Good evening, everyone.

Uh this it is Thursday, February uh 12th.

This is a meeting council.

My name is Lance Davis presiding.

I use he, him pronouns.

Um please note that audio video of this meeting is being recorded and maybe shown live on local access government channels and on the city of Somerville website and will be available for future review.

Uh with the clerk, please call the roll.

This is roll call.

Counselor Eun Campen.

Here.

Counselor Link.

Here.

Counselor Scott.

Present.

Counselor Klingon?

Present.

Counselor Strazo.

Present.

Counselor Said.

Here.

Counselor Wheeler.

Here.

Counselor Hart.

Here.

Counselor McLaughlin.

Yeah.

Counselor Mbaugh?

Present.

Counselor Davis.

Here.

With all counselors present, we have quorum.

Thank you.

All right.

Uh pursuant to our Rule 32.

Let it be known that this city council salutes the flag of the United States of America.

And let us recall our oath to uphold the Constitution and the laws of the Commonwealth to the best of our abilities and understanding.

We begin our meetings with a moment of silence.

Are there any counselors wishing to say a few words about members of our community tonight?

Counselor Ba.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

I ask that we take a moment of silence to honor the life of our friend and neighbor, Joyce Schultz.

Joy was a principal activist and a dedicated community builder who believed deeply in justice, compassion, and the power of people coming together.

Her commitment to our community and her willingness to stand up for what is right, lives a legacy.

As we pause, let us remember her life, honor her values, and hold her loved ones, especially her husband Richard Schott, in our community, you know, and also in our hearts.

And secondly, I also asked that we take a moment of silence to honor the life of Dave Cron, the father of our community member Julie Cron.

Dave's life is reflected in the love, values, and strength he passed on.

And his legacy lives through his family and all those he touch.

As we pause, we hold Julie and her loved ones in our thoughts, and we offer our deepest sympathy during this time of loss.

Thank you.

Uh Councillor Hart.

Thank you.

I would like to remember Connie Moniz.

Connie passed away on January 24th.

She was predeceased by her son Alan and her daughter Lee, who was the mother of former Ward 5 City Councillor Courtney O'Keefe.

Connie was born in Somerville and grew up on Powder House Boulevard.

She lived in Somerville for periods throughout her life and taught music at St.

Ann's Elementary School.

She was an accomplished singer and piano player, and she will be greatly missed.

I'd like to hold all her family in our thoughts, especially former Councillor O'Keefe.

Thank you.

Counselor Klingon and then Councillor Shezo.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

Through you I have a number of uh moments of silence this evening.

If you all just bear with me.

Um it's kind of a tough time of the year.

It seems uh uh a number of of longtime some uh Summerville natives have passed away actually just on February 8th.

Uh the first one being Kevin Murphy, Kevin Murphy.

Uh he lived in Arlington.

Uh he was a Somerville native, uh born and raised in Somerville.

Uh he was one of eight children, born to the late Betty Davenport and Timothy Murphy.

He was exceptionally bright, earning himself a full scholarship to Tufts University, where he ultimately decided college wasn't for him.

He was a hard worker.

Kevin stepped into many roles in his time as a taxi driver, parts career, and among his favorites, he worked part-time at the pub in um Ball Square on the other side of the bar.

Um I think that's a joke.

Uh his cherished roles were his beloved husband being the beloved husband of 38 years to Kathleen, Kathy Cody Murphy, uh, with whom he raised their family in Arlington and devoted father of Kyle Murphy, Kayla Murphy, and her fiancee Gianna Dorado, Cara Murphy, all of Arlington.

Um Dennis Murphy and wife Roseanne.

Timothy, also known as Pat Murphy, all of Somerville, Thomas Murphy and his wife Kathleen of Florida, John Murphy and his wife, Carrie of Arlington, Eileen Murphy Morrill and her husband Bruce of Cape Cod.

Umaureen Arsenal and her husband Mark of Medford, Michael Murphy of Somerville, uncle to many loved uh nieces and nephews.

So I'll just send with Kevin was loved and respected by the world at large.

He touched countless lives, leaving behind many dear friends in and out of Somerville.

Kevin could often be found at the pub enjoying a few cold Budweisers, cueing up songs on Touch Tunes, reading the paper and trying his lucky keynote outside the city.

He enjoyed spending time at his the place he loved, Long Island, Maine, and most importantly, his family.

Next, I would like us to remember this evening, keeping our thoughts and prayers.

Donna Fazio, uh Donna Marie Fazio passed away on February 8th.

Uh Donna was a proud and lifelong resident of Somerville.

She passed away on Sunday the 8th following a hard-fought battle against cancer.

She was 65 years old.

She was the daughter of Lucy Tartaglia Fazio and the late Vincent Fazio.

She was a graduate of Somerville High School and in her early years worked at Raytheon and she was a waitress at many popular establishments, like the SNS in Cambridge, Bocelli's restaurant in Medford.

Donna was one of a kind.

She had a feisty spark and a heart of gold.

She always made an entrance and lit up a room, always meeting new friends wherever she went.

She was the life of the party.

Donna loves spending time at the beach.

In addition to her mom, in addition to her mom Lucy, she is survived by her brother Vincent Fazio and his son Vincent Little Vinny Fazio.

And her sister Sheila Falarity and many cousins and cherished friends.

And then next, I would like us to remember Patrick Barry, who passed away on February 8th.

Pat Barry was a lifelong resident of Somerville.

He passed away peacefully at home on Sunday, the 8th.

He was 70 years old.

He was born in Boston, raised in Somerville.

Patrick was the beloved son of the late Francis J.

and Francis L.

Ross Barry.

Patrick's greatest joy was spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren, watching them grow, achieve and accomplish their goals, filled him with pride and happiness.

Family truly meant everything to him.

He loved sports, baseball, football.

He had a special passion for softball.

And he also enjoyed testing his luck betting horses.

He was also the proud and devoted granddog to Tank, whom he adored.

He was a beloved father of Patrick Barry and his fiancee Heidi Donovan, Don Barry and Kristen Cabral, devoted grandfather of Jacqueline Barry, Michaela Barry, Caitlin Cabral, and Alex Cabral, cherished brother of Linda Mealy and her husband Joe, Thomas Barry and his wife Dolly, Michael Barry, Philip Barry, Paul Barry and his wife Sue, Dave Barry and the late Susan Foster and Mark Barry.

He's also lovingly survived by many nieces and nephews.

And many people in this room probably and elsewhere know the Barry family.

His brother Tom works for the city of Somerville DPW.

I grew up with his son Patrick, who um I keep in my thoughts and prayers this evening.

Um all of the Barry family and and friends.

Um thank you.

And then um second to last, we have uh Stephen Hardy passed away uh recently.

Stephen Hardy of Somerville passed away on the 5th.

He was the beloved son of the late Alfred and Claire Hardy, loving father of Karen Lee.

Uh I'm sorry, of California, Caitlin Hardy of Somerville, devoted brother of Alfred, Diane Rayner, Claire Whalen, Patricia Benoit, Colleen Corey, and Thomas Hardy, and the late Donna Hardy.

James Hart and the late James Hardy.

Sorry, the late Donna Hardy, James Hardy, John Hardy, Barbara Nichols, and Timothy Hardy.

Also survived by his loving aunts, uncles, and nieces.

Stephen was born and raised and educated in Somerville.

He worked many years as a master plumber for the city of Somerville, and he was the proud owner of Hardy Plumbing.

Three-time past president and longtime member of the Somerville City Club.

Stephen was a life, a longtime men's and women's softball coach where he won multiple championships.

He was an avid Boston sports fan and bel and loved being close to the beach.

He will be missed by all.

And on Stephen, I'll just say I know him.

Yeah, I mostly folks I know and I know Steve uh pretty well.

Um he was his daughter played softball with with my daughter.

Um and he was just a really great guy.

Uh just a heart of gold.

He he I can't say enough things uh night enough nice things about Steve.

Um he will be missed by everybody who knew him.

He was definitely a larger than life character.

Um, and then finally, um George Mazio of Florida, formerly of Somerville, passed away peacefully surrounded by family.

Uh George was born and raised in Somerville's Winter Hill neighborhood, where he attended St.

Ann's and Somerville High School.

Uh a roofer by trade.

He was known for his strong work ethic and pride in his craft.

George cherished his family and valued time spent together.

George was predeceased by his parents, Joseph and Joanne, Joanne Garner, uh, both Mazio and his beloved twin brother John Mazio.

He is survived by his siblings, Tara Mazio Jackson and her husband Bobby and Joseph Mazio and his wife Robin, his nieces, Sadie and Tatum and his nephew Joseph, and many loving aunts, aunts, uncles, and friends who will who will miss him dearly.

So I just ask that you keep all of these folks and their families in our thoughts and prayers this evening and honor them with a moment of silence.

Thank you.

Thank you, Counselor Cleagan.

Councilor Stressel.

Well, I'm to honor and remember Patricia Kellan.

Um, who served in Somerville and brought Somerville to where we are today.

She was a Alderman at large, an active PTA member.

She joined Somerville's Mayor Michael Capuano's administration, retired as a purchasing agent for the city.

She uh spent her summers in Camp Camp uh Cape Natic in Maine.

Her greatest joy was being a grandmother.

She shared her love of the beach with her grandchildren, spending countless days with them and enjoying the sound and surf in both Florida and Maine.

May your memory be for a blessing.

Thank you for those.

Would everyone in the chambers please stand as you are able and recognize a moment of silence for the aforementioned individuals.

All right, next item, Madam Clark.

Brings us to agenda item 1.3, approval of the minutes of the regular meeting of January 8th, 2026.

See no objection, that item is approved.

Next item.

Next item is a citation by Counselor Davis commending Dan Moore on the auspicious occasion of his retirement after 12 years of distinguished service in the communications and community engagement department.

Thank you.

Please just introduce yourself for the record and go ahead.

Mr.

President, members of the City Council and guests, thank you.

I am profoundly grateful for this citation and for this moment.

I really wish I could be here to see you all in person and accept this honor personally.

Instead, I'm currently at physical therapy, likely having my quadriceps folded into an origami crane.

So thank you for allowing me to be here in spirit.

When I started my career at City Hall, I was immediately inspired by the long and dedicated service of folks like Anna Chicarello, George Wood, John Long, and Nick Salerno.

They set a standard for what it means to serve Somerville, and I've spent the last 12 years trying to live to that example.

It's not common these days for people to stay with one employer for very long.

Before finding my place at City Hall, the longest I'd ever held a position was three years.

I think that turnover happens because it's incredibly rare to find work that is deeply rewarding, and even rarer to find an employer that truly reciprocates loyalty.

The city of Somerville is that special exception.

I was dealt with a tough hand with my health, but I was privileged to have a director who pulled out every stop to accommodate me so that I could keep working as long as possible.

And when my MS progressed to the point where it was simply no longer to no longer possible to continue, my team, Therese Frazier, Matthew Fillion, and Colin Bell, stepped up to the to the breach to fill the void.

I even had colleagues from my department and others offering to donate their own sick time to me.

That support made it easy to want to stay.

My love for the city of Somerville and the people who live, work, play, and raise families here, will be with me for life.

I am eager to see how this administration, the city council, and our departments rise to meet the challenges facing our city.

I'll leave you with one final thought.

As you continue the great work for the city, please remember to clear your browser cash, and able to factor authentication, and never click a link that promises you a free gift card.

Thank you so much, Dan Moore.

And let me let me read the citation into the record and then I'll uh I'll bring it over there.

Okay.

Um be it no be it hereby known that the Somerville City Council and the mayor offer their sincerest commendations to Dan Moore on the auspicious occasion of his retirement after 12 years of distinguished service to the city.

His legacy includes spearheading a revamp of the website, bridging the gap between residents and online resources, and delivering creative problem solving with the highest quality web service to all.

Offered this 12th day of February 2026 Mr.

President, can I say a word while you walk that over?

Um I just I know we have a long agenda.

I just want to briefly say my third or fourth year as a counselor, um I worked with Dan.

Um we were putting together a constituent event, and it involved a lot of uh updating the website and making various forms that the public could use.

And it was genuinely like awe-inspiring how good Dan was at his job.

It was one of the most seamless, just perfect kind of professional.

Uh I just totally I think about it all the time for a model of how good someone can be at their job and how helpful someone can be.

Um and I'm sure that everyone who interacted with Dan had that same experience.

So uh thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you for that.

All right.

Um a quick housekeeping note.

So we have, I think was it last at a last meeting we had zero public hearings.

Well, I definitely jinxed us this entire page and a few extra on the next page.

So we've got a lot of public hearings.

After the public hearings, we're gonna hear a few items out of order.

Uh we'll first take up um the uh item 6a, which is the um uh committee and appointments and personnel matters uh report, uh, then item 4.11, then 715.

We will then go into executive session um for hopefully not too long.

Um and that will be uh related after executive session, the related item is 713.

We'll take that up.

And then following that, item 7.22 for meeting consideration, and then we'll start the meeting.

All right.

So with that, Madam Clerk, would you please read the next item?

3.1, a grant of location.

Comcast applying for a grant of location to install a total of 133 feet of conduit in Highland Avenue from existing manhole 44 over 164 to a point of pickup at 393 Highland Avenue.

All right, I hereby declare this public hearing open.

Is there anyone here to speak on the item?

Is that somebody online?

No one online.

Sir, guide issues up for the record.

Uh Robert Rugman for uh utility coordinator for Comcast.

Um just here to uh get a grant to location for that 1343 fee from an existing manhole uh on Highland Ave to service uh 393 Highland Av.

Okay, thank you.

Anyone else here to speak on the item?

No hands online.

All right.

I declare that the public hearing to be closed.

Is there any discussion?

All right, see none that item is approved.

Next item.

Thank you.

Item 3.2, a grant of location from Ever Source, applying for a grant of location to install a total of 640 feet of conduit in Broadway from existing manhole 1798 to existing manhole 24058 next to 167 Broadway.

All right, I declare this public hearing open.

Is there anyone here to speak on the item?

Do we have an oversource rep?

Okay.

I'm pausing here because we usually have an Eversource rep online to speak to these items.

No one here.

All right, let's lay this item on the table.

Next item.

Item 3.3, a grant of location from Eversource, applying for a grant of location to install a total of 54 feet of conduit in Benton Road from utility poll 79 over one to a point of pickup at 2 Benton Road.

All right, and now decor.

Let's uh with uh we laid item 3.2 on the table, so I uh implicit that I've c uh uh didn't close the public hearing but suspended the public hearing while it's later on the table.

We'll we'll we'll call it that.

Um on 3.3 on this item I now declare the public hearing to be open.

Is there any i anyone uh here to speak on this item?

See none.

I think this is gonna be a uh a common theme here.

So we will um we will adjourn the the or I guess temporary close the public hearing.

We'll lay that item on the table.

The reason I'm doing this is because I want to see if uh we get a representative here from EverSource to speak to any of these if there's any questions.

Counselor Scott.

Uh thank you, Mr.

President.

I'm texting with Jackie Delphi right now.

She's doing Arlington City Council.

Shall we shall we um lay all of the ever source items on the table then?

Um which is the remainder is 3.2 through 313.

Um any objection to doing that.

I prefer to have even if it's even if it's for Ms.

Duffy just to you know just repeat the item, and sometimes she has information on it.

So I Mr.

Chair, I'd move to lay these items on the table and uh pick them back up either later tonight or uh next week.

Um but I would also request we if there are any members of the public here, of course give them the chance.

Council camping.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

I also want to note we have an item on our agenda later that is a public comment related to all of the Eversource items.

Um it's file 260259.

So whenever we take these back up the table, I just want to take that up also.

