A couple minutes past the hour.

Um sorry for the slight delay there.

Uh this is it is this is a meeting of the city council.

Uh it is Thursday, May 28th.

My name is Lance Davis uh presiding.

I use he him pronouns.

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

Would the clerk please call the roll?

Yes.

Councilor Ewan Campen.

Here.

Counselor Link?

Here.

Councillor Scott.

Present.

Counselor Klingon?

Present.

Councillor Shrazo.

Present.

Counselor Saeed.

Councilor Wheeler?

Here.

Councillor Hart.

Here.

Councillor McLaughlin.

Here.

Councilor Umba?

President.

And Councillor Davis.

Here.

We are at quorum.

All right.

Thank you very much.

Pursuant to our Rule 32.

Let it be known that the City Council salutes the flag of the United States of America and let us recall our oath to uphold the Constitution and the laws of the Commonwealth to the best of our abilities and understanding.

We begin our meetings with a moment of silence.

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

Councilor Ba.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

I would like us to remember Patricia Seal Silva, who recently passed away at the age of 96.

Born and raised in Somavie, Patricia was remembered by her family and friends as someone who embraced life with joy, curiosity, and an independent spirit.

Her family described her as someone who was always fully present in every moment and on afraid to dance to her own beat.

We extend our deepest condolences to her son Jim Silva Junior.

High extended family, friends, and all will love her.

Thank you.

Any others?

All right.

See none would uh everyone in the chamber please rise as you're able for a moment of silence.

Thank you.

All right.

Uh first item in the agenda, Madam Clerk.

Yes.

Um item 26-0934, approval of the minutes of the regular meeting of April 23rd, 2026.

Seeing no discussion, that item is approved.

Next item.

Item number 260-0935, approval of the minutes of the special meeting of May 11th, 2026.

Seeing no discussion, that item is approved.

Next item.

Okay.

So we're moving into citations.

Item number 26-0923 by Councilor McLaughlin and Councillor Ewen Campen, commending Jerry Cajust and Metno Dawson for outstanding dedication, professionalism, and service as crossing guards in one of the busiest and most heavily trafficked neighborhoods.

Councilor McLaughlin.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

We had a ceremony yesterday.

It was very well appreciated.

Is there anybody here to uh you're gonna deliver that?

No, we did that yesterday.

We did it yesterday.

Oh, that was the ceremony.

I see now I sorry, it took me a minute to catch up.

Very well.

All right, thank you.

Counselor Wheeler.

Uh thank you, Mr.

President.

I just wanted to mention that there are a number of open positions.

We are always looking for crossing guards and there are active listings looking for crossing guards.

Several needs crossing guards, several values clock crossing guards.

When cars hit pedestrians, it seldom makes the news, but it's one of the leading causes of injury and worse to people of all ages, including children.

So anyone out there, if you want to serve our community, please take a look at our crossing guard job listings and apply.

It's a union job in Somerville.

The hours are not many.

So not everybody finds that it fits into their schedule, but if it's right for you, we need you.

Thanks.

All right, thank you.

Uh Madam Clerk, could you please reflect that Councilor Say has joined us?

And amazingly, it looks like we have no public hearings tonight.

Is that correct?

Am I looking?

Do my eyes deceive me?

They do not.

All right.

Well, in that case, uh, we have a few items that we want to take up out of order.

Um, I guess uh actually, yeah, so two items.

One is item five dot one, uh, and then the other, the second is item 10.2.

Correct.

Okay.

So um item 5.1.

Would you read that, Madam Clerk?

If seeing no objection to taking those out of order.

And 4 2.

Do you want to just do that in order?

Because it's gonna be next.

We could we could jump ahead once one spot, but all right, very good.

Um Madam Clerk, would you read 5.1, please?

Yes.

Mayor's communication item number 26-0742 proclaiming May 2026 to be Jewish American Heritage Month.

All right.

I know that we have uh Mayor Wilson here to speak on this item.

Mayor Wilson.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

Uh Honorable Council.

Uh, through the president, uh we find ourselves here in in May.

Uh, May is Jewish American Heritage Month.

Uh we are our home in Somerville to a really amazing, vibrant Jewish community who've contributed so much to our city over the years.

And uh it's really important to uh to just call it call attention to how much we appreciate uh uh our our Jewish community here.

It's uh we have to note this is happening in a at a time when there is uh rising incidents nationally and even here locally of uh hate incidents and in anti Semitism uh the quite unfortunately our our our Jewish uh friends and neighbors and colleagues are being subjected to.

So uh want to call out a bright spot here uh and in a feel good moment, just really hold up our Jewish community and make sure that they feel seen, uh feel safe, uh, and feel respected.

Thank you.

Is there anyone anyone here that they wish to wish to recognize or is that uh we're gonna share the proclamation uh with a community group here who's not able to be here tonight.

Okay, perfect.

Uh any members wishing to speak on the item, Council Shozzo.

Sure, can you please uh read the proclamation in full?

Absolutely, madam clerk.

Absolutely.

We're asked Jewish American Heritage Month was established in 2006, recognizing the more than 350 year history of Jewish contributions to the United States and the American colonies.

And whereas during Jewish American Heritage Months, we celebrate the immeasurable impact of Jewish values, contributions, and culture on the U.S.

and Somerville's success and character.

And whereas Jewish American suffragists, activists, and leaders march for civil rights, women's rights, voting rights, racial equity, and LGBTQ plus rights.

And whereas Jewish Americans are an integral part of our commonwealth in our city, building our strength and vitality via their contributions as workers, educators, innovators, leaders, caretakers, entrepreneurs, students, advocates, neighbors, and more.

And whereas a disturbing rise of global anti-Semitism, including here in Somerville, has resulted in violence and dangerous rhetoric directed against the Jewish community.

And whereas the city of Somerville stands against all forms of hate, including including anti-Semitism, and is committed to standing with Jewish American residents of Somerville, the Commonwealth, and everywhere.

And whereas the City of Somerville proudly recognize and celebrates Jewish Americans for their enduring resilience, unwavering advocacy for justice, and steadfast commitment to uplifting others and strengthening the fabric of our city.

Now, therefore, be it known to all those present that the mayor of the city of Somerville respectfully proclaims May 2026 as Jewish American Heritage Month, honoring the contributions of Jewish Americans.

Proclaimed on this day, 14th of May, well, the 28th of May 2026 by Jake Wilson, Mayor.

Very good.

Thank you.

Council Chazen.

Thank you, Ms.

President, and thank you for reading that loud.

And I wanted to um thank uh Mayor Wilson and the administration for putting this um proclamation forward.

It does uh matter, and it um our Jewish community, which I am a member of the tribe, um have hesitant a lot for um Somerville and um visibility matters and to remind all of us that we are strong together as a community and really all of us um pull together, especially in this tough times, and we see you in Somerville is here for support and we do this together.

Thank you.

Thank you.

All right, that item is placed on file.

Um next item out of order.

So little little wrinkle on this one because this was a supplemental item.

Um, and in in discussion earlier this week, uh we we were able to anticipate it, but it wasn't ready to be submitted.

And it from a time so there's two tests in order to be able to discuss something tonight.

And my understanding is that it there's it's not timely such that we need to take action tonight, so therefore, following our rules, we won't deliberate on it.

We'll lay this item on the table.

Um however, the administration did ask if it would be appropriate for um our uh labor council, Matt Saragou, to speak to some of the big picture scheduling.

Um I thought from a transparency standpoint that would be good for the public to hear ahead of time.

Um so again, uh this will be this is purely in terms of the the not no one you know, no sort of advocacy advocacy for the item, um however big picture scheduling that I thought would be helpful for the public to hear.

We will then lay this item on the table without deliberation and take it up in uh due course in two weeks.

Uh attorney Syrigoo.

Uh thank you, Council President through you.

So the appropriation request tonight is for an appropriation of funds uh to fund the cost, the immediate cost items in a in a memorandum of understanding the executive has signed with the the police superior officers union.

Uh this contract includes amendments to the body worn camera policy and some uh other benefits amendments.

The appropriation here is the three percent colour for the remaining four weeks of this fiscal year, uh, as is the custom here to ratify a contract on the city side, we would appropriate funds for the cost items for the balance of the fiscal year, and then come back for uh uh an appropriation for the retro cost of that contract.

Also pending before this council separately is a grant acceptance, which if the council were to accept it on behalf of the city would fund the techno technology costs for a body worn camera program.

Those funds would have to are come from the state and would be have to would have to be used to purchase technology costs.

