Somerville City Council Regular Meeting – May 28, 2026

The Somerville City Council met on Thursday, May 28, 2026, at 7:08 PM in the City Council Chamber and remotely, with all eleven councilors present. The meeting was called to order by Ward Six Councilor Lance L. Davis, presiding. The Council approved a revised Welcoming Communities Ordinance, passed a resolution supporting unionization for Somerville Workers United, and addressed multiple fiscal and operational items from committee reports. A late-item resolution regarding cyclist enforcement in Union Square was tabled without discussion.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes of April 23, 2026 and Special Meeting of May 11, 2026 – Approved.
• Citation (ID # 26-0923) – Commending crossing guards Jerry Cajuste and Medno Dawson; presented at a ceremony on May 27. Councilor Wheeler noted open crossing guard positions.
• License renewals (items 9.1–9.7, 9.9–9.16) – Approved en bloc on motion of Councilor Hardt.
• New Extended Operating Hours License (Ever Fitness, 14 McGrath Highway) – Approved individually; no public hearing required per the Chief Administrative Officer.
• Block Party Licenses (ID # 26-0924) – Placed on file.
• Fleet Manager Annual Report (ID # 26-0925) – First such report; placed on file.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Somerville Workers United – Three city employees spoke in support of voluntary recognition for their union:
  • Luis Quizhpe (former Strategic Planning & Equity Manager, laid off just shy of four years) emphasized the need for collective bargaining to protect equity-centered work and prevent unceremonious layoffs.
  • Benjamin Wyner (Inclusionary Housing Program Manager) described chronic understaffing, working over 50 hours per week, and inability to take lunch breaks, arguing a union would ensure sustainable workloads.
  • Kate Bossingham (Office of Sustainability & Environment) contrasted the Mayor’s public pro-union stance with delayed responses to recognition requests and layoffs affecting the bargaining unit.
• Public comments filed on record – Topics included zoning map changes (11 individuals), backyard cottages (27 residents), a conduit installation, Davis Square, police presence in schools, off-leash dogs, and water/sewer rates.

Discussion Items

• Welcoming Communities Ordinance (ID # 26-0919) – Councilor Ewen‑Campen introduced a clean revised version, clarifying that the City will not cooperate with federal overreach beyond immigration. The ordinance was passed unanimously after three roll calls (approval, enrollment, ordainment).
• Resolution on Voluntary Recognition for Somerville Workers United (ID # 26-0921) – After testimony, the resolution passed unanimously with all councilors as co-sponsors.
• Order on School Traffic Safety (ID # 26-0917) – Councilor Mbah requested review of traffic flows and enforcement around schools. Councilor Hardt’s amendment to add “and construction impacts” was approved; the order was sent to the Traffic and Parking Committee.
• Resolution on FY27 Budget Cuts (ID # 26-0916) – Councilor Mbah asked the administration to share all positions cut and explain alignment with equity goals. Approved.
• Resolution on Organizational Restructuring (ID # 26-0918) – Councilor Mbah requested an administration presentation on restructuring. Approved.
• Resolution on ADA Crossing at Route 16 & Woods Ave (ID # 26-0931) – Councilor Hardt noted dangerous conditions; Councilor Mbah noted it is a state issue. Approved.
• Committee Reports – Finance (6.A), Land Use (6.B), Legislative Matters (6.C), School Building (6.D), and Traffic & Parking (6.E) were all approved after summaries by respective chairs.

Key Outcomes

• Welcoming Communities Ordinance – Ordained by 11–0 after three roll calls.
• Resolution supporting Somerville Workers United – Approved 11–0.
• Finance Committee items – All recommendations approved, including:
  • $182,469 from Opioid Recovery Stabilization Fund for Healthcare for the Homeless.
  • Approximately $8 million in bond paydowns (street reconstruction, Union Square plaza, building improvements) from stabilization funds.
  • $1,078,434 for two new fire pumpers.
  • 60‑month waste disposal contract renewal with Waste Management.
  • Multiple other transfers and grant acceptances (see agenda for full list).
• Legislative Matters Committee – Approved minor amendments to the Welcoming Communities Ordinance (removal of “without limitation” and addition of “religious expression”).
• School Building Committee – Report approved; resolution on snow removal (ID # 26-0492) laid on table; resolution on Kennedy School air quality (ID # 26-0709) marked work completed.
• Traffic & Parking Committee – Report approved; several resolutions marked work completed (bike yield signals, Webster/Prospect improvements, Safe Streets report, Broadway/Main pedestrian safety).
• Mayor’s Communications – 19 items (7.2–7.20) waived and referred to Finance Committee; notice of building sale ordinance (7.1) referred to Legislative Matters; HUD One Year Action Plan (7.21) referred to Housing, Community Development & Equity; appointment of Steven Tolman (7.22) placed on file; Older Americans Month proclamation (7.23) placed on file and sent to HCDE.
• Officer’s Communications – Condominium Review Board annual report (8.1) placed on file and sent to HCDE.
• Late Items:
  • Resolution on cyclist enforcement in Union Square (ID # 26-0944) – Laid on the table without discussion.
  • Resolution thanking Legislative Liaison Yasmine Raddassi (ID # 26-0945) – Approved.
  • Resolution congratulating Councilor McLaughlin on Harvard University graduation (ID # 26-0946) – Approved.
• FY2027 Budget Hearing – Scheduled for Wednesday, June 10, 2026 at 6:00 PM online; public invited to submit comments.

Adjournment

The meeting adjourned at 8:57 PM.