Thank you, Councillor Hart.

Um, I was just gonna ask if there were any members of the public.

Yeah.

So let's let me ask this is a bit w we'll we'll take up items three dot four through three dot thirteen um together briefly.

These are all grant applications for Eversource.

Is there anyone in the room or online here to speak to any of these items?

If so, if you're online, please use the raise hand function.

Okay, a couple here.

So so that we don't make you all wait, let's take up those items.

Can you let me know which which item it is?

Sir?

Second the last uh subject and the landlord that's an emergency situation.

Three dot twelve.

So let's take up item three dot twelve out of order.

Madam Clerk, would you read that item for us, please?

Yes, I think that one person online.

Okay.

Agenda item 3.10, excuse me, 3.12, a grant of location.

Eversource applying for a grant of location to install a total of 452 feet of conduit and one new manhole 32561 in Summer Street from utility poll 325 over 28 to three points of pickup at 156, 157, and 162 Summer Street.

All right.

I declare the public hearing to be open.

Is there anyone here to speak on the item?

Sir, please approach and uh introduce yourself for the record.

Okay.

Good to know.

Thank you.

I'm the landlord for 156-158 Summer Street.

Unfortunately.

State your name, please.

Sure, it's Kevin Foley.

Thank you.

The name of our company is Lockantelli properties.

Unfortunately, Eversource is in here, but we've been working with the city and Eversource for several weeks.

This is an emergency situation.

We have a tight site.

We need to get this put in place to uh meet requirements for both our insurance company and our mortgage company.

So I think it's very straightforward.

Okay, thank you.

Um I understand that we do have an Eversource representative here with us now uh online.

Emily Sweeney, you should be able to unmute yourself.

Sorry, did I get did I get any one?

Emmy McSweeney, I was very close.

I apologize.

Emmy, are you able to unmute yourself on your end?

I love technology.

Is there any reason that Emmy would not be able to mute themselves on would be under our control?

All right, while we try to get Emmy available to speak with us, let's lay this item on the table and go to the I saw that another hand in the room for someone here to speak on item.

Which item is it?

Uh 3.8.

3.8.

So let's I uh lay 3.12 on the table and take up item 3.8.

Madam Clerk, would you please read that into the record?

3.8 of grant of location from Eversource, applying for a grant of location to install a total of 62 feet of conduit in Ivalu Street from Utility Poll 179 over 5 to a point of pickup at 38 Ivalo Street.

All right, and now declare the public hearing to be open on that item.

Is there anyone here to get to speak on the record?

Please step forward and introduce yourself.

Uh Chris Duan from 26 Ivalu.

Um I would just ask that the utility company take into consideration I believe is only two blocks long.

We have not less than three double polls and multiple lines that are laying against the few remaining trees that we have.

I would ask that those fixing those be a condition of proving this.

Okay.

Is there anyone else to hear here to speak on the item?

Presumably Emmy McSweeney, who we still can't get able to speak.

Any discussion on that item?

Councilor Scott.

Uh thank you, Mr.

President.

Um to be honest with you, I'm not sure uh exactly how to frame those conditions.

So what I would request is uh to send this item to committee so that the license and permits committee can uh work with ever source to ensure um proper conditioning on it.

Also um so that they can take up our master list of double polls, which is uh an item that I don't want lost as we transition to a new LMP chair.

Thank you, sir.

All right, so we'll leave that laid on the table for the moment um to see if we can get uh the rep the Eversource Representative available.

Um but the intent on 3.8 will be when we pick it back up to send that one to refer that one to committee.

Um is there anyone else here to speak on any of the public hearings?

Any of the grants of location in the chambers, online, raise your hand if so.

All right, seeing none, let's leave the the remainder of the items.

Yeah, Council Scott.

Uh there are two more that I would uh request that we do send a committee as well.

Uh that would be item number uh 3.4 uh regarding the 10 Oak Street and uh item 3.11, the 91 Prospect Street location grants.

Those are both owned by the same property owner.

It's been an immense problem over the years, and it claims that they are currently under construction, but there are no issue building permits for those plots.

So uh I'd like to have a moment in committee to take a look at that.

Thank you.

All right, so I think uh I'm now I'm inclined as I think about 3.8.

I think if these are gonna go to committee, there's no reason to lay on the table.

So if there's that no objection discussion, um we will send item 3.4, 3.8, and 3.11 to licenses and permits.

Um and then the remainder of 3.1 through 3.13 uh lay on the table uh in hopes that we can hear from our ever source rep and uh otherwise with the you know, as as unless there's any other objections, we'll we'll move forward on those uh tonight.

Um but we will leave lay those on the table.

So that's gonna bring us to our first out of order item, then, madam clerk.

Uh Mr.

President.

Yep, um I think 3.1 was we we did have the hearing, didn't we?

Oh, did I say did I start with 3.2?

Yeah, yeah, sorry.

So 3.1 is um that item is approved.

Did I not say that?

Uh that brings us to agenda item 6.8, 6.81 committee report, report of the committee on confirmation of appointments and personnel matters meeting on February 2nd, 2026.

Councilor Bach.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

The committee met on February 2nd.

And the committee members voted to recommend approval of the city's chief administrative officer, new parks and recreation director, and promotions for police department officers.

For the position of chief administrative officer, the mayor has chosen Kimberly Wells, who has served as a city clerk for the past five years.

Her skills of organizations and interpersonal relations are well known to city council members, and she is highly respected.

She has already established relationship with all the city agencies and the committee members express our expectation and that she will be an effective manager and strategist.

For the police department, the committee voted to recommend the approval of two senior officers who have been promoted from the ranks.

Lieutenant Diogo de Olivera, who has been with the department for 20 years, will be promoted to captain.

He will head the community police policing program, under which the department is developing the techniques of co-policing.

That is response to emergencies with teams of both law enforcement officers and social service professionals.

We believe that Officer Dior D Olivera is well prepared for this work, giving his past record of working on community programs and his multiple skill set, you know, in language.

Similarly, Sergeant Sami Misaudi, a thirteen year Sumavi officer will be promoted to lieutenant.

He too is multilingual and has worked closely with several community groups, teen and immigrant families.

For the position of parks and recreation director, the mayor has proposed an experienced parks agency director who will come to some of it from Hartford Connecticut.

Although, you know, he he will be new to some of it.

He brings rich experience from past work with children and youth sports and recreation programming, as well as with the administrative agency and financial management.

Finally, the committee had a useful discussion about the procedures and standards of evaluation that should apply to the hiring of any support staff for the city council as provided in the new city charter.

This will be an ongoing conversation that we will have with the new city clerk.

And that brings us to some promotions.

Yeah, absolutely.

Anywhere you want to go.

All right, folks, come on back.

Let's get back to work.

Are you able to hear me now?

Are you able to hear me?

I called I tried calling in.

So we'll just do them in orders.

All right, I call this meeting back to order.

Uh we have a quorum.

Um we are going to go back my understanding is we now have the Eversource representative available to speak.

Um so let's go back to uh item three dot two.

I'll reho reopen that hearing.

Uh is there anyone here to speak on the item?

Can you hear me now?

Yes, I call I tried calling in because the computer was a problem.

We can hear you.

Thank you so much.

Sorry about the technical glitch.

Go right ahead.

That was stressful.

Okay, so I'm ready here.

So uh actually, yeah, Mount Clark, can you read that one back into sweet?

Yep.

Item three point two, ever source applying for a grant of location to install a total of six hundred and forty feet of conduit in Broadway from existing manhole seventeen ninety-eight to existing manhole two four zero five eight next to one six seven Broadway.

All right, Emmy McSweeney from Ever Source on the item.

Can you hear me?

Um, it's to provide service to a hundred fourteen unit dwelling building as well as four retail spaces.

Okay, thank you.

Uh is there anyone else here to speak on the item?

If you're online, please use the raise the hand function.

All right, seeing nine, I declare the public hearing closed.

Uh any discussion on the item.

Council McCampin.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

Um through you to the representative of EverSource.

So the council received a public comment relevant to all of these, and I just want to briefly describe it, if that's okay.

Um so this resident reached out to Somerville's local three one system about a street light that's out of service at thirty-five Holland Street.

And the response he got from the city was quote We believe the underground feeds were destroyed during the road work.

We have multiple calls into Eversource in regard to many different underground electrical services being cut during road construction.

And they do not respond.

There's nothing we can do.

We're not allowed to work in the manholes.

Um that's the end of the quote.

So we're hearing some residents.

Let me let me just interject there.

I I we're probably doing this a little backwards.

Let's read that item into the record.

Sure.

So that we can take it up.

So that we can take it up and we'll take it up together with each of the following ones individually as or something like that.

Go ahead, Madam Clark.

Agenda item 10.7, a public communication from Christopher Balands, submitting comments re items 26-0175 through 26-0186 and 26-0187.

Ever source applying for grants of location.

Back to you, Council and Campin.

Thank you.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

So look, no one here on the council wants to delay important electrical work that not that needs to get done.

And obviously this is not your fault.

Um but this is completely unacceptable, right?

That the city is putting in multiple calls to Eversource saying you have cut electrical equipment.

Quite completely.

And then apparently we're not getting a response according to the the the city.

Um so what I'm asking is a commitment from you that you'll work with your colleagues at Eversource to make sure that this particular light of 35 Holland Street um and others that you hear about from the city will be repaired.

It definitely will.

I will talk to Eddie tomorrow first thing when I um get there.

And it's his proves that go out there and I'll have him fix it.

Send someone out.

Great.

Thanks.

And a number of these items are going to committee, so if we don't get a follow-up, we can talk about it then too.

Thank you.

Yep.

Thank you, Councilman Camp and Councillor Schazo, do you have so much?

Not on this item.

But let me know when you're in.

Um we we have another hand up, so I will reopen the public hearing.

Is it on uh what's the name?

Kelly Ann.

Kelly Ann, uh, is it on this item relating to uh 167 Broadway?

So hi, I'm Kellyanne Corea.

I'm from Eversource.

Um I actually work with Emmy and I just want to speak um the remarks that the calls made into the 311 system, the 35 Holland, etc.

We do have standing meetings with the city DPW and City Engineer um weekly or bi-weekly on these.

I'm not always in attendance on those hearings, so this is actually the first I heard of this that there are several complaints in.

But um, I just want to assure you we will certainly address that directly with the city and work with you to get these resolved.

As soon as possible.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

Through you.

Thank you.

Any other discussion on the item three part two or ten dot which was it?

10.7.

No.

Okay.

Do we want to send that one to sustainability infrastructure to for follow-up?

No.

Oh the the comments.

Comments?

Uh yes, please.

All right, let's send 10.7 to sustainability infrastructure um for uh for follow-up on that.

Uh and yeah, is there any any is any other discussion?

Anyone else?

Any hands?

Okay, so that public hearing is now closed.

Um that so 10.7 will be placed in the file with a copy to sustainability infrastructure 3.2.

Uh, with no further discussion, that item is approved.

All right, uh next item.

Um, Mr.

President, uh can thank you.

Can I also we have some um members of the audience here to speak on 4.16 as well?

Okay, let's get through the uh the grants of location and then absolutely put I'm asking to be put that in the hopper of the taken out of order.

4.16 Go ahead, next item.

Agenda item 3.3, a grant of location from Eversource, applying for a grant of location to install a total of 54 feet of conduit in Benton Road from utility poll 79 over one to a point of pickup at two Benton Road.

All right.

Uh reopen this public hearing.

We have anyone to speak on this item.

Yes, it's Emmy again.

Okay, go ahead.

Um this is to provide service to number two Benton Road, and it will be going northerly from poll 79 over one, approximately 115 feet north of Summer Street.

Okay, you know, we'll we'll install approximately 54 feet of conduit to service them.

Okay, thank you.

Anyone else here to speak on this item?

All right, seeing none, I declare the public hearing to be closed.

Any discussion?

Questions?

See none?

All right, that item is approved.

Next item.

Agenda item 3.5, grant of location from Eversource, applying for a grant of location to install a total of 28 feet of conduit in Gilman Street from utility poll 142 over three to a point of pickup at 13 Gilman Street.

All right, declare this public hearing open.

Is there anyone here to speak on the item?

All right.

So this I um I am here to speak on this item, and this is to provide uh service to one of your constituents to provide electric service to the House.

Okay.

Any other anyone else here to speak on this item?

No.

Okay, C and Nana declare the public hearing closed.

Is there any discussion?

All right, see none that item is approved.

All right.

Next item.

Agenda item 3.6, a grant of location from Ever Source applying for a grant of location to install a total of 10.5 feet of conduit in Hudson Street from utility poll two over two, two oh two over four to a point of pickup at 17 Hudson Street.

I now declare the public hearing to be open.

Is there anyone here to speak on the item?

Yes, Emmy McSweeney, and this is the same.

We will be providing service to the location at 17 Hudson Street to power that house.

All right.

Is there anyone else here to speak on the item?

As a reminder, if you're online, use the raise hand function.

All right, seeing no one, then the item is approved.

Sorry, the public hearing is closed.

Any discussion.

No?

All right.

That item is approved.

Next item.

Agenda item 3.7, a grant of location from Eversource applying for a grant of location to install a total of 35 feet of conduit in Belmont Street from utility poll 27 over 9 to a point of pickup at 37 Belmont Street.

All right.

Uh reopen the public hearing.

Is there anyone here to speak on the item?

Yes.

Emmy is here to speak on the item.

And we will be installing conduit on Benton Street to provide service to 37.

Number 37.

All right, very good.

Anyone else here to speak on the item?

All right, seeing none, the public hearing is closed.

Is there any discussion?

No.

No.

Okay.

Then uh that item is approved.

Next item.

Agenda item 3.9, a grant of location from Eversource applying for a grant of location to install a total of 12 feet of conduit in White Street from utility poll 648 over 2 to a point of pickup at 44 White Street.

All right, and now declare the public hearing open.

Is there anyone here to speak on the item?

Emmy McSweeney?

Every source?

Um and this is to provide service to 44 uh White Street to power their house.

Okay.

Anyone else here to speak on the item?

No.

All right, seeing none, I declare the public hearing closed.

Is there any discussion?

No.

All right.

Then thatem is approved.

Next item.

Agenda item 3.10, a grant of location from Eversource, applying for a grant of location to install a total of two feet of conduit in Franklin Avenue from utility poll 133 over 5 to a point of pickup at 60 Franklin Street.

All right, I now declare the public hearing to be open.

Is there anyone here to speak on the item?

Emmy McSweeney.

All right, so Emmy McSweeney from Eversource and the uh we are installing conduit to provide service to 60 Franklin Street.

Anyone else here to speak on the item?

No.

All right, I declare the public hearing closed.

Is there any discussion?

See none that item is approved.

Next item.

Item 3.12, a grant of location from Eversource, applying for a grant of location to install a total of 452 feet of conduit and one new manhole 32561 in Summer Street from utility poll 325 over 28 to three points of pickup at 156, 157, and 162 Summer Street.

Alright, and now declare the public hearing to be open.

Is there anyone here to speak on the item?

Okay.

Yes, Emmy Ms.

Sweeney again.

Um this is to provide service, a resident service along Summer Street.

This one was discussed, I believe, uh, because the manhole had to be re uh relocated because there was a bike lane in the that was installed.

So everyone agreed to install the manhole in the sidewalk.

Okay, thank you for that.

Anyone else here to speak on the item?

Just so we wouldn't impede anyone.

Kelly has their hand raised.

I see Kellyanne Korea with your hand raised.

Do you want to speak on this item?

Yeah, hi.

Just quickly some clarification for the council.

Um just just for the record on this item.

You represent Eversource, correct?

Oh, yes.

