Monday, June 15, 2026 at 6 PM

Agenda 2 items

1. 1. Review of the FY27 Budget
2. 1.1 Culture and Community
3. 1.2 Health and Human Services
4. 1.3 Public Safety
5. 2.
   26-0979 Order Recommended to be marked work completed

   That the Director of Health and Human Services update this Council on recent changes for Requests For Proposals for youth programming grants, particularly grants that impact Teen Empowerment directly.

   {\rtf1\ansi\ansicpg1252\deff0\deflang1033{\fonttbl{\f0\fnil\fcharset0 Times New Roman;}} {\colortbl ;\red0\green0\blue0;} \viewkind4\uc1\pard\cf1\f0\fs24 Aliya Ewing, Somerville Program Director for Teen Empowerment, spoke in support of Teen Empowerment programming and expressed concern over the proposed reduction in funding. Director Ewing noted that the organization had been informed in early March that funding could be reduced, the scale of the reduction was unexpected. Director Ewing stated that reductions extending beyond Teen Empowerment disproportionately impact teen residents and emphasized the importance of continued City investment to support youth and allow them to remain in Somerville. In response, Karin Carroll, Director of Health and Human Services, clarified that there has been no overall reduction to the youth services budget this year. Director Carroll explained that under Massachusetts procurement requirements, youth programming undergoes a competitive procurement process every three years and that the City completed a needs assessment and reviewed Youth Risk Behavior Survey results to inform adjustments to programming. As a result, the City restructured youth services into two Requests for Proposals (RFPs), with a third anticipated. Director Carroll noted that $300,000 is currently in procurement and that outreach has been conducted to encourage organizations to apply.\par \par In response to a question from Councilor Hardt regarding shifting priorities, Director Carroll stated that the needs assessment identified three primary recommendations: youth advocacy, improved communication and coordination of youth resources, and expanded career and professional development opportunities. Councilor Scott emphasized that Teen Empowerment had historically received $400,000 and is now eligible for $100,000 in direct funding, characterizing the shift as a policy choice rather than an overall reduction in youth investment and encouraging the Mayor to reconsider the reduction. In response to a question from Councilor Hardt regarding the City\rquote s broader vision for youth development, Director Carroll stated that the approach is multifaceted and includes expanded services and new youth spaces while reiterating that overall youth funding has not been reduced. Councilor Hardt expressed concern that the needs assessment and survey process may not have fully captured the value of transformational youth leadership development.\par \par Director Carroll reiterated that the City is following the procurement process and implementing recommendations from the year-long needs assessment, which directly informed the RFP structure. Councilor Scott also expressed concern that staff were unable to provide an update on the number of applications received through the current RFP process. Amanda Nagim-Williams, Director of Intergovernmental Affairs, noted that procurement staff were not available during the meeting but would provide that information at a later date. In response to a question from Chair Link, Director Carroll clarified that through the RFP process, Teen Empowerment may ultimately receive up to an additional $300,000 in funding.\par }

6. 3. Unfinished Business
7. 3.1 Resolution By Councilor Strezo 6/9/26 That the collective salaries of Licensing Commissioners be increased to $15,180 with the Chair receiving $5,180 and Licensing Commissioners 2 and 3 receiving $5,000 each annually.
8. 3.2
   26-0950 Mayor's Request Kept in committee

   Requesting the appropriation of $376,778,493 to fund the Fiscal Year 2027 General Fund Operating Budget.

   • 📎 FY27 GF Appropriation Order
   • 📎 6.4.26_City FY27 Budget Submisson Presentation (26-0950)