Separately, if we were to implement a body worn camera program, there are personal services costs associated with that that would not be funded through the grant, and we would be seeking another appropriation at a future date at a time uh when the the program were implemented, if that is the direction the city goes in.

So there are three moving parts the appropriation, the appropriation for immediate personal services costs from the MOA, a grant acceptance, and an appropriation for additional personal services costs that would be associated with implementation of a body worn camera program were that to occur.

One moment.

Um I'm I'm I've received a note that said did we not read the item in?

I thought we did.

We did not.

My mistake, thank you for that preview.

Um for the record, let's read the item in, yes, and then we will uh we will place it on the table without deliberation.

Mayor's request item number 26-0915 requesting the appropriation of $15,000 from the salary contingency account to the police department personal services salary account to fund a collective bargaining agreement with the Somerville Police Superior Officers Association.

All right, very good.

Um thank you, Attorney Sirigoo.

So we will lay that item on the table and not Councillor Scott, there's no deliberation, there's no discussion on this item.

This item is being understand there was a factual misstatement made.

Then we can correct that factual mistake next week when it's uh when it's uh unless you want to as it relates to a matter of law, there uh a uh technology impact report must be accepted before we can accept any grant materials.

Counselor Scott, you're not recognized.

We're laying this item on the table.

We can have those discussions in due course.

Uh back to the beginning of the agenda.

Thank you, Attorney Syracuse.

Back to the beginning of the agenda, Madam Clerk.

Yes.

Regular order, I should say.

Okay.

Uh item number 26-0919 by Councillor Ewan Campen proposing an amendment to section 2-6 of the code of ordinances, the welcoming communities ordinance.

Counselor UNCAP, do we want to lay this one on the table and take it up with the legislative matters uh report, or how do you prefer to handle this one?

We should have talked about this ahead of time.

My bad for not thinking of that.

No, Mr.

President, I was hoping that we could do a very brief introduction and then take up the legislative matters committee report and get this thing passed.

If there's no objection to that, I have none.

All right, go ahead.

Uh so you're gonna speak this item first and then we'll take the the report out of order.

Very well.

Go ahead.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

So the item on the agenda, this is a clean revised version of our amended welcoming communities ordinance, which was passed unanimously out of legislative matters, and I want to thank uh Chair Scott for prioritizing this item in that committee and to my colleagues on the committee for for working so hard to get this over the finish line.

Um, I'm just gonna very briefly introduce this because when we first brought it in, we all gave long impassioned speeches about it.

Um and then I'd ask that we take up the report so we can replace that item with this amended one.

Um so just briefly on the substance.

Um I am really proud that we are taking this up tonight.

This was a really collaborative effort between Councillor Link, Councilor Hart, myself, the administration, and the ACLU of Massachusetts.

And put briefly, um, these are amendments to our welcoming communities ordinance, which um the city of Somerville passed in 2019.

Um that's often referred to as our sanctuary city ordinance, and that's the one where we say we're not gonna participate in federal immigration work, right?

Um we're now living in a different reality where we have a federal government that is assaulting our constitutional rights across the board, not just in immigration, although certainly in that field as well, and we thought it was important to make it really clear to the public that the city of Somerville is never going to collaborate or participate in any of that federal overreach, whether that is federal immigration, whether that is surveillance, whether that is identifying and seeking to punish people for any constitutionally protected activity.

So that's what this is.

Um it's it's relatively simple and straightforward.

I'd encourage anyone to actually read the ordinance.

Um and Mr.

President, I'm um thrilled that we're moving on this tonight.

So thank you, my colleagues, for all the work to get us here.

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

Um and then if we could take up out of order, I apologize, Madam Clerk, for not cueing this one up ahead of time.

The legislative matters committee report, which is 6C, I believe.

Yes, item 6C, if there's no objection, seeing none.

Yes.

Um item number 26-0927, reports of the committee on legislative matters meeting on May 19th, 2026.

Councilor Ewan Campin.

Uh Councillor Scott.

I'm sorry.

Counselor Scott.

I don't I don't know if I was still in the doghouse.

Uh memory's not that long, Councillor Scott.

All right, thank you, President Davis.

Um the legislative matters committee met on uh Tuesday, May 19th, uh for about an hour and 50 minutes.

We had two large uh substantive items before us, uh, one of which was uh the amendment to the welcoming communities ordinance.

Uh we had an excellent presentation from uh Gideon Epstein uh from the ACLU and also had some contributions uh from our very much appreciated director of the Office of Immigrant Affairs, Director Teresa Nagel.

So uh it was a wonderful conversation.

I encourage everybody to watch it.

There were a few uh minor points that still needed to be ironed out, and rather than keep us all there all night working on it, uh was happy to send this off to uh get a little bit of work, so I'm very glad uh that we have the final version before us tonight.

Um that particular item uh was kept in committee, uh so it will be uh marked as work complete on a future agenda, uh so we don't have any duplication.

Uh there was also an item to discuss uh the ordainment of an amendment to establish a rental registry that was uh something that uh many counselors have been pushing for uh many years now.

Uh I think Councilor and Bob might have the record for how many years uh pushing on it longest.

Um this was an ordinance that was submitted by the prior administration on their way out the door.

Uh the administration delivered the message that they are not prepared to move forward on this ordinance and are not prepared to uh discuss it, basically.

Um so they we had a discussion of it in committee and there were some uh there was a great deal of support expressed for the urgency of the matter and uh I think a general recognition that our job as a legislative body is to pass laws and it is the job of the executive to faithfully execute those laws.

So uh with that uh that one item was also kept in committee, and I would request that the committee report be submitted as accepted.

Any discussion on the committee report?

All right, seeing none.

Let me make sure I I I heard and remember correctly the the the initial version of the revision the amendment to the welcoming community order or community ordinance was left in committee.

Yeah, okay.

So we don't have that before us now.

So um seeing no discussion, the committee report is approved, and we'll lay the uh first item off up off the table.

Any discussion on the changes to the version from uh uh to the uh the the amended or the new version uh of the uh amended uh um welcoming community ordinance uh based on the discussion and committee that council and camp in introduced um a few moments ago seeing none, all right.

Then uh that item is approved.

So we have ordinance we need to enroll and ordain.

Yeah, let's do that, Madam Clerk.

So we need to uh we actually need three posts.

I think we need to approve we need three roll calls, one first for approval, next for enrollment, third fordain.

Yes.

Very well.

Okay.

Counselor Uwing Campen?

Yes.

Counselor Link?

Yes.

Counselor Scott?

Yes, Councillor Klingon?

Yes.

Counselor Schezo?

Yes.

Counselor Said?

Yes.

Counselor Wheeler?

Yes.

Counselor Hart?

Yes.

Councilor McLaughlin?

Yes.

Counselor Umba?

Yes.

And Counselor Davis.

Yes.

So that item is approved.

And now on enrollment.

Yes.

Councilor Uwan Campen?

Yes.

Counselor Link?

Yes.

Counselor Scott?

Yes.

Counselor Klingon?

Yes.

Counselor Shazo?

Yes.

Counselor Saeed?

Yes.

Counselor Wheeler?

Yes.

Counselor Hart?

Yes.

Councilor McLaughlin?

Yes.

Councilor Umba?

Yes.

Counselor Davis.

Yes.

So that item is now ordained.

I'm sorry, is enrolled.

And then now uh finally on ordainment, Madam Buck.

Counselor Ulan Campin?

Yes.

Counselor Link?

Yes.

Counselor Scott?

Yes.

Counselor Clinken?

Yes.

Counselor Schrash?

Yes.

Counselor Saeed?

Yes.

Counselor Wheeler?

Yes.

Counselor Hart?

Yes.

Councilor McLaughlin?

Yes.

Councillor Umba?

Yes, please.

And Counselor Davis.

Yes.

So that item is now ordained.

Very good.

Thank you, folks.

That takes us to our next item on the agenda.

Madam Clark.

Yes.

That too.

So now we are back to uh 4.2 resolution item number 26-0921 by Counselor Ewen Campen, Counselor Davis, Counselor Hart, Counselor Link, Councillor Wheeler, and Counselor Said in support of a voluntary recognition for Somerville Workers United.

Councillor Campen.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

Thank you for your collaboration and to all of the co-sponsors.

Um this council has a long tradition of supporting unions, workers in the process of unionizing.

Um when they reach out to us for support, whether that's by showing up at a rally, a picket line, or whether it is sponsoring a resolution sponsoring a resolution here at City Hall.

Today we have the opportunity to show our support for a group of workers who are particularly close to our heart at the city of Somerville, who are in the process of organizing a union right now.