I'm sorry, I'm supervisor for rights and permits for Eversource.

Um, just some clarification on this item.

Go ahead.

A portion of this conduit in the manhole had been approved on a grant of location back in I believe March of this um 2025.

And nothing has been installed yet.

We actually have additional conduit coming from this same manhole.

But since the time the grant was originally approved, the bike lane had been um revitalized, repaired, installed, whatever, but it's actually a raised bike lane now.

The manhole could not go where the grant originally approved it.

So the city had asked us to move the manhole out into the roadway, which was fine for this petition.

Um that wasn't gonna work either.

It was too close to the gas line and over the sewer line.

So we did meet with DPW.

We agreed to put the manhole on the sidewalk, but for the sake of clarification, we are including the conduit for this petition plus the conduit in the manhole that were previously approved.

This is the new design.

So we just want to grant for this the whole scope of all this work.

So we just want to grant for this the whole scope of all this work so it all goes installed and everyone's on the same page as to where everything is.

Okay, thank you.

Anyone else here to speak on the item?

I see none.

I declare the public hearing close.

Is there any discussion?

So I I have a question actually, just in terms of uh putting a manhole cover on a sidewalk.

Can you speak to you know what measures are taken to ensure that that doesn't impact accessibility for folks who for whom a manhole in the sidewalk might be an issue?

Um yeah, it's a pretty standard installation.

Um the there'll be covers of the manhole are flush with the sidewalk.

So it does meet ADA requirements, it's um doesn't impede any pedestrian access or use of the sidewalk there.

Okay, thank you for that.

Any further discussion?

Councillor Link?

Uh yeah, through you, Mr.

President.

Uh, I'm just curious how long the the sidewalk would remain.

I'm assuming that it's gonna be parts of it will be demolished and impassable.

So I'm just curious how quickly that's gonna be made whole again.

So I'm not sure the time frame they asked for the whole scope of the job, what would happen is they would install the manhole first because they need somewhere to connect all the conduit.

So I'm gonna say about a week in the sidewalk area, if I had to pick it'll be like a rolling work zone, so they'll they'll work at the manhole area, and then they'll do the conduit in pieces or sections.

They're not gonna enclose like the entire scope of that 400 feet for the whole duration of work out there.

Um any kind of pedestrian traffic that needs a sidewalk will just kind of be re-routed around the area.

We always have police details, and then any type of um road work we're doing, there'll be at least one lane of travel remain open at all times, and again, police detail to direct traffic through the work zones.

It'll be more than a week total for the total 400 feet, but the sidewalk area with the um original installation, I would say a couple of days, not being the construction person, so to the best of my knowledge.

All right, thank uh Mr.

President, thank you.

Thank you.

Any further discussion?

See none?

Okay, that item is approved.

Next item.

Agenda item 3.13, a grant of location from Ever Source applying for a grant of location to install a total of 40 feet of conduit in Leland Street from utility poll 201 over three to a point of pickup at 321 Washington Street.

I declare this public hearing to be open.

Is there anyone here to speak on the item?

Yes, this is Emmy McSweeney.

Um we are installing the um 40 feet of conduit to service 321 Washington Street.

Okay.

Anyone else here to speak on the item?

Okay, uh seeing none, uh, I'll declare the public hearing closed.

Uh, any discussion?

Councilor Scott?

It's a Ward II item, but I'll I'll let it go.

Thank you.

All right.

See no further discussion, then that item is approved.

Thank you.

All right.

That will take us to back to our out of order items, right?

And I think we had one more request for an out-of-order item that's 416.

Yeah, so Mr.

President, I jumped the gun on that.

I thought that I do want that taken out of order.

I have my mic on.

Uh it's on.

Uh I I jumped the gun between the uh public hearings, so whoopsie.

Uh, thought we were complete with that, but yes, if we could put it before the executive.

Let's keep the order that we plan, but we'll do that one before the executive session.

Thank you.

Okay.

So then that brings us to, I believe it was item 411 is the next one.

Agenda item 411, a resolution by Counselor Hart, Counselor Ewan Campin, and Counselor McLaughlin supporting the Fourth Amendment rights provided in the Constitution of the United States.

Counselor Hart.

Thank you.

Madam Clerk, would you mind reading the resolution, please?

Whereas the city of Somerville has historically pursued equity and safety for all residents, and whereas the Fourth Amendment to the Constitution of the United States guarantees a right against unreasonable searches and seizures, including warrantless searches or seizures by means of warrants issued without probable cause, and whereas federal law enforcement AGs agencies, including immigration and customs enforcements, have recently engaged in a pattern of unconstitutional, warrantless workplace searches, which have disrupted small businesses, dining establishments, construction sites, factories, transit hubs, and courts in many cities.

And whereas the threat of unconstitutional seizure by federal law enforcement officers is preventing a growing number of households from safely engaging in public life, including pursuing education, healthcare, and employment.

And whereas these warrantless workplace raids, excuse me, whereas families and individuals who are black, indigenous, Hispanic, and people of color with citizenship or legal status are also being unconstitutionally targeted, harassed, and arrested by federal law enforcement officers under the guise of immigration enforcement.

And whereas the warrantless workplace raids are conducted in a discriminatory fashion that harms lawfully present and authorized workers, such as Holder Just temporary protected status, TPS, despite having legal authorization to work in the United States.

These individuals are subjected to intimidation, detention, and disruption based on their appearance or perceived immigration status.

And whereas the city can help to serve as an example for local businesses and can advocate for the rights of all residents and can discourage overreach by federal law enforcement in our community.

Now, therefore, be it resolved that the Somerville City Council request that this city of Somerville affirm its commitment and just lost my place.

Affirm its commitment, excuse me, and continue to uphold the Constitution of the United States of America, inclusive of the Fourth Amendment, and that the mayor work to provide training to city staff to effectuate this, and be it further resolved that the city provide information and resources on the Fourth Amendment rights of residences and local businesses, and be it further resolved that the Somerville City Council encourages residents and employees of local businesses to educate themselves and share information about their Fourth Amendment rights, and be it further resolved that the Somerville City Council encourages businesses to take steps to protect the rights of employees against unlawful search and seizure, including by posting signage on identified private spaces within the business and signage outside of the business, acknowledging their rights, the rights of their workers, and the rights of their patrons in accordance with the Constitution of the United States of America.

Thank you, Madam Clerk.

I also want to thank my colleagues from Wards 1 and 3 for collaborating with me on this, and I also appreciate working with the mayor's office and Office of Immigrant Affairs.

I wanted to bring this resolution forward because we're seeing Somerville losing part of what makes it such a special and vibrant place.

We're seeing small businesses have to close and seeing people afraid to go to work or gather with their neighbors.

So I think it's important that we as a city, the city council, business owners, community members, affirm the importance of the United States Constitution and Bill of Rights, and specifically the Fourth Amendment, and that we all educate ourselves about what our rights are.

The Fourth Amendment says that the government can't intrude into your private property or seize people or property unless they have a warrant.

To get a warrant, the government must have a reasonable belief that a crime has been or is about to be committed.

And the warrant must specifically describe the place to be searched and the person or property to be seized.

In other words, law enforcement agencies must follow well-defined procedures to ensure that individuals' rights are not violated.

This amendment has been the foundation of our personal privacy privacy and security for over 200 years.

I've heard many stories from community members about the importance of these rights, and I want to sponsor a couple of people to speak to this.

But first, I want to read a statement from a small business owner in Somerville.

And recognizing the risks that immigrants are facing right now, it will be anonymous.

This is the quote.

Knowing our rights as business owners and making sure our employees know theirs is one way we can create a safer working place for everyone, including our customers.

Most of our employees and customers are immigrants, and it's important to us that everyone knows that they are safe and welcomed in our business.

That is why we have participated in small business know your rights training, and it gives us the tools we need to operate in this changing world.

The end of the quote.

Thank you.

All right, now I'd like to um sponsor a couple of speakers, if they could come forward, Yassinia Alfaro, Jack Kensla, and David Gibbs.

Councilor Hart would like to sponsor the information speakers.

Seeing no objection, go right ahead, please.

Uh, when you speak, just introduce yourself, your name uh for the record, please.

Good evening, everybody.

Is it can you hear me?

Speak into the mic so everyone can hear you.

Thank you.

Okay.

Uh, good evening, um chairman and members of the committee.

It is um really warming my heart to hear such a great, you know, uh resolution.

But let me start because I'm gonna start crying here now.

Uh my name is Jacenia Alfaro, and I'm from the city of Chelsea.

Speaking today on behalf of the United Food and Commercial Local 1445.

I and the business agents uh to represent the vast majority of the workers that are working in the industry of the laundries that are for the most part clean the closed for our hospitals in the city and for uh many hotels.

Uh I represent over 600 workers of this industrial laundry facilities.

For some of you have already supported me and have met those members in face to face by walking to those at those locations.

I just wanted to speak strongly in favor of the four amendment uh resolution 26-0245.

Uh both of you here um some of you have to heard on the resolution that many of these uh workers have already achieved whether the citizenship have have green cards, have some TPAs, and other people from different um in different processes, such as asylums or petitions through their family members.

So I'm here today in this uh in this aspect uh because of these plans we have seen already issues with the I-9 outlets and put the a lot of our members in fear.

Some fear that have bring them the fear to even come to work, even that they have documentation status.

Uh the fear is there regardless of the status.

Many of these people uh have fully family members that bear with status.

When this issue arise, we have been able to discuss the situation and find solutions in our with our employers that allow um with our employers that does not allow immigration officials to enter unless they have a judicial warrant looking for a specific person.

We fully understand that no employer or city officials can get in the way of enforcement action in such cases.

But it makes a lot of sense that employers should refuse to voluntarily allow the agents when it comes to have uh a journey um joining reason to suspect there is someone at that facility who they should be looking for.

Um we are happy that you are taking an action on this sensitive matter, and I'm from the city of Chelsea, and and the city of Chelsea has also been impacted.

And I will applaud anything that you are doing here for our citizen.

I always feel welcome to the city of Somerville.

I did reside in the city of Somerville for uh five years, which I enjoy.

Uh thank you, Mr.

President.

Uh counselors.

Uh my name is Jack Kensler.

Um I live in Boston, but I'm the political director for UFCW Local 1445.

Um so like Eucenia mentioned, we have uh over 600 members working at the two laundries in Somerville.

Um, and then we also have members working at the two stop and shops and a cannabis dispensary in Davis Square.

So over 800 members in total uh working in the city of Somerville.

Um as she mentioned, uh we have experienced firsthand the fear and stress that these actions bring into our shops when there's even a report that ICE might be nearby.

Um we've seen reports from all over the country about how careless ice can be when it turns to when it comes to verifying who it is that they're picking up so that um a lot of people with valid employment statuses or even U.S.

citizens are you know whisked away to the other side of the country in less than 24 hours.

They're racially profiling and assuming the worst of anyone that they come into contact with.

So we're proud that um Somerville is considering to take this stand like a lot of other communities in the greater Boston area.

Um we believe it's important to do so to ensure that um you know immigration agents follow due process and know who they're looking for when they begin enforcement actions.

Uh business owners have the right to demand to see a judicial warrant and to refuse entry um if there isn't one and if they care about the workers, they should insist on doing so every single time.

We've put um language that kind of makes that same demand of business owners in a lot of our contracts that we have um throughout the area.

Um and a lot of times the companies do agree not to voluntarily allow officers into the facility when they don't have a warrant signed by a judge who decides that there is probable cause to enter.

Um, we think that the city passing an ordinance like this really sends a strong message to the local businesses in the city that um you know city officials will stand by them and they don't have to kind of act on their own and be more out on a limb.

But when the city is proactively showing that they're willing to support business owners who want to do this, it helps give more confidence to business owners knowing that they're not going to be alone having to do so.

The the Constitution of the United States doesn't limit itself to protecting the rights of citizens, but to all people who reside here.

The climate of fear, as we're all aware, is very serious right now, and people who've lived here for years and done everything the right way are being punished because they don't look like Americans.

Um the fear leads to more opportunities for bad business owners to exploit workers in the the forms of wage theft, unsafe working conditions, and mistreatment because threatened workers don't want to have their names on government documents if they were to you know go through the attorney general's office to report such things.

Um and from the experiences from some of the stuff that we see on a daily basis, um Yoseni and I we we know um that that level of fear creates a lower bar for everyone and allows uh more of that exploitation to occur and to fester, and so that's why we think it's really important to be here tonight speaking for our members who might not feel as confident to speak for themselves.

Um, you know, we see that this has an impact on all workers, whether they're um citizens or non-citizens, immigrants or native-born.

So um we encourage you to pass this resolution and we thank you for taking the time to consider it tonight.

Good evening, friends.

I think I know everyone here.

Uh my name is David Gibbs.

I live at Nine Linden Place here in Somerville, and I'm the executive director of the Community Action Agency of Somerville.

Had the honor to serve in that role for a little over eleven years now.

I'm here to speak strongly in favor of this resolution.

Uh I want to give you a little flavor of how uh the current ICE uh enforcement actions have impacted our work and the clients that we serve who, as you know, are among the lowest income and most vulnerable people in the city.

Um the major impact uh is in Head Start.

We've seen impacts in our organizing program and our housing work.

We've had a number of clients who were working with our housing advocates who suddenly were not there anymore.

Um we have had to begin offering lift rides to organizing meetings for people who are afraid to leave their homes.

Um but in Head Start, we've really seen the impact.

Since the inauguration uh of the current administration, uh we have lost three families directly uh who have been uh picked up and deported.

And I would say we have lost roughly 20 families who have simply disappeared.

They have they have they were enrolled in Head Start and then they stopped coming and with no explanation.

Um what they had in common, of course, is that they all uh probably were first generation immigrants in one way or another.

We don't know.

We don't ask.

We don't keep records on that, but uh it's pretty clear what was going on.

So um we have done a lot of training of our staff.

We have signs up at all of our um Head Start centers and at our offices in Union Square saying that this is a private space and you can't come in without permission.

That feels awful for us to have to put up a sign that say you can't come in here.

You're like it.

CAS has never been that way for its entire existence, right?

But now we have signs.

And uh I've personally worked with every single one of our teachers and staff members to help them understand what their rights are and what they should do in the event of an ICE action.

That being said, and I will be brief here, ICE isn't following the rules.

We know this.

And I can tell my teachers all I want, ask them to show you a warrant.

That's not going to really help if they break down the door.

So I would urge, in addition to passing this resolution, which I wholeheartedly support, that the city consider what it really means to support families and businesses in these circumstances.

Um I'll let you decide what that means.

I would have had the Minneapolis police department arrest the officers that shot those people on the spot.

That's one way to do it.

Anyway, that's all I've got to say.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Councilor Hart, anything further?

Nothing further.

Thank you.

Okay.

Um Council McLaughlin and then Councillor UCampin as the named sponsors, and then we'll go.

Thank you, Ms.

Mr.

President, through you.

Um thank you, Councillor Hart for including me on this.

Uh we've had a number of know your rights campaigns in the city, but I really wanted to sign on to this one because it specifically mentions the Fourth Amendment and reminds us exactly what rights we're talking about here.

Um, the Constitution of the United States and the Bill of Rights was made because a king decided that we didn't have these rights.

And the rights to be secure in our papers, to be protected from unlawful searches, from having troops quartered in our homes.

I hope we don't get to that point.

Uh and it is very clear that the Constitution is under attack.

And that's why this is more important than just protecting the immigrant community, which is immensely important to us.

Uh, but this is about protecting everyone in this country and protecting the values that this country was founded on.

So even if I I've heard uh uh I put a I had an article in the Globe recently, I hope everyone reads it, uh, about the role of ICE in the community.

