Wednesday, March 20, 2024 at 6 PM

Agenda 11 items

1. 1.
   24-0255 Committee Minutes Accepted

   Approval of the Minutes of the Public Health and Public Safety Committee Meeting of February 29, 2024.

   Roll call: 3 aye

   • Matthew McLaughlinAye
   • Lance L. DavisAye
   • Naima SaitAye

   • 📎 Minutes - PHPS - 2-29-24 Full
2. 2.
   24-0177 Order Recommended to be marked work completed

   That the Administration appear before the Committee on Public Health and Public Safety to update the City Council on the status of the Police Chief search.

   {\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\sl-284\slmult0\qj\tx2640\f0\fs24 Chair McLaughlin noted that the search has already been extended twice. Director Gill provided an update on the process and told the committee that the application deadline for the position was March 1\super st\nosupersub and that the consultant hired by the city interviewed 13 candidates. Those candidates will be vetted and the resumes of the top 7 to 10 candidates will be forwarded to the city next week. Interviews will begin in early April and 3 to 5 candidates will be selected for presentation to the public. Candidates will meet with the Mayor in early May.\par Director Gill commented on the difficulty in coordinating the schedules of the search committee members, candidates and other relevant parties, but noted that this process has a tighter timeline than the previous two. She also noted that the process has not changed but the job description has.\par \pard\cf1\f1\par }

3. 3.
   24-0172 Order Recommended to be marked work completed

   That the Director of Health and Human Services discuss the availability of free city-funded COVID tests going forward after temporary relief funds have evaporated, including any plans and/or consideration of potential sources of COVID testing supplies provided through community partners.

   {\rtf1\ansi\ansicpg1252\deff0\deflang1033{\fonttbl{\f0\froman\fprq2\fcharset0 Times New Roman;}{\f1\fnil\fcharset0 Times New Roman;}} {\colortbl ;\red255\green0\blue0;\red0\green0\blue0;} \viewkind4\uc1\pard\nowidctlpar\sl-284\slmult0\qj\tx2640\f0\fs24 Discussed with item 24-0168.\par Councilor Burnley said residents have relied upon masks and tests to keep safe and he thinks the city should redirect funds in the FY-25 budget to provide ways for residents to access them. Director Carroll explained that the CDC changed its COVID guidelines and that the state likely will move in the same direction. Because the guidance is changing and because there are 3 similar viruses, (Flu, RSV and COVID), the CDC is moving to a unified treatment plan. Director Carroll noted that antivirals are available and immunity among the community has increased, while deaths and hospitalizations have decreased. COVID tests and masks are not front line protections, although they may be helpful. The city has some vaccines on hand and the priority of the city\rquote s HHS Department has been to get vaccines to the most vulnerable populations. Outreach will be performed to make the general public aware of where test kits can be obtained.\par Councilor Sait said constituents are concerned about the relaxed CDC guidance, noting that teachers and front line workers face greater exposure to COVID, which she said is still around. She commented that some people can\rquote t afford to pay for tests or stay home when they\rquote re sick. \par Director Carroll said she understood the concern and equity piece of the situation, adding that the CDC guidance is an attempt to balance out the risks. Masks help, however, the front line defense is vaccinations. \par Councilor Burnley said that it\rquote s his belief that the stop gap is capitalism, with new guidelines being reactions to workplace conditions rather than public health. COVID is not the flu or RSV and its asymptomatic nature makes it difficult to contain. He feels that the city needs to serve the broad community and try to get funds to do so.\par Resident Oliver Wilson expressed disappointment that the Mayor Office is not making these items available and said that the new CDC guidelines are not based in science. \cf1\par \pard\cf2\f1\par }

4. 4.
   24-0168 Order Recommended to be marked work completed

   That the Director of Health and Human Services work with the Administration to allocate funding to secure COVID-19 rapid tests to be distributed at Public Libraries.

   {\rtf1\ansi\ansicpg1252\deff0\deflang1033{\fonttbl{\f0\fnil\fcharset0 Times New Roman;}{\f1\froman\fprq2\fcharset0 Times New Roman;}} {\colortbl ;\red0\green0\blue0;} \viewkind4\uc1\pard\cf1\f0\fs24 Discussed with item 24-0172. \par This item was amended at the March 8, 2024 City Council meeting to insert \cf0\b\f1 "and masks" after "rapid tests". \par \cf1\b0\f0\par }

5. 5.
   24-0149 Order Recommended to be marked work completed

   That the Director of Health and Human services create an on-call emergency fire response unit to assist in connecting residents with available resources in the event of a displacement or loss of property due to a fire.

   {\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\sl-284\slmult0\qj\tx2640\f0\fs24 Liaison Hutter said that the current process requires an assessment of each situation and that ward councilors are notified about the situations by on-site staff, who then coordinate efforts to provide services to those affected. (Councilor Burnley noted that at-large councilors are also to be notified.) She noted that HHS is not looking to take on this position and pointed out that the Director of Emergency Management position is still vacant. Liaison Hutter will bring this request to the Administration for consideration along with any suggestions.\par Councilor Clingan asked who owns, or is responsible for executing, the process and Liaison Hutter replied that the Fire Department is on site first and then notification is made to the Mayor\rquote s Office.\par If the notification involves a displacement, the Mayor\rquote s Office gets the relevant agencies on board. Councilor Clingan wants to find out how people in need know who to contact, since there is no department in charge of this and he wants this brought to the Administration\rquote s attention. Liaison Nutter said that some resources are on site, e.g., SFD, ISD, and the Red Cross, adding that displaced persons could be in touch with those onsite agencies and can call the Mayor\rquote s Office for additional resources. Chair McLauglin requested that clarification on the process be provided by net week\rquote s City Council meeting.\par \pard\cf1\f1\par }

6. 6.
   24-0097 Order Kept in committee

   That the Director of Inspectional Services address trash and other violations by the Rent-A-Center on Broadway.

