Sir, we're going to be able to do that.

Oh, thank you.

Sorry.

You are now live.

Thank you.

Good evening, everyone.

I am Ben Wheeler.

I use he, him pronouns.

I'm a counselor at large and finance committee chair.

It is 6.02 p.m.

And I'd like to call to order the Tuesday, February 24th, 2026 meeting of the Finance Committee of the Somerville City Council.

This meeting of a city council committee will be conducted via remote participation following chapter two of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts's acts of 2025.

We will post an audio video recording and a comprehensive record of these proceedings as soon as possible after the meeting on the City of Somerville website and local cable access government channels.

We are joined by Clerk Madeline Latelier.

Clerk, could you please call the role to establish quorum?

This is roll call, Counselor Link.

Here.

Counselor Strezzo, present.

Counselor Hart?

Here.

Counselor Scott.

Present.

Counselor Wheeler.

Present.

With all five counselors present, we have quorum.

Thank you.

We will be taking up our 39 item agenda in the order posted.

As a general note.

If I pronounce your name wrong or get your title wrong or use the wrong pronouns for you, please do not hesitate to interrupt me.

I want to get it right.

Um question for you, uh Clerk Litelier.

Uh do you want everyone to introduce themselves now or just when they are speak beginning to speak on an item?

Chair, thank you for the question.

As you are speaking, please just introduce yourself for the record.

Okay, wonderful.

Um, proceeding with item one, ID 26-0142, approval of the January 20th, uh 2026 minutes.

Um I hear any discussion uh of this item.

Seeing none, the item is laid on the table to recommend approval.

All right.

Item two, uh ID 26-0263, approval of the minutes of the finance committee meeting of February 10th, 2026.

Do I see any discussion of this item?

Seeing none, this item is laid on the table to recommend approval.

All right.

Environment related grant requests.

Uh mayor's request, ID 26-0112, requesting approval to accept and expand a $5,000 grant with no new match required from the Department of Environmental Protection to the Department of Public Works for the Sustainable Materials Recovery Program.

I believe we have interim uh Department of Public Works Commissioner Eric Weisman uh here and sanitation and hazardous material program manager Maya Yoshikawa as well.

Um, if that is correct, then please, Commissioner Wiseman and Program Manager Yoshikawa, could you please introduce yourselves and tell us about this grant?

Hello, thank you, Chair.

Uh Eric Wiseman, interim commissioner of Department of Public Works.

Um, this first item is a five thousand dollar grant with no match for a paint shed where uh residents can recycle paint.

And I have uh, as you mentioned, uh sanitation and hazardous material uh program manager Maya Yoshikawa uh with me to answer any questions on the program.

Thank you.

I see Counselor Strezzo.

Thank you.

Uh through you to uh deputy director, I'm sorry, uh interim director uh wisen.

Good evening.

Um recall, I can't recall if this is an ongoing program or if this is first uh time sure through the chair.

Um we have always had uh recycling of paint through the hazardous waste uh program, but this is um actually I I'd like to uh invite Maya to talk about what the about the shed and the purpose of it, please.

Thank you through the chair.

My name is Maya Yoshika, I'm the sanitation hazardous materials program manager.

So in the past, um, to answer that question, in the past we have had a shed.

Um it was utilized, um, but it's badly rusted and not suitable for outdoor use.

And as a result, um currently we only accept paints during our city's household hazardous waste collection event, um, which currently takes place eight times per year.

It will be taking place 10 times this year.

Sorry, can you please repeat that?

Did everyone else's computer just uh I didn't catch that last part?

Can you please repeat the yeah?

Can you hear me or can you hear me?

I can hear you um through through uh you I can hear you.

Um either my computer went spotty and I missed like everything you spelled the specific nouns you said, and so I wanted to capture what you said.

So can you please repeat that?

Uh the shed is in is is deteriorated.

Yes.

So currently the shed is deteriorated.

The and so as a result, we have not been using a shed, and we can only have residents drop off paint during household hazardous waste collection events.

And with accepting this grant, we hope to purchase a new paint shed, which would allow uh residents to drop off paint during our regular yard hours, which would be Monday through Friday, 8 30 to 12 p.m.

and then 1 p.m.

to 3 30 p.m.

Thank you so much for that.

Um I saw a hand before from Counselor Link.

Any questions from you or any other counselor?

All my questions were answered, sure.

Thank you.

Okay, thank you so much, Director Wiseman and uh program manager Yoshikawa.

Um if there's no more discussion and seeing uh a sense of approval, this item is laid on the table to recommend approval at the end of the meeting.

The next item, item four mayor's request ID 26-0117 requesting approval to accept and expend a 28,000 dollar grant with no new match required for the Mass Department of Environmental Protection to the Department of Public Works for the Recycling Dividends Program.

Uh Commissioner Wiseman, can you please tell us about this grant?

Sure.

So uh thank you, Chair.

This is uh the those of you who have been in finance for a while will recognize this grant.

We come forward every year.

Um this is something that we get through Mass DEP based on the recycling uh program that we that we offer to staff.

So we we get grant uh awarded this grant and we use it for recycling programs.

And I will again invite um sanitation and hazardous material program manager Maya Yoshikawa to answer any questions about this program and to talk about what um what we intend to do with the funds.

Thank you.

Are there any questions or discussion from our committee?

Uh counselor Link.

Uh just because it was asked, Chair, or just because it was hinted at uh what what do we intend to do with the funds?

Thank you.

Counselor Link through the chair.

Um so we plan on three main activities with these RDP funds for this year, including household, the main one being the household hazardous waste collection events.

We're adding we're planning to add two weekday events, one at the beginning in April of we usually hold them April to November.

So one is going to be held April and then one will be held November.

Um we plan on holding these on Thursday since a lot of the city is open later.

Um a lot of city functions are open at 7:30.

Um in the evening.

And um, so that is the main portion that we're planning on spending the um grant money on.

The other is 20, the um trash and recycling guide for the design mailings and postage costs, and then on top of that um for the leftover funds recycling cards.

Thank you.

I see counselor hurt thank you so much.

Uh through you, Chair Wheeler.

I'm just curious as to the um holding the the events on Thursdays in terms of like how do you see participation differing when I think in the past there had been some Saturdays as well.

So like a weekday versus uh a weekend.

Just curious if you could tell us more about that.

That's a great question.

Thank you through the chair.

Um we plan on still holding our regular second Saturdays of the month.

I should have um mentioned that previously.

So that's eight total Saturdays during um from again April to November.

We wanted to open it up to other residents and constituents that may have Sabbath or other or may work during um a Saturday.

Um and so that's why we're adding those two additional weekday or weeknights, rather.

Um thank you.

I see Counselor Strezzo.

Thank you.

Uh I'd like to go on screen, but my internet is being stupid right now.

So I might just have to be like that.

So uh Mr.

Chair through you.

Uh I I want to thank you for that um recognition that that is true inclusion.

So I appreciate the opening up of Wednesdays and off uh Shabbat or Sabbath days.

That's that is very important.

So thank you.

And thank you for that thoughtfulness.

Um and I'm excited to see another year of this go forward.

Wonderful.

Are there any other questions or comments?

I appreciate this program very much.

I appreciate your efforts and your being here.

Um if there's no more discussion on this item, it is laid on the table to recommend approval at the end of the meeting.

And if that's the last matter that Commissioner Wiseman and Program Manager Yoshikawa intend to speak on, then I thank both of you for appearing before the committee and I wish you a good evening.

Thank you, Chair.

Thank you.

Okay.

Infrastructure related contracts and agreements.

Item five, mayor's request ID 26-0133.

Approval of a time-on extension until June 30th, 2027 for the contract with N Grenezi and Sons Inc.

for water distribution system maintenance and repair.

Um I believe we have director of engineering, Brian Postalwaite, and also uh director of finance, uh, sorry, uh director of infrastructure and asset management, Rich Raish here.

And oh, and sorry, now I see you, Michael.

Uh, and also director of finance for infrastructure and asset management, Michael Richards.

And I believe we do not have Jonathan Smith.

Is that right?

Okay.

Um, uh Director Richards, uh, or any of the other staff that I mentioned, would you please tell us about this contract extension?

Uh yes, thank you, Chair.

Again, my name is Michael Richards.

I'm the director of finance and administration for the departments of water and sewer and a dual role with the Department of Inf Infrastructure and Asset Management.

Uh speaking on behalf of the Department of Water and Sewer, these two contracts are similar in function, and that these are three-year contracts for on-call work assisting the water department in their uh day-to-day maintenance uh with water main rehab uh or one water system maintenance uh and also the repairing gate valves and the pertinences.

These contracts are uh entering the year uh year three renewal, uh beginning in this coming weeks or the next month.

Uh and we are looking to align the contract expiration with the fiscal year and uh for FY27.

Uh in practice, these have expired in mid-fiscal year, and these are annual kind of operating contracts, and then poses a difficulty with budgeting to make sure that these are budgeted for properly, where you have a new contract starting uh at the end of a budget cycle.

So it's uh to the city's benefit to extend these both by three three and a half months to get on to the FY27 and uh FY28 beginning contract uh and fiscal year cycle.

Thank you very much.

Are there any questions or comments from the committee?

Okay.

Um sorry.

Uh someone began to speak.

Was that Counselor Scott?

Yeah, I'm sorry.

Sorry, I think Counselor Scott.

I tend to wave at you.

I can uh try to use the emojis.

Oh, yeah.

Waving uh you know, this is these are contracts that I've been uh critical of for a long time.

I appreciate that we're actually lining these up.

Uh hopefully they'll align in a way that we can get rid of these kind of outsourcing contracts as we step up in the water department.

Um since folks here, I was wondering if I could maybe get a quick update on uh what the hiring in the water department's looking like these days.

Uh thank you for the question, Counselor.

Through the chair, we have uh updated the uh job descriptions for a number of these um labor positions, and we have recently posted these through our HR department.

They are active now and accepting applications.

They have been uh posted within the last two weeks.

So we should be looking to close those soon and and may have an update later on.

All right.

Uh glad to hear we're moving forward on those.

I know it was long fight to get those labor positions.

So all right.

Thank you, Mr.

Chair.

I'm all set.

If I'm not seeing other comments, um I have a follow-up question to what Councillor Scott brought up.

Uh I'm curious about the relationship between uh contracting and staffing, you know, in a case like this, but also in general.

Uh uh Director Richards, you mentioned um you know the anticipation that there will be another contract uh, you know, with similar work.

Is that something whose scope might depend on what the staffing situation is, you know, come next June of 2027?

Yeah, thank you for that question.

Um as we are entering the year three of this three-year cycle uh and moving these into about 15 or 16 year 16 month contracts that does allow us some time to kind of evaluate the hiring practices that we have here with these available and posted positions uh and kind of continue to build that those departments out uh with the laborers that we have and working with the union and with uh HR to fill those positions.

As we near the end of the expiration of this up these upcoming contracts, that is something that we'll work with the procurement contracting services department to rework that scope uh and something that we look at our budget as well to make sure that we're budgeting appropriately for the staff that we have versus the staff that we don't have yet and work that we may anticipate for that following year.

Thank you.

Do any other counselors on committee have questions or comments?

Um Director Raish, do you have anything to add?

Director Richards covered that one pretty well.

Well, thank you all very much.

Um seeing uh no further comments and discussion, this item is laid on the table to recommend approval at the end of the meeting.

Moving on to item six, ID 26-0132.

The mayor requesting approval of a time-only extension until June 30th, 2027 for the contract with EB Rotundi in Suns Inc.

for repairs to water main gate valves and appurtens.

Director Richards, could you please speak to this item?

Yes, thank you.

Similar to the last item.

Uh the another contract supporting our on call water efforts to uh repair and react to uh as needed repairs.

Um same situation, contract is expiring.

We're entering year three, and we're looking to extend this and continu this uh align this with our fiscal year.

Counselor Strezo.

Thank you, Mr.

Chair.

I am still staying off screen.

I am bummed because I I missed what Counselor Scott said.

I know where he's been on this, and I've been apologies, Counselor Strezzo.

Um I heard part of what you said and then it dropped out.

Are you able to hear me now?

You can't hear me.

Sorry, it came in and out, but now I can hear you.

Okay.

It's still doing the thing.

Okay.

I'm gonna try my best.

Um is there so I missed what counselor Scott said, and I'm bummed about that because it's did you catch any of that?

Mr.

Chair?

Okay, yeah, we did.

Okay, that's a thumbs up.

Yes, yes, we did.

Okay, yes.

Okay, great.

We got that covered.

So um, because I am certainly curious as well, uh, with this.

And uh was did in with what I missed, did anyone mention um a staffing update with um uh of the numbers?

I heard uh uh Michael Richards talk about that briefly or that you you're planning on as we are onboarding um employees with the new uh SEMA, I mean a contract.

However, um where um has there been a um a commitment to getting uh staff updates of where we are, um what the direction looks like, etc.

on board.

So we can lean ourselves off from these new contracts and do this in-house.

Was any of that captured, please let with the Wi-Fi issue.

There was a brief discussion about it, but uh I I think the questions that you're asking about the sort of plans for the future.

And I'm sorry that we're having these connection interruptions.