So amongst the workers who serve the city of Somerville, there are somewhere around 200 workers who are not currently unionized and over the last several years have been working to form Somerville Workers United.

Um when they reached out last week to ask for this council's support in their request to be voluntarily recognized.

I was thrilled to do so and invite some of these folks to speak to us tonight.

Um I've been on this council for nine years.

Um I have not seen layoffs.

Um I know that this round of layoffs um has just been incredibly difficult.

Obviously for the workers um who lost their jobs and for their colleagues.

Um it has bought brought a real sense of urgency um to to the work that they do and this organizing in particular.

So I do, you know, for members of the public, I encourage you to read the text of the resolution which sheds a little bit of light on the history of these efforts um and articulate some of the specific reasons um that they believe a union would be mutually beneficial for the workers and for the administration.

Um I would like to sponsor three speakers tonight.

Luis Quishbe, Benjamin Weiner, and Kate Bossingham, in whatever order they wish to appear.

Uh councillors Ba and McLaughlin would like to sign on.

Um counselor Councillor Klingon and Scott would like to sign on.

Counselor Strasbourg, the whole council would like to sign on.

Thank you.

Um Counselor Ewan Camp would like to sponsor the three four mentioned speakers.

Any any uh objections?

Seeing none.

All right.

Um feel free to come on up when you do come to speak, just please state your name uh so we can get it in the record uh correctly, and um you can as as counselor whatever you whatever order you don't have to wait for me to recognize you, just go right ahead to the next uh to the next speaker.

So go ahead.

Thank you.

Uh my name is Louis Giespe, and I was the former strategic planning and equity manager within the Office of Strategic Planning and Community Development.

I was the first and last person to hold this position, having been laid off and having my position eliminated just a few weeks shy of my four-year work anniversary.

Before I go further, I'd like to acknowledge and thank some of my fellow laid-off workers with whom I shared a meal uh in my home, and who shared stories with me that inspired me to come here and speak with you all tonight.

My fellow colleagues included people who worked with our most vulnerable residents before they were silenced, who worked directly in equity work before they were dismissed, and who were months away from retirement before they were disrespectfully fired.

I'd like to thank the council for giving me an opportunity to speak on this important issue of why recognizing and respecting the collective bargaining process is critical to the work of creating a Somerville where everyone belongs and can thrive.

We put all our faith and trust into the people we elect to carry out the vision and values tied to our electoral process, and so we also bear the responsibility of holding them accountable to that task.

I served as the chair of the anti-displacement task force, a project that led the historic and unanimous vote through this city council in support of a home rule petition for rental stabilization.

During the community engagement phase for the drafting of the petition, we spoke to and heard from residents, advocacy groups, property owners, and people who were displaced from our city to create a bold but realistic proposal to keep the threads of our community fabric from fraying, and we did it in less than half the time it took Boston.

And we did it in less than half the time it took Boston.

Months, not years.

Additionally, this 50-member task force created just as many recommendations to reduce the rate of displacement in a collaborative and equity-centered way.

For many, this would have been the first time they were satisfied with his civic experience.

At the conclusion of that task force, a member of our community reached out to the administration by email and spoke highly of me in ways that made the inner immigrant child displaced from his New York City apartment as a young adult swell with pride.

The letter in part read.

Thank you for the work you put into this project, for introducing us to each other, for the respect and openness you reflected on our working groups, and for your gentle nudges to get us to the finish line.

It was a monumental project to manage.

I suspect we all worked so hard for it because, of course, the work is important, but also because we wanted to make you proud.

That task force member went on to do great things for the city, including playing key roles as part of the mayor elect Jake Wilson's transition team.

My position was created about five years ago.

Some of you might remember its deliberation.

Somerville was about one of four cities across the country to have a position like mine, including Boston.

Those who created this position were not around to see me get hired.

In fact, the very first thing I did on my first day was attend my hiring manager's farewell party as he went on to become Watertown city manager.

I greatly appreciate George Proacus' faith and trust in me to carry out the intent and purpose of why the strategic planning and equity manager position was created in the first place.

I learned that the position had sat vacant for over a year before I eventually filled it.

That the city was being patient in making sure that they found the right candidate for the job, acknowledging the importance and necessity of the work, that I was labeled a unicorn during my interview panel discussions, and that the city would be remiss, to put it lightly, and not seizing the opportunity to offer me the position.

I'll repeat my former title to you because I always have to.

It's not something that makes a lot of sense to most folks hearing it the first time.

It's strategic planning and equity manager.

I tell people I help our division within OSPCD move the city towards a future where everyone belongs.

By working with them to build and maintain structures that promote principles of justice and democracy.

Members of that coalition would also go on to do great things for this city, such as participating in the mayor-elect transition committee.

I say all of this not to brag about what the city is missing out on eliminating my position, but to illustrate why it's so important to have a structure in place that preserves what we as a community care deeply for, why it's important for us as a community to have a way to make sure that our values are represented across all levels of government, and why we need a structure that empowers all people to carry on this work of building a more just and democratic future where we all belong, and see ourselves reflected in the change around us.

A union is that structure.

Not bending the rules to help a few people out along the way while otherwise keeping the status quo in place.

Our organizing for collective bargaining should have prevented the work we were doing for our most vulnerable residents from being unceremoniously strangled.

It should have provided a way for us to work collaboratively with the administration to ensure that our knowledge was being built upon, that our networks were expanded, and that the sparked embers of inspiration in our staff were nurtured.

Instead, years of work were reduced to a five-minute meeting, informing me that my position was eliminated during our attempt to collaboratively engage with the administration in good faith towards a formal recognition.

We live in a community that is bold, progressive, and committed to fighting for one another, including our most vulnerable residents.

On the campaign trail, elected officials will tell you just as much and even paint a picture of Somerville in contrast to a federal administration that is present presently waging war on justice and equity work, health and medical supportive services, and more.

But the reality on the ground, the reality in Somerville's City Hall doesn't always align with the narratives on that campaign trail.

I implore my fellow community members to interrogate and take note of how senior executives in the city structure these layoffs in their intent, in their purpose.

Thank you for your time.

My name is Benjamin Wyner.

I've worked for the City of Somerville for about four and a half years, and currently serve as the inclusionary housing program manager within Somerville's housing division.

My colleagues and I stand before you today, not just as public servants, but as fellow community members, many of whom are also constituents and voters who rely on Somerville's public services just as you do.

We came together as a union because we believe in the work we do for the city.

I personally joined this movement to organize because we need to ensure our work is sustainable, and that staff do not burn out trying to constantly do more with less.

To name some examples, Somerville's consolidated wait list, which allows individuals and families to apply for multiple affordable rental opportunities with a single application.

Our revitalized home improvement program helps fund critical repairs to ensure the health and safety of income eligible residents by keeping properties up to code.

Not to mention various fully affordable projects that our staff ensure are funded and remain affordable.

There are so many other projects that I don't have time to name.

I cannot overstate how proud I am to be part of that work.

And when they leave, their responsibilities fall to those who remain.

In the last few years, housing added an administrative assistant and a housing intake specialist.

Positions that directly assisted residents in navigating our housing programs.

Despite those two positions, many staff were still overworked.

And those two positions have since been removed.

For nearly a year, I have experienced firsthand the impact of understaffing.

When our previous staff liaison to the condominium review board left last year, I took on their responsibilities.

On top of my current workload, I now had to learn and perform the duties of what comprises about 75 to 80% of another role, often working over 50 hours a week.

That meant sacrificing time with my family and my daughter.

The position took several months to fill, a type of extended vacancy that has become increasingly more common as every vacant position now falls under scrutiny.

Once the position was refilled, we found ourselves with yet another vacancy in the inclusionary housing team.

And to my recollection, I have not taken a full hour long lunch break in about six months.

City staff have reached a breaking point.

Many staff are having to justify choosing a healthy work life balance.

Knowing that choice means something else takes a back seat.

And the community needs to know the repercussions of this.

That a developer's units remain vacant for longer, or they have to wait to build units on a vacant lot.

That a constituent applying for inclusionary housing can't give their landlord proper notice and now must turn down an affordable housing opportunity.

What our division has capacity for right now does not reach level service, and still we're being asked to do more all the time.

We repeatedly hear from our elected officials that housing is a top priority, but we just lost two positions, which is about a 12% reduction in our capacity.

What I personally find most disrespectful is that the staff who keep our programs running every day were never a part of any conversation.

Whether it be a conversation about what we need to keep our programs going or which projects city leadership is willing to forfeit when they take away our staff capacity.

That is why we are organizing.

