MassVoter.com← Somerville City CouncilSomerville City Council · 2022–2023 Council · Regular meeting
January 26, 2023
62 recorded votes, 52 with disagreement.
Sources: Official minutes (PDF) · Meeting video · City meeting page
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Note on these minutes: Called to order by Ward Three City Councilor Ben Ewen-Campen. These minutes have no attendance list; attendance is from the council’s official “Call of the Roll” record on the city’s Legistar site.
Present: Willie Burnley, Charlotte Kelly, Kristen Strezo, Jake Wilson, Matthew McLaughlin, J.T. Scott, Ben Ewen-Campen, Jesse Clingan, Beatriz Gomez Mouakad, Lance Davis, Judy Pineda Neufeld
Absent: None
Every vote, in order
Minutes #23-0124
Approve the minutes of the December 8, 2022 regular meeting
Approval of the Minutes of the Regular Meeting, December 8, 2022.
The minutes give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.
Grant of Location #23-0114
Eversource applying for a Grant of Location to install 33 feet of conduit in Morrison Avenue, from Utility Pole 238/24A to a point of pickup at 195 Morrison Avenue
The minutes give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.
Order #23-0127
That this City Council invites Somerville resident David Gibbs to speak about the youth mental health crisis in the city
The minutes give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.
Order #23-0128
That the Director of Engineering build an ADA-compliant sidewalk bump-out around the large tree on Walnut Street, just south of Summit Avenue
The minutes give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.
Order #23-0129
That the Director of Engineering expand the traffic island at Spring and Atherton Streets to remove the slip lane, and connect the green space to the west side of Spring Street
The minutes give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.
Order #23-0131
That the Director of Inspectional Services and the Environmental Health Coordinator update this Council on the SMART box program and other rodent control measures
The minutes give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.
From the minutes
“RESULT: APPROVED AND SENT FOR DISCUSSION.”
Resolution #23-0130
That the Participatory Budgeting Working Group update this Council on the status of the participatory budgeting process
The minutes give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.
Order #23-0136
That the Commissioner of Public Works fill the pothole on Ten Hills Road, near Governor Winthrop Road
The minutes give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.
Order #23-0137
That the Director of Communications provide this Council with an accounting of how the cable franchise fees have been expended over the past five years
The minutes give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.
From the minutes
“RESULT: APPROVED AND SENT FOR DISCUSSION.”
Resolution #23-0138
That the Administration provide an update on contract negotiations with local cable providers at the February 13, 2023 meeting of this Council’s Committee on Public Utilities and Public Works
The minutes give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.
From the minutes
“RESULT: APPROVED AND SENT FOR DISCUSSION.”
Resolution #23-0139
Recognizing January 27, 2023 as International Holocaust Remembrance Day
The minutes give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.
Order #23-0140
That the Chief of Police report to this Council, in writing, the number of drink-spiking incidents reported in the past two years
The minutes give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.
From the minutes
“RESULT: APPROVED AND SENT FOR DISCUSSION.”
Order #23-0141
That the Director of Parks and Recreation, the Director of Health and Human Services, and the Director of Libraries work with the School Department to discuss creating a Somerville restaurant...
That the Director of Parks and Recreation, the Director of Health and Human Services, and the Director of Libraries work with the School Department to discuss creating a Somerville restaurant surplus supply program, in collaboration with the Teen Center.
The minutes give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.
From the minutes
“RESULT: APPROVED AND SENT FOR DISCUSSION.”
Order #23-0142
That the Commissioner of Public Works immediately remove the wires hanging from the pole and tied to the porch railing at 9 Pearl Street Place, and report to this Council who owns the pole
The minutes give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.
From the minutes
“RESULT: APPROVED AND SENT FOR DISCUSSION.”
Order #23-0143
That the Commissioner of Public Works immediately remove the wires wrapped around a telephone pole and in the street in front of 19 Church Street, and report to this Council who owns the pole
The minutes give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.
From the minutes
“RESULT: APPROVED AND SENT FOR DISCUSSION.”
Order #23-0144
That the Director of Infrastructure and Asset Management provide an update on issues with the High School Field House track flooring material and bleachers
The minutes give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.
From the minutes
“RESULT: APPROVED AND SENT FOR DISCUSSION.”
Order #23-0145
That the Director of Public Space and Urban Forestry and the Director of Infrastructure and Asset Management explain the selections of surface materials for school parks and playgrounds
The minutes give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.
From the minutes
“RESULT: APPROVED AND SENT FOR DISCUSSION.”
Order #23-0146
That the Director of Infrastructure and Asset Management provide an update on the status of the Cummings School, and the potential for future occupancies and uses
The minutes give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.
From the minutes
“RESULT: APPROVED AND SENT FOR DISCUSSION.”
