Tuesday, December 10, 2024 at 7 PM
Committee Room and Remote Participation
This meeting has happened. Minutes are final.
What happened
8 items of legislation were taken up.
- 7 recommended to be marked work completed
- 1 accepted
Agenda 8 items
Notices from the agenda
Referenced Documents: • Equity - 2024-12-10 HHS Memo (with 24-1262) • Equity - 2024-12-10 HHS Memo (with 24-1396) Revised • Equity - 2024-12-10 Water&Sewer Update (with 24-1614) • Equity - 2024-12-10 Parents Under Pressure Report (with 24-1396)
This meeting was held in the Committee Room and virtually via Zoom, was called to order at 7:02 pm by Chair Strezo, and adjourned at 8:30 pm with a roll call vote of 2 in favor (Councilors Pineda Neufeld and Strezo), none opposed, and one absent (Councilor Clingan). (Councilor Clingan joined the meeting at 7:27pm and left the meeting at 8:25pm) Others present: Jill Lathan - DPW Commissioner, Demetrios Vidalis - Director of Water and Sewer - Kimberely Hutter - Legislative Liaison, Madalyn Letellier - Legislative Services Manager.
(Posted online: 11/20/24 at 9:30 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_11lYrvqxSOWBIo77bYg28g 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
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1.
Approval of the Minutes of the Equity, Gender, Seniors, Families and Vulnerable Populations Committee Meeting of September 19, 2024.
Roll call: 2 aye · 1 absent
- Kristen StrezoAye
- Judy Pineda NeufeldAye
- Jesse ClinganAbsent
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2.
That the Director of Health and Human Services discuss with this Council the findings from the recent U.S. Surgeon General Advisory on the Mental Health and Well-Being of Parents and its recommendations to better support parents and caregivers.
{\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\tx2640\cf1\f0\fs24 Councilor Pineda Neufeld introduced this item highlighting how the report attached to tonight\rquote s meeting entitled \i Equity - 2024-12-10 Parents Under Pressure Report (with 24-1396) \i0 focuses on policy recommendations to maintain a family friendly reputation within the city. Chair Strezo read from the report\i \i0 highlighting multiple mental health factors and recommendations. Chair Strezo stressed the lack of childcare present in the city and the way it impacts families\rquote lives. Legislative Liaison Kimberely Hutter added to the conversation that a recent full policy analysis has been done for Somerpromise and continued efforts to work with the various stakeholders in the city to implement any recommendations remains a commitment to the administration. Councilor Pineda Neufeld added in that this item is larger than just schools and should be looked at more holistically and include private care and schooling options as well.\par \pard\f1\par }
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3.
That the Director of Health and Human Services provide an update on the availability of free menstrual products in all city owned bathrooms.
{\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\tx2640\cf1\f0\fs24 Chair Strezo read from the attached memo entitled \i Equity - 2024-12-10 HHS Memo (with 24-1262)\i0 which provides an update on the implementation of menstrual products into city bathrooms.\par \pard\f1\par }
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4.
That the Administration install diaper changing stations in both restrooms on the second floor of City Hall.
{\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\tx2640\cf1\f0\fs24 Commissioner Jill Lathan shared these items have been ordered and are waiting for them to be delivered and will then be installed.\par \pard\f1\par }
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5.
That the Director of the Somerville Housing Authority discuss the Family Self Sufficiency Program, which assists public housing residents to reach financial goals, and how to expand its purpose, presence and usage.
{\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\tx2640\cf1\f0\fs24 Chair Strezo shared thoughts on wanting to have a more robust conversation in the new year with the Director and the possible ways in which the Family Self Sufficiency Program could be an asset to the city\rquote s residents. \par \pard\f1\par }
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6.
Conveying an update on water and sewer rate restructuring.
{\rtf1\ansi\ansicpg1252\deff0\deflang1033{\fonttbl{\f0\fnil\fcharset0 Times New Roman;}} {\colortbl ;\red0\green0\blue0;} \viewkind4\uc1\pard\cf1\f0\fs24 Dave Fox from Raftelis Consulting presented an update on water and sewer rate structures, focusing on equity and fairness for residents, through a report entitled \i Equity - 2024-12-10 Water&Sewer Update (with 24-1614). \i0 Discussions included potential stormwater fees, gathering data related to impervious ground, credit programs, resource for residents to calculate their bills, and ensuring accurate billing following rate changes. An Open House in October provided residents with information on Water and Sewer operations and upcoming rate changes.\par \par Water and Sewer Director Demetrios Vidalis detailed the updates from the report, including plans to offer credit programs for seniors and those with accessibility needs. There is ongoing development of a resource for residents to estimate their bills and a process for gathering impervious surface data using aerial photos and GPS.\par \par Council members raised concerns about the appeals process, which is still being developed, and how the rate changes will impact public housing and small businesses. The contractor emphasized that a full statistical analysis will be done before implementing fixed rates.\par \par In conclusion, Raftelis outlined next steps: addressing data integrity, ensuring accurate billing systems, and continuing community outreach, with the goal of fully implementing the plan by FY 2026.\par }
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7.
That the Administration address its plan to prevent displacement in relation to water and sewer bills.
{\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\tx2640\cf1\f0\fs24 This item was discussed with ID # 24-1614.\par \pard\f1\par }
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8.
Conveying an update on the development of a water bill ratepayer assistance 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\nowidctlpar\sl-284\slmult0\tx2640\cf1\f0\fs24 This item was discussed with ID # 24-1614.\par \pard\f1\par }