Um Clerk, uh, can I ask a quick uh procedure question?

Have you found in the past that uh if someone is having internet hiccups that using the Zoom option to call in using the phone is effective?

I have not experienced that personally, but if Counselor Sherzo wants to log off and log back in, she certainly can with the link.

Okay.

Um I do know that Zoom provides these phone numbers that offer you a way to call in as well.

Um Counselor Strezzo, if if we find that these problems are persisting, you might try taking uh Clerk Watelier's suggestion to log off and log back in.

Or you might try looking on the calendar of I invite and there's a phone number, it says US, and there's a phone number, and I believe it'll ask you then to enter the webinar ID.

Um could could be that that could solve the problem.

Not sure.

Um I see uh liaison Radassi.

Thank you, Mr.

Chair.

Um, for the record, Yasmin Radasi legislative liaison with um the mayor's office.

Um just to address this and counselor Scott's earlier question, uh, just want to uh reiterate that the administration is happy to work in collaboration and um coordination with the city council, and we're hoping uh to come back in the future with staffing updates for water and sewers.

So just wanted to make sure we didn't get too far off track of the contract discussion and just wanted to reassure folks that um we will come to the council when we do have um substantive updates on that.

Thank you, Lies and Radassi.

Am I hearing any other questions or comments from the committee members?

And I I do see that uh Councillor Strezzo went away.

Um I might uh ask us to just wait for a moment to see if she's able to reconnect.

Thank you all for your patience.

I'm just trying to strike a little balance here.

I don't want to move on uh precipitously.

Uh let me see if um a quick text.

Chair, my please, counselor Scott.

As chair, we're gonna be laying this item on the table to recommend approval at a later time.

If Counselor Strezzo does return and has further questions, we can easily pick the item back up off the table and just move on right now in the meantime.

Thank you.

I appreciate that.

And I and I also see Counselor Strezzo has rejoined.

Um so seeing no further uh discussion or questions on this, the item is laid on the table to recommend approval at the end of the meeting.

Thank you all.

Um sewer-related bonding item seven, mayor's request 26-0162 requesting authorization to borrow one million five hundred thirty thousand dollars in a bond and to appropriate the same amount for the annual fiscal year 2026 sewer system evaluation and infiltration inflow assessment.

Um that is a mouthful.

Uh let's see.

Um, I believe uh is this a matter that you, Director Raish are intending to speak on.

Right.

Okay, excellent.

Uh please, Director Raish, tell us about this bond.

Uh through the chair, and for your record, uh, my name is Richard Raish, Director of Infrastructure and Asset Management.

Uh for those of you uh who have been on the finance committee for a while, which I guess is only Counselor Scott, um, you would recognize this as one of our two-part uh annual bond appropriations to do preventative maintenance on our sewer system.

Uh prior to about eight years ago, the only way we would know that there was a problem with the pipe was that it would collapse and interrupt service and require emergency repairs.

Uh we started up a proactive uh program uh about eight years ago.

Uh that involves part one, which is tonight's appropriation of uh closed circuit television inspection.

Um the fancy title being sewer system evaluation uh of the pipes uh to identify pipes that are damaged and are ready to uh to uh break.

Um every year we'll also have a a knock-on um uh appropriation to go out and repair those.

Uh we are often able to use trenchless technologies to do that, um, which uh leads yields us uh significant cost savings because we were able to repair these uh pipes uh for pennies on the dollar uh trenchlessly.

Uh we have uh for the past several years been very aggressive on our CCTV program, and we've now uh inspected almost every pipe in the system, all 165 miles of it, um, except for some pipes that were very clogged that required uh additional cleaning uh to inspect.

So this is that um sort of last contract to get eyes on the last sets of pipes um that that need inspection uh so that we can uh possibly rehabilitate rehabilitate them before they fall apart.

Um the program will continue along, you know, much like our street uh investigations, where we'll loop back around uh and and inspect pipes that had been uh inspected five uh plus years ago.

Um, but uh you know this this program will be ongoing and uh that's this one.

We are ready to bid and we just need the appropriation.

Thank you, Director Raish.

Counselor Link.

Thank you.

Uh through the chair, um to Directorish.

Uh so am I having not been on finance committee before?

Um, I'm just curious.

So it sounds like what you're saying is that um because we're able to kind of proactively uh address these issues, we're actually uh and use uh trench lists, we're able to actually um create cost savings.

Uh so overall, this program is actually saving us money.

Is that correct?

To the chair, that is correct.

And the grand scheme of things, we're we're not able to uh forestall all you know emergency interrupts, but um we're we're doing a much better job of that and uh getting out ahead of this.

Um, and even the ones that we do have to dig and replace.

Um, when we contract it out and uh plan the work, uh it's a lot more cost effective than the emergency response.

Also a lot less disruptive because we can announce service interruptions and and plan shutting off people's water uh rather than have them find out the hard way.

Wonderful.

Uh thank you.

Thank you, Chair.

Thank you.

Any other questions or discussion?

Uh I have one question, Director Raish.

Um, I saw from the Capital Improvement Project request form for this bond.

Um, am I right in reading that it's anticipated that we'll need to borrow similar amounts every year for at least several more years?

Dude, the chair, that's correct.

We're we're keeping this level funded for the next several years.

Um we may have the opportunity to start scaling this back.

Um, you know, because we have finally finished the whole city.

Um, but we want to uh keep an eye on the occurrence of failures before we we really scale it back.

Um but we are keeping an eye on it and and evaluating that possibility.

Thank you.

Um if there's no more discussion, this item is laid on the table to recommend approval at the end of the meeting.

Um and uh if that's the last matter that you, Director Raish um are here to speak on, um, then I thank you for appearing before the committee and wish you a good evening.

Uh Director Richards, uh not sure if that's also true of you.

And uh Director Postalweight, uh not sure if that is also true of you.

Thank you, Council.

Thank you.

Okay.

Uh contracts and agreements.

Item eight, mayor's request 26-0166, requesting the appropriation of 154,136 from the receipts reserved for appropriation uh settlement of claims account to the school department legal settlement account for an insurance settlement.

Um pardon my picking back up in my notes.

Um I believe we have Director of Finance Edward Bean and some real public schools chief financial officer Robert Beretta here.

Um Director Bean or Officer Beretta, could you please tell us about this appropriation?

Uh Ed bean finance director, uh Mr.

Chairman, uh, this is really a school department matter, but uh the law requires that the legislative body, the city council, appropriate any insurance settlement received that exceeds 150,000, 150,000.

So when the insurance settlement comes in, it comes into the receipts reserved for appropriation, which is a central account in the city, then needs to be appropriated via your vote uh to uh a relevant department, in this case the school department.

So Mr.

Baretta is here to talk to you about these specifics and what that money, what that settlement uh, what how that settlement was incured and uh what it's what it's gonna be expended on.

Thank you so much.

Um Officer Baretta.

Good evening, everyone.

Uh yeah, so the school department has a um a $98,000 insurance policy for employee-related matters.

This is um uh settlement that came in as a result of uh an employee matter.

And we're the school department is basically just asking us uh asking the committee to appropriate this to us so that we can pay out the claim from our accounts.

Thank you.

Uh does anyone on the committee have questions or comments about this?

Okay.

Uh if there's no more discussion, this item is laid on the table to recommend approval at the end of the meeting.

Uh and if that's the last matter that Director Bean and Officer Beretta intend to speak on, then thanks for appearing before the committee.

Uh and if that's the last matter that Director Bean and Officer Beretta intend to speak on, then thanks for appearing before the committee, and I wish you a good evening.

Mr.

Chairman, I'll hang out for the first time.

Oh, great.

Excellent.

Glad to still have you.

Okay.

Uh communications related.

Item nine, Mayor's request 26-0089.

Requesting approval of a transfer of $3,000 from the Communications Department professional and technical services account to the Subworld Public Schools Professional Salaries Account for consulting services relating to the inaugural event.

Um I believe we have communications director Denise Taylor or Finance Manager for Communications, Marjorie Rizzo.

Here um sorry, uh Liaison Rodasi.

Thank you, Mr.

Chair.

I my apologies.

I just am looking at the participants, and I don't believe either Denise or Marjorie are in the um panelist group.

Is there any chance we could uh maybe hold off on this item in case they are able to join later on tonight?

That's certainly fine with me.

Um shall we take this item out of order uh later in the meeting or at the end.

Up to you, just in case they um they are able to join.

Um I just don't see them in the panelists group now.

Got it.

Well, I move to take this item out of order at the end of the meeting.

Just lay it on the table, yes.

Oh, thank you.

Uh thank you, Vice Chair Scott.

Um, let's lay this item on the table table.

Um and I believe we can move on.

Um health and human services related appropriations and grants.

Item 10, Mayor's request 26-0172 requesting approval to appropriate 324,360 for the medical marijuana stabilization fund for the salary and franja four positions related to youth in fiscal year 2027.

Uh, I believe we have uh finance manager of health and human services, Anub Malik with us.

Um is that oh yes, excellent.

Um manager Malik, could you please tell us about this appropriation?

Anuk Malik, HHS Finance Manager.

Um, I would also like to um mention that with me are my two colleagues, um acting um at HHS director, Nikki Spencer, as well as um director of summer promise, Chris Hausman.

Um we are bringing this item um to to request approval um before the council um for four positions.

Um coordinator, youth workplace learning coordinator, prevention services coordinator, and then uh substance abuse prevention and intervention specialist.

Um three positions are under the HHS uh side of the uh fence, and then um the fourth position, substance abuse prevention and intervention specialists.

Point five position is on the school side.

And so we're requesting uh approval for a total of 324,000 300.

I'm sorry, 324, 360 dollars uh for FY 2027.

Thank you so much, um manager Merik.

I see Councillor Strazel.

Thank you, Mr.

Chair.

Okay, are we doing okay right now?

Hearing you great.

So far.

Yep, sounds good.

Okay, just raise your hand immediately if the Wi-Fi reception starts to get spotty.

Okay.

Agreed.

Okay.

So thank you so much for um allowing me to have a moment here.

Had a few questions on this uh uh uh sorry, Counselor Strezzo dropped out there.

Counselor Strezzo, if you can hear us, you might want to go back to camera off.

So with the out of school time, no.

Okay, I'm gonna do this.

Yeah, you've disconnected.

You seem to be back.

Yeah, maybe maybe camera off is better.

But it is first off, um, our out-of-school time coordinator.

I can't recall.

Does this mention if it is full-time or part-time?

Through chair, um Councillor Streswell.

Uh, this these positions, all of the four positions are full-time.

Um, and my colleague uh Chris Osman, director of Summer Promise, happy to answer any um position specific cushions here.

And please feel free to jump in, um, Director Spencer or Director Husman.

Okay.

Uh if not may I go ahead.

Are we cool?

Please, Counselor Strezzo.

Awesome.

Uh second, I had okay, thank you.

I'm so sorry, Counselor Strezzo.

It seems like you've dropped off again.

Okay, and preventative services.

Are we doing okay?

Uh sorry, we we lost a little bit of what you said there.

Okay.

Um last uh thank you for for keeping me um let me know right.

I'm sorry, we've lost you again.

I apologize for the technical glitches.

Um I want to make sure that we're we're getting your questions, Counselor Stresho.

Uh if try now.

Um okay.

You know what?

If any other colleagues have questions.

Okay, I'm yeah, sorry that these problems are persisting.

Uh Counselor Link.

Uh thank you, Chair.

Um just a real quick question.

Uh out of school time is something as a drum I've been been beating on.

Is this uh the coordinator position going to um be able to help us uh improve um the uh out of school time um program spread so that uh there's there's less um disparity across the different schools.

Through the chair, I'm happy to speak to that.

So this specific out-of-school time position was created on the city side as the out-of-school time community coordinator.

So the focus of this position is more on supporting the outside agencies that provide out-of-school time programming in addition to the summerville public schools.

That being said, the position is being currently leveraged to lead the out-of-school time steering committee, which is a partnership between the Summer Promise Department and Summerville Public Schools working on looking at, we just completed the out-of-school time survey, looking to increase the systemic capacity and also looking at the disparities in enrollment data across programs as well.

Phenomenal.

I'm really happy to hear that.

Uh and that is an awesome role though.

Thank you.

Uh Chair, thank you.

Counselor Streso Thank you.

Did it work?

Am I okay?

Can you hear me?

Yes, we can hear you.

Okay.

Let's try it this way.

Now Hey Director Hausman, how are you doing?

Um, do you, Mr.

Chair?

Uh my questions aren't for you, but it's nice to see you again.

Um I do have a question as I was um discussing the substance abuse prevention and intervention specialist, and not sure who is here to speak on that, I assume.

Um manager Malik or or um if if uh interim HHS director is here.

Um, but had a question about the what the plan is as we have a uh a new year, potentially a new approach to all of this.

What um what direction are you going or what um research, what statistics are you going on when we talk about prevention and uh addiction going into the new year?

What is the approach going into this uh fiscal budget year?

And um is there room for shifting of trends of addiction, et cetera.

And I can go into detail after you answer that question.

Hi um Nikki Spencer, acting director of health and human services while our fearless leader, Karen Carroll is out on a short leave.