We want to be paid for the hours we work and be heard when we advocate for the help that we need.

For myself and on behalf of my colleagues, I look forward to the response of our leadership to this call for recognition of the rights that we deserve as workers.

Thank you.

At EPA, I experienced what it felt like to work under an administration hostile to its own workforce.

There were reorganizations and layoffs implemented without engagement from staff, changes to flexible work policies that punish working families, and outright union busting.

This led to plummeting morale, distrust of management, staff turnover, an immense loss of institutional knowledge, and certainly worsening environmental protections for the American people.

To put it mildly, it was not a great place to work by the time I left.

I consider myself very fortunate to be doing work I find meaningful here in the city of Somerville.

But I immediately noticed some things were not right.

Employees work evening and weekend events without a clear flex time policy.

Staff leaving for municipalities like Cambridge and Boston, leading to high turnover.

Concerningly vague information from management about wage and compensation policies.

So I talked to my coworkers, and I was excited but not surprised to find out that organizing was already underway.

I saw organizing as an opportunity to improve our workplace and provide better service for the Somerville public.

Mayor Wilson has gone out of his way to pledge his support for unionized labor.

So when Somerville Workers United reached our card signing goal, we were optimistic when we contacted the mayor to request a meeting to discuss voluntary recognition of our union.

We received no response to two separate inquiries sent earlier this month to the mayor, his chief of staff, and his labor advisor.

Last Wednesday, the mayor attended a greater Boston Labor Council meeting right down the street at the Somerville Armory.

He gave a speech in support of unions.

That afternoon, he walked into layoff meetings with staff, most of which were within the Somerville Workers United proposed bargaining unit.

Only two days later, after he emailed all staff, assuring us that layoffs were finished.

Did a member of his team respond to our emails agreeing to a meeting, which is for tomorrow.

Is that the kind of disregard that passes for pro-labour leadership in the city of Somerville?

All workers deserve dignity.

All workers, including those who work in sustainability, communications, language access, racial and social justice, health, and grants deserve a union.

When I was at EPA and management overlooked the expertise, experience, and dignity of staff, I was angry.

I'm angry tonight, too.

I expected better in the city of Somerville.

Fortunately, we do not have to depend on the goodwill of an administration who has not respected worker rights because we know our rights and we look forward to fighting for them.

Thank you for your time.

No.

For discussion?

No?

All right.

Well, we've tired council signed on, so uh that item is approved.

Can we take a five resistance?

Absolutely.

Counselor Barr?

Yeah, that's my I just want to take to speak on the item.

Um the question, I just want to, you know, uh the four-point.

Council Barr, are you requesting to take an item out of order?

Yeah, just in line so I don't know we don't have to be leveling points just in line of the permission.

Oh, see no objection, Madam Clerk.

Could you read out as 4.44.5?

Yes.

Item number 26-0916 by Councillor Umba that the administration share all the positions that were cut from the fiscal year 2027 budget and their departments and explain how they aligned with the mayor's equity agenda.

And then item number 26-0918 by Councillor Umba, that the administration appear before the City Council to present its organizational restructuring.

Go ahead.

Yes, Mr.

President, if it's okay.

No, I just want to first of all thank the good counselor for putting this forward and thank you to Louise, Ben, and Kate for speaking.

You know, today.

Because I've always said that if a municipal government doesn't reflect the population itself, then you don't, you know, don't use the word equity in your administration.

So the first time I went out to lunch with Mayor Barantyne, I told her she'll be remembered for her effort, you know, to be able to, you know, put that into practice.

And so hearing this is really something that actually like really worries me, and I really needed to know, you know, why, you know, this is happening and providing a detailed accounting of eliminated positions, as we've probably already heard, you know, an affected department will help the council evaluate whether reductions disproportionately impact you know uh vulnerable populations, language access, public health, housing stability, which we've also heard youth services or other equity center priorities.

So I'm hoping that this resolution also seeks to ensure that budget decisions aligned, you know, with the administration, publicly stated equity goals, which of course I personally had a conversation with the mayor about that.

And that residents have transparency into how organizational and stopping changes may affect service delivery across the community.

And also, like when we talk about like a public presentation before the council, it actually helps promote transparency, improve communication between the council and the administration, and allow counselors to ask questions regarding operational efficiencies, accountability measures, workforce impact as we've heard today, and continuity of residential services that is happening.

So I'm hoping that we would have a robust conversation and this discussion will help us ensure that any restructuring advances the city's strategic priorities preserve institutional knowledge and support equitable and effective government operation for residents across the community.

So I just want to thank everybody that has really showed up here, and we look forward to this conversation as you know in the next you know, a couple of weeks.

So thank you for for this opportunity.

Those two items are approved, and we will take a five-ish minute recess.

Members please return to their seats.

We need to get this meeting back in session.

Thank you.

All right, I can see that we have a quorum in the room, so call this meeting back to order.

Um let's see, Madam Clerk, where does that bring us back to?

Item four dot three, is that that way you have us?

That's correct.

Very well, which please read the next item.

Item number twenty six dash zero nine one seven by councillor umba at the director of mobility, the director of engineering, the director of parking, and the chief of police appear before the traffic and parking committee to review traffic flows and enforcement practices around schools citywide during drop off and pickup as detailed within.

Pause a moment while Council Ba returns to the room.

Councilor Ba, we've just read in item four dot three, which is the the order that you put into the directory of mobility.

Would you like to speak to that item?

Yeah, just go right ahead.

Um but anyway, I'll I will see what I can.

I think this is it's self-explanatory, but the main reason why uh this order came in was if you look at across school zones is bananas when you see this there's kind of there are posted signs even within the streets that says do not end up within these hours.

It's like sometimes people don't read that, so we have to you know, and the crossing guard I've actually seen a car almost run over crossing that just on North Street, like North Street is perpendicular to like part of the house, but I guess there's so many you know, stuff that we need to like re-assess and see how we can actually, you know, uh protect our most vulnerable residents, you know, parents crossing guards alike.

Just do that traffic flow around school zone at those peak hours.

Yes, please.

Counselor Hart.

Um thank you, Mr.

President.

I was just wonder if um I would like to make an amendment or if the counselor at large would be a good idea.

Um I would like to propose adding in after traffic flows and enforcement practices and construction impacts as well.

Unless someone sees a problem with that.

So it would be to review traffic flows and enforcement practices and construction impact.

Yes.

This is just a a big issue that I've noticed in the city that you know that the construction impacts the the traffic flow and the safety and pedestrians getting to the schools.

Um and so I just thought this would be a good opportunity since it's very related.

But I'm happy to withdraw it if you would would not like to add it.

Any discussion on the proposed amendment on the proposed amendment, Councillor Site?

Yes.

Uh three Mr.

President and Councillor Hart.

Uh I just have a question.

Is this like city related construction or is it like on private properties, just so that in the committee we know exactly what to discuss?

Yes, city.

Go ahead construction.

All right.

See no further discussion on the amendment.

See on the amendment, Councillor Ba.

Thank thank you, Mr.

President.

First, I want to thank the good councillor.

Um I'm assuming that the good councillor, you know, uh it's not just amending my my policy order, but it's also um it's we can presume that she's also about to sign on to it before uh amending we didn't hear about like any co-sponsoring, but we oh we had about amending I'm sure Councillor Hart can speak for herself in terms of any willingness to sign on.

I think you can read however you like into the into the amendment, Councillor Hart.

Uh thank you.

I would like to sign on, yes please, and I appreciate that.

All right, let's let's let's hold the sign on because we have an proposed amendment before us.

Uh any further discussion on the amendment.

All right, seeing none, that amendment is approved.

Now on the item before us as amended.

Councillor Hart, you'd like to sign on.

Any other discussion on the amendment uh on the the item as amended.

All right, seeing none, that is approved with a copy to traffic and parking.

Yeah.

Okay.

Very well.

Good job, everybody.

All right.

Next item brings us down to six six A.

That's how it look right, Madam Clark.

It's actually four point six.

Did I miss one?

Four point six.

Oh, there it is.

Hiding in all of my all of my scribbles here.

Very well.

Four point six.

Thank you for keeping me on task.

Item number twenty-six-zero nine three one by councillor Hart and Councillor Link requesting Americans with Disability Act accessible pedestrian crossing infrastructure at the intersection of Route 16 and Woods Avenue.

Counselor Hart.

Um thank you so much.

Um so this is a um a dangerous intersection that a constituent uh raised a concern about.

Um it's right outside of Dilboy Stadium, and there is a Dunkin' Donuts um in a gas station across the street.