Uh, but I saw a lot of comments, some from people I know, who said, why don't you just comply?

Like if you have a problem with these shootings, people being killed by ice, why don't you just cooperate?

Because if you just cooperated, this wouldn't be happening.

And this is why we just can't comply and cooperate.

Because even if we were cowardly enough to turn our backs on the immigrant community, we'd be turning our backs on the Constitution and the rights that protect all of us.

And that's why we can't back down.

And that's why Somovil is not going to back down, because we're not going to back off from the Constitution of the United States that protects everyone in this country regardless of the documentation status.

So I'm happy to support this, and I thank you for bringing it up.

And I hope everyone keeps this in mind when you're on the streets that you do have rights in this country.

Councilor Ewan Campen and then Stresum Ba.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

And through you, thank you to Councillor Hart for your leadership on this and to our labor leaders, Director Gibbs for being here.

Um I sometimes hear from residents um feeling like what's the point of knowing our rights given that we have a federal government that is so kind of disgustingly ignoring our rights, you know, kind of a cynicism around that.

Um and I really, really want to disagree with that.

I I understand that feeling where it comes from, but I really don't think that that is the path we want to go down.

Um I think it is incredibly important to know your rights, to inform your neighbors and businesses about their rights.

Um not only because you know we often hear about the most high-profile situations gone awry, many other situations are in fact de-escalated and stopped because people didn't know their rights.

And also in the moment, documenting, stating, recording that rights are being violated.

I think all of us can think of a million examples now of how powerful those moments actually have been, you know, for the legal process, but also for the for the public process to understand that basic core constitutional rights are being violated.

Um I I think a lot of us have supported know your rights campaigns largely focused on residents.

I I'm really grateful for the emphasis on um increasing those trainings to local businesses because of what we've seen about these workplace raids in just such such blatant contradiction to the premise of uh law and order in this country.

So thank you again, Councillor Hart, and thank you to everyone for being here tonight.

Thank you, Councillor Show.

Thank you.

I wish to co-sponsor this resolution, and I I of course stand in support with this, and and also I I do feel an intense need, of course, to expand our um knowledge and uh budget with this, and I am requesting that this be sent to um housing and community development uh and economic development.

I do want economic development.

I want uh to be considering and uh how this is uh continuously continuously impacting our small businesses in Somerville.

Um to help collaborate with us on a plan uh an active steps.

We um as we watch we we we are not helpless and we cannot watch helpless as this keep keeps happening in our community, and we must stand with our neighbors.

There's no exception to that.

So that's what I'm requesting this be sent there.

We need to keep talking about this.

Okay.

Uh Councilor Ba.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

I want to thank Councillor Hart for your leadership on this.

And to my colleagues, also thanks Dave and the level leaders.

It's it takes courage to keep talking about this, you know.

Um, especially just as an immigrant myself, it's really touches me a lot when I see this thing happening all the time.

And I've really wondered like what is like what it what is it that you know we should be doing that will actually have a lot of impact because we keep this is still happening, and yet we like you know, Councilor McLaughlin said we've we know you're known your right and everything.

Like just standing up for the constitution of and our neighbors, like it's I'm not sure like what else we should be doing, because we deserve to live and walk without fear.

And um if you kind of like rate a workplace, it's really a constitutional violation that destabilizes families, small businesses, and then also chills, bring chills on people.

I know I've been intimidated a few times, you know, uh the past year getting calls about oh, what is you know, the federal government is gonna come attack all the sanctuary cities or public officials that don't cooperate.

I'm not sure what that means.

And for us to continue to say these things, say it is what and since some of it, you know, we will still, you know, have this constitutional protections here, it all matters, you know, our local economy and community safety matters, and that will not normalize unlawful overreach, you know, in our city.

This is something that we'll continue to pound on.

And David, you'd mention something about like what is I think we need to find a way to engage our local law inform enforcement officers.

Not a community member.

We cannot continue to put community members at odds, you know, with federal agents.

If they don't observe and and respect these protocols and laws we'll put in place, we have law enforcement officers in the city that should engage with them and not community members.

We need to create that structure that will actually, you know, tell our law enforcement that if you see somebody, you know, with masks, you cannot identify them, you they need to be arrested.

Not community members.

We need uh our local law enforcement, they need to do more than just you know stay and say we are not engaging, because this is how you know community members become vulnerable year in year out time and time and again.

So I think just to your question, this is we need to actually empower our local law enforcement officers to arrest anybody that is they deem suspicious.

They will be protected.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

Councilor Clinton, and then you mr.

Thank you to my colleagues.

Um I'd like to sign on to this.

Um, of course I'd like to sign on.

Um one of the things, you know, just in doing some research with regards to the way that ICE is twisting these administrative warrants.

Um the irony here is that uh those type of warrants, administrative warrants were sort of um granted and used as a tool for uh uh government agencies like OSHA and and other places to go into um uh slaughterhouse and meat packing factories to make sure that safety compliance was being had.

Um and now, but it was never meant to do what they're doing now, and so they're twisting these things and um it's being fought out in the courts, but like while the courts are battling, people are being taken from our community.

Uh so we need to stand together and and uh wholeheartedly reject uh any type of uh entry to a workplace.

Um the the uh these warrants are not valid uh if they have one, and most times they probably don't.

Um we we have to uh protect our residents and um by whatever means necessary in the sense that you know um standing together as a community, um as was said even by the good um representative from 1445, you know, obviously you can't stop them from busting down the door, but we can certainly uh send a strong message to businesses that the we will um support them in protecting their workers and hope that they will uh make sure that everybody knows their rights and make sure that they know that they have rights.

Uh so thank you for this uh putting this forward and uh happy to support.

Okay.

Um before we go back to Councillor Hart, um Councillor Scott, Councillor Link, Councillor Barr, myself would like to sign on, Councillor Hart.

Okay.

Uh just briefly I wanted to mention and appreciate uh Mayor Wilson uh because the uh the executive order um does include um education and support for the fourth amendment and particular with um businesses.

Um so I really see this as complimentary and uh as a way to uh gather more uh attention and community support and spread the word even further.

But I definitely didn't want to not acknowledge that I really appreciate that that was in uh the executive order.

Okay.

Councilor State would like to sign on.

Do you want to speak to it as well?

Councilor State, go ahead.

And Councillor Wheeler would like to sign on.

Uh through you, Mr.

President, I just want to take a moment to thank uh Counselor Hart uh for putting this resolution forward, then counselor um Benwin Campin and Councillor Uh McLaughlin for uh sponsoring this resolution um and for the labor leaders and Mr.

Gibbs for speaking tonight uh for sharing simply what their members, their clients are going through in these times.

I think we're hearing about it, but hearing it from people who are working uh every day with them is important.

Um I really I support this resolution.

Um really like that there's emphasis on what small businesses can do.

It might feel like not much, but um in my word at least I'm hearing from small businesses constantly.

What can we do?

Um all together, not just some uh immigrant-owned small businesses, but every single business posting this, uh working with the city to know what the rights are.

Um I think would help here as a first step.

Um so thank you for including that and for reminding us uh that we have rights, and uh it's important to fight for those rights in these times.

Thank you.

Thank you.

I said Saw Mayor Wilson back there dutifully raise his hand.

Or would you would you like to uh say a few words?

I'm happy to recognize you if so.

And I appreciate your quietly raised hand.

Yeah, Mr.

President, thank you for the uh recognition.

Uh I want to thank you all for bringing this forward for the support of it.

Uh happy report, it does uh align very nicely with the executive order that was uh signed and issued on Friday.

If you have specific questions about the implementation of the commitments made, uh the obligations placed on the city with that executive order, I would urge you to please reach out to the Department or Division head in question and have that conversation with them.

Thanks.

Thank you.

Okay, uh seeing no discussion, then we will uh that is approved with a copy to HECD.

All right, so then the next item we said out of order is 715.

Is that I got that right?

All right, excellent.

Next item, Madam Clark.

Agenda item 715, a request of the mayor requesting the appropriation of 167,168 from the salary contingency account to various departmental personnel services accounts to fund a collective bargaining agreement with the Somerville Municipal Employees Union Union D.

I have uh counselor attorney Sergu here from the uh uh law department.

Can you please just uh state your name for the record and go right ahead?

Uh good evening, Council Matt Sergu, labor counsel for the city of Somerville.

Uh we're here tonight asking for immediate approval of an MOA covering fiscal years 23 to fiscal years 25 for unit D of the Somerville Municipal Employees Union.

Uh this contract brings much needed updates to the wages for this uh group.

It's a residual group of employees, including some higher level staff and some specialized positions.

Uh it brings needed improvements to wages, uh, market adjustment in fiscal year 25, similar to the unit B contract.

Uh really great enhancements to the vacation benefit and vacation schedule accelerating the rate at which employees are able to accrue vacation time and uh expanding the paid family and medical leave benefit that the city has offered to this group of employees and uh a bunch of other goodies that I'm happy to answer questions about.

If uh any of the council has questions.

Thank you.

Questions, Councilor Scott.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

Um I'm fully supportive of this.

I'm really excited to get this done tonight.

Uh but before we do so, I uh uh would like to uh sponsor Mr.

the distinguished Ed Halloran uh to say a few words about the uh contract settlement.

Councillor Scott would like to uh sponsor uh Ed Halloran seeing no objection.

Councillor Scott would like to uh sponsor uh Ed Halloran seeing no objection Mr.

Hallan right ahead hello everyone my name is Ed Hallren I have been the president of the Summer Mr Employees Union for 19 years uh that's a long time to be doing anything you know um but obviously they they like me or they can't find anybody to do this job.

Uh what's one or the other but I like to think that they like me.

Um but this is a specialized unit um and we do have uh ISD chief inspectors uh recreation and uh it's although it's a smaller units are incredibly important um so I want to thank uh the previous administration this administration uh for all the hard work that they've done on this contract and uh a year ago we just did the unit B contract and that was about 240 people.

So we have about 300 people uh in the union and believe it or not once this is resolved we'll still be without a contract uh because we're we are behind uh all four units A B C and D will see C is the school nurses but the A, the B and the D will be without a contract but I've been assured uh that the city's gonna be working with us on those to get those finally caught up and that would be refreshing for us to see that.

But uh it's I'm just asking you guys to help us out and take care of us and we're gonna keep the city running like we always do.

Um the snow I know it's difficult.

The DPW is doing all they can we're out there they're gonna be out there tonight on Beacon Street and Washington Street clean up some of the areas out there.

So I'm uh I'm proud of to uh to work with them um I've been working with the city for 33 years so obviously I like what I'm doing and I'm still doing it and I I thank you thank all you guys really for for doing what you do.

Appreciate it this difficult times and I realize that thank you.

Thank you.

Any other questions so the administration did convey to me uh a hope that uh the council would take this up this evening um move to approve moves to approve any discussion on the motion do we need a roll call for that one no all right seeing no objection then that is approved all right and so we will now take up if there's no objection we'll take up item four dot sixteen agenda 416 a resolution by counselor link that the director of human resources review the hiring for crossing guards ensuring that the process and requirements are right size and not unnecessarily burdensome such that they deter qualified candidates.

Councilor Link thank you yes uh so I I've having been a long appreciator of city council meetings uh I've I've heard about the problems with hiring crossing guards uh and I also talked to some some people who actually tried to get a job as a crossing guards uh and I heard that there's some maybe uh there could be maybe be some work right sizing uh what it takes to become a crossing guard uh especially for our our non-native speakers so uh I'd love to hear from uh HR uh on you know uh how we can improve that um and also maybe hear about uh our time to hire application drop off points um and uh you know what non-essential requirements we could potentially remove or reduce thank you thank you um before we go to other members is um do you would like to have that discussion in committee or do you want to follow up directly I was thinking sorry yeah uh I so I'd ask for it to be um yeah sent to confirmations and appointments that's what I was thinking okay uh counselor Shazo uh thank you and uh like to thank Councillor Link for uh carrying on a lot of work that I put forward in the years and always happy to have a further discussion and if you're interested in putting in an order before uh on this or see where we've gone and over the past years and years and years that we've talked about this in housing and community development and how school committee as well always happy to have a conversation and catch you up on where we've been on the end of the cast and fails and with that I uh I think that this is still important we're still there and so I would like to uh uh have a a crossing guard speak on behalf of that with Miss Maggie Joseph from Ward 7 who wished and request to speak on this.

All right Council Strasser would like to sponsor Maddie Joseph as and I'd love to co-sponsor this too I'd love to go sponsor this too.

Um see no objection please uh come for stay uh sorry step forward and state your name for the record and go right ahead hi my name is Maggie Joseph I am a cousin guard on Wiz So my veil.

So regarding like uh we need more supplies and we need uh better globes.

So the globes we have, it's like when we're on the streets, so after five minutes.

Uh and it's like freezing coal, you know, so that globe is not good.

So if you guys can provide us like with more globes, and also like uh you know, like we understood, so we uh make sure the kids are safe, and also we need to be safe also.

I just like when it's snow, I know I understand that I do have my car to look all those spots where's the cause in God, if it's clean and stuff like that.

We need to make sure it's clean for us and to cause the kids for safety, and also like if we can get more money.

Thank you, that's it.

Okay, thank you.

Council Strazzle.

And on this point, uh, I think that uh that can always be a factor to consider as to why recruitment becomes difficult as well.

And happy to have that for the conversation sent forward to the committee.

Very good.

Any further discussion?

Councilor Ba.

Thank you, Mr.

President, and to thank you to my colleague.

You know, I'd like to sign on.

That's my VIP there, Maggie.

So good to see you, and she's one of the best cross league guys we have in the city, and we're lucky to have her out in West.

Thank you for your service.

Okay, uh seeing no discussion, then that uh that item is approved with a copy to Capham.

Confirmation requirements in personal matters for those following along at home.

All right.

Next item is uh we're gonna go into executive session, correct?

All right, so let's we could click please read that item.

Agenda item seven point one, a request of the mayor requesting that this council convene in an executive session to discuss the matter of Joseph A.

Seder, trustee of Highland Avenue Realty Trust versus City of Somerville.

All right, and the point of order is Mr.

President.

Sorry.

The point of order just briefly.

Um as someone who did not know what executive session meant when I was first watching council meetings.

Um it might be helpful to just define what that is for anyone watching who might be about to be confused.

Absolutely.

Always always happy to uh to welcome a a little explanation.

We have we have a member of the uh law department here.

Could you would you mind uh providing that explanation for us since your your expertise is more appropriate than mine?

Council President, thank you through you since I'm here, yes.

Uh so executive session is a reason under uh mass general laws chapter 30A for which a public body may go into a closed door deliberation.

There's approximately 12 or 13 enumerated reasons for which a public body may go into closed doors to have a deliberation, usually related to the nature, always related to the nature of the conversation, um and some type of proprietary or discussion that warrants a closed door discussion.

So there is a procedure under 30A that requires this the purpose be stated in the agenda, be stated beforehand, uh and the the body note whether it will con reconvene an open session.

Um and that's that's what we're doing today.

Um and I'm also here that the law department has reviewed the purpose for which this uh executive session has been called and uh has determined it is appropriate to enter executive session under section 21 uh subsection A3 of chapter 30A.

Okay, very well.

Uh we will return to open session following executive session.

Do we need a roll call in here?

Yeah, okay.

So roll call to go into executive session.

So we're all called to enter into executive session, Councilor Young Campin?

Yes.

Counselor Link.

Yes.

Counselor Scott?

Yes.

Councillor Klingon?

Yes.

Counselor Strazzo.

Yes.

Counselor Say, yes.

Counselor Wheeler.

Yes.

Counselor Hart, yes.

Councilor McGaughlin.

Yes.