Uh she her hers.

Thank you for the question and through the chair.

Um both the prevention services coordinator is an HHS position, um, has been and continues to do great work with both youth of different ages, different age groups, and also adults in sort of uh conducting both prevention and education activities.

I believe that this group actually just had a community event with the results of our annual survey of our high schoolers around sort of and other ages, I believe, around the both the perfect protective factors and also the recent trends that you're speaking to, counselor, um, so that our activities can be up to date.

Um, we don't have our uh director of prevention here tonight, but if you have certainly have ideas or want more information about that role, we can certainly connect offline.

Um, as for the school role, which is the substance abuse prevention and intervention specialist, my understanding is that this used to be a halftime uh more of like a counseling position over an SPS, and uh in conversations between HHS and SPS, um, there was a uh sort of acknowledgement of the need to make this a full-time role to better support the school population.

Um so we can certainly get you more information about how that role has developed, but this has has been a need that we've continued to see grow.

And so between HHS and SPS using these funds to address these concerns across our our students and our families.

Uh uh through you, Mr.

Chair, to uh acting director uh Spencer, thank you very much for that.

And yes, that uh is a good start to where I'd like to go because I did have concerns about, say, for instance, like vaping in the high school and where the trends are with vaping.

I have walked with the principal or members, uh, walked in the high school during high school days to have students vaping right in front of you, right there in regular Dale class schedule.

So I have a deep concern with this.

We know that vaping has been an issue for years.

You know, it's highly addictive.

We also know it's it's highly carcinogenic and extremely damaging.

And we know it's also very, very frequently how common it is, and how some students don't even want to go to certain bathrooms or bathroom at all because they know that it's just going to be vaping.

So I do have concerns about like how we're adjusting and modifying it and what programs are working and where we're amending that to what we are seeing on the ground.

Like I said, walk through the high school and you're gonna see students vaping just right there with complete confidence of it not being an issue.

So I I am curious to see how how we do amend uh that in going into the new fiscal year.

Another question and concern I have is online gambling.

My son, um, I I am not a sports fan, um, but my son really, really is.

And so I have sat through numerous football games at this moment and am learning more.

Um, I have a point to this.

Um, but any sports fan in any field will see the complete emergence of um of online gambling, of betting, of how casual it's going, how celebrities are stepping in to push this out and how devastating gambling is as an addiction and being marketed, of course, to 15-year-olds, 16-year-olds, and anybody who's who loves sports.

And so I'm I'm wondering if you're seeing trends or discussions on that yet, and if there is an approach to uh the normalizing of sports betting and turning on any game, any sports game, anywhere, and seeing constant barrages of advertisements that are definitely going to make our teen susceptible to that horrors, horrible addiction.

Through the chair, thank you, counselor.

Um, I those are very astute observations.

I can't recall off the top of my head the level of detail that um, especially around gambling.

However, um, I think that we can find another opportunity to really uh understand more your concerns and these positions are really key to making sure that in addition to the city and the schools that our families and our youth are sort of part of the leadership of addressing the concerning behaviors that you're seeing.

Um, and in particular, I think our our director of prevention has really um noted that there are protective factors that we should be working on as well, and that we have a lot of strengths from our our families and our youth to bring to the table.

Um, so these these roles are really important for that work, and I look forward to uh engaging more with the insights that you're bringing to us.

Uh Mr.

Triot, through you to uh to uh our acting director, thank you very much for that.

Yeah, this is just uh the the opening of a dialogue and exploration of of where we go from here.

But yeah, definitely just wanted to relay that and the thoughts and just how the city is modifying that and how we do modifying our our addiction uh services for our youth and and beyond.

But thank you very much for that.

And I'm very much looking forward to the conversation.

Thank you.

Thank you, Counselor Streso.

Um I have a question for assembled staff related to this.

Um, just to be clear.

So, first of all, these are roles that would be within health and human services, not within Sound Roll Public Schools.

Is that correct?

To you, Mr.

Chair, the first three, uh, the out-of-school time coordinator, the youth workplace learning coordinator, and the prevention services coordinator are located in HHS.

The final one substance abuse prevention and intervention specialist is a role located in the school.

Um, I believe half of the funding comes from the school budget, and the other half we're proposing would come from this fund.

Thank you.

Um, and I I note the thematic connection of the medical marijuana stabilization fund uh and substance abuse prevention.

Is there a legal connection or a sort of planned connection to be using funds that you know uh and a related question is um have any of the funds in the medical marijuana stabilization fund from our cannabis dispensaries in the city or or from other related sources?

Um leak and chase finance manager.

Um this medicinal marijuana bucket um accounted for all funds through the various its establishments uh that had uh previously been um opened up within the city of Somerville through the agreements and such, uh there were uh certain percentages uh of amounts that were sort of um that that makes up this bucket.

And so um this is this is the FY2027 uh funding approval.

Um, however, in FY 2026, um, particularly in March of 2025 and May of 2025.

We had uh done extensive studies um to uh uh see the connection between these positions and how they connect to medicinal marijuana uh funds.

Uh and so they are all uh sort of uh supporting um to to put into perspective and um this one bucket is funding these positions.

I I understand this this bucket is funding them.

I'm just interested in in the question of is there is there a legal connection?

Uh was this stabilization fund established with that specific intention and and purpose?

Uh Director Bean?

Yes, Mr.

Sherman, exactly.

Uh we've edited this out legally with the Department of Revenue.

So there is an absolute connection uh between the source.

In this case, these are community agreements with the uh dispensaries.

I want to make the distinction.

The sales do not flow to this stabilization fund, the sales flow to the general fund.

So these were uh agreements that were forged early on when the uh medical uh dispensaries came into being.

And that's the about that's where the funding is coming from.

And could we in theory use these funds on absolutely anything we want, or is there some requirement that we that we use them in in part for substance abuse prevention?

There has to be a nexus.

There has to be a nexus for education or prevention.

So we can't use it for any at all, thanks.

Thank you.

Um just generally I'm curious.

Uh obviously, substance abuse prevention is a hugely important thing.

Staffing a position for substance abuse prevention may or may not be as effective as we want it to be.

Uh, and I'm just curious how are we making sure, how are we checking to to assess whether the value of having, you know, in this case, two full-time staff trying to do intervention around substance abuse with youth, uh, whether that's actually connecting and making a difference or not.

That to you, Mr.

Chair.

That's an excellent question.

Um, I believe both of these positions have sort of evolved with time based on the needs that we're seeing, especially with the annual survey that is done, um, where we can see various trends and how um youth are engaging in different protective and risky behaviors and particularly around substances.

Um in particular on the prevention services side, a lot of youth are engaged in the actual work of reaching out to their peers.

Um I don't have evaluation data on hand right now, but certainly we could share sort of the successes that we've seen and sort of how we have um alter the programming over time to better meet those needs.

So it certainly starts with engaging with youth where they are, making them sort of uh giving them leadership opportunities to be a part of this, um, engaging families and also um keeping track of the trends because they do change uh as uh counselor strizer noted uh year to year.

And so there's a lot of good work that goes into that and happy to engage in more detail.

Thank you.

Um any st any other staff or any other counselors on the committee have any other questions or comments.

Okay, then uh seeing no more discussion.

This items laid on the table to recommend approval at the end of the meeting.

Thank you all.

Um I believe uh several of our staff uh are free to go.

Uh if that is true for you, then thank you very much and have a great evening.

Item 11.

Mayor's request 26-0164 requesting approval to accept and expend an 87,848 dollar grant with no new match required from the executive office of aging and independence to the Council on Aging for Health, Wellness, Social, and Educational Programming.

And I believe we have uh Director Ashley Speliotis of the Council on Aging uh here to speak on this item.

Um we and also I know Manager Merlik, you may be in a position to speak on this item.

So, Director Speliotis, Manager Malik, can you please tell us about this grant?

Sure, absolutely.

Ashley Speliotis, thank you for having me.

The director of the Council on Aging.

Um, for those familiar, this is a yearly grant that the city receives from the Department of Aging and Independence.

I'm so sorry, Director Speliotis.

Sorry to interrupt you.

I I see a hand from Liaison Rodassi.

Um Liaison, do you have something to add or ask here?

Thank you, Mr.

Chair.

A little late now, but I was just gonna let you know that Denise Taylor had joined the meeting.

So if you did want to go back to the comms item, we could, but since um Director Speliotis has already started, I don't want to ruin the flow there.

So just wanted to give you a heads up about that.

Great.

Why don't we um see this item through and then go back to that item?

My apologies, Director Speliotis, please continue.

Of course.

Um so as I was saying, this is a yearly grant that we receive.

This is actually half the grant.

The first half we received um in late 2025.

And uh this portion of the grant is actually broken up over three installment plans.

So we've received two out of the three um parts of the grant already.

The final um 30,000 we'll be receiving in late April.

But irregardless, it's split up differently this year how we receive it, but we always use it the same way.

We use it for direct programming at our senior center.

So we use it for uh almost all of the exercise classes to defray the cost of meals, to have guest instructors come in, educational events, and um really defray the cost of what what people pay to enjoy programming at our senior centers.

So, for example, um, when we have our special lunches with uh rental of the hall, transportation, the lunch, um, it can be upwards of over $30 per person, and we're charging residents $5 to $10 to come and enjoy a performance and a meal together.

So it really across the board, social work programming, socialization, health and wellness, nutrition are all covered by by this grant that we receive.

And I'm happy to take any questions.

Wonderful.

Thank you so much.

Any questions or comments from members of the committee?

Uh I just want to informally uh commend you on your work.

Um I've had the pleasure of attending some of these events.

Uh they're always incredibly well organized.

It seems like something that really helps uh forge and maintain community.

So that's deeply appreciated.

Thank you.

Okay, if there's no more discussion, this item is laid on the table to recommend approval at the end of the meeting.

Um also now, Manager Malik, are you intending to stay and speak on the Veterans Memorial Cemetery grant?

Um Director, uh, sorry, Liaison Radassi.

Thank you, Mr.

Chair.

I just wanted to um take uh a weight off your plate and just let you know I'm in constant contact with the staff to let them know which items they should stay on for if they're good to leave the meeting.

So just wanted to take that off your plate in terms of responsibilities.

Thank you.

Um, I wanted to uh to appreciate everybody, appreciate you, Director Spelliotis, and everybody who's come.

Uh, thank you for being in contact with them, Leah Sem Radassi.

And uh for anyone who's all done, have a great rest of your evening.

Um, um, shall we go back to item nine and take that item out of order um with uh communications director Denise Taylor.

Okay, um, item nine, ID 26-0089.

The mayor requesting approval of a transfer of $3,000 from the Communications Department Professional and Technical Services Account to the Somerville Public Schools Professional Salaries Account for Consulting Services related to the inaugural event.

Director Taylor.

Yes, to the chair.

Um, this is to cover 100 hours of support for the inaugural event.

Um, to pay director Charlie Jabor, the drama director at the high school, who uh was a co-producer on the inauguration ceremony and was uh enormous uh help to us in particular with uh technical stage planning and coordination of youth performers.

Um this represents about 20 hours that went into load in load out staging and rehearsals, as well as a little bit over six hours per week over about 13 weeks where we plan the ceremony, coordinated the ceremony, and followed up on the necessary steps to produce it.

So this is to pay him over time for his contribution to the production.

Thank you.

Any comments or discussion for members of the committee.

Um, in my opinion, that was an incredibly well organized and delightful event.

I appreciate you and and please extend my appreciation to him as well for his work.

Um seeing no more discussion, this item's laid on the table to recommend approval at the end of the meeting.

Thank you, Director Taylor.

Moving on to easements, uh item 12, Mayor's request 26-0160, requesting approval of a pedestrian access sidewalk easement and maintenance license, maintenance license at 16 to 20 Medford Street.

Oh, yes, I'm sorry, I'm hearing Councillor Scott.

Uh Counselor Scott, sorry.

Uh, with with the way Zoom works, you are not on my first screen in until you begin to speak.

So I apologize.

I didn't see you waving.

Counselor Scott.

That's okay.

Uh just letting you know that um this is uh an easement uh based on a project that was happening in Ward II.

This is about an expansion of a sidewalk.

It's uh fairly standard fare.

Uh attorney Salkirk has uh done it just great.

I've reviewed it and I would recommend approval.

Thank you very much.

Um Special Counsel, Kathy Lester Salkert is here from the city as attorney's office.

Um council, would you please tell us about the season?

Sure.

I um thank you, Mr.

Chair.

I think Councillor Scott did a wonderful job already.

Um this is a public access sidewalk easement, which is a standard standard we've required through the site plan approval for this project.

Um it was in his ward, 50-unit um development, and it's uh easement for the part of the land that is owned by the developer, license for the part of the land that's owned by the city.

It appears as one sidewalk.

Um, and the other standard feature is that the developers are responsible for maintaining the sidewalk and for removing snow and and the uh things of that nature going forward.

Happy to answer any questions.

Thank you, Council.

Any questions or comments from the committee?

Well, echoing what Counselor Scott said, uh, this sounds wonderful and thank you so much for your work uh in this.

Um thank you.

Thank you.

This item is laid on the table to recommend approval at the end of the meeting.