And so there's very frequent traffic um when there's events at Delboy pedestrians crossing.

Um and we know that Route 16 is notorious for being dangerous and speeding.

Um we would like to see the uh administration uh work with our state delegation to rectify that.

Okay, Councilor Lake.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

Yeah, um uh and uh with appreciation to uh good counselor forward one for uh word one, word seven.

Uh sorry.

Um for uh uh including me on this um and I just yeah I it's Route 16 is one of those ones where it's uh there's a lot of like if you look at where accidents happen there's a lot of red.

Um and uh you know it's clearly a place that we need to pay more attention just as we're paying attention to you know where mystic um causes a lot of pedestrian um accidents and uh we've got Route 16, it's uh it's not meant to be a high speed road, but it is a high speed road, and we need to do as much as we can to slow down and make it safe for pedestrians.

Any further discussion, Councillor Ba.

Thank you to Councillor Link and Councillor Hart.

And uh it's really nice when you come new when you're new on the city council, you know, to take things up that we've taken it, spoken about it for over a decade and then we've moved on.

Luckily, some of us were gonna address it at the state level.

This is the state's rep and state senator's issue.

So we we're happy to kind of like look this up in the in the coming years.

Thank you.

As I've said before, it never hurts to repeat a good a good request.

Any further discussion?

All right, seeing none that item is approved.

You want to copy to traffic and parking?

It's so so uh if you want to continue this discussion as the good counselor uh the good counselor at large noted it this is a uh uh ultimately a state issue, but I mean if if that would be the the venue, I would think to have that discussion if uh if you want to continue it or you can um follow through with the administration to see what the advocate advocation they can do to the state uh you know independently.

It's it's uh I'm I'm happy to defer to how you how you'd uh prefer to um well counselor link and I did not confer about that part before, but I'm happy to continue following up with the administration.

Um but would if he if he would like to have a discussion in committee, that's fine with me.

Uh through you, Ms.

President, I I I'm I'm happy as long as we're keeping the discussion going.

Uh uh it doesn't matter the venue to me.

Uh Councilor Ba where do the discussions on this one stand from a city standpoint if I know you've been involved in some of these.

If I know you've been involved in something, would it be helpful to have uh to have the keep it uh in the we'll we'll we'll wait till we get some folks up at Beacon Hill that can help us address this?

Absolutely sounds like a good plan.

All right, so then that item is approved.

Thank you, Councilor Hart.

All right, next item.

Now I wanted to jump ahead to this one, and now we're we're finally here.

Um not that I have any particular interest in this.

It's just at the bottom of my page, the one I can see.

Go ahead, Madam Clark.

Next item.

Item number 26-0930, report of the committee on finance meeting on May 26, 2026.

Counselor Wheeler.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

Um the finance committee met on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, via remote participation with all members present, and with the help of Clerk Delaney Fisher Cassiol and legislative liaison Yasmin Radasi, who has been a tremendous asset to the finance committee and will be sorely missed, didn't you?

We took up a 16-item agenda.

We approved approximately 182,000 from the opioid recovery and remediation stabilization fund for the health care for the homeless program, which supports unhoused residents struggling with substance use disorders.

Staff describe the program's focus on trust building, care coordination, health insurance access, and direct hospital referrals when needed.

We approved $2,000 for the arts council for desks and chairs for staff work stations and a $4,000 community preservation act transfer needed to fully fund this year's historic preservation awards.

We recommended approval of a 60-month renewal of the city's solid waste disposal contract with waste management.

Staff explained that the long contract time gives us better pricing than shorter renewals would have, and noted that the contract structure allows the city to save money if composting efforts reduce the total trash tonnage.

There was also discussion regarding labor conditions and union status at disposal facilities.

We approved a time-only contract extension for improvements at Junction Park and an amendment to the Assembly Square District Improvement Financing Program to incorporate the new assembly fire station and nearby intersection improvements.

Several bond-related items were considered together.

We recommended approximately $8 million from stabilization funds to pay down existing bond obligations for past street reconstruction work, Union Square Plaza improvements, and school building improvements.

Paying this down will reduce the uh bond interest owed and save the city from paying interest.

We also improved two approved two appropriations totaling approximately 1.1 million dollars for new fire pumper vehicles.

Fire department staff explained that aging vehicles and pandemic era supply chain disruptions have created long replacement timelines, with one truck finally arriving this week and another expected in late uh later in this year.

The committee also approved approximately $15,000 in state fire safety grants for school outreach senior safety programs and smoke detector installation.

And finally, we approved an approximately six thousand seven six thousand seven hundred dollar prior year invoice payment for police department fingerprinting software.

The invoice had apparently been sent to an account of somebody who no longer worked for the police department, and it was not found, but it was verified as authentic.

Chair, I ask that this committee report be accepted as submitted.

Any discussion on the committee report?

Counselor Scott.

Thank you.

Uh Ms.

President, on the committee report, when we were discussing the uh tipping contract for uh waste innovation, I uh we did inquire about the union status of the site.

I had requested some all-up information.

The following information that we got uh, I believe from Liaison Radasi, uh, which uh was very helpful was that uh wind waste Saugus is not a union shop.

Uh however, the Commissioner Weisman also reached out to the other two dumping sites within 20 miles of DPW, which is the Melrose Transfer Station and the Pebody Lime Fill.

And according to staff, neither of those sites are union shops either.

Um so apparently we don't have the choice to shop union on this one, Mr.

President, but uh I appreciate the information from staff.

Thank you, Councillor Scott.

Any further discussion?

All right, seeing no further discussion, then that item is approved, and we have a whole bunch of roll calls.

So get you vote and voices ready.

Madam Clerk, you ready?

We see this one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight roll call votes.

Yes, we do.

Okay, for item number 26, Statute 0745, requesting approval of an amendment to the Assembly Square District Improvement Financing District Map and Program to include the Assembly Square Fire Station 45 Middlesex Avenue and improvements to the intersection of Middlesex Avenue and Mystic Avenue.

And for the roll call, Councilor Uwen Campen.

Yes.

Counselor Link?

Yes.

Counselor Scott?

Yes.

Counselor Klingon?

Yes.

Counselor Streso.

Counselor Saheed?

Yes.

Counselor Wheeler?

Yes.

Counselor Hart?

Yes.

Councillor McLaughlin?

Yes.

Counselor Umba?

Yes.

And Counselor Davis.

Yes.

Okay.

The next roll call item is item number 26-0763 requesting approval to enter into a 60-month contract renewal term with waste management of Massachusetts Inc.

for solid waste disposal.

Yes, we have to do that.

Oh no, I'm sorry.

No, I'm sorry.

You are correct.

I am just one check.

Make sure that's the same thing.

As I said eight, I don't want to have lied to everybody.

Actually have to take it.

You are correct.

That one was approved with the approval of the of the committee report.

Correct.

Okay, very good.

So let's go to the next role.

Next item, yes, would be item number 26-0803.

Point of order, Mr.

President.

Mr.

President, I would like to request um that Madam Clerk reads the item number.

It's just easier to the like the agenda item number?

Yeah, I mean for you read the the item the like six A9.

Absolutely.

Very well.

So the next uh item on the agenda would be 6.8.9 item number 26-0803 requesting approval to appropriate 182,469 dollars from the OPUHED recovery and remediation stabilization fund for the health care for the homeless program.

All right.

And the roll call for that one.

Counselor Ewen Campen?

Yes.

Counselor Link?

Yes.

Counselor Scott?

Yes.

Counselor Klingon?

Yes.

Counselor Streso?

Yes.

Counselor Said?

Yes.

Counselor Wheeler?

Yes.

Counselor Hart?

Yes.

Councilor McGlaglin?

Yes.

Counselor Umba?

Yes.

And Counselor Davis.

Yes.

Okay.

I forgot to turn my guys.

So that item is approved then, yes.

So the next one.

Mr.

President, I was told by our wonderful CAO that we could bundle the roll call and do it all together.

That's a good idea.

Why didn't that any objection to taking all of the roll calls together?

Here I was excited to do all these different roll calls.

We should be more efficient with the people's time.

Any objection to taking the remaining roll calls that one, two, three, four, five, six, all at together at once.

If they if you want to discuss any of them in particular, the answer would be no.

If you don't have any discussion, then we can do that.

All right.

So then let's take them all together, Madam Current.

Good idea.

That's all Kim.

Counselor Ewen Campen.

Yes.

Counselor Link?

Yes.

Counselor Scott?

Yes.

Counselor Klingon?

Yes.

Counselor Strazzow?

Yes.

Counselor Sae?

Yes.