Counselor Mbaugh.

Yes.

Counselor Davis.

Yes.

That is approved.

All right.

As I said, we will return to open session following executive session.

Thank you.

All right.

Call this meeting back to order.

Uh no votes were taken in executive session other than the vote to exit executive session.

Uh that item was approved.

Um and now the next out of that next time out of order relates to uh the topic.

Uh Madam Clerk, could you read item seven thirteen, please?

Oh, I call the roll back, right?

Sorry.

And roll call to re-establish quorum after executive session.

Counselor Ewan Campen.

Here.

Counselor Link.

Here.

Counselor Scott.

Present.

Counselor Klingon.

Present.

Counselor Streso.

Here.

Counselor Say.

Here.

Counselor Wheeler.

Here.

Counselor Hart.

Here.

Counselor McLaughlin.

Counselor Mbah.

President.

Counselor Davis.

Here.

With all eleven counselors present.

We have quorum.

Yes.

Agenda item 7.1.

Approved.

And we are on to agenda item 713.

A request of the mayor request requesting the appropriation of 3.5 million from the unreserved fund balance free cash to the law department judgments and settlements account account to fund the settlement of Joseph A.

Seder, trustee of Highland Armory Realty Trust versus City of Somerville.

Any discussion?

Don't you roll call on that, right?

All right, then that item is approved.

Okay.

Next item is agenda item 7.22, a request of the mayor requesting approval of a transfer of $30,000 from the Health and Human Services Salaries Account to the Professional and Technical Services Account to fund increased costs associated with the FY2026 warming center.

Um I can speak to it.

Oh do you want you want to say your name and title just for the rest of the question?

Um I'm Karen Carroll, the Director of Health and Human Services, you she her pronouns.

Um thank you for having me here tonight.

I am requesting the transfer of 30,000 from our lag salary funds personnel to our um PNT line to further support the warming center.

Um we've had higher than anticipated in budgeted uh activity and ki um numbers there through this very cold winter, which is good uh to have this place for folks can go, but we have um run into some budget issues around food, transportation uh to and from the warming center.

Um and we've also been we've also extended the security to have the coverage in the morning as well.

So the external security just to assist with people moving to and from and and leaving the shelter.

Um the other thing that's built into that 30,000 is some extra shifts that we were able to have our housing families do some additional hours uh for the extremely cold days.

So there was a a Monday and a few mornings, um at least keeping something open until our libraries are open.

So that's kind of the gist of of what that 30,000 is our expected budget or anticipated shortfall for these increased costs through till mid-April when the center closes.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

Through you, I just wanted to thank all the staff who have been working on it.

I know that these are responsive both to obviously issues of people who use the center, the really cold days, and also neighbors who have raised a number of issues.

So I'm thankful and very supportive of this.

Thank you.

Council Lynn, can I say your head?

Uh yeah, just thank you.

Yeah.

Yeah.

Counselor Baugh.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

Again, thank you for your work for the city.

And uh approved.

All right, Councilor Baugh moves for approval.

Any discussion on the motion?

Councilor Wheeler.

Hi.

Uh I'm just curious about uh is this particular money available in the salary account because of understaffing, or is it sort of a routine thing to have this this much just be access and be available?

Um through the president.

Um this is a relatively small amount compared to our overall salary budget.

Um we have a couple of vacancies.

We have a position that left in January 1.

Um we have a couple, we don't have a lot of vacancies at the moment this year, but we do have um a couple of things that are un currently still unfilled.

We're in the process of hiring a navigator position.

So we have a few positions that have been unfilled for a little bit while we go through that process.

Um so it's yeah, it's our salary lag funds for unspent salary.

Thank you.

And thanks for your leadership and stewardship of the warming center.

Yeah.

All right, very well.

Any further discussion on the motion?

All right, seeing none, that item is approved.

Shall we start the meeting?

Thank you, Director.

All right, that takes us back to our regular order of business.

Madam Clerk, next item.

And that brings us to agenda item 4.1, an order by Councilor Mbaugh that the chief of police provide this council with data on pedestrian and bicyclist enforcement activities in the city.

Counselor Baugh.

Self-explanatory, Mr.

President.

Um, I think this came out of uh the finance report where there was like some funding that was you know that went into enforcement, but uh wanted to ensure that you know the methodology was you know it's fair.

So and then the rest we can wave.

Okay.

Councilor Scott would like to sign on.

Any discussion?

All right, that item is approved.

Agenda item 4.2, a resolution by Councilor Mbaugh that the chief of police annually review pedestrian and bicyclist enforcement data to identify disparities and enforcement patterns across demographic or neighborhood lines and submit this data to the city council.

Councilor Barth, do you want to speak on that too?

Um it's also yes, that's explanatory and is actually bills off of the FUS.

Very well.

Counselor Scott and Link would like to sign on.

All right, see no further discussion.

That I miss Councillor Link as well to sign on.

Yep.

All right, that item is approved.

Next item is agenda item 4.3, a communication by Councilor Mbaugh conveying a report of the job creation and retention trust fund.

Counselor Baugh.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

I'll be brief.

At uh is January 29 meeting.

The job creation and close review financial update this cause the withdrawal of one of its grantee and outline priorities for 2026.

So the trusted closed calendar year 2025 with 2.5 million in on committed reserves, including the final 500 for linkage payment from 74 meter six Avenue.

And no additional linkage revenues anticipated in the near term.

For that details are available in the attach.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

Thank you, Councilor Barr.

Any discussion?

Councilor Wheeler?

Uh through the chair.

Um thank you for conveying this report, uh, Councilor Mbaugh.

I just wanted to highlight something from the report that caught my eye.

The mention of job opportunities, such as with biotech companies, including transmedics, and the potential for students and other residents of Somerville to train to work in those companies.

That's an exciting prospect.

Thank you.

Thank you, Councillor Wheeler.

You know, I think I've been trying to like constrain this report.

I I see a lot of people looking at me whenever I'm giving this report.

I try to be as comprehensive as possible.

That's why I now put the attach there so that I don't have to.

So that's so just save that time.

Thank you.

All right, excellent.

Always good to highlight a few key nuggets in there.

Any further discussion?

I see not.

Item 4.4, a communication by Councillor Mbaugh conveying the year-end report of the Affordable Housing Trust.

Thank you again, Mr.

President.

In this year and report, you know, to the city council, I provide my final update as council representative to the Affordable Housing Trust, outlining the trust financial status and the production outcomes while highlighting two emerging concerns requiring council oversight, declining revenue growth and shabbly escalating development costs.

From 2015 through 2025, the trust leverage CPA funds, zoning linkage payments, and Federal's CDGB grant and home grants and periodic city transfer to support the creation of an average of 20 to 25 affordable units annually.

In addition to inclusionary units generated through zoning.

However, with commercial linkage revenues flowing, potential federal funding uncertainty and per unit subsidy needs rising from historic levels of between 150,000 to 250,000 to 300,000 between 300,000 and 600,000 or more in recent projects.

I'll let this report be you know accepted as submitted.

Thank you.

Any discussion?

All right, see none that is placed on file.

Next item.

Item 4.5, a resolution by Councillor Saeed that the Commissioner of Public Works removes snow from dead end streets, private ways, and alleyways in a timely manner.

Councilor State.

Plowing all that snow and ice was very challenging, especially for city with limited snow farms.

So again, I'm grateful for all the DPW staff.

I personally uh the World Five Council reached out to the DPW interim commissioner, Eric Weissman.

Almost every single day for like a week after that snowstorm, um my phone ringing, texts, phone calls.

I'm sure my colleagues were experiencing the same thing.

Um mostly constituents who live on dead-end streets, alleyways, um, and private ways.

And um the DPW interim commissioner was very responsive, and he sent his staff every time to the location I brought up to his attention.

So I'm very grateful for that.

Um I just want to say put this forward because I heard from so many World Five constituents who live on dead-end streets, um, alleyways and private ways, many of them are seniors.

Um many of them shared that this is the first time in years that their streets were not plowed uh after a snowstorm for days.

Um, you know, and some were told um it is the city is not required to do it, and they it was the first time they were hearing of that.

Um so again, um, yeah, this was created an unsafe situation.

Uh some of them were worried there would be um an emergency and ambulance wouldn't be able to get to them.

Um so the intent of this order is to request that we think about the way we approached the last snow um storm, the plowing of that snow, and ensure that we are reviewing our practices.

Um, especially when we have uh a major snowstorm like that, and making sure that all residents are safe to go to work to the doctor's appointments, and they're not trapped for days.

And also if any of our practices have changed, that we communicate that to our constituents.

Um if you know the city is no longer plowing certain streets that we communicate that so that people can plan accordingly.

Um so, yeah, that's the intent of this resolution.

Okay.

I saw Councillor Scott and then Councilor Link.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

Uh, and thank you, my colleague from Ward 5 for bringing this up.

Uh it feels like every few years uh we go through some some major change and uh the the policy, whether it's formal or informal, uh gets mixed up.

I know we had some new guys on the cruise this year.

Uh and sometimes it's just as simple as the same guy's been plowing the same route for so many years and always make sure to tuck in to uh you know get Mrs.

Smith's house on Lander Street, right?

But um that said, I think it's always a great idea to have a conversation.

Uh there are always new folks coming into the city uh as well as and not just as employees but as residents.

So uh having a nice policy discussion and committee about this might be a great way to ensure that everybody's on the same page as we enter a new administration and uh presumably a new commissioner soon.

All right, thank you, sir.

Counselor Link.

Uh thank you, Mr.

President.

Through you uh uh thank you um to my colleague five.

Uh and I just want to say I uh um prior to this, uh I'm I'm really appreciative because prior to the storm I I had called out um that we needed to make sure we had clear communication with the residents uh about what's happening.

So I'm really hoping that um regardless of of what discussions um may turn up uh in terms of what our policy is, that we're just really communicating them very clearly to our constituents well in advance so that they know um you know how they're supposed to be able to deal with these things uh because they do, as uh my Word Five colleagues said uh they are very important things.

So you know, people getting out of their houses uh and to doctor's appointments and walking down the street to get milk uh shouldn't be uh treacherous.

Thank you.

Counselor State, yeah.

Uh Mr.

President, I do want to send it to committee.

I'm just trying to think what the right committee uh probably I'm sorry I think Councillor Scott uh read my mind as often happens to suggest maybe sustainability infrastructure, sort of where public works and public utilities would have had a bit of a sign by and sell those, okay.

All right, Councilor Ba would like to sign on.

Counselor Wheeler.

Thank you.

Uh I also wanted to appreciate my colleague from Ward 5.

Um note uh amidst all this very useful and topic of information.

Um the private ways in particular.

Uh I've had a couple residents ask me questions uh in recent days about rules for private ways and even whether or not their street was a private way.

Um I think uh it's not as clear to everybody who lives on a private way, partially as evidenced by one of the public comments item 9.29 tonight, uh, what exactly it means to live on a private way, how that's different, whether you should expect a private way to be uh to be plowed by the city so that emergency vehicles can have access.

And I did a little quick looking on the city's website, and I had trouble finding a centralized place with information about our private ways.

Um I just wanted to to flag that as something that we might take a look at at some point.

Okay.

Um I saw, and I think Council said you alluded to this, I saw a what I found to be a really good explanation of sort of and I'm looking towards the administration here of sort of the what happened, w what why things worked the way they did.

Um I can't recall if it was a uh social media posting or response to an email, but um if I could request that that that that do you want to speak to that, Mr.

May?

No.

I just was gonna ask that that maybe if if the administration could submit that to follow this item in the committee because I thought it would be a great jumping off point.

Mr.

Mayor, go ahead.

Mr.

President, it's funny you mentioned that I actually was just uh remarking to legislative liaison Rodassy that uh the DPW commissioner did produce a really good uh uh uh statement on this.

I I can't remember if we posted it externally.

We definitely it became the sort of the the meat of what we did put out uh yes on social media.

Uh if people want to go into this in-depth in committee, uh, you know, obviously there is that option.

Uh in a nutshell, this was the first major snow event we had since switching to a new snow contractor.

There was a plan that DPW believed was sufficient, found out not the case.

Uh happy to report the DPW commissioner is delightfully committed to process refinement to acknowledging uh when we do fall short as a city.

I didn't even have to ask for that.

Uh that that was proactively produced for us, and I thought that was amazing.

Uh and uh I'm really proud uh of DPW for building being willing to do that introspection and admit when we do fall short.

Um for the record, we do continue to plow and salt private ways as a courtesy to those who live on private ways.

It's not an obligation.

We did not there's a measure that could be uh opted into at the state level.

Some rules never done that.

Uh instead, we just do that as a courtesy uh and for public safety purposes.

Uh for those who live on private ways, the plan is to keep doing that.

Uh we feel uh pretty confident that the adjustments made after that big storm uh will allow us to do that successfully.

Uh and I want to thank DPW and especially DPW Commissioner Wiseman for being all over this.

All right.

Um two responses to that.

First, uh uh delightfully committed to process refinement needs to be on a t-shirt.

That's um and Leah's Unrad's asking could you uh could I make the request then to have that communication um sent to follow up on this item just because as I said, it's a great starting point for the for the discussion in committee.

Um kind of runs through a lot of questions.

Good.

All right.

Then uh seeing no further discussion, that item is approved with a copy to sustainability and infrastructure.

Next item.

Next item is 4.6, a zoning amendment by Councillor Shrezo amending sections 2.1.1 and 3.1.12 of the zoning ordinances regarding accessory dwelling units.

Thank you.

And also um Madam Clerk, can we please put this on the screen?

I want to, of course, this is going to be sent to committee, but uh I just want to give you a quick thought of of why this is here.

So this is uh a zoning amendment to ADUs that I'm proposing.

I have worked with city staff housing advocates here, and I thank them very, very much for their diligence and thoughtfulness and patience to to get to this point.

Um so I I'm presenting this as I I can't wait to just have this conversation with you, and I've been so excited to just show you guys this, and so excited.

Um, really quick where we go because before it hands to uh heads off to land use.

So the first section uh in the glossary, I thought it was useful that we added uh it that we made it user uh ready, that it has newbie readability, and that um because the city uses the term backyard cottages when we talk about accessory dwelling units, they don't really reference the the it's not really referenced as ADUs often.

And while the state says ADU and we say backyard cottages, I thought that consistency or further description would really be useful, uh modernize the climate of that.

Um and I want to say that uh the so this this draft, of course, aims to catalyze conversation with you, but it's really going to be useful and it really can modernize and expand and really do a lot of good for for affordable housing and housing accessibility.

The amendment primarily purpose purposes updates to the building setback and massing tables.

I'm gonna talk about that in a second, to allow greater flexibility around the size of ADUs and as well as the use of modular construction and pre-success and consideration of pre-existing structures such as carports, and it aims to lower regulatory barriers to production while acknowledging that there's an opportunity to explore additional additional policy levels.

Uh this is exciting.

So in 3.1, the near neighborhood residents uh of the backyard cottage, to avoid the the conflict of uh residents um I we cut some items out uh to consider pre-existing structures like carports and the concept of building above them, which is very exciting.

And on page three and four is where uh and you'll see in the renovation of pre existing structures.

But there are so we what's modified is that uh like for instance main massing we're there's a modification of size and depth because a lot of Somerville backyards are rectangle shaped, they're not a typical square.

And uh really being cognizant of the fact that uh we have unique land here in Somerville.

We should be addressing that, and we should be empowering our residents to really take the concept of affordable housing and ADU production to really happen.

Um E, I like this is two stories now, not 1.5 previously.

That uh allows uh more flexibility.

And you're gonna see Samantha Carr talk about this when it heads to land use.

That's really exciting.