Very good.

Item 13, veterans related.

Uh sorry, Counselor Scott, I heard uh a noise.

Do you have any other other ads?

No, I was just trying to save his time earlier.

Uh let's keep going.

Thanks.

Uh Veterans Related Item 13, Mayor's Request 26-0113, requesting approval to accept and expend a $15,000 grant that requires a match from the Mass General Court and the State Historical Records Advisory Board to the Veteran Services Department for support of the Veterans Memorial Cemetery and the Archival Digitization Project.

Yeah, how are you doing?

Jerome Thomas, Director of Veterans Services, and thank you for the opportunity to speak with you guys today.

So here just to request approval of uh accepting this grant on this project that we're trying to accomplish will uh document well sorry, we'll digitize documentations and preservation for Somerville Virtual's memorials, uh monuments, uh come out of the sites and related historical um materials.

The goal is basically to create a centralized public um publicly accessible digital archive that honors veterans uh here in Somerville and strengthens the historical understanding across the community.

Um open to questions if you have any.

Thank you so much, uh Director Thomas.

Uh I see Councillor Strezzo.

Hi, okay.

Thank you, Mr.

Chair.

Um through you to uh our director.

Um what does um the uh digitization project look like and um how long do you anticipate it taking?

Okay.

So the project will focus on um archive it and digitizing um preservation activities, so photography um or documenting, um, do photos of all of our our uh veteran memorials and sites, um developing a GIS mapping uh system for all the uh memorials and sites as well, uh digitizing uh of the historical records and materials and creating a searchable online archive for public and educational use.

Um engagement with schools, museums, libraries, and local historical organizations.

Um just to kinda and this we're expecting this to go out until the end of this year, uh December 2026 to gather all that information, kind of put it into a um nice database.

Um reasons why we are looking at doing this is basically it is I mean, we have over 60 um veteran squares, monuments and and and memorials throughout the city.

Um, you know, with the lack of of oh many of them lack basically to complete documentations uh of of their meetings.

Um, our risk of a long-term informational loss, you know.

So if we have don't do this now, um we don't want to lose all the history that we have here in Somerville as time goes on.

So we're looking to preserve all that information.

Director Thomas, uh, through you uh chair to uh director Thomas, thank you for that.

Um that's great.

So you anticipate this being completed by the end of the year?

Yes, ma'am.

Cool.

Um and uh how so I I appreciate you mentioning um uh the uh how the digit is digitalization process will look like.

So you anticipate it being like a website.

Um is there any way to consider I this is you know you don't have to answer me now, but um one thing that um we may know some of our veterans will not um or may not, and some people just they won't they won't go online necessarily.

And um for the past couple of years, as we've um as you have heard and and you have fought for it, the veterans of our community that have been really pushing over the past years to to make um the return and the restoration of our monuments more present or accessible in the community and and returned in certain locations, right?

Um some of the pushback um from VIS conversations, not by you, but um, or or a point that was made was well, it's some of it's online, they can just look online, but we and I'm sure that you know this too that some of our veterans and they just they won't go online, they won't look online, they're not going to find it, or or it might not be as accessible to them to just intrinsically expect to go online to look for it.

So as this project wraps up and you um are preparing to um onboard it in onto the into the general public.

Um I make um happy to talk about this further, but I just make the suggestion or idea that um the VFW hall and even just Delboy has a computer or some kind of way that right then and there they can they can get to it uh to uh the website or some kind of database right down in there in those spaces to where we're bringing it to them instead of um expecting us sometimes as a city, we just expect people to find the information and anticipate that they just know to, but some of our residents just may not.

So that we we figure out a process to bring that to them as well, like as a long-term standing way that they can access the database in their spaces.

Thank you.

Welcome.

Thank you for that suggestion.

Thank you, Director Thomas.

Uh any other questions or comments from the committee.

Seeing none, uh, this item is laid on the table to recommend approval at the end of the meeting.

Mr.

Chair Uh next yes, Councillor Scott.

Thank you, Mr.

Chair.

I see uh item number 14 is a recommendation of the CPA committee, uh, as are items number 21 through 28.

Um those or 21 through 27.

I my apologies.

Um, these are recommendations that were made from the community preservation committee, a a very dedicated group of residents, and uh all of their uh ports and explanations have been attached.

Uh with your leave, I'd like to take those up together so that we can uh recommend approval and move on.

Uh counselor, I I hear this motion.

Um the reason why I did not group them together with this one was this is the only CPA related veterans related item.

And uh I want to let Director Thomas uh log off after this item.

Um so I would be happy to take up the the other items starting with item 21.

Umce we get to that chunk.

Uh I'm not quite sure how we negotiate if there's uh a motion and a discussion on the motion.

Um this was just a request of a member to the presiding officer.

There's no motion floor.

You can just say no, thank you, sir, and move on as you know.

All right.

No, no, thanks to the whole idea, but but I'm happy to do uh to chunk them when we get to item 21.

Counselor Strasbo.

Thank you, Mr.

Chair.

Um I do have a few questions uh on a few of the independent items recommended for approval on CPA.

So uh I let's let's talk about those when we get to those.

Right.

What I'm saying is is that yeah, I don't want to lump them.

Not saying we have to go ever go through everyone with a fine-tooth comb, but uh some of the items I I do have questions, others I don't.

So thank you.

I appreciate that clarification.

Um let's move on to item 14, Mayor's request 26-0152.

Uh requesting the appropriation of 306,250 dollars from the community preservation attack community preservation act historic preservation reserve for restoration of the Veterans Memorial Cemetery and Veterans Monuments.

Appreciate it.

Um so this project here that we're talking about now.

So this project represents the critical investment in the uh preservation of Somerville's historic veterans memorials and assures that these sites uh receive professional conservation treatment uh that's required to protect them for future generations.

Um so this this grant that we're trying to get accepted now will be uh is to uh procure the qualified uh qualified uh historical conservation contractor uh to perform preservation, restoration, uh, and rehabilitation uh work over at the Summerville Veterans Memorial Cemetery, uh located at 1330 Broadway.

Um so we are focusing right now over at that cemetery to get the work um done.

Thank you so much.

Any questions or comments from the committee?

All right, seeing none, this site.

Oh, I'm sorry, Councilor Hart.

No problem.

Thank you, Chair Wheeler.

And through you to Director Thomas.

Thank you so much for the work.

Um in the city and particularly at the Memorial Cemetery.

Can you just tell us briefly a little bit more about what the work specifically the work that needs to be done?

Sure.

Thank you for the question.

Um so the core project elements will basically excuse me, will include the um conservation of 69 um bronze flat grave markers that are there, uh restoration of major bronze uh features that are located at the cemetery, including the World War II plaque and uh Lieutenant Um Logan um plaque um sorry statute that is there as well.

Uh restoration of major bronze uh features that is located at the cemetery including the World War II plaque and uh Lieutenant um Logan um plaque um sorry statute that is there as well uh cleaning and and repairing of the granite memorials um including those on World One again of World War II and the Korean and Vietnam veterans uh full restoration of the historical um well the historic iron fence uh in the entrance post um that's there at the cemetery and very limited uh preservation driven landscape um we rehabilitate and the improved safety and protection of memorial functions or functionality thank you i appreciate it you're welcome counselor strezo thank you lowering hand hi okay uh thank you mr chair through you to uh drhomas what is the timeline you you're anticipating uh on this so the timeline on this is um we're trying to be aggressive with it we do have the memorial um ceremony coming up uh on memorial day this year so we're gonna try to uh put the RFB out now uh get the contract in by the first of uh April hopefully um and the work to start very soon after that um so our goal our goal would be to have at least uh the majority of the work done by memorial day um after that then i mean we we're push we may have to push it out until the end of June uh but again we're really gonna be trying to push for that um memorial day time frame thank you that's very no that's that's wonderful um and if I may to um thank you director thomas if I may um Mr.

Chair through you to um the administration um one thing that I I think is important is that transparency and visibility and as many of us have seen over the past years of of veterans feeling um kind of neglected and not um and and visible especially with the memorials as we do this uh would it be possible through some kind of uh uh allocation or sign created uh through I don't know the communications department or what have you uh placed just communicating um that this is this this restoration is happening if there I think typically you do right put up a sign when a CPA um project goes up there's usually something isn't there but specifically if there is not that we are very much relaying that this is happening we see you we're validating this is important look at us modernizing it updating it making it beautiful for you for the veterans I I think they'll really appreciate it I know director thomas is going to do everything on his end and I I'm sure that um the veterans already know but just if we have any other visitors coming to the community that they're very well aware of this as well would that be possible um someone from the mayor's office if you may I see liaison Razasi thank you Mr.

Chair through you um happy to work with comms and veteran services on this and see what the usual process is and and um if we can incorporate any of your suggestions thank you happy to talk further about it if you wish as well thank you well thank you director thomas um if there are no more if there are no more comments or questions from the committee then uh this item is laid on the table to recommend approval at the end of the meeting thanks and have a good day thank you appreciate item 15 energy related appropriations this is mayor's request ID 26-0199 requesting approval to appropriate 29960 dollars from the energy stabilization fund to replace the lighting at Dilboy Field and I believe we have uh energy manager for the Office of Sustainability and Environment Garrett Anderson here to speak on this matter uh would you please tell us about this appropriation sure uh thank you I'm sorry but I'm sorry to interrupt uh I saw hands from counselor Scott and Councillor Link are these uh comments now about this matter before uh we hear from Mr.

Anderson Mr.

Chair for the sake of expediency I would encourage us to take up items number 15 through 19 which are all appropriations from the energy stabilization fund just so if anybody has any questions about any of those they can be asked now and we can dispose of all the items to get thank you I think that's a great suggestion uh can I ask one question in this kind of situation is it considered fine to wave the readings of these items and take them up together or shall I read them into the record that is within my choices okay uh well um I am going to wave the readings of these items um refer anybody curious about the the particulars to the agenda in minutes um say that we are taking up items 15 through 19 together and then return the floor to manager Anderson please continue oh uh thank you and uh glad to talk about all of them separately or together and however we like uh uh

Okay.

Uh well, um, I am going to wave the readings of these items.

Um refer anybody curious about the particulars to the agenda in minutes.

Um, say that we are taking up items 15 through 19 together, and then return the floor to Manager Anderson.

Please continue.

Oh, uh thank you.

And uh glad to talk about all of them separately or together and however we like.

Uh uh so thank you.

Happy to be here this evening.

Um excited and glad to be talking about um really kind of two batches of projects.

The first uh is uh lighting replacements at Dilboy Field and Trum Field.

Uh these are um energy saving measures, uh highly efficient uh LED lights and replacing uh older metal halide lights, uh you know, about a two-thirds saving um in the energy use.

So they're just um good projects, tremendous um money and energy savers uh usually pay themselves back in in just a few years.

Uh the other batch of projects are uh a series of treatments to the traffic and parking building, um, you know, between um uh ball square and Davis Square uh to substantially decarbonize that building and uh offset uh a good portion of the electrical of the the anticipated electrical use of that building with a new uh city-owned solar array on the roof.

Uh so those three projects together will um you know remove the the gas-fired boiler plant and and replace it with uh uh two kinds of heat pumps um and uh do some treatments of the basement to uh you know reduce uh air infiltration and you know uh add some insulation uh and then also adding the uh solar ramp top.

So um collectively, these are you know uh both money favors uh over the next few years um and also help advance our decarbonization goals broadly.

So thank you and glad to be here.

Thank you.

I see Counselor Link.

Yes, Chair, through you, thank you.

Uh just really quick, just want to applaud and say thank you so much for for this this project.

I really um I'm so excited to see that we're taking um you know the decarbonization seriously, and it looks like it's gonna um pay dividends.

Uh so awesome.

Thank you so much.

If there are any other uh comments or discussion from committee members.

Uh seeing none, um, these items are all laid on the table to recommend approval at the end of the meeting.

Uh thank you for joining us.

Okay, moving on to item 20.

If the clerk would scroll down.

Thank you.

Uh Mayor's request 26-0084, requesting an appropriation and authorization to borrow two million dollars in a bond for financing a portion of the Kennedy Schoolyard Renovation Project as recommended by the community preservation committee.

Um now I believe we have uh director of finance and administration for the Office of Strategic Planning and Community Development, Alan Inasio here.

Uh uh Liaison Radassi.

The chair, um, I might just repeat Counselor Scott's suggestion that we take up the CPA items together, just since Alan will be speaking to all those items and can speak to the process of how the funds are determined to be allocated for certain projects.

Um, and then he can answer any specific questions about particular projects that um counselors may have.

Thank you.

I wasn't sure if the bond item was substantially different than the appropriations from the uh CPC, but if not, um why don't we take that suggestion and take up these items all together?

This is item 20 through uh right, 26 is also 27 is also uh what is the last of these?

Oh, I see.

Um, I believe.

Uh 28, Mr.

Chair.

Thank you.

Thank you, Counselor Scott.

Why don't we take up items 20 through 28 uh together?

Um counselor Scott, do you have anything else on this matter?

Uh thank you.

The your to your point, the bond is uh substantially different.

Uh however, it is related to the very first recommendation of CPA uh committee.

