Tuesday, September 8, 2026 at 6 PM

Agenda 6 items

1. 1.
   26-1210 Committee Minutes Accepted

   Approval of the Minutes of the Legislative Matters Committee Meeting of June 30, 2026.

   Roll call: 5 aye

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

   • 📎 Minutes - Leg Matters - 6-30-26 Full
2. 2. Public Hearings
3. 2.1.
   26-1006 Public Communication Kept in committee

   89 registered voters submitting a petition requesting a public hearing regarding Police Body-Worn Cameras, pursuant to Section 2-11 of the City Charter.

   {\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\sa160\sl276\slmult1\qj\kerning2\f0\fs24 Five residents and one nonprofit representative spoke in opposition to portions of the Technology Surveillance Impact Report and the Technology-Specific Surveillance Use Policy. Speakers raised concerns regarding oversight and enforcement related to the use of body-worn cameras. Residents also expressed concerns about law enforcement access to recordings and the potential for footage to be altered. Speakers inquired about the protocols or safeguards that could be established to prevent unauthorized alteration of recordings.\par Councilor Scott stated that the Committee will accept written comments on this item through September 11.\par \pard\cf1\kerning0\f1\par }

   • 📎 89 residents - body worn cameras
4. 2.2.
   26-1165 Public Communication Kept in committee

   Davis Square Neighborhood Council submitting comments re: formal recognition by this Council as a neighborhood council under Chapter 7, Article IX of the Code of Ordinances.

   {\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\sa160\sl276\slmult1\qj\kerning2\f0\fs24 Six residents spoke in favor of recognizing the Davis Square Neighborhood Council, while five residents spoke in opposition. Those who spoke in opposition raised concerns about allowing individuals who do not reside in Somerville to become members and participate in decision-making on behalf of the community. Others noted that additional administrative matters and bylaw revisions should be addressed before the Neighborhood Council is formally recognized. Those in favor shared information about the community events sponsored by the Neighborhood Council and that they have received a lot of interest and support from community members.\par Councilor Scott shared that this item will be kept in committee and that a vote on recommendation will be made at the September 15\super th\nosupersub Legislative Matters Committee meeting.\par \pard\cf1\kerning0\f1\par }

   • 📎 DSNC Bylaws - Current Version - Updated 260330
   • 📎 DSNC Tally August 2025
   • 📎 DSNC_2026_MergedElectionResults
   • 📎 List of Elected Board Members
   • 📎 Neighborhood Boundaries
   • 📎 Preliminary Annual Report
   • 📎 Copy of DSNC Code of Conduct
   • 📎 Copy of DSNC_IRS_501c4_DeterminationLetter
   • 📎 Copy of DSNC_MassSOS_ArticlesOfIncorporation
   • 📎 aff_kendra_fox
   • 📎 aff_louisa_bissett
   • 📎 aff_michael_chiu
   • 📎 aff_paul_christie
   • 📎 aff_pj_kim_santos
   • 📎 aff_alex_dehnert
   • 📎 aff_chris_beland
   • 📎 aff_elaine_almquist
   • 📎 aff_frank_malsbenden
   • 📎 Davis Square Neighborhood Council Recognition Narrative
5. 2.3.
   26-1185 Public Communication Kept in committee

   74 registered voters submitting a petition requesting a public hearing regarding the proposed ethical procurement ordinance, pursuant to Section 2-11 of the City Charter.

   {\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\sa160\sl276\slmult1\qj\kerning2\f0\fs24 23 residents spoke in opposition to the proposed ordinance, while 38 spoke in favor. Those speaking in favor stated that the City had previously voted on the matter and characterized the vote as a mandate for elected officials to adopt the ordinance. Several speakers also expressed that they did not want their tax dollars used to contract with businesses that, in their view, support the conflict between Israel and Palestine.\par Those speaking in opposition raised concerns that the ordinance could further divide the community and suggested that there are other approaches the City could take to promote community unity. Some speakers stated that the conflict is primarily a matter for the federal government and that local government should focus on local issues. Other residents expressed concerns that they felt targeted by the proposed ordinance and that it had affected their sense of safety in the community.\par \pard\cf1\kerning0\f1\par }

   • 📎 74 voters - ethical procurement
6. 3.
   26-1218 Public Communication Kept in committee

   Davis Square Neighborhood Council submitting information re: item #26-1165, a request for formal recognition as a neighborhood council.

   {\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\sa160\sl276\slmult1\kerning2\f0\fs24 Taken with Item #26-1165\par \pard\cf1\kerning0\f1\par }

   • 📎 DSNC_Recognition_Deck
7. 4.
   26-1262 Public Communication Kept in committee

   6 residents submitting comments re: item #26-1165, Davis Square Neighborhood Council recognition.

   {\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\sa160\sl276\slmult1\kerning2\f0\fs24 Taken with Item #26-1165\par \pard\cf1\kerning0\f1\par }

   • 📎 6 residents - DSNC