Tuesday, November 19, 2024 at 6 PM

Agenda 2 items

1. 1.
   24-1537 Committee Minutes Accepted

   Approval of the Minutes of the Legislative Matters Committee Meeting of October 15, 2024.

   Roll call: 3 aye · 2 absent

   • Lance L. DavisAye
   • Willie Burnley Jr.Aye
   • Wilfred N. MbahAbsent
   • Ben Ewen-CampenAye
   • Jefferson Thomas (J.T.) ScottAbsent

   • 📎 Minutes - Leg Matters - 10-15-24 Full
2. 2.
   24-1604 Resolution Kept in committee

   Reaffirming Somerville’s commitment as a Sanctuary and Trust Act City for justice, equity, and inclusion.

   {\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\tx2760\f0\fs24\par Chair Davis noted that since this item was submitted just a few days ago, the Administration has not had time to review the resolution nor to provide comments. The Chair referenced the 3 amendments that were added to the original resolution at last week\rquote s City Council meeting and said that he has some additional concerns, e.g., telling another department how to act and having an un-needed severability clause included. Having been asked by the Chair how the committee would prefer to proceed, the consensus was that the resolution should be revised and ultimately sent to the City Council for approval and reaffirmation. Councilor Burnley would like to have a discussion about what resources the city has that could be used to reinforce its commitment, e.g., providing legal services for immigrants. \par \par Chair Davis stated that he doesn\rquote t think modifying the resolution\rquote s language at this meeting is the best use of the committee\rquote s time and he proposed 2 options: 1) for the committee to work on the resolution and bring it before the City Council at its December 12\super th\nosupersub meeting, or 2) prepare revisions to the resolution before the November 26\super th\nosupersub City Council meeting and to then discharge the item from committee, putting it before the City Council for discussion and possible action. Councilor Burnley offered to review and clean up the language of the resolution, saying that the edits are fairly simple.\par \par Chair Davis commented that Somerville\rquote s Welcoming Community Ordinance is one of the strongest in the commonwealth and that it touches on a number of issues but does not supersede federal law. He asked Assistant Solicitor Piques to review the resolution to determine if an ordinance or policy could be pulled from it.\par \par Director Nagel said the big thing to think about is ensuring that the language is strong enough to send a clear message to constituents, while not revealing the particulars of the steps that could be taken, so as not to put residents in danger. Councilor Burnley commented that he is aware of security culture and he asked if would be appropriate to talk about the legal services provided to immigrants. He noted that the City Council has appropriated hundreds of thousands of dollars for immigrant legal services and he asked if a contract was still in place to provide those services. Director Nagel said there have been two vendors over the four and a half years that the city has been providing legal services and that now, the city is in the middle of a -year contract. She noted that some cases are multi-year, so she doesn\rquote t know when additional funds or time will be needed, adding that there may be a greater need as a result of the recent federal elections.\par \par Inquiring about a clause in the resolution about all city services being available to residents regardless of immigration status, Director Nagel explained that some restrictions tied to federal or other funding sources would apply to all individuals, without regard to immigration status, and she assured the committee that resources are continuing to be provided at the municipal level.\par \par Chair Davis sponsored Laura Rotolo from the ACLU to speak. Ms. Rotolo commented that the city\rquote s 2019 Welcoming Community Ordinance is still one of strongest in the commonwealth and should remain as is. City Solicitor Amara invited the committee to reach out to the Law Department with any questions.\par \par Councilor Burnley inquire about another clause having to do with providing training to city staff for compliance with the resolution and Director Singh replied that the Administration is having conversations with the Human Resources Department and this query will be brought up.\par \pard\cf1\f1\par }

   • 📎 Resolution - Sanctuary Trust Act City