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City Council

Wednesday, June 28, 2023 at 6 PM

Online only Special Meeting

This meeting has happened. Minutes are final.

▶ Watch video Agenda PDF Minutes PDF View on Legistar

What happened

21 items of legislation were taken up.

  • 16 approved
  • 1 placed on file
  • 1 laid on the table
  • 1 work completed
  • 1 referred for recommendation
  • 1 ordinance ordained

Agenda 21 items

Notices from the agenda

NOTICE: This is NOT the official version of the City Council's minutes. While reasonable efforts have been made to assure the accuracy of the data provided, do not rely on this information without first checking with the City Clerk.

The meeting was called to order at 6:00 PM by Ward Three City Councilor Ben Ewen-Campen. The City Council entered Executive Session at 6:18 PM and returned at 6:42 PM.

The meeting was Adjourned at 6:45 PM.

Published June 26, 2023, 2:20 PM, Revised June 28, 2023 8:40 AM.

NOTICE: Pursuant to Chapter 2 of the Acts of 2023, this meeting of the City Council may be conducted via remote participation. We will post an audio recording, audiovideo recording, transcript, or other comprehensive record of these proceedings as soon as possible after the meeting on the City of Somerville website and local cable access government channels. Register at the following website to listen to this meeting live or to testify at any public hearing: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83846954128. Individuals with disabilities who need auxiliary aids and services for effective communication (i.e. CART, ASL), written materials in alternative formats, or reasonable modifications in policies and procedures, in order to access the programs and activities of the City of Somerville or to attend meetings, should contact Adrienne Pomeroy in advance, at 617-625-6600 x2059 or ada@somervillema.gov.

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  1. 1. Opening Ceremonies
  2. 1.1.
    23-1123 Roll Call Placed on file

    Call of the Roll.

  3. 1.2.
    23-1125 Remembrances Approved

    Remembrances.

  4. 1.3.
    23-1126 Minutes Approved

    Approval of the Minutes of the Special Meeting, June 1, 2023.

    Roll call: 6 aye · 5 absent
    • Willie Burnley Jr.Aye
    • Charlotte KellyAye
    • Kristen StrezoAye
    • Jake WilsonAye
    • Matthew McLaughlinAbsent
    • Jefferson Thomas (J.T.) ScottAbsent
    • Ben Ewen-CampenAye
    • Jesse ClinganAbsent
    • Beatriz Gomez Mouakad Absent
    • Lance L. DavisAbsent
    • Judy Pineda NeufeldAye
  5. 2. Citations
  6. 3. Public Hearings
  7. 4. Orders, Ordinances, Resolutions and Motions of Members
  8. 5. Unfinished Business
  9. 5.1.
    23-0922 Order Laid on the table

    That the City Solicitor appear in executive session pursuant to MGL Chapter 30A, Section 21(a)(3) to update this council on the status of collective bargaining negotiations with all municipal bargaining units.

  10. 6. Reports of Committees
  11. 6.A. Finance Committee
  12. 6.A.1.
    23-1121 Committee Report Approved

    Report of the Committee on Finance, meeting on June 27, 2023.

    {\rtf1\ansi\ansicpg1252\deff0\deflang1033{\fonttbl{\f0\fnil\fcharset0 Times New Roman;}} {\colortbl ;\red0\green0\blue0;} \viewkind4\uc1\pard\cf1\f0\fs24 Chair Wilson summarized the actions taken by the Committee. \par Councilor Davis inquired about the discussion of the salary ordinance, requesting confirmation that the amendment before the Council appears to contain some changes, but the changes to those salaries happened during the previous budget season, and the ordinance is just catching up. Deputy Director of Human Resources Ellen Collins confirmed that all changes happened in the FY 2020 and FY 2022 budgets, and the ordinance was not updated at that time. These revisions reflect the current FY 2024 budget. Councilor Davis expressed concern about this disconnect. \par }

    Roll call: 10 aye · 1 absent
    • Willie Burnley Jr.Aye
    • Charlotte KellyAye
    • Kristen StrezoAye
    • Jake WilsonAye
    • Matthew McLaughlinAye
    • Jefferson Thomas (J.T.) ScottAbsent
    • Ben Ewen-CampenAye
    • Jesse ClinganAye
    • Beatriz Gomez Mouakad Aye
    • Lance L. DavisAye
    • Judy Pineda NeufeldAye
  13. 6.A.2.
    23-0457 Order Work completed

    That this City Council discuss data from the FY 2023 budget hearings and assess the budget hearing process for FY 2024.

  14. 6.A.3.
    23-0667 Mayor's Request Approved

    Requesting approval of a multi-year lease agreement for the East Somerville Police Station.

    Roll call: 10 aye · 1 absent
    • Willie Burnley Jr.Aye
    • Charlotte KellyAye
    • Kristen StrezoAye
    • Jake WilsonAye
    • Matthew McLaughlinAye
    • Jefferson Thomas (J.T.) ScottAbsent
    • Ben Ewen-CampenAye
    • Jesse ClinganAye
    • Beatriz Gomez Mouakad Aye
    • Lance L. DavisAye
    • Judy Pineda NeufeldAye
  15. 6.A.4.
    23-0813 Mayor's Request Approved

    Requesting approval to accept and expend a $6,781 Student Awareness of Fire Education (SAFE) grant, with no new match required, from the Department of Fire Services to the Fire Department for fire prevention education for students.

  16. 6.A.5.
    23-0814 Mayor's Request Approved

    Requesting approval to accept and expend a $2,677 Senior Student Awareness of Fire Education (SAFE) grant, with no new match required, from the Department of Fire Services to the Fire Department for fire prevention education for older adults.