Counselor Wheeler?

Yes.

Counselor Hart?

Yes.

Counselor McLaughlin?

Yes.

Counselor Umba?

Yes.

And Counselor Davis?

Yes.

That's unanimous vote.

All right.

All of those are approved then.

Thank you very much.

All right.

Next item, Madam Kirk.

Yes.

We are now.

6B, correct?

Um 6.1, item number 26-0929.

Report of the committee on land use meeting on May 21st, 2026.

Council Ewan Campan.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

The land use had a discussion meeting.

This was all focused on a series of four amendments proposed by our former colleague Bill White.

Basically all related to backyard cottages.

For folks following this, I'm not going to go into a ton of detail, but basically there are four proposed amendments.

One of them is to make the allowable size of backyard cottages smaller to match the statewide regulations.

One of them is to make the backyard cottages legally an accessory to one of the other units.

So those are the first two.

There's another one that is to require public hearing, zoning board approval for a lot split.

Do you have a lot that's more than twice as big as a legal lot?

Splitting it currently is you own two legal lots, right?

So you can split it.

And the fourth is if there is a lot split that creates more than five units to apply our 20% inclusion area to it.

Um we had uh I think a really helpful kind of question asking discussion around this.

Um I don't want to paint the you know all of that discussion with too broad a brush, but I would say kind of big takeaways.

I think there is interest from both the administration and the council on looking at the dimensions of backyard cottages, with the intention being let's discuss in in detail what is being built now.

Does that actually align with what we intend?

Um on the other ones, I will say there were a number of kind of legal and kind of practical uh questions that folks had that I think we'll we'll need to address at a future meeting.

So, you know, for folks interested in that conversation, it was a very you know uh interesting um deliberation.

I'd encourage you to watch that meeting.

And you're also welcome to just stay tuned because we will we we're anticipating a submission from the mayor's office relevant to backyard cottages, and obviously counselors are also um encouraged to put in their own amendments if they wish.

I ask that this be accepted.

Councilor Scott.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

On the report, uh I just want to highlight the uh lot split and lot merger uh piece of this discussion.

It's something that I put on uh put items in on for several years now.

Uh and the the piece where a plain reader of the language could be forgiven for being taken by surprise is that uh a neighborhood meeting is already required in the zoning ordinance for a lot split or for a lot merger.

They require site plan approval.

Um however, uh it has been the determination of our permit granting authority, the uh planning board to uh simply just uh have that be administratively uh handed off to the planning planning department to handle it, which means that the end result is that people who thought they knew what could be built near them get surprised by a project that is not what they had expected, not what was legally allowed when they did the research on it.

So uh I am very grateful to my former colleague for bringing a another solution because uh my attempts to get an administrative solution over the last years have fallen short.

So I am uh eager to uh see this perhaps codified more firmly and to make sure that our neighbors are informed about just what can happen on the lots next to them.

Thank you.

Other discussion, Councilor Wheeler.

Thank you, President.

Just wanted to say uh uh on that topic, uh I think there's a lot of discussion, of course, around housing policy with uh different kinds of procedures that sometimes slow things down or or provide obstacles.

Uh I think sitting down and talking to people who live in the community is a reasonable thing to expect and it's a reasonable thing to ask.

Uh I think it can be part of a healthy process.

That doesn't mean that it's uh veto point that makes things take forever.

Uh and I've heard from numerous people in you know around the city about incidents, uh, you know, cases where those conversations have been productive and have led to to productive outcomes for all involved.

Thanks.

Further discussion.

All right, seeing none, then that uh item is approved.

Thank you, Councillor Ewan Campen.

Next item, Madam Clerk.

Yes.

We are now at 6D school building facilities and maintenance committee.

Item number two twenty-six-0928 report of the committee of school building facilities and maintenance meeting on May 21st, 2026.

Councillor Link.

It's it's been a bit since we got to hear from you on this one.

I almost forgot.

Go right ahead.

Um Thank you, Mr.

President.

Um, so uh the school building and facilities maintenance committee met.

Um we met for about an hour and a half uh on just a couple days ago, actually, on on the was it a couple days ago?

Uh on the 21st.

I think this was almost a week ago.

Um okay.

Anyway, so we had a lively discussion um about snow.

Um and hopefully it's the last one for a little while.

Um we talked for more than you could think um about playgrounds and snow.

Um, and ultimately uh what we came to uh as as a group was that there's actually not a whole lot of um room to change the way that we're doing what we're doing.

What we did learn in that process though was that um there is a certain amount of of the playgrounds that they're that are built to be shoveled.

Um so we're hoping that maybe if there's some sort of plan that um DPW and the the districts can work out together to kind of align on what's going to be um treated and taken care of and what's not.

Um it might result in some some better outcomes, and maybe we had a uh um counselor at site had a really great suggestion of um you know trying to figure out how to actually um make the situation fun, right?

Uh another thing that we discussed was air quality um in the Kennedy school.

Uh there was no process in place for kind of um handling air quality uh concerns uh specifically around mold um or potential mold.

Uh so there is now process in place uh that happens uh first on the school side and then on uh DP, it gets uh can get escalated to DT DPW.

Uh in this case, uh they did an examination of the county school and they found no mold present.

They did find some staining um from past uh leaky pipes, but uh nothing to be concerned about in terms of air quality.

Uh we also uh just spoke very briefly um about the um MSBA updates for the Brown School, um not the Brown School for the uh Winter Hill School and learned that uh they're about to begin boring uh on the the site.

Uh it should start, I believe, on Monday.

Uh so that is gonna give them an idea of what is under the ground there.

Um they're assuming that there's gonna be some prize, some surprises, uh, as well as whether or not they can do geothermal.

Uh and I will note that this boring, um, unlike our friends over at Mass DOT will happen during the daytime hours in consideration of our our neighbors, uh, so that they're not up in the middle of the night.

Uh and finally, um we talked about the Argenziano school uh and the updates that are gonna be made there uh so that uh we can welcome the AIM students and make sure that uh all the kids are safe.

Some of these updates uh are you know the um I would say the updates are brought on specifically because of bring the aim program in, but they're actually uh improvements for the safety of the kids um all around.

Uh specifically, you know, there's a bunch of changes that are gonna be made um to make sure that the um the playground is more enclosed, which uh I am an Argenziano parent, and I have the one of the first things that I discovered was that it's the most porous playground that you could ever imagine uh and your your kids will take off if you're not careful.

So uh I think it's a good one.

Uh I uh ask that this be accepted.

Thank you.

Uh thank you to Councillor State for that for that uh suggestion to make the snow fun.

I look forward to our first city council versus kids snowball fight next summer, next winter.

Uh any discussion on the report.

All right, seeing then that item is approved.

Next item.

We are now on section 6E of the agenda.

Item number 26-0926 report of the committee on traffic and parking meeting on May 18th, 2026.

Counter site.

Uh thank you, Mr.

President.

The traffic and parking committee met with all three members present.

Um we took up the items related to parking on Oak, Bolton, and Prospect Streets.

Uh we kept these items in committee uh the uh because we needed to hear from ISD and SPED.

Um we had uh Inspector Lorusso from uh ISD who spoke to the efforts made to address the issues in this area.

We had a really good discussion.

Um and basically a request I made the request that ISD meets with the developers.

Um also that ISD, SPD and the parking department meet on a regular basis to discuss traffic enforcement and ways to address them.

And everyone agreed to uh meet in and trying to make you know making sure everyone is on the same page, making sure enforcement is happening.

Uh and uh Lieutenant Ho Holland committed to uh one he committed to um flagging this area for his staff.

So when phone call, when SPD receives a phone call by this area, staff or the member staff members say immediately, and that another one is also um going to the contractors who keep you know uh because it's the same contractors who are you know parking multiple cars in front of driveways in front of fire hydrants, making sure to have like that one-one conversation with them.

Um yeah, so that's that's yeah, that we we felt pretty proud of that achievement.

And we will follow up with all the with everyone and with um especially with the neighbors to make sure these um yeah these um solutions are being implemented and um regarding the accessibility and updates uh Webster Ave and Prospect Street.

Director Rossin shared that these locations are part of a streetscape design, and there's a significant amount of work left.

More information can be found online.

Um the estimated design budget is about 1.2 million dollars.

The city has secured the grant of about 800,000 and is looking for more funding sources to begin construction designs.

Um there are many financial components that are still left to be addressed.

If funds can be obtained, the earlier construction could start on those streets.

Uh is uh in the spring of 2028.

Uh, we also discussed the 2026 safe streets ordinance annual report.