And so it's the possibility of the 12-foot ceiling.

Uh it would be a full ceiling, uh, a six-foot ceiling, twelve ceiling.

We can play with that and really a lot uh it unlock a lot of restrictions.

Um before I send this off.

I'll make sure that I didn't miss anything because I've been dying to tell you guys this so long.

Um I think I pretty much covered it all.

So I'm asking to send it to land use and so excited to hear the conversation on it.

All right, very good.

Any questions for the discussion?

All right, that is uh referred to land use.

Next item.

Brings us to agenda item 4.7, a resolution by Counselor Ewan Campen and Counselor Link that the director of parks and recreation discuss with this council options to create year-round indoor programming for kids and families.

Councilor Ewan Campan.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

Um, and thank you to Councillor Link for partnering on this.

So we have an amazing rec department.

Um one thing that I hear regularly from parents, especially families with young kids, is that a lot of the towns around here have indoor rec activities like a family night on a Friday at the high school gym, something like that.

Um, especially during the winter months, kids are cooped up.

You know, I I start getting these emails every year.

Um I'm obviously not the first counselor to raise this issue.

I'm not the first uh uh person who works for the city to think about this, obviously.

But we have a new rec director, we have a new mayor, we have a new administration.

Um so I thought that we should um have this conversation.

It came up a little bit when we were talking with our new rec director um who mentioned that it's an issue of space largely.

Um but I I would just like to see if we can crack this nut with a little bit of political will.

Um so I'd ask that this uh go to housing community development and equity, please.

Thank you.

Counselor Link.

Yeah, um so uh just uh through through you, Mr.

President.

Uh thanks so much to uh Councilor Campen for um inviting me in on this because uh it is as uh a parent, I get to hear of young children, I get to hear lots of other parents uh of young children talk about what is bothering them, and this is for sure uh has been something that that I hear about regularly.

Um and I, you know, I think the the opportunities for enrichment um and for uh you know affordability, um being able to like leave it easier in the city and have these uh these these spaces is just it's uh it would just be really wonderful if we could yeah figure this out.

Councilor Bower would like to sign on.

I would as well, Councillor Strasso.

Thanks.

I'd like to sign on this as well.

Um this is something that yes has uh importance and and residents have um expressed consistently, and I I hope that we really can address this.

And we we're this is very much ties into the work we're doing in HCDE as well.

And if the um director of HHS is still here, ties into what was discussed in we'll get to that in a second, about how families feel over stressed out and not accounted for, and this was discussed in the uh federal study done a couple of years ago and how we could improve the lives of families and especially families with small children or families that aren't considered.

This is a great opportunity to talk and actually enact this.

So let's take it in there.

All right, very well.

Council and camp, and I thought when you were making the list of things we have, I was expecting also here several school buildings with gymnasiums and an ice rink.

Just just noting.

Uh all right, thank you very much.

That is approved, Council Site would like to sign on as well, and a copy is sent to HECD.

Next item.

Agenda item 4.8, a resolution by Counselor Ewan Campin that the Commissioner of Public Works discuss with this council whether the sidewalk snow clearing pilot worked as attend intended this year, or whether there are other strategies to improve pedestrian mobility following a large snowstorm.

Council Ewan Campan.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

Um we we just had a little bit of a discussion about snow clearing.

This is particularly about a sidewalk clearing pilot program that we created several years ago after years of advocacy.

Um we were able to to um launch this program to to help for sidewalk clearance specifically on the length of Broadway, the length of school street.

So the the thing that happened though is after we created this pilot program, it really didn't snow in a serious way for several years.

Um so we really didn't get to kick the tires on this policy, see if it actually works, made a difference in anybody's life.

Um but now we have, right?

We just we're we're at the tail end of this extremely difficult snowstorm.

Um so I I was really just hoping to have uh a conversation.

I I haven't seen this after action report that was mentioned from our DPW.

Um I don't know if it's included in that.

Um I I would not be surprised to hear that it worked really well or that it was a total failure.

I really don't know what the answer is.

Um and this is not a pointing fingers thing.

This is a we're gonna dedicate the resources that we can to sidewalk clearance.

What's the best way to do that?

Should we be focusing on only on bus stops as fast as possible, or should we be focusing on certain parts of the city, you know, where uh school access, I I don't know.

I don't know, but I'd love to have uh that conversation and understand whether this approach actually worked and helped anybody.

Um so I'd ask that this go to whatever we call public works now.

Any discussion?

Councilor Wheeler?

Thank you.

Through the chair, uh I appreciate this item very much.

Um I'm also curious.

Uh I'd like to mention in connection with this item the the question that I hear brought up a lot, which was is with a relatively small staff.

Uh we have some some teams uh and some departments in the city that are doing a tremendous amount with uh a relatively small number of people and with a large number of streets and buildings in the city.

Uh how do we leverage uh our efforts in order to be ensuring that sidewalks are cleared throughout the city, say, or ensuring that that different kinds of requirements are being followed.

Um one of the tools that I know the city has experimented with in different ways is keeping track of where there have been recurrent problems in the past and focusing efforts on those areas until they are consistently being handled right.

Um I'm curious in this and other situations, if that approach is something we can use to uh to help make the standards across the city be better.

Thank you.

Okay.

Uh Councilor Link, I see uh Liaison Radazi stepping forward.

Go ahead, uh Liaison Radazzi, why don't you if you have something to add to that conversation, then we'll go to Councilor Link.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

Uh for the record, Yasmin Radasi legislative liaison.

I just wanted to put a plug in because Councillor Wheeler mentioned the teen shoveling program.

Um, in case counselors don't know, and I did recently communicate this to Councillor Hart as well.

There is a program that's run through COA and HHS to connect teens with um senior households in the city.

Uh they match them together, and these students are actually compensated for clearing sidewalks and driveways for seniors.

Uh so just wanted to encourage counselors to let their residents know about this opportunity.

If you have any extra questions or any additional questions, please feel free to reach out to HHS or COA.

Thank you.

Good reminder, thank you.

Counselor Link and Counselor Cliff.

Uh thank you, Mr.

President.

Yeah, I just uh I guess wanted to maybe just put like a little underscore on um what counselor Wheeler was saying that uh it you know it is so so important that we can uh get around on all the sidewalks, and I I heard um that uh our uh commission for people with disabilities actually was was not able to meet um because they were unable to get down the sidewalks, which um I think really to me illustrates just how uh uh necessary it is to continue learning on this and iterating on this.

Thank you.

Counselor Klingon.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

Through you, happy to have this discussion in um infrastructure and sustainability.

Um, my part of so school street is the pilot street program, um, which is Councilor Ewan Campins award of my ward.

Um I haven't heard any good news or bad news out of it lately.

No, I mean like the first year it was like you know, some people were getting hit with tickets.

I think now everybody is I I think it from my perspective, I I think it may be working, but um uh we'll have to wait and see what maybe I just haven't heard any complaints, but they have been tickets.

Uh to the larger discussion about the teen program um and so on, I think there's there's lots to discussion to be had uh on you know separately from from this particular order.

Um I have some ideas around um the uh teen shoveling program.

So hopefully, like as we all kind of debrief what I want to say from this past storm and this past and hopefully it's past winter.

We're still in it, but um that will uh uh uh maybe come up with some new new ideas.

Okay.

All right, seeing no further discussion that items approved with a copy to sustainability and infrastructure.

Next item.

Next item is 4.9, a resolution by Counselor Ewan Campen that the Commissioner of Public Works discuss with this council lessons learned from the recent large snowfall about resources and policies needed to improve snow clearance, including MBTA bus stops, business districts, sidewalks, and parking, private ways and dead ends, accessible ramps, and bike lanes.

Councilor Ewan Campen.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

I think this is largely redundant with the conversation we just had around Councillor Said's um order.

I would just say in addition to a lot of calls I got on dead ends and private ways.

I also got a lot of calls about the the timeline that it was going to take for get snow removal from business districts, um specific bus stops that weren't um cleared.

And it's it's very clear that the administration has been working nonstop um to to address those issues and to kind of make policy changes.

So this is not meant to suggest they're not.

It's just meant meant to create one more way that we can communicate to the public kind of what those policies are and that we're working on this.

So I just asked that this follow um the resolution from Counselor Slay as well.

Counselor Clinton.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

Um yeah, I would ask that when we do bring to have this uh discussion and committee that um you know that I think what a lot of what we're hearing about is clarification on what the actual rules are like in past years when it came to uh sort of in my earlier years the council when it came to bus stops, there was confusion as to whether or not the MPTA was supposed to send people out.

Um I think it should I I think it's technically similarly uh to um you know well I don't say fire hydrants on a requirement, but they're certainly an ask.

But uh pedestrian crossing um ramps um if you abut one of those.

So um I'm I'd like to get clarification on who actually owns the the work of clearing a bus stop, who doesn't, things of that nature um that we can kind of nail down in a public discussion so we can all be on the same page moving forward.

All right, thank you.

So that item is approved with a copy to sustainability and infrastructure.

Will it will be part of the upcoming episode Snowtalk?

Next item.

Agenda item 4.10, a resolution by Counselor Ewan Campen and Counselor Hart that the administration increase publicity of the senior tax deferral program, which allows qualifying home homeowners over 65 years of age to spend their income on living expenses rather than tax payments.

Councilor Ewan Campen.

Counselor Council Hart first.

Go ahead, Councilor Hart.

Thank you so much.

Um the senior tax deferral program allows qualifying seniors to delay paying all or part of their taxes.

And this frees up resources for living expenses.

Umerville has already done a really great job of expanding eligibility and adopting the lowest possible interest rate.

Uh the deferred taxes and interest don't have to be paid until the property is transferred to heirs or others.

Um so recently, Senator Jalen has been working on making this program even more accessible, and she's also brought it to the attention, brought to attention the fact that the program is not really being widely used.

Uh last year there were only four people in Somerville who took advantage of the tax deferral.

Um and um I've had constituents reach out to me about this as well.

So I know there are many more people who could benefit.

Um, and so I'd love for um the council of on aging and the assessor's office or others in the administration to to work on getting the word out about it better.

Um I think it would be a great use of reverse 311 call to residents 65 and older.

Um, and I encourage those of us on the council as well to get the word out to our constituents who might be eligible.

Okay.

Counselor campan, nothing to add.

Um thank you, Mr.

President.

Councillor Hart described it all perfectly.

I I would just say that Senator Jalen, who who has been um really kind of beating the drum on the importance of this program and has also recently passed a bill in the Senate that is now uh awaiting passage in the House to expand the program to lower the eligibility rules.

Um she has pointed out that uh Winchester kind of stands out as a community that has something like three three times as many um people taking advantage of it.

So it is possible for kind of the the word to spread and to kind of dispel misunderstandings about how the program works.

Um it was Senator Jalen's explanation to me that they they do a lot of just active outreach, basically, too, you know, with every tax bill.

There's a little notice about it, things like that.

Um so the more we can do the better, and obviously announcing it at 9.38 on a Thursday night on uh cable is is the best way to get the word out.

But second to that, um, you know, sending mail.

Counselor Wheeler would like to sign on.

Counselor Bob like to sign on.

All right.

Um do we want that to go to committee to follow up, or is that I mean, it's it's a request.

Okay.

So that item is approved.

Next item.

Agenda item 4.12, a communication by Councilor Hart conveying a report of the affordable housing trust fund.

Counselor Hart.

Thank you.

Okay, the um Affordable Housing Trust Fund met today, earlier this evening.

Um we voted in Nick Pittman as the new managing trustee, discussed the process of filling open seats on the trust and what new trustee orientation is needed.

Um discussed a request from CAS for a new contract for unspit fund unspent funds for a past allocation.

Um and reviewed the process for evaluating applications for fiscal year 26 housing assistance RFPs and decided on that process, which will conclude in April.

Thank you.

Any discussion on the report?

All right, seeing none, that item I placed on file.

Next item.

Agenda item 4.13, a resolution by Councillor Klingon that the executive director of the Office of Strategic Strategic Planning and Community Development discuss with this council the homeowner improvement program and the role of the city in disputes between homeowners and city approved contractors.

Counselor Clinton.

Thank you, Mr.

President, through you.

Um so I just want to have a discussion.

I I don't, you know, uh I don't purport to know a ton about this particular um, just sort of what I understand it is is that um a homeowner can um sort of apply for a uh like a sh like a loan from the city um and they get like CBG D grants um but then they also use a from a list of a pref uh preferred list of contractors um to do this to do this work they um that gets contracted out to like so they they pick from a specific list so really the reason why I again not obvious clearly don't not understand what the program is fully wanting to learn about it, want to have a public discussion about it, but mainly wanting to address the reason why it came to me was that uh a resident um was having many issues with the particular contract that they used the contract ended up going out of business and the work uh is still uh the problems with the work that have that occurred are still uh outstanding and un and unresolved.

So um, you know, I think the person is looking to the city for for some resolution, and so that just to me it begged the question of what would our role be in that situation.

Um as this is a potential this is a great program.

I think it's worked out many times for people successfully.

Um this is just one story I'm hearing about this, although maybe it maybe it's not even used that often.

You know, that's another thing that could come out of the discussion is how often are people taking advantage of this particular uh the HIPAA program.

Um so I'd like this to go to uh I won't be on the committee, but um housing and community development and equity and what is the is that the actual term housing equity and community development.

Yeah, I don't want to say I don't want to say it wrong, yeah, exactly.

Um support.

Yeah, but but I would like this to go to the committee and um I will be happy to tune into that discussion.

I'm I'm telling told that I got the name wrong, sorry.

Yeah, I just don't want people to feel burnt by the city and then there'd be no resolution and then you know it when um I think it's important that we we figure out what what we do in those situations or what the city's role should be.

Uh whether or not this program uh you know is working the way it is currently.

Um thank you.

Okay, Counselor Strasel.

Yes.

Uh thank you, Ms.

President, through to Councillor Clangan.

I'm glad you're bringing this forward because um you know I'll sign on it to a chair.

Because uh recently I had a conversation with seniors that were trying to to find who to trust with contractors, and there was a list uh that I heard from like with Somerville Cambridge Elder Services, of course, that's a separate entity, but that this has existed in a similar incarnation in the past, and I think it's very important.

I don't know where Angie's list is these days or how people get contractors, but there's definitely a need for it.

And additionally, uh is this a federal program or is this a state-run program that you're that you heard about?

What is this?

So it's on the city website, it's a city program.

It's uh it's the home improvement program, it's to help provide safe, sustainable and affordable housing.

This is for low and moderate income residents.

Uh the program focuses on building code and healthy and safety related repairs.

Um but the way it's carried out is that we um we make a loan to the homeowner uh at which I believe they pay back either at the time of sale or again, I don't profess to know everything about this.

I want to learn more and also just make sure that the approved list of contractors, what we do in a situation like that where if they up and go out of business or something like that.

You can find it's all online.

It's a C B it's a block grant, C D B G uh block grant.

Thank you to Council Clain.

So you said it's a city of Somerville creation.

Okay, got it.

Okay, thank you.

Okay.

Was that a hand?

No, okay.

Um see no further discussion that items approved with a copy to housing community development and equity.

Agenda item 4.14, an order by Counselor Link that the Director of Racial and Social Justice provide an update to this council on the status of the police civilian oversight committee.

Counselor Link.

Yeah, thank you, Mr.

President.

Um so I think you know we can all agree transparency and oversight of um you know uh all of our public bodies is is really important.

And I think now more than ever uh making sure that um there is uh accountability taken seriously uh and the residents feel like they can um they can trust a system.

It's just so so important.

Uh so uh I'm just asking for a status report, you know, what's been implemented so far, what's still pending, uh, and uh what's the timeline for completion on this.