Order #23-0147
That the Director of Economic Development provide an update on Use and Occupancy agreements for all Armory tenants, and explain how extensions are being coordinated with the Master Plan process
The minutes give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.
Order #23-0148
That the Director of Infrastructure and Asset Management provide updates on any capital projects or improvements planned for the Armory building as part of the Master Plan process
The minutes give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.
Order #23-0149
That the Commissioner of Public Works provide an update on current and future maintenance plans for the Armory building
The minutes give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.
From the minutes
“RESULT: APPROVED AND SENT FOR DISCUSSION.”
Committee Report #23-0135
Accept the report of the Special Committee on Charter Review, meeting as a Committee of the Whole on January 25, 2023
Report of the Special Committee on Charter Review, meeting as a Committee of the Whole on January 25, 2023.
The minutes give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.
Resolution #23-0168 (report of the Charter Review Special Committee)
Supporting the recommended language by the Charter Review Committee to maintain the Mayor-Council system of governance
The minutes give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.
Resolution #23-0169 (report of the Charter Review Special Committee)
Supporting the recommended language by the Charter Review Committee to retain the current City Council structure
The minutes give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.
Resolution #23-0170 (report of the Charter Review Special Committee)
Supporting the recommended language by the Charter Review Committee to retain a two-year City Council term
The minutes give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.
Resolution #23-0171 (report of the Charter Review Special Committee)
That the proposed Charter be revised to change the language to a two-year mayoral term, and to revise the proposed vacancy process to align with that change
The minutes give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.
Committee Report #23-0134
Accept the report of the Committee on Finance, meeting on January 24, 2023
Report of the Committee on Finance, meeting on January 24, 2023.
The minutes give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.
Mayor's Request #22-2060 (report of the Finance Committee)
Requesting approval to pay prior year invoices totaling $358 using available funds in the Human Resources Professional & Technical Services Account for pre-employment placement exams and drug screens
The minutes give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.
Mayor's Request #22-2061 (report of the Finance Committee)
Requesting approval to pay a prior year invoice totaling $3,012.03 using available funds in the Human Resources Professional & Technical Services Account for May 2021 Employee Assistance Program
The minutes give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.
Mayor's Request #22-2062 (report of the Finance Committee)
Requesting approval to pay a prior year invoice totaling $4,950 using available funds in the Human Resources Arbitration Services Account for FY 2022 arbitration services
The minutes give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.
Mayor's Request #22-2083 (report of the Finance Committee)
Requesting approval to appropriate $75,000 from the Bike Share Stabilization Fund for a Blue Bike Station at Boynton Yards at 101 South Street
From the minutes
“RESULT: APPROVED AYE: City Councilor At Large Burnley Jr., City Councilor At Large Kelly, City Councilor At Large Strezo, City Councilor At Large Wilson, Ward One City Councilor McLaughlin, Ward Two City Councilor Scott, Ward Three City Councilor Ewen-Campen, Ward Four City Councilor Clingan, Ward Six City Councilor Davis, Ward Seven City Councilor Pineda Neufeld, and Gomez Mouakad.”
Mayor's Request #23-0016 (report of the Finance Committee)
Requesting approval to appropriate $100,000 from the Encore Artist and Cultural Support Stabilization Fund to support Local Cultural Council grants to artists, organizations, and schools
From the minutes
“RESULT: APPROVED AYE: City Councilor At Large Burnley Jr., City Councilor At Large Kelly, City Councilor At Large Strezo, City Councilor At Large Wilson, Ward One City Councilor McLaughlin, Ward Two City Councilor Scott, Ward Three City Councilor Ewen-Campen, Ward Four City Councilor Clingan, Ward Six City Councilor Davis, Ward Seven City Councilor Pineda Neufeld, and Gomez Mouakad.”
Mayor's Request #23-0017 (report of the Finance Committee)
Requesting approval to pay prior year invoices totaling $3,332 using available funds in the Office of Sustainability and Environment Ordinary Maintenance Professional and Technical Services...
Requesting approval to pay prior year invoices totaling $3,332 using available funds in the Office of Sustainability and Environment Ordinary Maintenance Professional and Technical Services Account for preventative maintenance of solar arrays.
The minutes give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.
Mayor's Request #23-0035 (report of the Finance Committee)
Requesting approval to extend a contract with the Community Action Agency of Somerville for an additional four months to 2/29/2023 for housing search and stabilization services
The minutes give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.
Mayor's Request #23-0037 (report of the Finance Committee)
Requesting approval of a transfer of $5,000 from the Office of Sustainability and Environment Ordinary Maintenance Account to the Office of Sustainability and Environment Personal Services Account...
Requesting approval of a transfer of $5,000 from the Office of Sustainability and Environment Ordinary Maintenance Account to the Office of Sustainability and Environment Personal Services Account to reallocate approved funding for interns to the appropriate budget line.
The minutes give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.