Uh Director Rossin shared that the ordinance was adopted in 2024 to improve public information sharing in safe streets, and the city is required to publish an annual report by March 1st.

And this submission was the second one uh since the ordinance was adopted.

Senior planner Schreiber spoke to the status of road repairs, and some are not prioritize prioritized due to the requirements from the state, and the city made the decision to focus on other projects that could be more reasonably completed without the need for state support.

Director Rossin also spoke to resource uh resource limitations in finance and staffing needs that have prevented mobility from moving at a faster pace.

Um the director discussed in depth all the components and considerations that go into the design planes for safe streets, bike lanes, and paving.

Um Council Wheeler asked how the height of speed humps is decided throughout the city.

Director Rossin pointed back to the slides in his response and the first gener and said the first generation of speed humps are larger than the most recent ones installed.

Over time, there's been improved quality control from the city and the contractors will be creating more consistent sizes in case you were wondering why some are higher than others.

Um we also received an update from Director Uh Rossin regarding piloting the installation of dedicated bicycle yeast signals to operate during the walk cycle at several intersections throughout the city, including Washington Street and some of it, Prospect Street and some of it have.

Director Rossin stated the city follows federal guidelines that currently prohibit the city from signing off on this signal pattern at this time.

City staff from engineering and mobility are looking at other avenues to address mobility at intersections.

And um the last item um asking the director of mobility to evaluate opportunities for improved pedestrian safety at the intersection of Broadway and Main Street.

Um Director Rossin addressed the concerns at this other section um and shared that they're due to the high higher volume of cars and speed.

Uh the director shared that small scale traffic tweaks and upgrades have been implemented to reduce wait times at the signals.

Engineering and mobility were able to upgrade equipment to change the signal pattern and reduce some congestion in the short term.

There's an appetite for longer term intersection redesign.

The director mentioned this location is part of the five-year sidewalk plan, but specifics have not been determined on a timeline for construction.

With that, I asked that this committee report be approved as submitted.

All right, thank you.

Any discussion on the committee report?

Council Scott.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

As always, appreciate the work of the traffic and parking committee on this.

Uh, and just wanted to say while some of these items have been marked or completed, uh, it is my anticipation.

Uh once we get through budget season, uh, to be moving for a public hearing where some of these items can be discussed before the council.

Thank you.

Further discussion.

All right, seeing none of that items approved.

Next item, Madam Clerk.

Yes, we are now on the section of communications of the mayor.

We item number 26-0882 requesting ordainment of an amendment to chapter 7 and section one-11B of the code of ordinances to require property owners providing notice of building sale to tenants.

Item number 26-0922.

Council Wheeler.

Oh, thank you.

Thank you so much, uh, Mr.

President.

And pardon my just pulling up the comment I was going to make.

I move to waive the readings of items 7.2 to 7.20 and refer them to the finance committee.

Seeing no objection, those items will be referred to the committee on finance.

So that takes us to 7.21, I believe.

Yes.

Um item number 26 0870 requesting approval of the 2026-2027 housing and urban development one year action plan for the community development block grant, home investment partnership, and emergency solutions grant programs.

Okay.

Next item.

Next item.

Just wanted to say well done, Mr.

President, on that.

Yeah, go ahead.

Well, just well done on getting that name correct.

Well they wrote it down here for me.

So I wouldn't screw it up this time.

Thank you for giving me credit.

I would love to take the credit, but credit where credit is due to the clerk's office for uh helping me out on that one.

Next item, Adam Clerk, 7.22.

Yes.

Item number 26-0880 conveying the appointment of Stephen Tolman to the wage theft advisory committee.

That item will be placed on file, and I'll note that I do have a list of uh of recommended appointments for uh city council's appointments on that that I'm reviewing and if anyone has input uh on and uh I guess we could probably communicate that.

I'll work on making sure that we can communicate that list to the counselors.

I want folks to have a chance to provide input and um but I anticipate submitting that as soon as we can.

Um so that item is placed on file.

Next item.

Next item is 26-0866 proclaiming May 2026 to be older Americans month.

Is honored Redazi any anything on uh older do we want to is this one just place on file?

Are we holding this for a comment from the administration?

I don't I want I don't want to pass up the opportunity or take away the opportunity if there's a uh intent there.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

Um no need to read it out or anything.

We actually presented it already at an event.

Um shall be so proclaimed.

Uh Councilor Schaeze.

Send this to HCDE.

We can send that proclamation to HCDE if it's uh so that will be placed on file with a copy to housing community development and equity.

Next item is eight dot one.

Yes.

Uh item number 26-0873 condominium review board conveying the fiscal year 2025 annual report pursuant to section seven seventy of the code of ordinance.

That item is placed on file.

Um I'd be Council Strasbook.

Yep.

You send a copy of that to HCDE as well.

Uh for 8.1.

Uh 8.1.

8.1.

So that is place on file with a copy to housing community development and 8.2.

Yes.

Item number 26-0925, fleet manager conveying an annual report pursuant to section 12-122e of the code of ordinances.

Uh yes, near dear to my heart.

Counselor Scott.

Oh, Mr.

President, I'm so excited.

Y'all this is the very first fleet manager report.

Um the position of fleet manager goes back and forth a long time.

But as far as I can find in my search, this is the first time we've gotten a report on the enforcement of the side guard ordinance that I believe uh you, President Davis led the charge on.

Very first ordinance.

Low those many years ago.

I I think we got one at one point.

We at least had a cut we had one conversation on sort of a report-ish type thing.

But I will trust your research, Counselor Scott.

Yeah, Pixar, it didn't happen, sir.

Uh no, I I'm here here to having one now.

Here's to having one now.

I just want to give my congratulations to city staff for pulling this.

I should be more proud.

It seems like just yesterday it was in preschool.

Any further discussion on that one?

Um seeing none, that item is placed on file.

Next item, eight dot three.

Yes.

Item number 26-0924, city clerk conveying block party licenses issued.

Y'all know how much I love block parties and how much I miss the reading off of the block party list.

So I encourage all the members of the public to take a look at this item 26-0924.

Find out if a street, your street or street near you is on it, and if not, ask why.

And contact the clerk's office and find out how you can have a block party in your very own block because it's very easy and very fun.

And it's a great way in the year of the neighbor to meet some neighbors and have a good time.

Here for block parties, that item is placed on file.

Next item, Adam.

We are now under yes, new business.

Um item number 26-0886 renewing drain layers.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

I would like to wave the move to waive the readings of 9.1 to 9.16 and approve them this evening.

I have in my notes that 9.8 might be an outlier.

Is that consistent with your understanding?

Is it can someone want to speak to why that one's out?

Council Scott, you want to so let's let's do this.

Let's weigh the readings of 9.1 through 9.7 and 9.9 through 9.16, unless there's any objection to that.

And those and uh approve those tonight, Councilor Hart.

Yes, please.

And then Madam Clerk, could you read uh item 9.8?

Yes.

Item number 260894, new extended operating hours license, ever fitness at 14 McGrath Highway, opening 247 for in store.

Councilor Scott.

I just I seem to recall those tend to require public hearings.

Does that one not require a public hearing?

Not that I'm aware of, but I will defer to the clerk's office if they have other information.

Yeah.

Yes, please.

Madam Chief Administrative Officer, andor former clerk or however it is your the one with the wisdom on this item is the holder of it.

Whatever role it is you play, please share with us.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

Through you Kimberly Wells, Chief Administrative Officer.

This is an item that actually there is some nuance here.

It is at the discretion of the council whether the public hearing is to be held.

So if anyone is so inclined as to require a public hearing, you are welcome to send it to committee.

If the council feels comfortable approving this item, it is not a legal requirement by either MGL or ordinance to hold a public hearing.

We'll take your word for it.

Great.

And thank you.

Counselor uh Mr.

President, I must have been remembering past practice.

I don't have uh requirements.

Perhaps remembering an item where there was a wish for some reason to have a public hearing, it could be.

Oh, there's been several of those.

This one I don't recognize to as well.

I remember.

Um, very well.

Then seeing no uh no call for a public hearing, um, Councilor Hart.

Um we've we've uh read this one, so you wish to move to approve this item then.

Yes, please.

Okay, very well.

Any discussion?

See no objection, then I that item is approved.

Thank you.

Uh that brings us to 9.17, Madam Clerk.

Yes.

Item number 26-0908.

Eleven individuals, including nine residents submitting comments regarding item number 26-0257, requesting a zoning map amendment to change the zoning district of 2 and 9 Union Square, 286, 290, and 298 Somerville Avenue from commercial core five CC5 to mid-rise six MR6.