Oh, and I'd ask that this go to uh public health and public safety, please.

Okay.

Any discussion?

Council Wheeler?

Uh through the chair, uh I commend my fellow counselor at large uh for this item.

I want to point out that working towards uh civilian oversight committee was one of the recommendations of the 2023 Somerville Police Department Staffing and Operations Analysis Report, uh often referred to as the police staffing study.

This is a report focused on uh helping ensure that the residents of the city uh have policing that's professional, timely, effective, and appropriate to the circumstances, something that all of us and our police department support.

I think it's crucial that we not let this report and other reports like it that have a ton of value for us uh sink into a relevance.

We should keep them in mind and act on them.

Thank you.

Thank you, Councillor Scott.

No, okay.

I was just going to note for others who want to do a little more background before uh before they watched the discussion of this.

There also was a task force um with uh named the I guess it was just the civilian oversight committee task force that put out recommendations um in line with that.

So um excellent question to find out where do we stand on all that.

Counselor Baugh would like to sign on, Councilor Scott would like to sign on very well.

Mr.

President, I just uh was reminded I had a warm memory of uh you and me and Councilor Mbaugh drafting the uh civilian oversight back in was that 2020?

It was six years ago.

It was it was uh yes, two administrations passed.

Yes.

Well, there's always next year, sir.

It's always tomorrow.

Leah Zonradazi, do you see push in the uh the the party in there is like speak?

Thank you, Mr.

President.

Um I just wanted to let everyone know that our public safety for all project manager is preparing um a presentation for everyone, or I guess for a committee, um, on the work that he's done so far and what the next steps are.

So just wanted to give a little preview of that, hopefully coming in the next month or so.

Excellent.

Sounds good.

We'll look forward to that.

All right.

So you know further discussion, then uh that is approved with a copy to public health public safety.

A resolution excuse me.

So sorry.

Agenda item 4.15, a resolution by Councilor Link that this city council commends the students at Somerville High School for their action and resolve in protesting ice deportations in Somerville and across the nation.

Counselor Link.

Yeah, I just wanted to uh through you, Mr.

President, just wanted to really kind of give a um uh you know a big shout out to the the Somerville High School students.

Uh you know, I I was there um and and saw them all uh walk out and I I walked with them for a little ways um uh in the freezing bitter cold uh and I was just so um truly moved by the these young people who are um you know taking time to uh make sure that their voices are heard and to uh you know speak their their mind and and make sure that that um they're exercising their rights and you know it's the next generation of engaged youth.

Thank you.

All right, seeing no further discussion that item is approved.

Next item.

Agenda item 4.17, a resolution by Counselor Link that the director of inspectional services review the rules for short-term rentals and inform this council what enforcement tools are available and how the city may take action against known violations.

Counselor Link.

Uh yeah, it's I uh it's purely information sharing.

Um I would just like to know a bit more about this.

Um so if we can send it to licenses and and permits, uh, I've heard from some neighbors that uh they maybe have Airbnbs in their neighborhood that are uh in violation.

So I just would like to be able to tell them what the process is and what the the sticking points are.

Uh licenses and permits, please.

Counselor Hart.

I just wanted to thank um.

I think it's not on.

Sorry.

Apologies.

So I want to thank my colleague, Counselor Link for bringing this up.

And um actually on election night, uh after it was apparent that I was going to be the new ward seven counselor, uh, I was contacted by a constituent about this very issue.

So it was about the first the first issue I was um contacted about.

And it's very important.

It affects uh our housing supply and affordability, and um so it's something that I've been working on since November, and I'm I'm really glad that you are also um bringing it up.

Thank you.

Liaison, yes, you approaching the uh podium.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

Um, I'd like to request a reconsideration of the committee assignment.

ISD does not typically attend licenses and permits.

Or licenses are so we we thank you for that.

So we have had a number of conversations on this topic in legislative matters because they've all been related to the ordinance that that the regulates um short-term rentals.

Um I'm not sure that that necessarily is the best place for it because unless this is more sort of an update.

Um, but it certainly could go there because it would be it the context would be how are we enforcing and to what extent in what manner are we enforcing the ordinance?

So um, if that's the best place for the administration to have it, I I unless there's an objection.

I I don't have an object because that that was where we've had the conversation in the past.

But Councilor Link, do you have a I have no objection to to moving there?

Liaison is that that works for the administration?

All right, so I always want to be mindful of the efficiency of use of our our administration staff.

Um so happy to keep it in a committee where they might have to show up for something else as well.

Um so that will be uh approved with a copy to uh legislative matters.

Next item.

Agenda item 4.18, a resolution by counselor link that the administration provide the committee on school building facilities and maintenance with regular updates on the MSBA process for the Winter Hill and Brown schools.

This is a uh resubmission of the prior standard item.

It is go ahead, Counselor Link.

Yeah, uh the I mean it's the uh the leads right in there.

Uh I just like it to go to the school buildings facilities and maintenance, please.

So what I was saying is that this is uh effective we we th this item had been in committee in the past, and and as we're gonna hear about in a in a uh shortly here, um our standard process is at the end of the year with the new council items that are in committee, most or many items in committee sort of vaporize.

So this is a resubmission of that to have that standing for so thank you for that.

Um see notice oh uh counselor Ba.

Oh no, thank you, Mr.

President.

Just to say from the deaths of Willemba to the deaths of John Link, I want to sign on.

Counselor Ba would like to sign on that item is approved with a copy to school building facilities and maintenance.

Next item.

Next item is agenda item 4.19, a resolution by Counselor Wheeler, Counselor Link, Counselor Ewan Campen, Counselor Hart, and Counselor Davis in support of House Bill 1588 and Senate Bill 1122, an act relative to immigration detention and collaboration agreements.

Counselor Wheeler.

Thank you, Chair.

Briefly, this is a pair of bills brought by representatives Christine Barber and David Rogers and Senator Adam Gomez, and joined in petition by Senator Pat Chalen, Representative Mike Connolly, and many others.

It would clarify the distinct and separate roles of federal agencies on the one hand and local law enforcement and local facilities on the other discussion.

Counselor Schazer would like to sign on.

Counselor Klingon.

All right.

That item is approved.

Next item.

Agenda item 4.20, a resolution by Counselor Wheeler, Counselor Link, Counselor Ewan Campen, Counselor Hart, and Counselor Davis in support of proposed House Bill, the Protect Act, an act promoting rule of law, oversight, trust, and equal constitutional treatment.

Counselor Wheeler.

Thank you, Chair.

This is a bill uh brought by representatives Andreas Vargas of Haverall and Judith Garcia of Chelsea and joined in petition by Senator Pat Jalen, Representative Mike Connolly, Representative Christine Barber, and many others.

It has a number of provisions, all which promote the equal treatment under the law of all residents of Massachusetts and clarify what information about residents should by law be kept private by our state and municipal governments, and what information under the law must be transparent.

Thank you.

Any discussion?

Councilor Clinton would like to sign on.

Counselor Said would like to sign on.

Council McLaughlin.

Council Strezzo.

Counselor Baugh.

I think I think we've got everybody at the this point.

See no discussion.

That item is approved.

Agenda item 4.21, a communication by Counselor Wheeler in his capacity as chair of the Committee on Finance, conveying information on the FY27 budget review process.

Counselor Wheeler.

Thank you, Chair.

Counselors, please compose and submit a memo summarizing your budget priorities for fiscal year 2027.

I am told on good faith that former counselor Charlotte Kelly wrote memos that are a model of clarity and focus, and that our clerks and auditor staff would be happy to provide uh some uh examples from former counselor Kelly for reference.

The due date for these will be Monday, March 9th in about a month.

And the current plan is to hold a meeting of the committee of the whole on Tuesday, March 24th, to assemble, discuss, and submit our priorities formally to the mayor.

This is a new administration, as we know, and this budget process is still evolving.

So I welcome your suggestions, and we'll make sure to inform you all when we learn more about the precise format of that March 24th meeting.

Uh note that you're getting about a month of notice.

So supplemental items will not be accepted after this.

You gotta get it in on time.

I look forward to collaborating with all of you to push for spending priorities that reflect our values and our commitment to the city.

Thank you.

Any discussion Council Sherman?

To you too.

Counselor Link.

Uh I please expand on your uh is this your idea that supplemental items will not be.

Apologies.

I'm sorry, through you to the president.

Are you okay there, Counselor McLaughlin?

Okay, now back to Councilor Wheeler.

Uh can you expand on that?

Is this your concept of an idea uh as chair of finance or is the Council Stressor, I didn't hear the the point you wanted him to expand on.

Can you just repeat that?

Expand on the thought of a supplemental item that supplemental items were will not be continued past this day.

Thank you.

Through the chair, I uh apologize.

I was sort of trying to make a bit of a joke, but I'm I I was just trying to state the you know the fact that we all understand, which is that supplemental items are accepted when they cannot be foreseen.

And uh with a month of notice, we have a lot of foresight.

So uh we won't be able to come to claim that we couldn't foresee needing to submit this memo on uh Tuesday or Wednesday of that week.

Thank you.

All right, see no further discussion.

That item is placed on file.

Agenda item five point one.

Councilor Wheeler.

Thank you, Chair.

I move to waive the reading of items five point one through five point five and refer them to the finance committee.

All right, seeing no objection, those items are referred to finance.

And that brings us to agenda item six B1, a committee report of the committee meeting of finance, meeting on February 10th, 2026.

Back to you, Councilor Wheeler.

Thank you, Chair.

The finance committee met on Tuesday, February 10th, 2026, with all members present.

Excuse me.

I don't want to step any toes, but I'm just curious as to why the um the million dollars for the CPA money to the Kennedy.

I know that they're trying to get this out to bid, and um I know it sounds like it's somewhat time sensitive.

So I don't I mean uh again, if you have thoughts on you want it to go to committee, or are you as anybody through the chair?

I'm seeing uh legislative leaders under that.

But let's uh let me let me get a hold of this one.

So counselor uh Klingon would like to um move a reconsideration of item 5.1.

Um, even though we don't I guess we've taken action on that.

We submit it, but we're gonna have another unless any has any objections to uh to bringing that back before the committee, saying none, that we'll uh item 5.1 is back before us.

The question is is there uh a time sensitivity on that?

I see Leah does please on Radazi approaching the uh the lecture in there.

Would you like to address that?

Liaza.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

Uh yes, so these were laid on the table at the last council meeting while we ascertained with OSP C D divisions whether or not there was an urgency to act on these.

Uh all of the CPA appropriations are okay to wait until the finance committee meeting on the 24th for a full discussion, especially given that there are several new counselors on the finance committee.

And as long as they are voted on, hopefully on the 26th, then it shouldn't interfere with any timelines.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

Yeah, no, and again, I wasn't trying to step up on the chair's toes, just want to make sure that that wasn't being overlooked as something because I know parents are really chopping at the pit.

So that makes sense.

Thank you.

Very good.

And through the chair, I appreciate it being brought up.

I think it's it's an important thing to make sure that we are not taking longer than we need to on something that's important.

Thank you.

All right, so item five dot one will be referred to finance.

Thank you.

Next item, Madam Clerk.

Oh, sorry, so now we're back.

Yes, we we were just about to start the finance committee report, which was read in the record, so go ahead, Council Wheeler.

Thank you, Chair.

Uh okay.

In this finance committee meeting, we took up a single item agenda, which was the community budget hearing on the community's priorities for the fiscal year 2027 budget.

We heard from 24 residents who spoke, or in one case, saying to a wide range of issues.

Simultaneous interpretation was provided by our excellent team with administrative help from clerks Madeleine Latelier and Delaney Fisher Cassial.

And I urge everyone to watch the video for the full public comments and to read the clerk's excellent minutes summary, which breaks down residents' comments in further detail.

A major theme was transportation and roadway safety, with many residents emphasizing safer intersections, improved lighting, better crosswalk condition, and roadway repairs.

There was also substantial input supporting continued investment in affordable housing and housing stability, as well as strong support for protecting immigrant communities, including funding for legal services and community support programs.

Residents also spoke about youth programming, recreation and child care, as well as offering perspectives on bringing public safety funding and emergency response more in line with the community's overall needs and values, with some referencing the aforementioned 2023 police staffing study.

Additional comments emphasize support for arts and cultural funding, recreation and park improvements, composting programs, warming center services, and infrastructure investments.

There was an emphasis from a wide spectrum of residents on making sure our community is inclusive, welcoming, and safe for all.

Some connected this to the question of implementation of the financial components of ballot question three, either to ask that city funds be withdrawn in accordance with that initiative or to warn against any forms of implementation that might be discriminatory or take focus away from the community's needs.

A few comments pointed out how easy it is to assume that big financial decisions have already been made, and how easy it is to accept that there's only a minuscule room to innovate or go against the grain.

That item was marked work completed.

Mr.

Chair, I ask that this committee report be accepted as submitted.

On the committee report, any discussion?

All right, seeing none, that is approved.

Next item.

Next item is 6C1, a report of the committee on housing, community development and equity meeting on January 28th, 2026.

Hello.

All members were present, one in person, two virtual.

And we had numerous uh directors of departments in the uh meeting room.

It was cool.

We had a good turnout of conversation.

We had just a few um agenda items.

We discussed uh uh East Somerville Main Streets and E donne East to support Somerville immigrant owned businesses.

We had executive director from East Somerville Main Street, Lindsay Allen there to present and talk about what she's experienced and the fact by the way that um businesses that have been screaming uh from the top of the mountain that there are there's there's there's a lot of loss of of uh resources and and and business that are gone.

For instance, La Brasa now gone, past tense, and that there has to be more support.

We talked about how, of course, with ARPA funds there was more spell business support because we had ARPA funds, and now we don't.

So, what exactly is the plan or how are we going to address that going forward?

How are we going to support our small business conversation?

You see how earlier your conversation ties right into what we're doing and what we're talking about.

This is so vitally important in the conversation has to keep happening.

Um we did have director of economic development and uh and um and deputy director present.

They were talking about how they are taking initiatives, and it's really great, like the loyal to local program and just really trying to push hard on Summerville residents to stay loyal to local when you're going out to eat, or when you are making decisions on gifts or hey, for instance, Valentine's Day is coming up.

How can you support a small business by yet cherishing the one you love?

Uh, these are all options that we can take.

And also the main streets, shout out to Ward One, is also uh also has a couple of cool initiatives that you should totally check out in the meantime uh to incentivize more east summerville business support.

And then we also talked about that um U.S.

Surgeon General Advisory on the Mental Health and Wellbeing of Parents report uh that was put forward in the Biden administration and what was vitally important with some really great information and how we could implement that here in Somerville.

We had the Health and Human Services Director come and speak on that item and what has been done and also uh the hearty dialogue on what we can do going forward.

It's uh conversation that are kept in committee.

And then coming up, hoping for the next agenda um item to be brought forward in future is talking about uh new housing what's been approved year by year and get some numbers on that construction and where we can go from there.

I offer this this support uh I'm sorry, this uh report as submitted to you.

Okay, thank you.

Uh on the report.

All right, that item is approved.

Next item.

Next item is six D1, a report of the committee on licenses and permits meeting on February 11th, 2026.

Counselor Hart.

Okay, thank you.

Um we had a brief meeting of the licenses and permits committee with all members present, and I appreciate it.

Counselor Said joining as well.

We approved with conditions a grant of location on Warwick Street for Eversource and heard from the owner of a used car dealer applying for a new license due to change of ownership.

That item was kept in committee to allow for adequate notice to be given for a public hearing at the next meeting.

That's it.

All right.

Any discussion on the report?

I see none.

That item is approved.

Agenda item six E1, a report of the Committee on Sustainability and Infrastructure meeting on February 9th, 2026.

