinfret replied that the vendor has said they do not share the data, but they do store it until the ticket is adjudicated, appealed or paid. She said no formal agreement has been reached yet and she can propose terms forbidding data sharing for any future agreement with this vendor. Councilor Burnley asked if the Administration will share the text of any such provision with the Council, to which Dir. Rinfret and Chair Davis said that is not typical. Chair Davis requested instead more detail and specificity on certain responses in the report.\par \par Councilor McLaughlin commented that there was no notice of surveillance on the camera sticks at Davis Square when he was there recently, and Dir. Rinfret replied that the notices are not up yet because the report has not officially been adopted yet, and no license plates have been taken. There was a discussion over the reason a Council decided originally to exclude certain tech from the surveillance ordinance.\par \par Chair Davis said he would keep this item in committee as a reminder while the Administration revises the report. When that revision is submitted, this item will be placed on file.\par \pard\cf1\f1\par }

   • 📎 2023 Camera Enforcment Impact Report
8. 8.
   23-0087 Mayor's Request Recommended to be approved

   Requesting ordainment of an amendment to the Code of Ordinances, Section 1-11 (Penalties and violations), to codify Traffic & Parking fines.

   {\rtf1\ansi\ansicpg1252\deff0\deflang1033{\fonttbl{\f0\froman\fprq2\fcharset0 Times New Roman;}{\f1\fnil\fcharset0 Times New Roman;}} {\colortbl ;\red0\green0\blue0;} \viewkind4\uc1\pard\nowidctlpar\qj\f0\fs24 Dir. Rinfret explained that the fines listed in the attachment are consistent with the Council\rquote s intent for the fines decided upon previously and that this item is largely housekeeping. Councilor Burnley commented that the fee for obstructing bike lanes and crosswalks is on the lower end of the spectrum, and Dir. Rinfret explained that the fee schedules follow historical trends. Chair Davis requested that the committee act on this item quickly and follow up later with specific fees if needed.\par \pard\cf1\f1\par }

   Roll call: 5 aye

   • Lance L. DavisAye
   • Charlotte KellyAye
   • Willie Burnley Jr.Aye
   • Matthew McLaughlinAye
   • Jefferson Thomas (J.T.) ScottAye

   • 📎 2023-Traffic violations over 30
   • 📎 02.23.23 CC - Traffic Violation Fines Over $30