  17. 6.A.6.
    23-0827 Ordinance Referred for recommendation

    Amending Section 2-323 of the Code of Ordinances, Salary Ranges, to provide cost-of-living adjustments for School Committee Members and City Councilors.

  18. 6.A.7.
    23-0844 Mayor's Request Approved

    Requesting authorization to borrow $6,430,638 in a bond, and to appropriate the same amount for the Assembly Square Fire Station fit-out.

    Roll call: 10 aye · 1 absent
    • Willie Burnley Jr.Aye
    • Charlotte KellyAye
    • Kristen StrezoAye
    • Jake WilsonAye
    • Matthew McLaughlinAye
    • Jefferson Thomas (J.T.) ScottAbsent
    • Ben Ewen-CampenAye
    • Jesse ClinganAye
    • Beatriz Gomez Mouakad Aye
    • Lance L. DavisAye
    • Judy Pineda NeufeldAye
  19. 6.A.8.
    23-0846 Mayor's Request Approved

    Requesting approval to accept and expend a $24,117.07 grant that requires a match, from the Metropolitan Mayors Coalition Community Safety Initiative to the Police Department for youth violence prevention.

  20. 6.A.9.
    23-0847 Mayor's Request Approved

    Requesting approval of a transfer of $8,039.02 from the Police Department Personal Services Overtime Account to the Police Department Special Items Grant Match Account to fund the Metropolitan Mayors Coalition Community Safety Initiative Shannon Grant match.

  21. 6.A.10.
    23-0925 Mayor's Request Ordinance ordained

    Requesting ordainment of an amendment to Sections 2-322 and 2-323 of the Code of Ordinances, to update categories and associated salaries for non-union positions.

    Roll call: 10 aye · 1 absent
    • Willie Burnley Jr.Aye
    • Charlotte KellyAye
    • Kristen StrezoAye
    • Jake WilsonAye
    • Matthew McLaughlinAye
    • Jefferson Thomas (J.T.) ScottAbsent
    • Ben Ewen-CampenAye
    • Jesse ClinganAye
    • Beatriz Gomez Mouakad Aye
    • Lance L. DavisAye
    • Judy Pineda NeufeldAye
  22. 6.A.11.
    23-0947 Mayor's Request Approved

    Requesting the appropriation of $80,000 from the Community Preservation Act (CPA) Fund Undesignated Fund to Vida Real for continued restoration of the bell tower at 404 Broadway.

  23. 6.A.12.
    23-0951 Mayor's Request Approved

    Requesting approval to accept the 2023-2024 U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Annual Action Plan for the Community Development Block Grant, Home Investment Partnership and Emergency Solutions Grant programs, totaling $3,321,097.

  24. 6.A.13.
    23-1063 Mayor's Request Approved

    Requesting approval of the First Amendment to Fiber Optic Communications Easement Agreement with TOWARDEX.

  25. 6.A.14.
    23-1065 Mayor's Request Approved

    Requesting approval to accept and expend a $500,000 grant amendment with no new match required, from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Bureau of Substance Addiction Services to the Health and Human Services Department for regional youth substance misuse prevention efforts.

  26. 6.A.15.
    23-1088 Mayor's Request Approved

    Requesting authorization to seek funding and enter into related agreements with the Parkland Acquisitions and Renovations for Communities (PARC) grant, appropriate funding, and dedicate 217 Somerville Avenue as open space and recreational use in perpetuity.

  27. 7. Communications of the Mayor
  28. 7.1.
    23-1119 Mayor's Request Approved

    Requesting the transfer of $310,000 from the Health Insurance Account to the Law Department's Damages to Persons and Property Account to fund settlement of John Doe v. City of Somerville & Josh Wairi.

    Roll call: 6 aye · 5 absent
    • Willie Burnley Jr.Aye
    • Charlotte KellyAye
    • Kristen StrezoAye
    • Jake WilsonAye
    • Matthew McLaughlinAbsent
    • Jefferson Thomas (J.T.) ScottAbsent
    • Ben Ewen-CampenAye
    • Jesse ClinganAbsent
    • Beatriz Gomez Mouakad Absent
    • Lance L. DavisAbsent
    • Judy Pineda NeufeldAye
  29. 8. Communications of City Officers
  30. 8.1.
    23-1120 Officer's Communication Approved

    City Solicitor requesting to appear in Executive Session with attorneys from Brody, Hardoon, Perkins & Kesten, LLP, to discuss John Doe v. City of Somerville & Josh Wairi.

    {\rtf1\ansi\ansicpg1252\deff0\deflang1033{\fonttbl{\f0\fnil\fcharset0 Times New Roman;}} {\colortbl ;\red0\green0\blue0;} \viewkind4\uc1\pard\cf1\f0\fs24 President Ewen-Campen noted that if there is not sufficient time for all questions to be answered, it can be laid on the table and taken up at the next regular meeting. Deputy City Solicitor Shapiro advised the Council that this item requires an Executive Session. \par The Council entered Executive Session at 6:18 PM and returned at 6:42 PM. No votes were taken in Executive Session except the vote to adjourn. \par }

    Roll call: 9 aye · 2 absent
    • Willie Burnley Jr.Aye
    • Charlotte KellyAye
    • Kristen StrezoAye
    • Jake WilsonAye
    • Matthew McLaughlinAbsent
    • Jefferson Thomas (J.T.) ScottAbsent
    • Ben Ewen-CampenAye
    • Jesse ClinganAye
    • Beatriz Gomez Mouakad Aye
    • Lance L. DavisAye
    • Judy Pineda NeufeldAye
  31. 9. New Business
  32. 10. Supplemental Items
  33. 11. Late Items
  34. 12. Adjournment