← Somerville City Council

Somerville City Council · 2022–2023 Council · Regular meeting

February 23, 2023

37 recorded votes, 31 with disagreement.

Sources: Official minutes (PDF) · Meeting video · City meeting page

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Attendance

Note on these minutes: Called to order by Ward Three City Councilor Ben Ewen-Campen.

Present: Willie Burnley, Charlotte Kelly, Kristen Strezo, Jake Wilson, Matthew McLaughlin, J.T. Scott, Ben Ewen-Campen, Jesse Clingan, Judy Pineda Neufeld

Absent: Beatriz Gomez Mouakad, Lance Davis

Every vote, in order

Minutes #23-0288

Approve the minutes of the January 26, 2023 regular meeting

Minutes, page 2 · Video

ProceduralPassed · Voice vote, names not recorded

Approval of the Minutes of the Regular Meeting, January 26, 2023.

The minutes give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.

From the minutes

“RESULT: APPROVED.”

Read it in the official minutes, page 2 (PDF)

Resolution #23-0267

Celebrating the work of the Somerville Bike Kitchen and supporting their efforts to find a new home in Somerville

Minutes, page 2 · Video

ApprovePassed · Voice vote, names not recorded

The minutes give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.

From the minutes

“RESULT: APPROVED.”

Read it in the official minutes, page 2 (PDF)

Order #23-0274

That the Director of Health and Human Services create and distribute an outgoing participation survey for participants of the Teen Snow Shoveling program

Minutes, page 2 · Video

ApprovePassed · Voice vote, names not recorded

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.”

Read it in the official minutes, page 2 (PDF)

Order #23-0281

That the Director of Human Resources provide a written demographic breakdown, including the age, gender, and race/ethnicity of Customer Service Representatives in the Constituent Services...

Minutes, page 3 · Video

ApprovePassed · Voice vote, names not recorded

That the Director of Human Resources provide a written demographic breakdown, including the age, gender, and race/ethnicity of Customer Service Representatives in the Constituent Services Department (311).

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.”

Read it in the official minutes, page 3 (PDF)

Order #23-0278

That this Council discuss alternative emergency response methods with local mental health care providers

Minutes, page 3 · Video

ApprovePassed · Voice vote, names not recorded

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.”

Read it in the official minutes, page 3 (PDF)

Order #23-0279

That this Council discuss alternative emergency response and/or other non-police emergency response methods that other municipalities have pursued

Minutes, page 3 · Video

ApprovePassed · Voice vote, names not recorded

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.”

Read it in the official minutes, page 3 (PDF)

Order #23-0280

That the Director of Finance provide a written report detailing all Stabilization Funds and the current balance in each fund

Minutes, page 4 · Video

ApprovePassed · Voice vote, names not recorded

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.”

Read it in the official minutes, page 4 (PDF)

Resolution #23-0277

Supporting the Somerville Municipal Employees Association (SMEA) in its efforts to bring the 311 Operators into SMEA Unit B

Minutes, page 4 · Video

ApprovePassed · Voice vote, names not recorded

The minutes give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.

From the minutes

“RESULT: APPROVED.”

Read it in the official minutes, page 4 (PDF)

Committee Report #23-0262

Accept the report of the Special Committee on Charter Review, meeting as a Committee of the Whole on February 22, 2023

Minutes, page 4 · Video

ProceduralPassed · Voice vote, names not recorded

Report of the Special Committee on Charter Review, meeting as a Committee of the Whole on February 22, 2023.

The minutes give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.

From the minutes

“RESULT: APPROVED.”

Read it in the official minutes, page 4 (PDF)

Resolution #23-0291 (report of the Charter Review Special Committee)

Supporting the recommended language by the Charter Review Committee to change the appointment of the independent auditor to the City Council and mandate the appointment

Minutes, page 5 · Video

ApprovePassed · Voice vote, names not recorded

The minutes give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.

From the minutes

“RESULT: APPROVED.”

Read it in the official minutes, page 5 (PDF)

Resolution #23-0292 (report of the Charter Review Special Committee)

Supporting the recommended language by the Charter Review Committee to implement a Capital Improvement Plan, amended to add “or reject” after “shall by resolution adopt” in Section 6-6

Minutes, page 5 · Video

ApprovePassed · Voice vote, names not recorded

The minutes give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.

From the minutes

“RESULT: APPROVED.”

Read it in the official minutes, page 5 (PDF)

Committee Report #23-0254

Accept the report of the Committee on Confirmation of Appointments and Personnel Matters, meeting on February 15, 2023

Minutes, page 5 · Video

ProceduralPassed · Voice vote, names not recorded

Report of the Committee on Confirmation of Appointments and Personnel Matters, meeting on February 15, 2023.

The minutes give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.

From the minutes

“RESULT: APPROVED.”

Read it in the official minutes, page 5 (PDF)

Mayor's Request #22-2125 (report of the Confirmation of Appointments and Personnel Matters Committee)

Requesting confirmation of the re-appointment of Alan Bishop as Constable

Minutes, page 5 · Video

Confirm appointmentPassed · Voice vote, names not recorded

The minutes give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.

From the minutes

“RESULT: APPROVED.”

Read it in the official minutes, page 5 (PDF)

Mayor's Request #22-2126 (report of the Confirmation of Appointments and Personnel Matters Committee)

Requesting confirmation of the re-appointment of Catello Battinelli II as Constable

Minutes, page 5 · Video

Confirm appointmentPassed · Voice vote, names not recorded

The minutes give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.

From the minutes

“RESULT: APPROVED.”

