Tuesday, May 19, 2026 at 6 PM

Agenda 4 items

1. 1.
   26-0859 Committee Minutes Accepted

   Approval of the Minutes of the Legislative Matters Committee Meeting of May 5, 2026.

   Roll call: 5 aye

   • Lance L. DavisAye
   • Wilfred N. MbahAye
   • Ben Ewen-CampenAye
   • Kristen StrezoAye
   • Jefferson Thomas (J.T.) ScottAye

   • 📎 Minutes - Leg Matters - 5-5-26 Full
2. 2.
   26-0855 Committee Minutes Accepted

   Approval of the Minutes of the Legislative Matters Committee Meeting of April 28, 2026.

   Roll call: 5 aye

   • Lance L. DavisAye
   • Wilfred N. MbahAye
   • Ben Ewen-CampenAye
   • Kristen StrezoAye
   • Jefferson Thomas (J.T.) ScottAye

   • 📎 Minutes - Leg Matters - 4-28-26 Full
3. 3.
   26-0522 Ordinance Kept in committee

   Proposing an amendment to Section 2-6 of the Code of Ordinances, the Welcoming Communities Ordinance, to further enhance civil rights protections in Somerville.

   {\rtf1\ansi\ansicpg1252\deff0\deflang1033{\fonttbl{\f0\fnil\fcharset0 Times New Roman;}} {\colortbl ;\red0\green0\blue0;} \viewkind4\uc1\pard\cf1\f0\fs24 Councilor Ewen-Campen invited Gideon Epstein, Counsel for the ACLU of Massachusetts, to provide introductory remarks on the amendments and the role municipalities can play in protecting immigrants\rquote rights and civil liberties. Counsel Epstein described the amendments as some of the most consequential actions local governments can take to safeguard immigrant communities and highlighted provisions requiring City lawyers to review existing and future City contracts, particularly those involving surveillance technology and data-sharing practices. He referenced concerns around companies such as Flock Safety sharing license plate reader data with ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) and other agencies involved in civil immigration enforcement, noting that Somerville has not participated in these types of data-sharing networks and that the amendments would codify those protections into law while strengthening safeguards around information sharing and First Amendment rights.\par \par Councilor Scott noted that the ordinance was developed collaboratively with Councilors Link and Hardt and the Administration, and reviewed the attachment, \i Amending Section 2-6 Welcoming Community Ordinance\i0 , highlighting Sections 3 and 13. Legislative Liaison Yasmine Raddassi stated that the ordinance reflects the City\rquote s shared values. Somerville Office of Immigrant Affairs (SOIA) Director Maria Teresa Nagel shared that SOIA has worked with the Law Department to distribute signage informing businesses and private property owners of their rights regarding ICE access without a warrant, while continuing \ldblquote know your rights\rdblquote trainings for community members and City staff. Director Nagel added that SOIA supports accountability by providing staff with clear guidance on their responsibilities and remaining regularly available for trainings and follow-up support. She also noted ongoing coordination with the Police Department to ensure residents understand the distinction between local police and federal immigration agents. Councilor Mbah expressed appreciation for the effort and asked about oversight and accountability measures. Chair Scott and Liaison Raddassi noted that the ordinance largely reinforces existing City practices and that ongoing oversight and training will remain important. Somerville Police Chief Shumeane Benford stated that the Police Department has implemented regular trainings and designated leadership contacts, including Deputy Chief Donovan and Captain De Oliveira, to ensure officers remain informed and in compliance with the ordinance. \par \par Councilor Strezo proposed explicitly adding \ldblquote places of worship\rdblquote to Section 13(B)(II), which Councilor Ewen-Campen was in support of, though Legislative and Policy Analyst Brendan Salisbury, Director Nagel, and City Solicitor Cindy Amara advised that the ordinance\rquote s protections already apply broadly and that referencing specific locations could unintentionally narrow its scope. Councilor Davis raised questions regarding wording in Sections 13(B)(I), E(3), and E(4), including whether phrases such as \ldblquote without limitation\rdblquote should be added for clarity and whether references to federal law or court orders were redundant. Salisbury and Solicitor Amara stated that the City\rquote s drafting style generally favors concise language and that \ldblquote including\rdblquote is not considered restrictive, while Liaison Raddassi explained that certain references were intentionally repeated for clarity in sections specifically related to civil immigration enforcement. Councilor Mbah suggested stronger civilian oversight measures in Sections F, G, and H, while Councilor Ewen-Campen noted that portions of the ordinance were modeled after prior ordinances, including the City\rquote s facial recognition ordinance. Councilor Davis also questioned the use of the term \ldblquote court order\rdblquote rather than \ldblquote administrative warrant,\rdblquote to which Solicitor Amara responded that the distinction was not legally concerning because administrative warrants are executed by officers rather than issued by courts.\par \par \ul\b Councilor Davis moved to request the Policy Analyst and Law Department remove the remaining uses of \ldblquote without limitation\rdblquote elsewhere in the document to remain consistent. The motion was approved on a roll call vote of 4 in favor (Councilors Davis, Ewen-Campen, Strezo and Scott), 0 opposed and 1 absent (Councilor Mbah).\par \par Councilor Ewen-Campen moved to request the Policy Analyst and Law Department include \ldblquote religious expression" after \ldblquote assembly\rdblquote in 13(B)(I) in the resubmission to the Council. The motion was approved on a roll call vote of 5 in favor (Councilors Davis, Mbah Ewen-Campen, Strezo and Scott), 0 opposed.\ulnone\b0\par }

   • 📎 Amending Section 2-6 Welcoming Community Ordinance
4. 4.
   25-1822 Mayor's Request Kept in committee

   Requesting ordainment of an amendment to Chapter 7 of the Code of Ordinances to establish a Rental Registry and Energy Disclosure.

   {\rtf1\ansi\ansicpg1252\deff0\deflang1033{\fonttbl{\f0\fnil\fcharset0 Times New Roman;}} {\colortbl ;\red0\green0\blue0;} \viewkind4\uc1\pard\cf1\f0\fs24 Chair Davis noted that the ordinance had originally been filed by the previous administration. Legislative Liaison Yasmine Raddassi stated that the current administration supports the policy but is not yet prepared to discuss implementation details, noting that additional clarity would come following the budget process to ensure a department is identified to oversee and enforce the ordinance. Councilor Davis emphasized that the matter is of significant public interest.\par \par Chair Scott acknowledged broader concerns regarding ordinances being passed without clear enforcement mechanisms, but stated that the passage of ordinances remains an important function of the City Council in establishing policy direction and delegating enforcement responsibilities to the Administration. Councilor Ewen-Campen expressed support for the ordinance and emphasized the urgency of the issue, while Councilor Mbah concurred, describing the proposal as a \ldblquote win-win\rdblquote situation that would not require a significant administrative burden.\par }

   • 📎 2025.12.05_RRED_Ord
   • 📎 RRED ordinance memo_2025.12.08
   • 📎 RRED Stakeholder Engagement Final Report