7. 7.
   24-0096 Order Kept in committee

   That the Director of Inspectional Services inspect 112 Broadway, 176-182 Broadway, and 24-28 Broadway for violations and report the findings to the Ward 1 City Councilor.

8. 8.
   24-0095 Order Kept in committee

   That the Director of Inspectional Services update the Ward 1 Councilor regarding any fines associated with 176-182 Broadway, formerly Patsy's Pastries, in the last ten years.

9. 9.
   24-0094 Order Kept in committee

   That the Director of Inspectional Services update the Ward 1 Councilor regarding any fines associated with 112 Broadway, formerly the East End Grill, for any violations within the last ten years.

10. 10.
    24-0093 Order Kept in committee

    That the Director of Inspectional Services update the Ward 1 Councilor regarding any fines associated with 24-28 Broadway, the former Taco Loco site, due to repeated cleanliness and business violations within the last two years.

11. 11.
    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\froman\fprq2\fcharset0 Times New Roman;}{\f1\fnil\fcharset0 Times New Roman;}} {\colortbl ;\red255\green0\blue0;\red0\green0\blue0;} \viewkind4\uc1\pard\nowidctlpar\sl-284\slmult0\qj\tx2640\f0\fs24 Director Carroll informed the committee that the closing of the warming center has been extended. The city will be trying to engage participants in an after action process to evaluate the program. Staff will be talking to folks at the warming center tomorrow to get feedback. Most nights this winter, the warming center has housed 20-25 guests. \par Weekly interdepartmental working group meetings continue. Director O\rquote Halloran has worked with other agencies to bring resources to homeless persons and she said that the partnership with the city continues to grow. Chair McLaughlin inquired if there are plans for next winter or plans to have a permanent location for a shelter and Director Carroll replied that there are no such plans at this point. She alluded to budgetary constraints and the need to review the after action data. In terms of cooling, those shelters are easier to manage since high temperatures are experienced during the daytime and engagement centers, e.g., public libraries, are open,.\par Councilor Sait asked if clients know where to go for housing services once the warming center closes and is there has been a conversation to develop plans for a cooling center. Director Carroll said that housing support and referrals are provided to direct people how to avail themselves of services. Resource guides are being provided, as well, for additional resources and food services. Presently, there are no plans for an overnight cooling center as people would be referred to libraries and other centers to get out of the heat during the day, adding that the city will perform outreach to those most vulnerable to heat.\par Chair McLaughlin spoke about the April 17\super th\nosupersub DOT deadline for removing people living under Rt 93. Director O\rquote Halloran said those individuals under Rt 93 have been made aware of the closing and that the Somerville Homeless Coalition is trying to figure out where they may sleep, under cover from the elements. Chair McLaughlin pointed out that the next PHPS Committee meeting is on April 17\super th\nosupersub , so the committee won\rquote t be able to discuss this matter again before the MADOT closing. He will keep pressing for a solution and asked Director Carroll to talk about this situation during the weekly department meetings. Liaison Hutter informed the committee that MADOT will do one mass cleanup on April 17\super th\nosupersub , and until then, a contractor will pick up trash 2 times per week. Chair McLauglin asked about the availability of restroom facilities a night and Liaison will gather the information and report back. \par Chair McLaughlin asked about any 911 call updates and Director Carroll stated that HHS doesn\rquote t have it but has been working with 311 staff about their data. Liaison Hutter said that both the Police and Fire Departments have reported no uptick in calls. Chair McLaughlin spoke about the negative quality of calls being bothersome, noting that 2 arrests were recently made under RT 93 and outside the Stop & Shop and he asked what is being done to address safety concerns as these were serious, violent incidents. He thinks a visible police presence is warranted. Liaison Hutter replied that staff regularly responds to these situation and she will ask for information about incidents under RT 93. \par \par Public comments:\par Melissa McWhinney said she is hoping that individualized services can be accomplished with the people living under Rt 93. She also requested that the Homeless Coalitions be provided with a formal evaluation of the warming center metrics a.s.a.p.. \par Ruth Farris would like to join the after action process and include armory tenants, as well, so they can be heard. Non-profit reps would also like to provide input.\par Alex Pirie hopes the evaluation will include data on emergency responses and he would like the city to look elsewhere for warming center space rather than have it at the Armory.\par Councilor Sait also believes that armory tenants should be involved and Director Carroll commented that the particulars of who will be involved haven\rquote t been worked out yet, but others will be included.\par Mary Cassesso told the committee that understanding the timeliness of an evaluation could be important.\par \pard\nowidctlpar\sl-90\slmult0\cf1\fs20\par \pard\cf2\f1\fs24\par }