Uh I'd just for folks who are curious about these grants at home.

Uh perhaps a quick summary that will help us uh get through these.

These are uh recommendations of the uh CBC.

The projects have been spec'd and presented to them and conditioned by them.

The city council doesn't have a role here other than just the oversight of if there was a project that was uh had a great deal of outcry from the community that we should not fund that with CBC bonds, but uh customarily this is uh simply adopting the recommendations of the CBC.

Um that said, of course.

Colleagues have questions, go for it.

But uh thank you, Mr.

Chair.

Thank you.

I appreciate that context.

Um Director Anasio, would you like to resume?

Thank you for the uh introduction.

Um I'll just briefly, Alan Inacio, director of finance and community OSPCD for the record.

Um yes, so uh 20 and 21, uh items number 20 and 21 uh absolutely go together and are uh essential to move the project forward.

Uh quick recap for the new counselors.

Um we run uh the CPA program runs an annual RFP uh open uh primarily in the uh summer months, uh to which in the fall the CPC committee evaluates all of those applications.

Uh and then the uh recommendations you are seeing now are essentially this fall's set of applicants and awarded projects.

Um so with that, uh Kennedy School was has been a uh highly anticipated project that's gone to uh extensive community uh outreach and planning.

Um there will be a bonding component.

Um so the CPC has authorized the two million dollar borrowing and um for anyone that wants to understand functionally what that will mean is uh it will not be an immediate two million dollar hit to the the CPC.

Uh sort of the the beauty or the um flexibility that it allows the CPC is we will get the authorization tonight and then um annually the the CP the CPA fund will only be charged the annual debt service on the bonding.

Um so that is the Kennedy School, and then happy to take any other questions on any of the other awarded projects um that you may have tonight.

Thank you, Director Nassio.

Any questions or comments from the committee?

Uh I guess first about these Kennedy schoolyard related items.

Counselor Streso.

Ah, thank you.

Uh yes, I guess we could start with the Kennedy School.

And no, we do not have a question on every single agenda item.

I want to be clear about that, colleagues.

Anyhow, uh with the Kennedy School, um, thanks, Mr.

Chair.

Uh, with the Kennedy School Project, uh was the uh where is it in the design um process?

Was it already uh been keeping track of what uh Kennedy School um PTA have said and and uh disability and uh and playground accessibility uh conversations that have been had and we've discussed this in the HCDE committee as well.

So do you have any updates on on that uh where they are in the uh process?

So through you, Chair Wheeler to uh Councilor Streso.

Uh unfortunately um both uh Director Oliveira and Project Manager Bronen Camp are not available uh tonight.

But uh the process is uh essentially wrapping up design, and we are hoping with these uh votes, we will be able to go out to bid fairly shortly.

Um I believe the goal is still to at least uh get one phase of the project bid out and completed um during the school recess period, which is a key period for getting any school um open space projects done.

Um obviously we'll not be able to tackle the full phase of this, probably in the in the upcoming summer months, but hoping to get at least one partial phase out to bid and uh get the project much long-awaited project um out and moving.

Um thank you very much, Director.

Um Mr.

Chair, do you prefer if I just ask my questions now or hop back in line?

Uh thanks.

Well, I see a hand from Liaison Radassi.

Um, why don't I call on her and we can come back to you?

That's okay.

Uh, Leah.

Thank you, Mr.

Chair.

Um, I just wanted to flag that actually the Director Oliveira from PCF did submit a communication that will be on the agenda for this week that outlines all the community engagement processes that PCF has taken up as part of the design process for this project.

So would encourage counselors to take a look at that.

Thank you, liaison.

Uh Counselor Strezzo, why don't you continue?

Councilor Strezzo, if you're if you're ready with more questions or comments, please go ahead.

You're right.

Thank you because I'm talking to the computer, but I'm not unmuting.

Thank you.

Okay.

Thank you, Director.

I look forward to that and the discussion and uh of the update from PSUF.

Quick question.

Um I I looked over the blessing uh of the Bay um CPA uh award, and it's it's kind of vague.

So uh director, could you possibly just update, give like a couple of uh sentence summary on this?

Yes, sure.

So um this is actually a uh through you, Chair to Councilor Strezzo.

This is actually a great bang for your book project uh leveraging CPA money.

So uh we've invested 500,000 in a previous round.

We're asking for an additional hundred thousand to round out the project budget.

Um there's a couple of much larger grants um and uh foundation grant that will hopefully wrap this up.

This is going to be adding 0.6 of an acre of additional open space.

Um there will be some uh right of way uh easement work that will uh add to the add to the open space.

We're uh going to be adding some uh urban forestry elements, some shade tree elements, um making it a more uh pedestrian uh friendly and uh walkable community path.

Um and I'm happy to uh contact you with uh project manager on this is Meg Coglin.

Um and it's we'll be working very uh closely with Myra, who was actually the uh, I believe we needed a private uh applicant for one of the grants.

So um they are the grantor on one of the matching grants.

Um and so uh PSUF will be work be working very closely with uh Myra, Mystic River Watershed Association on the design and implementation of this project.

Mr.

Chair, uh through you to director, thank you very much.

Um request we have a resident uh in the neighborhood that makes those pretty planters right by the bench.

Please leave it alone.

Let her have her free creative expression on that.

She brightens the neighborhood with it.

So only only small requests, but excited to hear about this because I think that uh whole area is not always right.

It's it's not always uh remembered and let me come and update.

So I'm really grateful for that.

Uh Mr.

Chair, may I just ask one just quick yeah, thank you.

Thank you, Mr.

Chair.

Uh number uh 23 uh item on the agenda about the um the the uh the continued preservation of 59 cross street.

Can you give me a quick update on that?

Yes, thank you.

Uh again, through you, Chair to Councilor Strezo.

This is hopefully uh for the time being uh one of the final phases of the uh several rounds of projects we have done at the Hispanic Association.

Um obviously uh great historic building along with tons of community work that goes out of there.

Um the elevator is essentially wrapping up, and we're hoping to have a ribbon cutting on that.

Um so yep, well, by the reaction, we'll be uh happy to send you an invite to the ribbon cutting.

Um then uh this will be for the final exterior masonry and foundation work that is needed to bring it up to its historical state.

Thank you, Director.

I'm so excited through you, Mr.

Chair.

Thank you.

Oh boy.

Um and and last uh really quick um the uh item number 26, the uh SHA improvements of open space.

And I I saw that uh there was a uh on on the application, it talks about um open space specifically, and then of course by the by the basketball courts and also is as I recall the garden, it's it's winter.

So the garden is it still stay uh going to stay in the location it is, and if this is too detailed, and you're like um I'm if I I don't want to throw you a curveball question on this.

Um if you may not uh know it offhand, but I I know in the past, I believe the garden was last modernized by uh Groundwork Somerville.

Is there still a continued partnership on that or uh what the status is on that, or how do you wish to proceed or how this with the CPA grant?

Thank you.

Through the chair, Councilor Streso.

Um a little bit out of my wheelhouse since this is a joint project with both um PSUF and the housing authority.

Um not as familiar, I'm sure both um we work very closely together, and I'm sure it'll be very involved.

And knowing uh PSUF's affinity for uh gardens, I'm sure that will be um noted.

And I can certainly have not can't remember the project manager for this offhand, but I can certainly have the PSOF uh member in charge get back to you with additional uh details on that.

Director, I Mr.

Chair, through you to director.

I I I appreciate that.

Um in the past there have been quite um some uh questions and concerns brought up by residents about uh the the gardens location.

Uh okay.

Is that it?

Okay, good.

Um happy to talk offline about that.

Thank you very much.

Thank you.

Thank you, uh, Counselor Strezzo.

If uh that's the end of those questions.

I see Counselor Link.

Yes, thank you, Chair.

Just one quick question.

I oh, quick question.

Um on item 24, the um 75 almost thousand dollars for for buddies.

Um uh I would be excited to see buddies come back.

I do understand though that they need quite a bit more money to actually um viably reopen.

Um last I saw was only like 200,000.

Um, so I'm just curious, is there uh what would happen?

Um, if uh it just it sounds like there's the potential that we would um send 75,000 and then maybe nothing would actually happen.

So uh if you could just answer that concern, I appreciate that.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Through you, Chair to Counselor Link.

Uh absolutely excellent and on point question.

Um, this was discussed by the CPC committee.

And um, a couple things of note on the conditions, uh, which I believe should also be laid out in the recommendation and award.

Um two things to note on that.

So from a CPC CPA eligibility standpoint, um, what we've done is um buddies cart, the dining cart is actually going to be the historically significant um asset or property.

Um, so the condition is that in the event that they are not able to um bring their establishment back in working order, the dining cart will remain, uh needs to remain in Somerville um as a historic asset.

Um, and then furthermore, um, to your exact point, the committee also debated this at length.

And uh there is a clawback provision um related to their other ongoing legal action that should they recover everything that they need to recover um through any other legal means, uh, there is a clawback provision written in.

Thank you very much.

Um I have uh a comment and I'll try to keep this brief.

Um I I had the pleasure of uh reading through those minutes uh around these discussions in the community preservation committee and also seeing some of um what you director Inacio um talked about with the uh the funding in particular of the $2 million bond for the Kennedy School Yard project.

Um one thing I noted and and tell me if I'm not phrasing this right, is that the uh the full bond wouldn't be issued until costs are actually incurred so that if the project were able to finish under the budget, uh the entire bond might not be borrowed.

Is that the case?

Uh through the chair, yes.

Uh to spare a whole uh to spare you the boredom of municipal finance.

Um as a city, we only go out to bond uh a couple of times a year.

And we collectively, and I see Mr.

Bean jumping in, Director Bean jumping in.

Um, we assess our our bonding needs holistically and kind of try to efficiently go out for our our bonding.

So we there there is an opportunity to um rescind and return uh if the project is to come uh under budget.

Thank you, Director Bean, please.

Mr.

Chairman, brief uh brief discussion here is that once you authorize to borrow, then we set up a bond account and the city can begin spending on the project.

We float the cash basically.

And whatever we have expended between now and June 30th, we would borrow.

We borrow annually in May, only what we have expended.

And that's what will happen throughout the so you may be looking at uh authorizing two million, but you might spend a half a million this year, but we will only borrow a half a million, and then the rest will be borrowed in subsequent years.

That's how it works.

Thank you.

Through the chair and um to sort of also provide some comfort on this from the CPC um perspective.

We only take on debt service.

Uh we only take on the debt service payment as we accumulate it.

So, you know, it'll probably start off as a smaller debt service payment and then grow.

Thank you.

Um and then also just on the question of the overall size of this project.

Um, I just wanted to share that I was uh I was initially surprised to see uh this amount of three million dollars um for a playground renovation whose footprint is relatively small.

Um but I had the pleasure of speaking with uh senior planner for public space and urban forest forestry, John Broninkant, who explained the scope of the project to me.

Um what I didn't realize is this is not only a playground renovation, it's also a major renovation of the parking lot and driveway areas to install a stormwater holding container below ground and to expand the footprint of the play area um as well as to make uh the the whole surface of the play area uh permeable um and to make it accessible uh especially for the the many uh students with disabilities uh who attend the Kennedy.

Um so I'm I'm excited to see that project and I was excited to learn about the full scope of it.

Are there any other comments or questions about any of these CPA related items?

Okay, well, echoing uh Counselor Strazzo's enthusiasm about these, uh each one is exciting for different reasons.

Um thank you all for for your help uh staff uh and for your commitment to this.

Um if there's more no more discussion, these items are laid on the table to recommend approval at the end of the meeting.

Okay, moving on to item 29.

Um mayor's request 26-0085 requesting approval of a time-only contract extension until December 31st, 2027 for Crowley Catrell LLC to complete additional services for redesign and construction administrative administration fees for junction park.

Um is this one that you are going to speak on, Director Inacio?

Yes, correct.

Thank you through the chair.

Um this is a very routine item.

It's a time only, um, no additional cost contract extension.

Um I believe some counselors, this project actually had its ribbon cutting and is open um very significantly late in the fall in 2025.

Um as such, it's open, it's available.

Um there are some punch list, um sort of like last-minute um details that we are going to address in the spring, early summer time, for which we have to uh retain the the designer um designer on record to kind of like sign off and finalize and button up the project um for efficiency's sake and to not keep coming back.

We put a very conservative extension date, uh hoping to wrap up way before this 1231 27, but for efficiency's sake, figured no need to bore anyone with this one again.

Thank you.

Any questions or discussion?

Okay, seeing none, this item is laid on the table to recommend approval at the end of the meeting.

Item 30, 26 Mayor's request 26-0097 requesting approval to pay prior year invoices totaling $3,342.05 using available funds in various police department ordinary maintenance accounts for various services.

Um so I believe this is one that um do we have uh Emily Wisdom.

Excellent.

Um we have director of finance and administration at Somerville Police Department Emily Wisdom.

Uh Director Wisdom, could you please tell us about this invoice?

Uh good evening, Chair.

Thank you so much.

Um, so these are there are a couple invoices that um are the main one is the bill for um Verizon.

Unfortunately, Verizon mails out the bills, and when they print it, it's uh quite large.

