Monday, June 9, 2025 at 6 PM

Agenda 7 items

1. 1.
   25-0522 Committee Minutes Accepted

   Approval of the Minutes of the Public Health and Public Safety Committee Meeting of March 19, 2025.

   Roll call: 3 aye

   • Matthew McLaughlinAye
   • Judy Pineda NeufeldAye
   • Lance L. DavisAye

   • 📎 Minutes - PHPS - 3-19-25 Full
2. 2.
   25-0986 Resolution Recommended to be marked work completed

   That the Administration update this Council on the report and recommendations of the Davis Square Public Safety Working Group.

   {\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 The administration has submitted a memo addressing this item.\par \par Councilor Davis explained why this item was submitted and he thanked the stakeholders who participated in developing a plan. He commented that, hopefully, what happened last summer was an anomaly and that, as a result, lessons have been learned. He pointed out that what was experienced then is not unique to Somerville, but rather just the first time it was observed at that level in the city.\par \par Chief Benford told the committee that in order to fully understand what happened, and to devise steps to deal with any future occurrences, some difficult conversations were had with neighborhood residents and he thanked Councilors Pineda Neufeld and Davis for stepping in to facilitate those discussions. \par \par He then introduced the \b Davis Square Public Safety - Shared Community Expectations\b0 document, which was community driven and included vested stakeholders, business owners, social service organizations, the city of Somerville and community advocates and \ldblquote\'85outlines community expectations for acceptable behavior, police intervention guidelines, and supportive services aimed at fostering harmony and shared responsibility \'85\rdblquote .\par \par Chief Benford then presented a high-level review, touching on:\par \par \pard\fi-360\li720\b 1.\tab Crime and Public Safety\par \pard\fi-360\li1440\b0 a.\tab Drug activity (selling & public use)\b\par \b0 b.\tab Harm reduction strategies\par c.\tab Using outreach teams, public health workers, and trusted community organizations \par d.\tab Non-tolerance of drug sales\par e.\tab Intervention by SPD for public use of illegal substance\par f.\tab Violence & Public Disturbances\par g.\tab Noise considerations\par \pard\nowidctlpar\fi-360\li1440\sl-284\slmult0\qj\par \pard\fi-360\li720\b 2.\tab Balanced Enforcement\par \pard\fi-360\li1440\b0 a.\tab Use a community-centered approach to ensure equitable enforcement\par b.\tab Collaborate with community outreach workers to address non-criminal violations of these guidelines\par c.\tab Exercise discretion and cultural competence in ensuring that individuals experiencing homelessness and/or struggling with substance use are treated with dignity and offered reasonable alternatives to criminal law enforcement action\par d.\tab Notify SPD of people in distress or crisis as soon as practicable by calling 911\par e.\tab Use community feedback to provide opportunities for transparency and accountability in enforcement practices\par f.\tab Consider data, reports, and trends to shape needed enforcement activity in the Davis Square area\par g.\tab Share any shifts in strategy with the public\par \pard\nowidctlpar\fi-360\li1440\sl-284\slmult0\qj\par \pard\fi-360\li720\b 3.\tab Community Programming and Space Utilization\par \pard\fi-360\li1440\b0 a.\tab Public Library Initiatives\par b.\tab Homeless Coalition and engagement center\par c.\tab Park hours and recreational activities\par d.\tab Cultural events \par \pard\nowidctlpar\sl-284\slmult0\qj\tx2760\par \pard\fi-360\li720\b 4.\tab Diverse and Accessible Services\par \pard\fi-360\li1440\b0 a.\tab Food access\par b.\tab Wraparound services\par c.\tab Pathways to permanent housing \par d.\tab Needle collection and harm reduction\par e.\tab Outreach and support\par f.\tab Community call boxes\par \pard\nowidctlpar\fi-360\li1440\sl-284\slmult0\qj\par \pard\nowidctlpar\sl-284\slmult0\qj\tx2760 Chief Benford noted that the Law Department is working on public postings that will allow police to enforce park regulations and said that it\rquote s important to have sustainable pathways and that this plan provides a way to engage with the community throughout the year. He also said that the next direction for the SPD will be the implementation of Neighborhood Engagement Teams.\par \par Councilor Pineda Neufeld noted that weekly meetings are held to discuss data points and she stressed that this is a living plan/document that will be adjusted as needed. \par \pard\cf1\f1\par }

3. 3.
   25-0923 Order Kept in committee

   That the Director of Inspectional Services appear before this Council to discuss recent changes to business permitting in relation to "risk categorization" and the impact they may have on businesses.

   {\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 The administration has submitted a memo addressing this item.\par \par Chair McLaughlin noted that some businesses have expressed concern about how risk categorization would impact their businesses and he would like to have staff from ISD attend a future committee meeting to discuss this item.\par \pard\cf1\f1\par }

4. 4.
   25-0379 Order Recommended to be marked work completed

   That the Director of Inspectional Services enforce Section 11-111 of the Code of Ordinances - Registration and maintenance of vacant property, in light of the recent collapse of 316 Somerville Avenue.

   {\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 The administration has submitted a memo addressing this item.\par \par Liaison Hutter summarized the memo, which gave some historical background on 316 Somervile Avenue, and stated its conclusion that enforcement of SCO 11-111 would not have impacted the outcome of the incidents at 316 Somerville Avenue as actions towards the property were being undertaken by both the property owner and ISD.\par \par Chair McLaughlin commented that a number of people are running for office and citing vacant properties in the city. He stated that this is not as big a lift as it\rquote s being made out to be and should be taken seriously.\par \pard\cf1\f1\par }

5. 5.
   25-0230 Order Recommended to be marked work completed

   That the Director of Health and Human Services and the Chief of Police consider installing emergency call boxes in key city locations, including Davis Square.

   {\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 Director Fisher noted that there are several logistical issues involved with completing this order, e.g., how they operate, do they have integrated cameras, are they solar powered, hard wired, etc. Other considerations are having appropriate signage for the boxes, obtaining them in a color other than the offered blue, and collecting data to select locations for the initial installations and for any additional boxes should the need arise. The director noted that it\rquote s important to have call boxes since not everyone has a cell phone.\par \pard\cf1\f1\par }

6. 6.
   25-0087 Order Kept in committee

   That the Director of Health and Human Services, Director of Housing, and Director of Housing Stability update this City Council regularly on progress towards addressing homelessness.

   {\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 The administration has submitted a memo addressing this item.\par \pard\cf1\f1\par }

7. 7.
   25-0473 Resolution Recommended to be marked work completed

   That the Administration update this Council on the status of the $528,218 received from the national opioid settlement fund to combat drug addiction and of any plans to utilize said funds.

   {\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 The administration has submitted a memo addressing this item.\par \par Liaison Hutter explained that some of the available funds are being used in three areas, i.e., the purchase and maintenance of public health vending machines, the purchase and maintenance of sharps disposal kiosks, and care coordination software which eliminates duplication, improving workflow across the communities of Somerville, Medford and Arlington (and possibly some others). \par \par Liaison Hutter noted that there are restrictions on spending the funds, saying that they have to be linked to impacted individuals and their families. Chair McLaughlin commented that his focus is on what will keep people alive.\par \pard\cf1\f1\par }