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Finance Committee

Tuesday, March 12, 2024 at 6 PM

Online only

This meeting has happened. Minutes are final.

▶ Watch video Agenda PDF Minutes PDF View on Legistar

What happened

4 items of legislation were taken up.

  • 3 recommended to be approved
  • 1 accepted

Agenda 4 items

Notices from the agenda

This meeting was held via Zoom, was called to order by Chair Wilson at 6:00 pm and adjourned at 6:34 pm with a roll call vote of all in favor (Councilor Clingan, Councilor Burnley, Councilor Sait, Councilor Scott and Chair Wilson), none opposed, and none absent. Others present: Hannah Carrillo – Mayor’s Office, Kimberly Wells – City Clerk, Richard Raiche – IAM, Stephanie Widzowski – Clerk of Committees.

Referenced Documents: • Finance - 2024-03-12 Fire Memo 3.8.24 Mtg (with 24-0189) • Finance - 2024-03-12 Lead Service Program Trends 2024Mar11 (with 24-0201)

(Posted online: 3/7/24 at 6:30 AM) Original (Posted online: 3/7/24 at 8:00 AM) Revised

Pursuant to Chapter 2 of the Acts of 2023, this meeting of a City Council Committee will be conducted via remote participation. We will post an audio recording, audio-video 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. Copy & paste the following link into your internet browser to view this meeting live: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_NPyVq99kTTiLZ5VAu6AVmw 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.

Roll Call

  1. 1.
    24-0188 Committee Minutes Accepted

    Approval of the Minutes of the Finance Committee Meeting of February 20, 2024.

    Roll call: 5 aye
    • Jake WilsonAye
    • Jefferson Thomas (J.T.) ScottAye
    • Naima SaitAye
    • Willie Burnley Jr.Aye
    • Jesse ClinganAye
  2. 2.
    24-0201 Mayor's Request Recommended to be approved

    Requesting authorization to borrow $2,240,740 in a bond, and to appropriate the same amount to participate in the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund for the Lead Line Service Replacement program.

    {\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 Dir. Raiche showed a chart of progress in the Lead Line Service Replacement program. He gave a history of the program, the financing program through the MWRA, and the details of the loan. Chair Wilson asked about the timeline of the procurement process and about wages, and Dir. Raiche explained the bid process where the state is involved. Councilor Sait asked about labor and wage details, which led to a discussion of work done by contractors versus city employees and the reasoning behind using contractors - largely where specialized equipment or skillsets are needed. Councilor Burnley asked about the timing of Phase III of the project, and Dir. Raiche explained the timeline and scope of the work. He said that it would be difficult to do more than 25 replacements a year, not just because of staff capacity, but also because of the impact on neighborhoods from construction.\par \cf1\f1\par }

    Roll call: 5 aye
    • Jake WilsonAye
    • Jefferson Thomas (J.T.) ScottAye
    • Naima SaitAye
    • Willie Burnley Jr.Aye
    • Jesse ClinganAye
  3. 3.
    24-0189 Mayor's Request Recommended to be approved

    Requesting approval to accept and expend a $14,327.56 grant with no new match required, from the Department of Fire Services to the Fire Department for the purchase of firefighter safety equipment.

    {\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 Chair Wilson referred to the memo shared with committee members responding to this item.\cf1\f1\par }

    Roll call: 5 aye
    • Jake WilsonAye
    • Jefferson Thomas (J.T.) ScottAye
    • Naima SaitAye
    • Willie Burnley Jr.Aye
    • Jesse ClinganAye
  4. 4.
    24-0174 Order Recommended to be approved

    Requesting approval of a transfer of $1,000 from the City Council Legal Services Account to the City Council Office Supplies Account for the purchase of furniture and supplies to create a space for children in the City Council Chamber.

    {\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 requested written opinion from the Law Office on the authority to use and move the Council's funds. Councilor Burnley requested a written explanation of procedure from the City Clerk for using council funds.\par \cf1\f1\par }

    Roll call: 5 aye
    • Jake WilsonAye
    • Jefferson Thomas (J.T.) ScottAye
    • Naima SaitAye
    • Willie Burnley Jr.Aye
    • Jesse ClinganAye