And um when we we never received it at the end of the at the end of the fiscal year uh 25, and um it's taken several months for them to be able to reprint a copy and send out to us.

So we still have a a little bit of a prior year um purchase order open, but it doesn't uh cover the entirety.

So um we're asking to pay that um to pay that bill.

And uh there is some care works, um, which is our vendor who um handles our 11 F injuries case management.

Um they do not bill uh timely.

So we just kind of get those whenever we get them.

And sometimes they're from it's like they've noticed one that was never paid in 2023 and they'll just send them to us.

So um we check and make sure that they they've not been paid in the past um and that they are mat they match to a cur to an injury and do all our due diligence, but we do receive some of these um that are a couple dollars here and there that are outstanding bills from them that they've just never collected.

Um and then I believe that there is one that came a couple that came right at the end of the fiscal year billed around um June 30.

And so they just didn't make it in the fiscal year.

Uh so we had to open PO we'll have to open a PO and pay for those in in the FY26.

Um, but just uh just a handful there.

Thank you, Director Wisdom.

Are there any questions or comments from the committee?

Uh Counselor Link.

Yeah.

Uh thank you, Chair.

Uh just a real quick one.

I'm just curious how how late can someone um if someone forgets to bill us, how late can they bill us that we would still entertain it.

So when I um, you know, there were there had been some some staff turnover when I arrived um last year.

So we've been we have been do paying some bills from the 2324 um year that we finally have almost gotten caught up on all of the bills that were outstanding.

Um it could be that they sent that bill and it never got paid, or it could be that they never sent it.

There it's um the process is a little messy on on their side.

So um we we've just been working through to pay for those.

Um, but the the latest we've seen is 23 so far um that we've had to go back to and pay.

Um, but we have set up a process.

Um, you know, it's our hope and our goal not to have to pay bills in the past.

We we work we've worked really hard to set up a general inbox so that no, you know, no staff changeover allows things like that to slip through the cracks, you know, just what we can do to be a solution on our side as well as work with the vendors to try to help be a solution for them as well.

So um unfortunately uh sometimes it does happen, but it doesn't it's happening less and less, and we're really excited about that um as we're cleaning up those bills.

Thank you.

Of course.

Thank you, Director Wisdom.

Uh, are there any other questions or comments about this item?

Seeing none, this item is laid on the table uh to recommend approval at the end of the meeting.

Uh moving on to item 31.

Uh so this list is uh police and fire department grant and gift acceptances.

31 is mayor's request 26-0169 requesting approval to accept and expend a 43,000 dollar grant with no new match required from the Boston Office of Emergency Management to the police department for software.

Director Wisdom, would you please uh speak on this item?

Yes, thank you.

Um so I wanted to kind of start off.

Um I know that many of you are new to the finance committee.

Uh I know uh counselor Scott has probably heard this spiel from me before, so if he'll bear with me, um UASC funds are the Urban Area Security Initiative and they come from the homeland uh security grant program.

And they are um when during the application process, the state applies for these grant funds on behalf of the Boston region.

So the state applies for these grants.

Um and then once once the state has received an award, they um the city of Boston is the fiduciary um Office of Emergency Management is the uh fiduciary that helps manage the grant um from that purpose.

So essentially they form a contract and accept the grant award from um from the state, much like I'm doing here tonight for our little ward.

Um so the city of Boston um is responsible for the for the management of the grant, and they handle um they actually front all of the money for the for the UASC grant and then uh get reimbursed by the state as as it's spent.

Um so within that, there is something called the M MHBSR, which is the Metro Boston Homeland Security region.

Um each of the each of the municipalities in the region, I believe there's eight, um, has a representative that kind of um acts as a um point of contact, a jurisdictional point of contact, if you will, is what they call it, um to kind of decide how the money gets spent.

Um a lot of the money is spent by Boston Office of Emerging Man or Emergency Management on behalf of the um on behalf of the region on behalf of many um municipalities because we share the resources.

So, you know, um they they do a lot of the procurement.

However, um there are some items that they do not procure, and this these items will be one of them in the past.

Um, so in the past, a lot of the software, especially um a surveillance software or um anything that has to do with the brick would have been bought through the um intelligence and info sharing line of the grant.

However, um as the funds are kind of dwindling down with no kind of vision for FY2025, um, there's a lot there's a lot more conservativeness going around this.

So we had asked um for some of our money from a prior year, which I this is FY23 to be reallocated to a different project so that we could um continue using a software that we have previously used on a regional level.

Um so the um the two items, the soft software that we would like to purchase with the 43,000 dollar grant um is the first one is called Gray Key, and it is a um a technology for um investigation.

And the second item is Blue Key.

Um so we will use Sorry Directory, I believe it's Blue Voice, right?

Blue Blue Voice, yes, I'm sorry, I think I just combined Gray Key with Blue Voice.

I apologize.

Blue Voice, you're correct.

Um so the so the majority of the 43,000 will be spent on the Great Key software.

Um that's about $37,000 and some change.

Um like I said, this is a software that has been previously paid for for the entire region.

However, there are no regional funds this year to be able to purchase them, uh, to be able to purchase this software.

And so we have elected um to request an allocation of the of the money to be able to pay for that, and it was approved, and they gave us this award letter.

When we receive an award letter, we don't actually sign individual contracts for each grant award that we receive from UASI through the Office of Emergency Management.

We have an underlying MOA that says we will follow the kind of the rules of um the protocols for purchasing as in 30 B procurement law um from the state of Massachusetts and and some of those things that you know uh they require some uh sometimes some forms for things and and so we have an MOA, you know, um a standard contract that we agree to do this the proper steps to spend the money.

Um however, we do not sign a contract um or anything like that directly with uh the UASI for the UASC grant.

So we are actually a sub-subrecipient.

So um, so in this, we've asked for 37,000 of the 43 for the gray key license.

Um and the remaining six that is change, we will use towards um a partial purchase of the blue voice.

Um we will be be repaying for the remainder of the blue voice out of our um operating funds.

Blue voice is a um it is an AI software, but it is a closed AI software.

Um so the Blue Voice allows for um police officers who are um in the field to be able to reference um pol uh state law, uh city ordinances, um you know, internal police policies.

So the this um blue voice is a it's a controlled um app and it only it only works off of what we put into it.

So basically we get it, it's a blank slate, we upload the policies we want our um police officers to use utilize, and then this gives them a tool at their hand where they can use do quick searches for um state law, like I said, state law ordinances, policy so that they can answer questions and make better choices.

So that's kind of course.

Uh I'm seeing Counselor Scott.

Uh thank you, Mr.

Chair.

Uh through you, this is uh I I heard something there.

Um I I heard that the uh acquisition of the blue voice is only partially funded here.

Um you wouldn't happen to know what the total acquisition cost is projected to be.

I am so sorry.

I don't have that right now, but I can absolutely um give you a memo with that with that amount um uh uh as a follow-up.

Um it will be coming out of our operating budget.

Sure.

Uh Mr.

Chair, this is this is one of those where um again free money.

Um however uh the gray key uh the great key surveillance cracker, uh it's it's a phone cracker.

It just lets uh the police department crack open a phone and and read it.

Um this is a it's a it's we've been told it was a regional resource.

Uh and I personally am not comfortable uh with it being inside the world police department.

Um when added to that, this blue voice uh AI tool for police.

Um be happy to have a longer conversation about that, but for both of those reasons, uh I'll be voting no on this item tonight.

Thank you.

Thank you, counselor counselor Link.

been told it was a regional resource uh and I personally am not comfortable uh with it being inside the Sun Ruby police department um uh when added to that this blue voice uh AI tool for for police um that I'd be happy to have a longer conversation about that but for both of those reasons uh I'll be voting no on this item tonight thank you thank you counselor counselor Link uh I would just uh thank you chair I want to echo um counselor Scott's um hesitance on this one uh I understand great key is a tool that's been used and um I'm I'm happy to to to look more at that um and and understand better what uh what important benefits it's uh it's created I'm uh I you know I tried to do my own research on blue voice and I was unable to find really any uh information the the the attached the um included attachments for this where it was just a screenshot of look like the screenshot of the website um like landing page and uh you know I see things like uh it it helps with de-escalation and first aid and I'm not really comfortable with either of those things being um rendered by uh AI.

Uh and uh I also um I I would I would really want to understand better what our contracts look like on there and uh understanding what kind of data goes in where it lives um what the large language models um how they're trained where they're trained um and the I just I don't see any of that and I I have real hesitations um around uh you know letting our our city data and um potentially um private citizens data go into this this system um that looks to be also um relatively new and created by a uh uh a retired police officer in Newton um so I'm not uh I just I don't want to jump on the AI bandwagon here and say that it's gonna be a good thing I also don't want to jump on it and say it's uh necessarily a bad thing but I I don't have enough information about it.

Thank you counselor um director wisdom do you want to respond to those so um so as as the finance direct uh director of finance I um have basic information about the kind of the softwares that I was presenting tonight um I am happy to go back to the office tomorrow and um have a memo uh written up uh with more of the information that you're seeking I however do not have that tonight thank you director um I want to share uh just uh an excerpt or two from the surveillance technology annual report for great key um as you mentioned it's software that the police department has been using for a while now um so this I'm just just reading from that uh sorry not the impact report it there's also an annual report entry but this is for the impact report uh the technology would only be used in cases in which a search warrant has been obtained in conjunction with the investigation allowing access to the device in question or with the owner's consent.

The gray key hardware including the laptop computer used to analyze the data will be housed in a secure room digital forensic forensics room with access limited to three individuals in the SPD the two great key trained detectives and their supervisor the criminal investigation division commander.

Access to the room will be limited by key card access and hard copy key to these three individual officers.

In addition the digital forensics room is located in an area of the SPD where access is limited to authorized individuals with key card authority.

Elsewhere it says SPD utilizes right blocking software that's also password protective which prohibits copying of any files from the terminal and then separately it says this device is used specifically in conjunction with a criminal investigation authority to use this technology would be granted by a valid search warrant or consent and could not be used indiscriminately.

And I was glad to see that care is being taken that um that these immense power uh would be used hopefully very narrowly um is it your understanding that um that there's a you know uh a serious degree to which the police department takes these concerns absolutely um prior to um prior to this the technology report was was reviewed to make sure that the language was accurate um I don't know I know that if I'm not mistaken in this that um they're usually updated every year or so um with any changes um so at this time I do not know of any changes uh as I as I said we they were the chief did review the um the report prior to me coming here to um speak with you all about the software and uh he he did not raise any issues with the current uh report um just wanted me to reassure you that um the the entirety of the uh great key software would be purchased with the um with the grant and then um to to uh kind of tell you guys what I know about the the blue voice software thank you um uh counselor Scott if you don't mind I'm gonna take counselor Hart uh then come back to you counselor Hart um thank you Chair Wheeler and through you to Director Wisdom this may be

Um just wanted me to reassure you that um the the entirety of the uh great key software would be purchased with the um with the grant and then um to to uh kind of tell you guys what I know about the the blue voice software thank you um uh counselor Scott, if you don't mind, I'm gonna take Councillor Hart uh and then come back to you.

Counselor Hart.

Um thank you, Chair Wheeler.

And through you to Director Wisdom, this may be um, you know, you may not be able to answer this question, but I'm just curious if you or perhaps someone else here knows the answer.

When a warrant is obtained for the use of the gray key software, does that um specify like a particular um part of the phone?

Like given that our phones are basically our computers um with so much information on them.

I'm just curious if if the warrant specifies like only call history or you know, certain things like that.

If anyone has any more information, thank you.

Sorry, I do not have that information counselor Scott.

Uh thank you, Ms.

Chair.

I sorry, I I I think I might have cut myself off a little bit too early there.

I I appreciate these questions.

I think they're fine uh policy questions here.

Um I just want to be clear that the question for the city council here in this finance committee meeting is uh whether or not to accept the money from the state uh to be put towards these purposes.

Uh of course the police department has a very extensive budget and they can use uh money inside the department as they've already indicated to to complete the purchase of these.

And that's a policy matter that's uh up to the chief and the mayor.

And while I may um take issue uh with that direction, ultimately it's just a question of whether or not uh the only power we have as city council is whether or not to accept this particular uh 43,000 dollar grant or not.

So as a result, uh my stance as a legislator is to say uh I I don't want to provide more money to fuel those surveillance uses.

Uh and of course, if the police department would like to pursue that, uh they have budget that can be used for that.

They can divert it from other purposes uh or the mayor can increase their appropriation in the next year's fiscal budget.

Thank you, sir.

Thank you.

Counselor Strezzo.

Thank you, Mr.

I clone I cloned myself.

Did you see that?

Okay, I'm back.

Um some of you want, but that's okay.

Um so thank you, Mr.

Chair.

I um yes, I I've reviewed with the administration uh this and one of them is is as one of the requests because I'm talking 30 uh one and 32, one of them is uh uh ongoing.

So it's already implemented and uh uh I reviewed it and and I and the second um is a pilot, as I recall.

Um it seems uh after extensive conversation on this conversation on this with the administration that this has been thought out and uh and and deeply considered.

So that this would be an uh um and I I'm willing to vote on it, uh Mr.

Chair, if you wish to uh have inde uh individual votes for these two items.

