Monday, November 20, 2023 at 6 PM

Agenda 6 items

1. 1.
   23-0734 Committee Minutes Accepted

   Approval of the Minutes of the Open Space, Environment and Energy Committee Meeting of May 8, 2023.

   Roll call: 3 aye · 2 absent

   • Willie Burnley Jr.Aye
   • Jefferson Thomas (J.T.) ScottAye
   • Beatriz Gomez Mouakad Absent
   • Jake WilsonAbsent
   • Judy Pineda NeufeldAye

   • 📎 Minutes - OSEE - 5-8-23 Full
2. 2.
   23-0893 Order Kept in committee

   That the Commissioner of Public Works update this Council on the status of the annual Spring Cleanups for the upcoming season.

   {\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\f0\fs24 Councilor Scott explained that the Spring Cleanups had been a long-standing tradition to clean popular public spaces in the city, and it brought residents together. They expressed interest in seeing the event return. Liaison Carrillo said that she had spoken briefly with Commissioner Lathan, whose understanding was that the event was driven by councilors rather than DPW. Liaison Carrillo said she would follow up on that conversation.\par \cf1\f1\par }

3. 3.
   23-0703 Order Kept in committee

   That the Director of Parks and Recreation ensure a notice is posted on every community board in parks advertising city job postings.

   {\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\f0\fs24 Taken together with item 23-1002. Chair Burnley said that he wants to fill vacancies in a way that uplifts constituents and allows for direct participation in government. Liaison Carrillo said that she had spoken with HR, who are not currently posting in parks, but are willing to explore this idea with Parks & Recreation. Councilor Scott expressed concern that these items have been in committee since April and June, respectively.\par \cf1\f1\par }

4. 4.
   23-1002 Order Kept in committee

   That the Director of Parks and Recreation work with the Director of Human Resources to post flyers on community boards indicating vacant job positions.

5. 5.
   23-1375 Order Kept in committee

   That the Director of Engineering consider installing water fountains along the Community Path Extension.

   {\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\f0\fs24 Councilor Pineda Neufeld said that she was not sure whether the infrastructure along the Community Path Extension supported installing water fountains. Chair Burnley said that he heard from Liaison Carrillo recently that this will require a collaboration between the city and the MBTA. Liaison Carrillo said that she brought this item to Dir. Rawson and Dir. Postlewaite, who will discuss this further.\par \cf1\f1\par }

6. 6.
   23-1600 Order Kept in committee

   That the Director of the Office of Sustainability and Environment work with this Council and Green and Open Somerville to consider the creation of an Invasive Species Czar position to spearhead outreach, education, and citywide invasive plant species removal.

   {\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\f0\fs24 Liaison Carrillo passed along a message from Dir. Blais that this item will involve multiple departments, but that she is interested in starting the conversation, especially with PSUF. Chair Burnley sponsored Claire O\rquote Neill, who confirmed that Green and Open Somerville just sent a letter to councilors today in support of creating a position dedicated to invasive species response.\par \cf1\f1\par }