Mayor's Request #23-0043 (report of the Finance Committee)
Requesting approval to accept and expend a $1,050 gift with no new match required, from Tufts University Technology Support Center to the Council on Aging to reduce the cost of a luncheon for...
Requesting approval to accept and expend a $1,050 gift with no new match required, from Tufts University Technology Support Center to the Council on Aging to reduce the cost of a luncheon for older adults.
The minutes give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.
Mayor's Request #23-0044 (report of the Finance Committee)
Requesting approval to pay prior year invoices totaling $796.67 using available funds in the City Clerk Office Supplies Account for various supplies
The minutes give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.
Mayor's Request #23-0046 (report of the Finance Committee)
Requesting approval to pay prior year invoices totaling $95,474.26 using available funds in various Department of Public Works Ordinary Maintenance Accounts for various services
The minutes give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.
Mayor's Request #23-0049 (report of the Finance Committee)
Requesting authorization to borrow $4,545,827 in a bond, and to appropriate the same amount for streets and sidewalk reconstruction
From the minutes
“RESULT: APPROVED AYE: City Councilor At Large Burnley Jr., City Councilor At Large Kelly, City Councilor At Large Strezo, City Councilor At Large Wilson, Ward One City Councilor McLaughlin, Ward Two City Councilor Scott, Ward Three City Councilor Ewen-Campen, Ward Four City Councilor Clingan, Ward Six City Councilor Davis, Ward Seven City Councilor Pineda Neufeld, and Gomez Mouakad.”
Committee Report #23-0132
Accept the report of the Committee on Legislative Matters, meeting on January 17, 2023
Report of the Committee on Legislative Matters, meeting on January 17, 2023.
The minutes give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.
Order #22-1452 (report of the Legislative Matters Committee)
That the City hereby rescinds its adoption of the provisions of Chapter 90, Section 20A½ of the Massachusetts General Laws
From the minutes
“RESULT: APPROVED AYE: City Councilor At Large Burnley Jr., City Councilor At Large Kelly, City Councilor At Large Strezo, City Councilor At Large Wilson, Ward One City Councilor McLaughlin, Ward Two City Councilor Scott, Ward Three City Councilor Ewen-Campen, Ward Four City Councilor Clingan, Ward Six City Councilor Davis, Ward Seven City Councilor Pineda Neufeld, and Gomez Mouakad.”
Order #22-1453 (report of the Legislative Matters Committee)
That the City hereby adopts the provisions of Chapter 90, Section 20A of the Massachusetts General Laws
From the minutes
“RESULT: APPROVED AYE: City Councilor At Large Burnley Jr., City Councilor At Large Kelly, City Councilor At Large Strezo, City Councilor At Large Wilson, Ward One City Councilor McLaughlin, Ward Two City Councilor Scott, Ward Three City Councilor Ewen-Campen, Ward Four City Councilor Clingan, Ward Six City Councilor Davis, Ward Seven City Councilor Pineda Neufeld, and Gomez Mouakad.”
Mayor's Request #22-2050 (report of the Legislative Matters Committee)
Requesting ordainment of an amendment to Chapter 7, Article X of the Code of Ordinances, to add a registry component to the short-term rentals ordinance
From the minutes
“RESULT: ORDINANCE ORDAINED AYE: City Councilor At Large Burnley Jr., City Councilor At Large Kelly, City Councilor At Large Strezo, City Councilor At Large Wilson, Ward One City Councilor McLaughlin, Ward Two City Councilor Scott, Ward Three City Councilor Ewen-Campen, Ward Four City Councilor Clingan, Ward Six City Councilor Davis, Ward Seven City Councilor Pineda Neufeld, and Gomez Mouakad.”
Mayor's Request #23-0101 (report of the Legislative Matters Committee)
Requesting approval of a Home Rule Petition to require the adoption of Institutional Master Plans
From the minutes
“RESULT: APPROVED AYE: City Councilor At Large Burnley Jr., City Councilor At Large Kelly, City Councilor At Large Strezo, City Councilor At Large Wilson, Ward One City Councilor McLaughlin, Ward Two City Councilor Scott, Ward Three City Councilor Ewen-Campen, Ward Four City Councilor Clingan, Ward Six City Councilor Davis, Ward Seven City Councilor Pineda Neufeld, and Gomez Mouakad.”
Mayor's Request #23-0103 (report of the Legislative Matters Committee)
Requesting approval of a Home Rule Petition to provide legal voting rights in municipal elections for residents aged 16 and 17 years old
From the minutes
“RESULT: APPROVED AYE: City Councilor At Large Burnley Jr., City Councilor At Large Kelly, City Councilor At Large Strezo, City Councilor At Large Wilson, Ward One City Councilor McLaughlin, Ward Two City Councilor Scott, Ward Three City Councilor Ewen-Campen, Ward Four City Councilor Clingan, Ward Six City Councilor Davis, Ward Seven City Councilor Pineda Neufeld, and Gomez Mouakad.”