Let's just go ahead and do it.

Thanks.

Um the only question in my mind is Director Wisdom mentioned uh possibly coming up with a memo providing additional information.

Um is that something that we would like to wait on?

It another possibility could be that we um we either lay this on the table uh to vote in a future finance meeting or discharge without a recommendation uh so it can be voted on at the council meeting on Thursday.

Um it it am I still in it'll be Yes, please.

Um in my opinion, I think if you wish it we can do uh the vote on 31 and or uh and then a vote on 32.

Uh yeah, I believe that uh director um our director uh offered information on 32, the pilot, but the the 32 would be a renewal, right?

So it's already in action and and so we're I mean 32 is a separate uh right.

Wait, no, uh there are it's confusing.

There's two pieces of software in both in 34.

Okay.

Oh, my my apologies.

Got it.

Um I mean, if if we want to hold on to it and keep it in committee uh until uh or I suggest if we keep it in committee for um after the memo is released.

Uh Director uh wisdom, is there any um timeline on this to where that would be a barrier?

Because I'm fine waiting for an agenda.

Um sorry, a uh response.

Um so this money does expire.

Um we're supposed to use the money prior to May 31st.

Um so you you know, we are hoping to to move the money um fairly quickly so that we can get it set up in uh through the accounting process and such.

But if you would like um, you know, if you want a memo to have some more information um for it would be this Thursday.

Um at this point it's only two days.

I could turn around a memo to you to you for the um for the council meeting on Thursday night, if that would um help um Mr.

Chair, on that, if uh we could uh uh and and interested in my colleagues' input.

Like I'm I've like I said, I already researched, I thought about it.

I'm going to vote yes on this, but uh I'm I'm also fine listening to um the what my my fellow colleagues for that memo and I respect that.

So I I'm fine to wait on that.

Uh so uh Mr.

Chair, if if you'd like to if we or uh count uh Mr.

Chira through you to Councilor Scott, if you'd prefer that we sever the item, like we just move it out of committee and then sever the item um on Thursday.

I'm fine with that.

Um Mr.

Chair, uh it's you're the presiding officer, so you can uh make that decision.

Uh I'm happy to vote on this tonight.

And memo isn't gonna change my perspective on these items.

I'm very familiar with them.

Uh that said, um, if it is your intention to leave this as a matter for the entire council, I would uh I'm I would not love uh discharging this without a recommendation.

If your desire is to leave more time for counselors to do homework and have conversations with administration, I'd recommend leaving it in committee until our next meeting.

Um but uh like I said, I'm happy to vote today.

Thank you, sir.

Mr.

Chair.

Thank you.

Um sorry, Counselor Strasser, I'm gonna call in Councillor Lynn for the Speaker 1.

Thank you, Mr.

Chair.

Um, so uh yeah, I would really I would like the memo um if for no other reason than because we've got uh you know some edification for the public um as well as myself.

Uh and I think that um I I think that it would be um nice to know that we we've done as much of the homework in that um our you know constituents can all see the homework as well.

Thank you.

Counselor Strezzo.

Thank you.

Uh the homework that was to be done was to be done before this meeting.

So we'll just lay down uh present that.

Um and uh Mr.

Chair, thank you for that.

And to Councilor Scott, yes, I I'm well aware that the chair has the uh upper say on what where this agenda item goes.

I wanted to hear your thoughts on it.

That's why I asked.

Um but yeah, I'm fine voting on this and then um and then still seeing that agenda item uh or agenda item or either way.

I I if everyone wants to take a vote on that, but of course it's at the will of the chair.

So thoughts on that?

Well, pick one.

Counselor Link.

Thank you, Chair.

I'm not gonna go tid for tat through you, but um the homework uh is uh what I would like the uh pleased to do.

So uh I am perfectly happy to continue on.

I don't think that um we need to make um comments to each other.

Thank you.

Thank you, Counselor Lake.

And and just echoing what you said before, um the attachment to this item about Blue Voice uh really was in my memory um a screenshot of the front page of their website, not uh not a lot of information to go on.

Um I'm inclined to keep this in committee uh to look forward to this memo and to to some more information about Blue Voice uh and voting on it uh at the next finance meeting.

Um I'm seeing uh liaison Radassi.

Thank you, Mr.

Chair.

I just wanted to do uh make a clarifying point that um Emily Wisdom was saying that she could prepare the memo for Thursday if it was gonna be before the city council for a vote.

So if it's staying in committee, just wanted to make sure that everyone's expectation was that she could have a little bit more time to work on gathering that information to submit it for the next finance committee meeting.

Thank you.

Agreed.

Yes, I I do think uh having a bit more time would make sense.

And I'm I'm taking uh counselor Scott's point about uh the scope of um of dealing with this.

Uh if that's something that the the committee feels generally okay with, then let's lay this on item on the table to to keep in committee uh to be taken up uh at a future meeting um uh with thanks for this information, Director Wisdom.

Sure.

Happy to.

Okay.

Uh moving on to item 32, uh Mayor's request 26-0168 requesting approval to accept and expend a $50,000 grant with no new match required from the Boston Office of Emergency Management to the police department for target hardening at the police department headquarters.

Director Wisdom.

Uh yes.

So this is um an additional award.

We've already received um 128,500 um for this project to um to basically what they refer to in the grant as target hardening, um, which will be using a uh gate to secure the back lot where the um police equipment is stored.

It will not affect any public um any public entrances, the the front public entrance will remain untouched.

This is just um a preventative measure for the for the back lot where they store cruisers and other equipment.

Um so this would be an additional 50,000.

Um once the kind of the quote came back from capital investments, um they determined that the 128,000 would not be enough.

So we were able to um request from UASI that um we reallocated an additional 50,000, and they were kind enough to approve that uh reallocation.

And so um we would like to add this to the funds that we already have approved um by the previous finance committee um to uh can to be able to complete this work.

Thank you, Director Wisdom.

Um sort of a clarifying question.

So I'm aware as as you said, that the uh the Federal Emergency Management Agency's urban area security initiative, UASI uh defines these national project areas in connection with its grants.

Um you've uh already said on the previous item you clarified helpfully that uh the signatory uh to those agreements is not the city of Somerville.

Is that correct?

Um that is correct.

Uh we have a memorable of understanding with the city of Boston that we will we will follow the guidelines of the grant.

Um however, I do know that a lot of people are kind of watching the FY25 um notice of funding for UASI, um, and that there's been some discussion on some changes that have been made.

Um those changes are not retroactive.

Um a contract has already been formed between the state and the federal government.

Um, and then same a contract has been formed for these uh this is FY23 money.

So um FY23 um contract was formed between the state and Boston.

And similarly, that was um encapsulated in our memories of understanding.

So uh I I do not believe that they can just change any um uh you know, any of the um notification of funding.

They they can't change those guidelines retroactively.

What they've all been signed, they've have contracts that would require um extensive discussion and um acceptance by multiple parties.

That that that's not what's happening um so far.

The FY25 money um as it is still up in the air completely um with the state, is my understanding.

Um there's been no movement on that.

And those are the kind of the that that uh that notice of funding is the one that kind of had the verbiage that um has a lot of people talking about it and um again it's not even anywhere close to the city of Somerville um being kind of involved in a decision at this point.

It still would have to go through the state and the city of Boston long before it makes it to us.

Um so that's kind of where we are with um agreeing to pass terms and conditions.

Thank you, Director.

Counselor Link.

Just to uh thank um chair chair, thank you.

Uh so just to reiterate, that means that we are for for members of the public.

Well, this is 2023 money.

Um 2023 grants and um there's nothing uh that would have been Biden error money.

Exactly.

The this money um it came out in FY23.

Um these grants have a two and a half year spin cycle um for the the region.

So we're kind uh because we asked to kind of reallocate it from projects that weren't completed.

We're kind of at the end of that cycle.

But yes, this is for lack of better words, older money, older funds, different different guidelines.

Thank you.

Of course.

Do any other committee members have questions or comments on this?

And uh seeing no further discussion, this item's laid on the table to recommend approval at the end of the meeting.

Which brings us to item 33, Mayor's request 26-0055, requesting approval to accept and expend a 618,000 181 and 81 cent grant that requires a match from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to the Fire Department for the replacement of aging breathing apparatus.

Um I believe we have uh director of finance and administration for the Summerville Fire Department, James Muochie with us.

Uh Director Muchi, could you please tell us about this grant?

Yes, uh, through you, uh Chair.

Uh I'm Jim Mucci.

I'm the uh director of finance for the fire department.

Uh Chief uh Breen is sorry that he couldn't be here tonight.

He had a previous commitment for uh Fire Chiefs convention.

So I'll try and give uh give uh his presentation here.

Basically, what this grant will allow us to do is to replace uh 68 sets of uh self-contained breathing apparatus, which allow our firefighters to be able to go into hazardous situations and do what they have to do and then uh get out and be able to uh like I said, uh breathe good as opposed to what might be in the situations that they're in.

Um some of the stuff that we have now is very old.

What this grant will allow us to do is to bring up our inventory to uh current um standards, uh compliance with uh 2025 standards.

Some of the stuff we have goes back to 2007 standards.

So this would uh help us a lot to get everything uh up to snuff and give uh five fighters the best equipment that uh we can.

Thank you so much, Director.

Um I just want to to briefly comment on this.

Uh this is one of um a set of grants that I know um there's been uh a look that our uh our legal team has taken.

Um and they've uh they've clarified the understanding.

This is focused entirely just on this uh this replacement of aging breathing apparatus and no other no other areas.

Um just stating what what I've learned from from inquiring.

Um do any members of the committee have any questions or comments on this?

Uh seeing none.

Oh sorry, I heard a comment is that uh uh sorry, Counselor Scott.

I just wanted to acknowledge uh this this also has terms that some folks might be concerned about, but given the current uh ruling in state of Illinois et al.

versus federal emergency management agency, I'm comfortable moving forward this evening.

Thank you.

Thank you, Counselor.

Any other comments or questions?

Seeing none, uh this item is laid on the table to recommend approval at the end of the meeting.

And that brings us to item 34, ID 26-0056.

The mayor requesting approval of a transfer of $6,166.19 cents from the fire department ordinary maintenance other equipment, not capitalized account to the fire department's special items grant match account to fund the required match for the federal emergency management agency assistance to firefighters grant.

Uh Mr.

Muci, uh, can you please tell us about this?

I'm yeah, basically uh you pretty much spelled it out.

Uh this is a requirement for the grant.

Uh we had appropriated uh uh money, but uh during last spring's uh budget cutting, some of uh the cuts came out of that line.

So we now have to come to the meeting to move money in there so we can match this.

Thank you.

Uh seeing no discussion on this item, this item is laid on the table to recommend approval at the end of the meeting.

Brings us to item 35, ID 26-0156.

The mayor requesting approval to accept and expend a 48,000 dollar grant with no new match required from urban area security initiative to the fire department for the replacement of security cameras at fire headquarters.

Director Mucci, could you please tell us about this grant?

Yeah, basically, what we're trying to do is uh replace a very ancient system.

Uh basically what it does is uh provides perimeter uh uh security coverage for basically the entrances to the uh fi to the headquarters.

Uh the equipment, uh I don't even have an age.

I have many, many years is what they told me how long this has been there.

Um the stuff is not working well.

What this uh system will do will bring us up to date.

It's uh no new cameras were replacing one for one, so there's no new capabilities.

Uh the cameras do not record sound, which I guess was an issue.

So I wanted to make sure we said that that does not happen.

Um so basically, like I said, we uh it would uh help us secure the buildings.

So thank you, Director.

Do any committee members have questions or comments on this?

Uh Counselor Link.

Yes, thank you, Chair.

Um, so it's my understanding that the uh the server for uh that the videos are all stored on as a shared server um uh in as part of the the um B O E M.

Um is what um how sure are we that um given that it is uh video footage um facing outward that uh that nobody else can access it.

Um my understanding it's uh it's a closed system.

It uh is only within uh building, it's not connected to any network.

So I mean, that's uh the security I don't believe anybody can access it.

Um Thank you, Director.

I'm seeing Lies and Radassi.

Thank you, Mr.

Chair.

I just wanted to flag um Emily Wisdom was kind enough to stay on for this item to answer this question.

So she's happy to jump in here.

Hey, uh sorry.

Thank you, liaison, director wisdom.

Of course, through the chair.

So um UASI cameras are part of a network and they are on what's called the PSNet server.

However, they um, and I actually called up our um representative prior to the meeting to confirm because my understanding, um, so each each location is given credentialed login ons that are only able to um allow them access to cameras that they're they're allowed to see.

So um in the instance, um SPD can see SPD cameras and the fire department cameras, but cannot see any of the um any of the other cameras that are in the city.

So there are very strong um uh delegations of authority within this system.

Um you cannot go from uh municipality to municipality.

Um it is like like he said, it is a closed system in that there are strong um protections in place.

Um there is a formal, a more formal process if you um, and I just know this from my experience with UASI, if one jurisdiction um has a question for another jurisdiction, maybe, hey, was this scene on your camera?

Or you know, do you have footage of something like this that might have happened?

It's uh it's a request process.

So no one jurisdiction can allow another jurisdiction access.

