Tuesday, June 11, 2024 at 6:30 PM

Agenda 4 items

1. 1.
   24-0651 Committee Minutes Accepted

   Approval of the Minutes of the Housing and Community Development Committee Meeting of May 7th, 2024.

   Roll call: 3 aye

   • Kristen StrezoAye
   • Wilfred N. MbahAye
   • Jesse ClinganAye

   • 📎 Minutes - Housing - 5-7-24 Full
2. 2.
   24-0636 Mayor's Request Recommended to be approved

   Requesting approval of the proposed 2024-2028 Department of Housing and Urban Development 5-Year Consolidated Plan, One Year Action Plan, and Community Participation Plan for Community Development Block Grant, Home Investment Partnership, and Emergency Solutions Grant programming.

   {\rtf1\ansi\ansicpg1252\deff0\deflang1033{\fonttbl{\f0\fswiss\fprq2\fcharset0 Arial;}{\f1\fnil\fcharset0 Times New Roman;}} {\colortbl ;\red0\green0\blue0;} \viewkind4\uc1\pard\nowidctlpar\sl-220\slmult0\f0\fs20 Alan Inacio and Miranda Rubin presented on the Consolidated Plan.\par \par Councilor Mbah asked about Emergency Assistance and how that will get factored into the plan in terms of need, he went on to ask about the relationship with this report in connection to the city and overall investment and property value gains. Director Inacio responded highlighting how the federal legislation gives out funding as a part of the annual Congressional budget. From there funding gets adjusted based off what the state hands out and the city reallocates the lesser funds during the annual review. Councilor Mbah also asked about funding given out during COVID. Director Inacio responded with additional funding that was distributed through COVID, and The Cares Act distorted the numbers. Councilor Clingan went on to ask if there is any funding available for relief fees that a Homeowners Association fee would not cover in an affordable housing complex. Director Inacio responded that there are tiers based off income for what assistance is available.\par \pard\cf1\f1\fs24\par }

   Roll call: 3 aye

   • Kristen StrezoAye
   • Wilfred N. MbahAye
   • Jesse ClinganAye

   • 📎 Draft Consolidated Plan & 1-Year Action Plan Somerville 4-24-24
3. 3.
   24-0664 Order Recommended to be marked work completed

   That the Director of Infrastructure and Asset Management address the structural safety and rodent issues with the city-owned building on Skilton Avenue.

   {\rtf1\ansi\ansicpg1252\deff0\deflang1033{\fonttbl{\f0\fswiss\fprq2\fcharset0 Arial;}{\f1\fnil\fcharset0 Times New Roman;}} {\colortbl ;\red0\green0\blue0;} \viewkind4\uc1\pard\f0\fs20 Items 24-0664 and 25-0665 were taken up together.\cf1\f1\fs24\par }

4. 4.
   24-0665 Order Recommended to be marked work completed

   That the Director of Infrastructure and Asset Management devise and share with this Council a long-term plan for the city-owned building at 10 Skilton Avenue.

   {\rtf1\ansi\ansicpg1252\deff0\deflang1033{\fonttbl{\f0\fswiss\fprq2\fcharset0 Arial;}{\f1\fnil\fcharset0 Times New Roman;}} {\colortbl ;\red0\green0\blue0;} \viewkind4\uc1\pard\nowidctlpar\sl-254\slmult0\f0\fs20 Items 24-0664 and 25-0665 were taken up together. Councilor Clingan made note that the city owns the property and is in the processing of assessing its condition. Councilor Clingan spoke on the issue with rats at the location and is wondering about the immediate update and what the longer-term update is about tearing down the building or not. Legislative Liaison Kimberley Hutter said SMART Boxes are being deployed to that area to help mediate the issue. The remaining efforts are long term and will be included in the capital investments plan. On these items Councilor Strezo asked a follow-up about the plans to increase the cleaning and disposing of trash that are close to the dog park in that area. Legislative Liaison Hutter relayed she can connect with the Department of Public Works (DPW) around maintenance to the site. Councilors Clingan, Strezo and Mbah all weighed in on possible uses for the building. Councilor Clingan talked of affordable housing, Councilor Strezo echoed those thoughts and added the possibility of a teen center, and Councilor Mbah spoke to the possibility of using it as a space for the unhoused community. \par \pard\cf1\f1\fs24\par }