Mayor's Request #23-0104 (report of the Legislative Matters Committee)
Requesting approval of a Home Rule Petition further defining the purposes of the Affordable Housing Trust
From the minutes
“RESULT: APPROVED AYE: City Councilor At Large Burnley Jr., City Councilor At Large Kelly, City Councilor At Large Strezo, City Councilor At Large Wilson, Ward One City Councilor McLaughlin, Ward Two City Councilor Scott, Ward Three City Councilor Ewen-Campen, Ward Four City Councilor Clingan, Ward Six City Councilor Davis, Ward Seven City Councilor Pineda Neufeld, and Gomez Mouakad.”
Order #23-0172 (report of the Legislative Matters Committee)
That the Council amend the Surveillance Technology Ordinance to clarify that it covers cameras used for automated traffic or parking enforcement
The minutes give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.
From the minutes
“RESULT: APPROVED AND SENT FOR DISCUSSION.”
Committee Report #23-0133
Accept the report of the Committee on Public Health and Public Safety, meeting on January 23, 2023
Report of the Committee on Public Health and Public Safety, meeting on January 23, 2023.
The minutes give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.
Mayor's Request #23-0155
Requesting that City Councilors submit budget funding priorities by March 29, 2023
The minutes give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.
License #23-0153
Amending Dog Kennel License, RiverDog Daycare, 321 Somerville Ave, expanding to increase capacity to 45 dogs
The minutes give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.
License #23-0115
Renewing Outdoor Goods License, 130 Broadway LLC, 130 Broadway
The minutes give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.
License #23-0154
Renewing Outdoor Parking License, Star Market, 275 Beacon St
The minutes give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.
License #23-0120
Transferring Taxi Medallion License, from Lochmere Taxi Inc to Pierre Michel, Medallion #91
The minutes give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.
License #23-0117
Renewing Taxi Medallion License, V.I.N.L. Transportation Inc, Med #65
The minutes give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.
License #23-0118
Renewing Used Car Dealer License Class 2, Pearl Street Auto Sales, 182 Pearl St
The minutes give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.
Public Event #23-0116
Zachary Chang-Otanez applying for a Public Event License for Engineers Without Borders 6K Run on April 23 from 12pm to 5:30pm (raindate April 30)
The minutes give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.
Resolution #23-0163
That the Administration provide an update regarding the progress in establishing a Warming Center for un-housed residents
The minutes give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.
From the minutes
“RESULT: APPROVED AND SENT FOR DISCUSSION.”
Resolution #23-0164
Urging the Mayor to move forward without further delay on the Purchasing Parity Study
The minutes give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.
Order #23-0166
That the Director of Health and Human Services update this Council on the progress toward a Safe Consumption Site and provide a timeline for establishment
The minutes give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.
From the minutes
“RESULT: APPROVED AND SENT FOR DISCUSSION.”
Order #23-0167
That the Director of Mobility provide a report on acquiring e-bikes through the city's BlueBike partnership
The minutes give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.
From the minutes
“RESULT: APPROVED AND SENT FOR DISCUSSION.”
Mayor's Request #23-0084
Requesting the adoption of the Specialized Energy Code, 225 CMR, Sections 22 and 23, including Appendices RC and CC, in their entirety as the minimum energy code for the City
From the minutes
“RESULT: APPROVED AYE: City Councilor At Large Burnley Jr., City Councilor At Large Kelly, City Councilor At Large Strezo, City Councilor At Large Wilson, Ward One City Councilor McLaughlin, Ward Two City Councilor Scott, Ward Three City Councilor Ewen-Campen, Ward Four City Councilor Clingan, Ward Six City Councilor Davis, Ward Seven City Councilor Pineda Neufeld, and Gomez Mouakad.”
Order #23-0174
That the Director of Planning, Preservation and Zoning provide the Ward 1 City Councilor with all materials pertaining to the proposed Zoning Overhaul, introduced in 2014
The minutes give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.
From the minutes
“RESULT: APPROVED AND SENT FOR DISCUSSION.”
From the Somerville City Council’s official minutes, posted on the city’s Legistar meeting calendar (July 2022 on) and its older meeting portal (2010 to mid-2022), both linked from the City Council page on somervillema.gov. We check every vote against the councilors present and quote the exact wording. MassVoter never grades or scores officials. Councilor photos: City of Somerville (somervillema.gov) official headshots for Ben Ewen-Campen, Jesse Clingan, Lance Davis, Wilfred Mbah, Naima Sait, J.T. Scott and Kristen Strezo; The Somerville Times (thesomervilletimes.com) for Emily Hardt, Jon Link, Matthew McLaughlin and Ben Wheeler. Former councilors show initials.
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