That item is placed on foul.

Uh Councilman Campbell, do you want to copy that to committee or sure?

All right, let's send a copy of that to uh land use just so folks can read the comments when we have that conversation.

Uh next item.

Item number 26-0909, 27 residents submitting comments regarding items 26-0330, 26-0329, 26-0328, and 26-0329, zoning text amendments related to backyard cottages and affordable dwelling units.

That item is going to be placed on file.

Copy of that to committee.

Council and campen.

All right, let's send a copy of that to uh to land use, please.

Next item is 919.

Yes.

Item number 26-0910.

Diane Covino submitting comments regarding item 26-0750, a grant of location to install 10 feet of conduit next to 135 Hudson Street.

Councilor Hart.

Um, if you could send that a copy of that to uh licenses and permits, please.

Okay.

Any further discussion?

Uh seeing none, so we'll place that on file with a copy to licenses and permits.

Next item, 9.2.

Item number 26-0911.

Jonah Abrams submitting comments regarding Davis Square.

Uh that item is placed on file.

Next item.

Item number 26-0912.

Courtney Foster and Molly Frost Will Wiley submitting comments regarding police presence in schools.

That item is placed on file.

Next item.

Next item is 26-0913.

Blair reads submitting comments regarding item number 26-0287, a zoning text amendment to amend section 3.18, 31 3.1.9c, 3.1.10 C, 3.1.13 K, 3.1.131, 3.2.121, and 3.2.12 M.

I wonder if those ones are supposed to be L's in the 131.

Oh, are they?

121.

They don't look like I can tell you on the page it looks exactly.

It does look like a one.

But just for just for the record, so no one gets goes chasing after 3.1.131.

I think it's 3.1.13L.

And 3.2.12L.

Very confusing.

But it it struck me that there's probably wasn't 131 subsections at Celtic that I thought about.

So anyways, now that we've got that clear.

Um subsections, yet.

That's right.

Give Councillor Scott a few minutes.

All right.

Place that item and file.

Counselor UNCAP, you want to copy that one?

Okay.

Let's uh send a copy of that one to land use as well.

Okay.

Um next item, 9.23.

Yes.

Item number 26 0914.

Christopher Rosal submitting comments regarding off-leash dogs.

See no discussion that item is discussion on you please send that to public health, public safety.

Councilor Strazo would like to send a copy.

So Python file with a copy to public health and public safety.

All right.

Uh next item.

We are now in a supplemental items.

Item number 26-0937 by Councillor Wheeler in his capacity as chair of the finance committee conveying information on the fiscal year 2027 public hearing on the proposed fiscal year 2027 budget on Wednesday, June 10th.

All right.

A note on just sort of clarification for those following along in my rigid uh uh application of the open meeting laws.

Um this because of some reasons we got the date sorted out uh after the actual deadline for the regular agenda.

Um given that the whole point of this is to give notice to the public.

I felt it was it was necessary and and timely.

Uh so meets the exceptions to uh to move forward with this one because better to have have folks know about this, because that's the whole point of the public hearing.

Um so this one is uh this one's okay.

Um council you do want to speak to this item at all?

Uh yes, please, Mr.

President.

Uh briefly, uh thank you for clarifying.

I apologize for the supplemental nature of the item.

There was some scheduling confusion, which was my fault.

There will be a public budget hearing on Wednesday, June 10th at 6 p.m.

online.

Everyone in the public, everyone who calls Somerville home of any age or any background is invited to give us your questions and your comments about what is in the budget, what is not in the budget, how departments are spending the public's money.

Questions can be submitted in two ways.

One by emailing public comments, that is plural at Somerville Ma.gov, or by attending this public budget hearing on June 10th virtually and making comments there, or both.

The link to this Zoom meeting can be found on the Somerville budget website and on the Legistar website that has links to every city council online meeting.

Thank you.

We welcome your comments and your questions.

All right, very well.

Any further discussions?

Seeing none, that I that item is placed on file.

Next item.

Next item is 26-0938.

Menender Singh submitting comment regarding water and sewer rates.

All right, that item is placed as so public comments.

We move them forward when we receive them.

Um so that item will be placed on file.

Next item, Madam Clerk.

No further items?

No further items.

All right, there are any late items, okay.

Sorry.

Uh are there late items late out?

Councilor Scott.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

Uh I did submit a late item today.

Um my apologies.

I do not believe it could have been reasonably anticipated as it pertains to some police activity this morning in Union Square.

I did provide this text to the clerk, uh, but I'd be happy to read the text of the order.

Uh the order, the title of the order is that the chief of police provide documentation in writing regarding the circumstances surrounding cyclist traffic enforcement in Union Square on the morning of May 28th.

Uh the text of the order says an SPD officer was observed by residents issuing warnings or citations to cyclists at the intersection of Washington Webster on the morning of May 28, 2026, causing a degree of public concern.

This council requests the following information in writing so that a discussion of the incident can be had to inform the public as to department policy and procedure.

First, how the officer was dispatched to that intersection on the morning of May 28th, and at whose direction.

Four, if it was part of a regular patrol shift with the patrol area for that officer would have otherwise been on the morning of May 28.

Fifth, how many warnings and or citations were issued on the morning of May 28 by that officer?

Six, how many stops and public interactions the officer conducted during that enforcement activity assignment?

And seventh, whether any part of this activity was related to the Massachusetts EOPSS Municipal Road Safety Program or any associated grant, such as Council Item 25-1801.

Councilor Scott, are you is there any so I you got me on the last one?

The very last point.

So I don't hear any anything particular time sensitivity.

So I'm inclined to lay this one on the table.

Um but is there is there is that grant, is there any specific timing on the on the grant that I should be we should be aware of that would impact the timing?

Uh no, sir.

That was a grant that was accepted uh, I believe under the assurances of the police department that there would be no enforcement.

So uh I don't believe it is time sensitive.

I'm happy to either send it to committee or if you'd like to leave it on the table.

Let's say this.

Let's lay this one on the table.

I think your your the thorough nature of the item is a uh one might say a clever way of uh of addressing uh the the issue of laid item, but but it does get all the information out to the public, which is what we're what we're trying to accomplish here.

So let's lay this item on the table and we'll have a full deliberation uh uh at the next meeting.

Does that sound okay?

Appreciate that, Mr.

President.

Very well.

Uh Mr.

President, if I may one more late item.

Go ahead.

Uh also given the time sensitivity of it, uh, since I believe we received notification of this today.

I would like to uh propose that this council recognize and thank uh legislative legislative liaison Yasmin Radassi for her service uh to the city uh as uh at the risk of speaking from the uh from the president's podium up here, here here, couldn't agree more, and and she will be tremendously missed and very, very, very grateful for all the work, especially when she was doing the work of literally three people at one time.

That is correct, sir.

I uh I hope that my weekly meetings with the liaison have not been part of the reason for her departure.

Well, Councilor Scott, we all know they probably were.

They probably were.

Uh let's just say that uh over my time on the council, we've had uh a great number of legislative liaisons, some of whom were very nice people, and at least one of whom was a real stinker.

But uh I really love, and no, I'm not naming names, Mr.

President.

I just want to uh express my great appreciation all of us uh I know on the council have appreciated uh liaison redesigns work.

So thank you.

You're here, here here indeed.

Um Councilor Ba, I know you have a late item.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

Just to you know, echo Chairman's cost sentiment, you know.

You pull the fast one on me hat to uh late items one was to congratulate, you know uh liaison yasmi.

You've been an A player of, you know, in this city, and we thank you for your work and uh you know the great service you've done to this community.

And uh am I in order for my next late item?

You gotta tell me what the late item is.

Thank you.

In my capacity as a vice president of the city council, I want to congratulate uh Matt McLaughlin for his graduation today from Harvard University.

There you go.

I'm not done yet, and in my capacity as vice president, I want to confer five seconds of my VP hat on him, and then I'll take it back.

Somebody take a picture quick.

Council McLaughlin.

We'd like to.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

This could be unforeseen because I didn't tell anybody that I was graduating and Council McLaughlin.

My ruling on this one is that it's probably not all that uh uh controversial at issue.

So I think we're safe going forward.

I just encourage everyone here to look into the Kennedy School.

Councilabart graduated there.

I graduated there.

We get it in the mailbox every year to apply.

And I never thought it was for me, and it's been a great experience.

So I would encourage all of you to check it out.

Very well.

Congratulations.

Anyone else have a late item?

All right, seeing none.

Um good work, everyone.

Thank you.

Um Council and Campin moves to adjourn, and we are adjourned.