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Public Health and Public Safety Committee

Thursday, February 29, 2024 at 6 PM

Committee Room and Remote Participation

This meeting has happened. Minutes are final.

▶ Watch video Agenda PDF Minutes PDF View on Legistar

What happened

2 items of legislation were taken up.

  • 1 accepted
  • 1 kept in committee

Agenda 2 items

Notices from the agenda

Referenced Documents: • PHPS - 2024-02-29 PD Calls for Service (with 24-0062) • PHPS - 2024-02-29 HHS Slides for PHPS (with 24-0062)

This meeting was held in the Committee Room and virtually via Zoom, was called to order at 6:02 pm by Chair McLaughlin, and adjourned at 7:37 pm with a roll call vote of all in favor (Councilor Sait, Councilor Davis and Chair McLaughlin), none opposed, and none against. Others present: Kimberly Hutter – Mayor’s Office, Kelley Hiland – HHS , Nancy Bacci – HHS, Mike Libby – Somerville Homeless Coalition (SHC), Hannah O’Halloran – SHC, Patti Contente – COHR, Stephanie Widzowski – Clerk of Committees.

(Posted online: 2/21/24 at 11:15 AM)

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_g3XG5VhiTeS_EGbRsSj0-w 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.
    23-1824 Committee Minutes Accepted

    Approval of the Minutes of the Public Health and Public Safety Committee Meeting of December 11, 2023.

    Roll call: 3 aye
    • Matthew McLaughlinAye
    • Lance L. DavisAye
    • Naima SaitAye
  2. 2.
    24-0062 Order Kept in committee

    That the Director of Health and Human Services provide monthly updates to this Council’s Committee on Public Health and Public Safety regarding ongoing efforts to address homelessness.

    {\rtf1\ansi\ansicpg1252\deff0\deflang1033{\fonttbl{\f0\fswiss\fprq2\fcharset0 Calibri;}{\f1\fnil\fcharset0 Times New Roman;}} {\colortbl ;\red0\green0\blue0;} \viewkind4\uc1\pard\f0\fs22 Kelley Hiland shared a presentation about different levels of prevention and crisis intervention. Liaison Hutter shared a video that Dir. Carroll prepared in response to this item. Hannah O\rquote Halloran talked about specific efforts the Somerville Homeless Coalition has been doing to help unhoused residents, about their shelters and street outreach team, and the logistics of housing navigation. Dir. Contente gave background on COHR and its partnership with SHC from 2020-2022, and she noted that COHR has been focused on walk-ins since HHS filled out its staff.\par \par Councilor Sait sparked a larger discussion about how information is collected and what data can be retrieved and shared, especially with regards to youth and seniors. There was also a conversation of how many people are using shelters or warming centers, specifically in East Somerville, and reasons that someone may refuse shelter. Dir. Mike Libby of SHC estimated that there are about 30 unhoused residents in Somerville, about 45 including those using shelters. Liaison Hutter said that she would see what information could be shared from weekly meetings with interdepartmental staff. Chair McLaughlin requested monthly updates on weekly city staff meetings on this issue.\par \par Chair McLaughlin stressed that MassDOT will begin work soon under I-93, an area some use for shelter, and led a discussion on how to prevent displacement. The committee also discussed the attached SPD report on calls for service in East Somerville (\ldblquote PHPS - 2024-02-29 PD Calls for Service (with 24-0062)\rdblquote ).\par \par Chair McLaughlin sponsored members of the public. Mike Connolly spoke to the nuance and prevalence of family homelessness, and about the housing bond bill currently before the State Legislature. Melissa McWhinney asked about the processes for creating Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) or affordable housing and how the opiate settlement fund will be allocated. Mary Byrne suggested investigating whether the vacant houses on Allen St acquired by the city could be used for PSH services, and Janet Grogan called for earlier city planning with debriefs. Alex Peary mentioned quarterly meetings organized by COHR and emphasized the importance of a citywide approach to address homelessness. Mary Cassesso highlighted a collective approach adopted by Chelsea, and Laurie Goldman called for increased capacity to scale up what each organization is already doing.\par \cf1\f1\fs24\par }