Um it uh the um credentials and assignments start with the kind of with the vendor and the and the actual server system being broken down into categories.

Thank you, Director.

Uh thank you very much.

Um sorry, just to so to clarify the um uh the director wisdom um the two directors and through the chair.

Uh um that means that uh Newton couldn't get in, but does that also mean that um you know uh I guess the the state of Massachusetts or um the uh United States uh federal government could not also get in, um would they have to be asking us or would they be asking someone else?

So they I would say that they would have to ask um the contract for so the contract is signed on behalf of the Boston Office of Emergency Management for the MBHSR.

So they are acting on behalf of the region, not as a single entity.

So um, so when when we used to go out, so I used to work at the Boston Office of Emergency Management, so that's how I know.

Um when we would go out to bed for these items, um, we would specify that we are executing a contract with this contractor um on behalf of the region, not just any um jurisdiction.

Um there are only eight jurisdictions in in the group.

Um Newton isn't one of them, so no Newton, but I'm just teasing.

Um so um there are like I said, there are eight jurisdictions and um they are solidified.

So I if someone were to um ax, you know, want to challenge this, I believe that it would involve a petitioning process and most likely um some type of involvement with attorneys to bypass a contract like that.

Uh chair, thank you very much, thanks.

And and just to to clarify and sort of follow up on uh Counselor Link's question.

Um is the request process uh I'm just trying to understand a little bit more clearly.

There's a vendor who uh their servers are are not located in Somerville, uh I'm assuming.

They they've got the data somewhere else.

And is it is it only a matter of sort of um legal conventions that we hope hold that requests would have to be approved by Somerville?

Uh no.

So the then so the region actually owns the server.

The region is the owner of the PS net server on which the camera up camera network operates.

So it is owned by the region.

Um it's a regional asset as they call it.

Um, and the the vendor uh is like I said, under contract.

Um they help us do the maintenance and the repair.

Um, they help us with setting up the credentials and maintaining the system.

Um, but they they are not um the sole they don't own the the data or um you know maintain the data outside of our network.

It is part of the PSNet server.

Thank you.

Counselor Scott.

Uh thank you, Mr.

Chair.

Um just two clarifications.

Uh direct wisdom.

Uh that cont that's uh Lantel is our contractor for that.

Is that correct?

That's correct.

Yeah.

And that PSNet system that you're talking about, that is a centralized uh piece of equipment that is centralized in the Boston Regional Uh Intelligence Center, correct?

In the BRIC.

I don't know that it's centralized in the BRIC.

I'm sorry, I don't know that information.

Um I've nobody's ever said that directly to me that that's where it's at.

Um I believe that it is a network of servers built together in the in the um in the region.

So like I think that Somerville has servers and uh and they're connected as a network because of the way that they have to flow with fiber and be connected to a system that can maintain them.

Um I certainly know that I am sure that there are servers at the Boston Police Headquarters where the BRIC is as well.

Um there's no doubt in my mind that there is likely servers there as well, just because I know that there are servers throughout the um their genitech servers.

I know that that's about all I know.

Um that's the name of the brand because we had to buy some new ones not too long ago before I left Boston.

Um and they are maintained with licenses and it is very complex.

Um I I don't think that any certain part of the server is necessarily housed at any one location, but rather is held together by networks um such as uh because I'm PS network is basically public safety network, um, is my understanding.

So PSNet is what they call it.

And yes, and it is it's been around for a very, very long time.

Um it predates most of the networks.

I know that they've been doing extensive fiber replacement and uh server replacement because uh a lot of the equipment had started to reach the end of life and they have been um maintaining it and and doing some replacement work with that, but uh it is it it um it even involves um yeah, involves m many locations from my experience with it, not just any one particular location.

Uh thank you.

I I think I phrased my question in a way that sent that off the rails, and that's my fault, director.

Uh I mostly it's just uh ensure making clear that this is uh funded through the DHS grant through the Boston emergency management office, and so it is integrated with the regional intelligence center uh and the fusion center.

So that's uh the may say we're not gonna use that data now.

Um but it's there.

So Ms.

Chair, I I just for myself, I'm I love the fire department.

I would love to get them some new cameras uh outside the building to keep it safe.

Uh and uh I would like those to not be connected uh to Department of Homeland Security.

So um uh if we're gonna move on this one tonight, I just request separate roll call votes so I can register my objection.

Thank you, sir.

Um, are there any other questions or comments about this item?

Uh Lieze I'm Redass.

I wasn't sure who we lost.

I saw that the four changed.

That's probably wise.

Well, Mr.

Chair, we could stand at recess for a few moments, give folks uh some time two and a half hours into this meeting to uh compose themselves and then uh return in five minutes while you communicate with the clerk.

That seems eminently reasonable.

Okay.

How does one end a recess?

Uh just you call the committee back to order, and uh if you'd like to assure that we have a quorum, you can ask the clerk to take a quick roll call to establish quorum since we're operating online.

So um okay.

Uh I call the uh the meeting back to session.

Uh is that the phrase back to order.

Thank you.

I call them this meeting back to order.

Um clerk, uh, I'm hopeful that these uh technical uh glitches are worked out.

Um would you please call the roll to re-establish quorum?

Yes, um, Chair, apologies about the Wi-Fi.

I do typically try to take these from the office, but city buildings were closed today.

Um okay, so on a roll call to re-establish quorum, counselor link.

Here.

Counselor Streso.

Present.

Counselor Hart.

Present.

Counselor Scott.

Present.

Counselor Wheeler.

Here.

With all five counselors present, we have quorum.

Okay, thank you.

So um just jumping back into the status where we were with item 35.

Um, Counselor Scott, uh, you had suggested that we take a separate roll call vote.

That sounds very reasonable to me on this item.

Um before we do that, uh, are there any other comments or questions that members of the committee have about this item?

Uh Counselor Link.

Yeah, uh, thank you, Chair.

I'll just say I I I blue eyes share uh Counselor Scott's perspective.

I would like to get far to our cameras that will not be part of BRICS system.

Yeah, I this is a tough one for me.

Um there's uh uh degree to which I think we used to be able to count on some professional norms holding so that uh even if there was a technical ability uh for some boundary to be crossed that it wouldn't be crossed without uh clear legal permission, and I think those no longer hold um so reliably.

That doesn't mean I think that we throw out everything where there's the slightest shadow of a doubt, but uh it does make me wonder um you know if we have another situation uh like we've experienced uh in the past, um where uh access is happening uh contrary to what uh judges are saying should happen, then uh I'm concerned about where that leaves us as well.

Counselor Streso.

Thank you, Mr.

Chair.

I spoke to the administration about this uh thoroughly and I feel okay voting on this.

Of course, what you're bringing up is important, however, right now uh I feel I I feel okay voting on this, and I'm just calling for it to move for a vote.

Okay.

Um with uh no further discussion happening on this.

Uh why don't we move forward with a roll call vote on this one, please, Clerk.

Just to clarify, we're roll calling for approval.

Uh sorry, yes.

Uh roll calling for approval of item 35.

All right.

Counselor Link.

No.

Counselor Strazo.

Yes.

Counselor Hart.

Yes.

Counselor Scott.

No.

Counselor Wheeler.

No.

All right.

So that item is recommended to be not approved.

Thank you.

Moving on to item 36.

Uh Mayor's request ID 26-0167.

Requesting approval for settlement of a claim for $10,400 pursuant to section 2-124 of the code of ordinances.

Right.

I wasn't sure offhand if there was anyone here to speak on this item.

Counselor Scott.

Thank you, Mr.

Chair.

Just historically, these are settlements of claims that people have made to the city.

Sometimes they're injury claims or just uh damage to a car.

Uh the or our ordinance allows department heads to uh settle claims with the mayor's approval of $5,000 or less.

Larger claims come to the city council for approval.

Uh so somebody in the mayor's office, if there's questions about what this settlement relates to.

Um somebody from the mayor's office could, of course, address that to the extent that it's public information.

But uh just explaining what's happening procedurally.

So thank you.

Uh Liaison Radassi.

Thank you, Mr.

Chair.

Um, I did submit a memo on behalf of the law department as a handout for this item explaining um the circumstances behind the settlement.

Um, and just wanted to clarify this is in the memo, but this is not a request for an appropriation for the settlement, like counselor Scott said, it's just requesting approval to settle for this amount.

Thank you.

Um I saw another hand, but is there not another comment?

Uh just quickly summarizing that memo.

A tree fell on a car.

Um the tree was known to be in poor condition and had been recommended uh for removal a year before the accident.

Um I think there's some questions this raises.

We don't have uh staff here to discuss this.

Um so there's not really much reason to get into some of the questions.

Counselor Strazo.

Thank you.

Actually, I was gonna move to approve or if you want to take a vote.

Thank you.

Uh I see no more discussion on this item.

Uh it is laid on the table to recommend approval at the end of the meeting.

Um okay, so for items 37 through 39.

Um, Liaison Radassi, would you like to discuss uh these items?

Thank you, Mr.

Chair.

Um, do they sorry, I should know this.

Do they need to be read into the record or can I just speak to them together?

Clerk Latelier, uh do these need to be read into the record?

They do, because we did not read them at the city council meeting.

Uh thank you.

Um, shall I read these into the record and then uh discuss okay?

Item 37, Mayor's request 25-0849.

Requesting approval to accept and expend a 127,000 dollar grant with no new match required from the Boston Office of Emergency Management to the police department for special response team equipment and training.

Shall we just quickly discuss the the relevance of this item, uh Leah Sangradasi?

Thank you, Mr.

Chair.

Just um really quickly, uh administration is not ready to discuss this item.

There's a pending surveillance tech impact report for this item that will be up for a vote in front of the city council Thursday night.

So until the stir is um is approved, we can't move forward with um uh approval for acceptance and expenditure of this um grant.

Thank you.

Um I think then we should lay this item on the table to be taken up at a future finance committee meeting.

Uh moving on to item 38, Mayor's request 26-0163 requesting the appropriation of 430,965 from the unreserved fund balance free cash to the special education reserve fund.

Thank you, Mr.

Chair.

Um, also not ready to discuss this item.

Um the appropriation is pending the approval of an establishment of the establishment of the special education fund, which is currently um in legislative matters.

So until that item is passed and the fund is created, we can't do the appropriation for this.

Oh uh mute went on a little bit early, but I think we got what you were saying.

Um let's lay this item on the table to be taken up at a future finance committee meeting as well.

Item 39, the last item.

Uh officers communication ID 26 0201, the director of economic development conveying the potential use of an urban center housing tax increment finance tool, UCTIF to incentivize housing production.

Thank you, Mr.

Chair.

I'm guessing this is not the right time to make a joke about how I'm gonna have Rachel join the meeting.

But um no, we are gonna hold off on this discussion given that it'll probably be a lengthy one and it's already quite late and it was a long agenda um tonight.

So uh happy to have that conversation at a future finance committee meeting.

Okay, thank you.

Um that brings us to the end of tonight's agenda.

Do I hear a motion to recommend approval of the items on the table and then to adjourn?

So moved.

Okay, Mr.

Chair.

I just want to scott.

Thank you.

I just wanted to clarify for the clerk there was one item that you wanted to leave in committee, but at the time you had said we'll lay that on the table.

I would just want to clarify with the clerk if uh she has that one marked to be remaining committee as opposed to coming into this vote.

Counselor, thank you.

Just to run through, I have recommended to not approve agenda item 35.

I have keep in committee agenda items 31, 37, 38, 39, and then move to approval on agenda items one through 30, 32, 33, 34, and 36.

Does that match?

Perfect.

Thank you.

And just to clarify, um, is there a distinction between leaving in committee and uh laying on the table separate from the ones we lay on the table for approval?

Yell A on the table means we'll take it up at some other point during that meeting.

Keeping committee just clarifies that there's no decision that has been made, and we'll take up the discussion at the next one.

Lay on the table is sort of just a term used throughout the meeting.

Um, and then in a city council meeting, you may have here that we've like tabled an item, and then we'll we'll take that one up at a different is just a slight variations in the terminology.

Thank you.

Appreciate the lesson.

And and Mr.

Chair, uh, it does have a different context when laying things on the table is used at the city council level.

Uh those items, because they're not you can't keep anything committee up there, they'll show up on the next city council agenda as unfinished business.

Yep.

Thank you.

Um, Councilor Link uh moved to recommend approval of the items on the table and then to adjourn.

Uh the clerk already did read the agenda items of the uh uh uh the item numbers of the items up for a recommendation to approve.

Um clerk, do you need to read those again uh before calling the roll and recommending approval of those items and adjournment?

I'll just do it all again just for good measure.

Thank you.

Okay, so on adjournment and recommend for so for the items for approval, agenda items one through 30, 32, 33, 34, and 36, and on adjournment.

Counselor Link.

Yes.

Counselor Strezo.

Yes.

Counselor Hart.

Yes.

Counselor Scott.

Yes, please.

Counselor Wheeler.

Yes.

Those items are recommended to be approved and we are adjourned.

Thank you, everyone.

Thanks for the the marathon session.

I appreciate all the staff who spoke um and uh and all the discussion.

I hope everyone has a good night.

Thank you.