Councillor Clangan.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

Through you, we had three members present, uh, myself, um Councilor Link was filling in for Councillor Scott, who had uh another meeting about our farm, and Councillor Hart, um, who is the no but you're the vice chair.

Uh anyway, so all three of us were there.

We started the meeting right at six.

Um we discussed a number of items.

I'll just cover the uh warming center stuff that um councillor you and camp and put in uh rel regarding extra litter pickups.

Uh receptacle has been placed by the entrance of the warming center.

Uh they are now doing regular uh extra pickups of litter, cleaning out the area.

And then lastly, was um with regards to vehicle pickups, emergency or otherwise, uh be using the common school parking lot rather than Prescott Street.

Uh Bill Fisher, the emergency management director was there.

He reported that a recent resident meeting provided helpful context for this item.

He explained that staff at the center have been parking along the street, which limited access for residents.

The rear lot, which had previously been used for construction equipment, is now available for staff parking.

So that's helpful, but drop-offs and pickups of with emergency responders will remain unchanged due to the ease of access and ADA parking will continue to be located near the front entrance.

Um rather, you know, have an emergency vehicles park in the lot and then come all the way around the building to to assist somebody in an emergency.

Um he said that they'll just continue to use the Prescott Street, but for other everything else there you're trying to use the parking lot as much as possible to uh relieve that pressure off residents.

Um with that, I ask the report be accepted as submitted.

Any discussion on the report?

All right, seeing none of that item is approved.

Next item.

Next item is 7.2, a request of the mayor requesting acceptance of Massachusetts General Law, Chapter 59, Section 5, Clause 22i to authorize an annual cost of living adjustment increase and exemption amount granted under Chapter 59, Section 5, Clauses 22, 22A, 22B, 22C, 22E, and 22F.

Councilor Wheeler.

Thank you, Chair.

I move to waive the readings and refer to the finance committee, the following items.

Let's let's uh let's hold off on that.

One at a time.

All right, well, okay.

We've got a few items here that I think we're probably gonna send to a different committee.

So let's thank you.

Next item.

Agenda item 7.3, a request of the mayor requesting acceptance of Massachusetts General Law, Chapter 59, Section 5, Clause 22J to authorize an increase in the exemption amount granted under Chapter 59, Section 5, Clauses 22, 22A, 22B, 22C, 22 E, and 22 F.

That item is referred to legislative matters.

Council Scott.

So excited for this one.

Indeed.

Next item.

An agenda item 7.4, a request of the mayor requesting the acceptance of Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 40, Section 13E to establish a special education reserve fund.

That items referred to legislative matters.

Councilor Wheeler.

Are there any other items in the seven section that okay?

Thank you.

Then I move to waive the readings of uh items.

Sorry, is it 7.4 that we're on or 7.5?

Start with 7.5.

7.5.

Thank you.

I move to waive the readings and refer to the finance committee.

The items 7.5 to 7.12, 7.14, 7.16 to 7.21, and 7.23 to 7.32.

And you know 32.

Do you want to we want to read um after that do you want to read 343 33 3435 in?

And and then I I plan to move to uh to consider 7.33.

So we'll leave sorry, so then we'll stick with the motion made.

So to um wave the reading of those items and send to finance, see no discussion.

Um that is approved those or the theems are referred to finance.

Um item seven dot thirty-three.

Council Wheeler.

Uh I move to consider seven point thirty-three together with seven point thirty-four to waive the readings.

Uh and to and I move to approve them immediately.

All right.

Any discussion on the motion.

Wait, wait, we should read them in because we're gonna vote on that.

Yeah.

So we're gonna read we'll read those in since it's uh gonna take a vote on it, just so folks know what we're saying.

Yes to.

So we can take those up to those two up together, though.

Yes.

So agenda item 7.33, a request of the mayor requesting your approval to accept and expend a hundred dollar donation from the Massachusetts Council on Aging to the Somerville Council on Aging for the active aging kickoff party, and agenda item seven point three four of request of the mayor requesting approval to pay prior year invoices, totaling 149 using available funds in the human resources professional and technical services account for medical screening services.

Okay.

Any discussion on those two items?

Seeing none, those are approved.

Next item.

Agenda item 7.35, a request of the mayor requesting approval for a settlement of a claim for 10,400 pursuant to section two 124 of the code of ordinances.

Councilor Wheeler, was there a request to take this one up?

No, I I move to send this to committee.

Very well.

So that'll be referred to finance.

Okay.

Next item.

Yes, agenda item 8.1, an officer's communication from the chief assessor responding to item 26-0062, an order requesting an inventory of city-owned parcels.

Council Scrazzle.

If my colleagues don't object, I'd like to send the housing and community development.

Uh again.

It's a response, and I would like consent to housing and community development.

Liaison Redazzo equity.

Liaison is that Rodacity, did you want to speak to this item?

Thank you, Mr.

President.

Um, I've actually through you connected to uh counselor with counselor link on the item that he originally submitted, which is asking for an inventory of the parcels.

And um, so this is just a response presenting that information so that it's available to the public.

So the hope was that that would be the response for that item.

Counselor Link.

Uh I'm I'm satisfied with that part of the response.

There is uh I think uh counselor uh sorry, counselor let's leave uh liaison, Rodati uh and I are um talked also about the the second part coming in later.

So yeah, I'm I'm happy with this response.

Okay.

So seeing no further discussion, that item is placed on file, and we can send a copy to housing community development and equity.

Sure.

Next item.

An agenda item 8.2, an officer's communication from the director of economic development conveying the potential use of an urban center housing tax increment financing tool, UCTIV to incentivize housing production.

All right.

We will send this one to finance for counselor.

I think uh gets a finance tool.

So I think that's why we've had those conversations in the past.

Mr.

President.

Right, Council Joseph.

Can you also I want to hear from the director of OSP CD in housing on this as well, please?

Okay.

So this item we're gonna send to finance because it's a it's a finance tool.

We certainly can have a conversation at the council level as well, or if you want to submit a separate item, we can we can send that to housing computer.

Certainly a subject matter conversation uh conversation would be appropriate in that committee, but I think this item belongs in finance, unless there's objection before we've had those conversations in the past.

Right.

Is it so do you prefer that it be this so you with it sent to finance?

Do you prefer to send it as two agenda items or do a new one and send one to HCDE?

Or do you prefer to send it to finance, have a discharge and then send back to HCDE?

So the rules say we can only send an item to one committee.

Um I want to my my inclination is to is to follow our precedent, which is to have this one happen in finance.

Um it could come back and go to uh HCDE, or you certainly could next meeting submit another item to to have that conversation on the you know on the general topic.

I want to have a hard so is do we have anyone from the I don't see OSPCD here, but we do have uh Liazon.

Liazon Radazi.

Thank you, Mr.

President, through you.

Um the intent of this is uh the director of economic development would like to talk about occurs as um a tool to incentivize housing production.

The intent is that they they are hoping to come back to the council with an actual proposal, which is why it makes sense to send it to finance, since finance will be the one to consider the octiff proposal when it does come through.

Said said better than I was trying to say it.

Thank you.

And as a um if I may, uh this is the proposal that uh Director Galgani presented to the council in a different council last year.

Correct?

I'm sorry, I don't understand the question.

Uh to a different council.

Correct.

Well, well, last year we had separate counselors, and now we have other counselors that replaced the counselors that were there.

Yes, I'm sorry, I understand.

Right.

So the presentation, if I recall, if we're speaking on the same uh item was a was a presentation based on what the city hired consultant, as I recall, was uh to eliminate the uh tax or or or tweak the tax incentives of affordable housing uh units and uh tier it and I do not think that the counselors presently here heard that presentation and uh and if we're sending it into a committee for a discussion when they did not yet hear the presentation, I don't think that's fair justice to the actual whole deep conversation of what this simple housing tax increment financial financial tool is aiming to do, and I don't think that's fair, and he is not here tonight to speak on that.

Okay, so the this item before us is uh the house the director of economic development uh wanting to present on the use of urban center housing tax increment financing tool, which is otherwise known as UCTIF, that is a specific tool that is different than the the specific part of the proposal that you referenced.

Um if the as as the liaison noted if a council if the council is to move forward to approve an octave, that would be something that we would take up in finance.

So it's the opinion of the president that this item belongs in finance.

If you wish to submit a different item requesting information from the the from the administration, absolutely within your your right to do so.

Um but this item is specific to occits, and that is an item that we discuss in finance.

Mr.

President, it's linked to it is not a separate idea.

It is the similar thing that he was presenting last year.

So let's get that on that's pretty clear about that.

Yes, sure.

So I'll correct that.

But we can send it to finance.

But this is very, this is a deep conversation and it's complex.

And when it gets out of finance, um again, some of these counselors that will uh that it will be sent through in a finance report, may not know how did not hear that full presentation at the end of last year.

And you're entitled to hear that presentation and all that went into this.

So Council Schrasser suggests that I think that's a whole for new counselors take a look at that item which is recorded.

I also note that all of the new counselors are on the finance committee, so they certainly will hear this.

Um this item is uh um approved with a copy to finance.

Placed on file, sorry, placed on file with a copy to finance.

Thank you.

Agenda item 8.3, an officer's communication from the Fair Housing Commission conveying the FY 2024 annual report pursuant to section 17.7 of the code of ordinances.

Any discussion?

Send this to housing and community development and equity.

That item is placed on file with a copy to HCDE.

All right, Councillor Hart.

Mr.

President, I would like to wave the readings of 9.1 to 9.28.

And do I make a motion to approve them?

Tonight.

Yep.

If you if you if you wish to, that would be appropriate.

All right, Council Hart moves to waive the ratings of 9.1 through 9.28.

These are a number of licenses, um, and approved them this evening.

Any discussion, any questions, any objection to doing so?

All right, seeing none, those items are all approved.

Agenda item 9.29, a public communication from Anjana Sukumar submitting comments about Winter Hill.

That item is placed on file.

Agenda item 9.30, a public communication from McGrath Coalition Steering Committee submitting comments about McGrath Boulevard.

Councilor Wheeler.

Through the chair, just briefly, I want to summarize a few key points of these comments.

Uh one is the recommendation that the target uh speed limit be 25 miles per hour, not 30 miles per hour, uh, as part of the McGrath redesign.

And two, that the crossing at Otis Street should have full signalization of full traffic light.

Um there is an observation that in the past there's been poor motorist compliance at Hawk Signals, uh, that there are crossing routes that young people are taking to three school buildings.

Uh if this were a municipal road with a children's park and two schools within a thousand feet of this intersection, it would likely be considered a 20 mile per hour slow zone with full signalization.

Just wanted to highlight those elements of this.

Thanks.

Very good.

Council Link.

Just to um do the president just to underscore um what Councilor Wheeler said, it's not just that there's three schools, also, it's that the our main preschool is uh right behind there.

So I I do think that it's so important.

Okay, that item is placed on file.

Agenda item 9.31, a public communication from Kiss Crystal Huff and Amy Pollard submitting comments about U.S.

immigration and customs enforcement.

That item is placed on file.

Agenda item 10.1, a resolution by Councillor Link and Councillor Ewan Campin that the city council commends the fire department for its fast and professional emergency response to the recent fire at 26 Summer Street.

This one, Council Link reached out to me on this one.

It's not it wasn't submitted as a citation, but it's more or less like a citation, and our practice has been to allow those uh on the supplemental agenda.

So um uh Councilor Link, just speak to this.

Yeah, uh I just so uh this uh happened to actually a friend of um this this home was uh the home of a friend of uh my family's and uh I'm just so very thankful for uh the our fire department and their their quick action.

Uh and I wanted to take this as an opportunity to this was uh for those of you who don't know this happened in the middle of the night um and the um the family that lived there wanted um to underscore for every underscores my phrase of the day.

Um please check the batteries in your smoke detectors.

Uh it's definitely uh is the reason that they're still around.

Uh so uh that would be great.

And also a big thumbs up to the Red Cross for helping them uh get some some settled life.

Uh but yeah, the fire department.

Awesome.

Okay.

So that item is approved.

Next item.

Agenda item 10.2, a public communication from Union 2 Associates LLC requesting a zoning map amendment to change the zoning district of two and nine Union Square, 286, 290, and 298 Somerville Avenue from Commercial Core 5 to Midrise 6.

All right, that is referred to land use.

Oh, right, sorry, with a copy to the planning board.

Agenda item 10.3, a public communication from Colraine Slavic submitting comments regarding U.S.

immigration and customs enforcement.

That item is placed on file.

Agenda item 10.4, a public communication from four residents submitting comments about the Israel boycott.

That item is placed on file.

Agenda item 10.5, a public communication from Elizabeth Shawl submitting comments about snow removal.

That item is placed on file.

Agenda item 10.6 public communication from Noah Cohen Hughes and Crystal Huff submitting comments regarding agenda item 260114 fiscal year 2027 budget priorities.

That item is placed on file.

There are no other items.

No, no.

So that we can make sure that we also send a copy of that to uh the planning board.

Um see what was it?

Yeah, 4.6.

So that uh so that items put before us.

Um no further discussion, but that item will be that was referred to land use will also have a copy to the planning board.

All right.

Um there any late items.

Yes.

All right.

There is, I know there is.

It is item, Mr.

President.

Breaking the law.

Um all right.

So there is a late item.

Um Madam Cook, could you read the item?

Yes.

That this city council will hold a public hearing on the petition submitted by 52 registered voters regarding out of the blue community arts space at arts at the armory, pursuant to section 212 of the city charter.

Okay.

Um so just a bit of background so folks understand why I submitted this as a late item.

This was it was brought to my attention just yesterday that this is one of those items that I mentioned earlier at the end of the year.

Some items that are referred to committees for action uh stay in committees and some items that don't vaporize.

And for whatever reason, this seems to be one of the ones that vaporized.

We'll have to look into whether that was the right disposition or not, and we're gonna re have conversations about that process overall.

But um, it also while it didn't well well the actual submission doesn't request a public hearing.

Um, as I mentioned when back in November when this was first submitted, the the uh the folks who submitted the petition said that's what they wanted.

So we took it as that um uh in the interest of uh you know of um trying to uh you know forward the will of of our constituents.

Um and uh along those same lines, our new charter does have a uh requirement for that we hold a public hearing within a certain period of time, which it seems like we probably have already missed.

So in the interest of moving forward as quickly as possible, um promising to do better next time and and not have this process lead to it's something getting dropped.

Um I wanted to I'm submitting this late item so that we can refer it to committee.

Um the previous item was submitted to housing community development and equity or whatever it was called back then.

Um so um my proposal would be to send this to uh to that committee again so that a a uh public hearing can be scheduled following the requirements that are in our new charter.

Um and these folks can have their uh their uh time to speak.

Um any discussion or questions on that?

No, okay.

So this item then is um is referred to committee.

When it goes to committee, the only action that we'll be able to that we can take on it is to other than having the hearing is to place it on file, but we will need to have that to take that action or recommend that action in committee because it won't have we won't have taken an action on it tonight because it's a late item, so we try not to do that.

That all make sense to everybody.

Okay, a little inside procedure, um, open meeting law, etc.

etc.

Um, I also will note I'm um I've been working with the assistance of um our legislative and policy analyst on uh some rule changes to better clarify the supplemental process and make it a little bit less confusing and and um have a little bit more of a bright line.

So stay tuned for that.

Um I didn't get that in on time um and so I didn't submit it because I want to I want to follow the rules in the change to follow the rules, as it were.

Um so that item is is referred to uh HCDE.

Are there any further late items?

There are no other items.

Very good.

Um with that, Councilor Hart moves to adjourn, and we are adjourned.

Thank you, everyone.