Read it in the official minutes, page 5 (PDF)

Mayor's Request #22-2128 (report of the Confirmation of Appointments and Personnel Matters Committee)

Requesting confirmation of the re-appointment of Mary Battinelli as Constable

Minutes, page 5 · Video

Confirm appointmentPassed · Voice vote, names not recorded

The minutes give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.

From the minutes

“RESULT: APPROVED.”

Read it in the official minutes, page 5 (PDF)

Mayor's Request #22-2135 (report of the Confirmation of Appointments and Personnel Matters Committee)

Requesting confirmation of the appointment of Deborah Haber to the Commission for Persons with Disabilities

Minutes, page 5 · Video

Confirm appointmentPassed · Voice vote, names not recorded

The minutes give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.

From the minutes

“RESULT: APPROVED.”

Read it in the official minutes, page 5 (PDF)

Mayor's Request #22-2137 (report of the Confirmation of Appointments and Personnel Matters Committee)

Requesting confirmation of the appointment of Pauline Downing to the Commission for Persons with Disabilities

Minutes, page 5 · Video

Confirm appointmentPassed · Voice vote, names not recorded

The minutes give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.

From the minutes

“RESULT: APPROVED.”

Read it in the official minutes, page 5 (PDF)

Mayor's Request #22-2138 (report of the Confirmation of Appointments and Personnel Matters Committee)

Requesting confirmation of the appointment of Harriotte Ranvig to the Commission for Person with Disabilities

Minutes, page 6 · Video

Confirm appointmentPassed · Voice vote, names not recorded

The minutes give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.

From the minutes

“RESULT: APPROVED.”

Read it in the official minutes, page 6 (PDF)

Officer's Communication #23-0041 (report of the Confirmation of Appointments and Personnel Matters Committee)

City Clerk requesting confirmation of the appointment of Michael Potere to the position of Assistant Clerk of Committees

Minutes, page 6 · Video

Confirm appointmentPassed · Voice vote, names not recorded

The minutes give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.

From the minutes

“RESULT: APPROVED.”

Read it in the official minutes, page 6 (PDF)

Committee Report #23-0261

Accept the report of the Committee on Finance, meeting on February 21, 2023

Minutes, page 6 · Video

ProceduralPassed · Voice vote, names not recorded

Report of the Committee on Finance, meeting on February 21, 2023.

The minutes give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.

From the minutes

“RESULT: APPROVED.”

Read it in the official minutes, page 6 (PDF)

Mayor's Request #22-2041 (report of the Finance Committee)

Requesting approval of the Alternative Transportation Corridor Lease Agreement with the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA)

Minutes, page 7 · Video

ApprovePassed · Unanimous, 9 present

From the minutes

“RESULT: APPROVED AYE: Ward Seven City Councilor Pineda Neufeld, 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, and Ward Four City Councilor Clingan ABSENT: Ward Six City Councilor Davis, and Ward Five City Councilor Gomez Mouakad.”

Read it in the official minutes, page 7 (PDF)

Mayor's Request #23-0185 (report of the Finance Committee)

Requesting approval to accept and expend a $3,348.18 grant with no new match required, from the Urban Areas Security Initiative (UASI) to the Fire Department for the purchase of residential lock boxes

Minutes, page 7 · Video

ApprovePassed · Voice vote, names not recorded

The minutes give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.

From the minutes

“RESULT: APPROVED.”

Read it in the official minutes, page 7 (PDF)

Mayor's Request #23-0186 (report of the Finance Committee)

Requesting approval to accept and expend a $45,406.77 grant with no new match required, from the Urban Areas Security Initiative (UASI) to the Fire Department for maritime related equipment

Minutes, page 7 · Video

ApprovePassed · Voice vote, names not recorded

The minutes give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.

From the minutes

“RESULT: APPROVED.”

Read it in the official minutes, page 7 (PDF)

Committee Report #23-0260

Accept the report of the Committee on Land Use, meeting on February 16, 2023

Minutes, page 7 · Video

ProceduralPassed · Voice vote, names not recorded

Report of the Committee on Land Use, meeting on February 16, 2023.

The minutes give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.

From the minutes

“RESULT: APPROVED.”

Read it in the official minutes, page 7 (PDF)

Officer's Communication #22-1645 (report of the Land Use Committee)

Planning Board proposing an amendment to the Zoning Ordinances Section 15.1.3, Neighborhood Meeting

Minutes, page 7 · Video

ApprovePassed · Unanimous, 9 present

From the minutes

“RESULT: ORDINANCE ORDAINED AYE: Ward Seven City Councilor Pineda Neufeld, 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, and Ward Four City Councilor Clingan ABSENT: Ward Six City Councilor Davis, and Ward Five City Councilor Gomez Mouakad.”

Read it in the official minutes, page 7 (PDF)

Mayor's Request #22-1771 (report of the Land Use Committee)

Requesting ordainment of an amendment to Section 6.1 Commercial Districts: Fabrication of the Somerville Zoning Ordinance to permit additional uses for ground story commercial spaces fronting a...

Minutes, page 8 · Video

ApprovePassed · Unanimous, 9 present

Requesting ordainment of an amendment to Section 6.1 Commercial Districts: Fabrication of the Somerville Zoning Ordinance to permit additional uses for ground story commercial spaces fronting a Pedestrian Street.

From the minutes

“RESULT: ORDINANCE ORDAINED AYE: Ward Seven City Councilor Pineda Neufeld, 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, and Ward Four City Councilor Clingan ABSENT: Ward Six City Councilor Davis, and Ward Five City Councilor Gomez Mouakad.”

Read it in the official minutes, page 8 (PDF)

Mayor's Request #23-0095 (report of the Land Use Committee)

Requesting ordainment of an amendment to Section 10.8 Commercial Signs, of the Zoning Ordinances, to permit commercial signs by right

Minutes, page 8 · Video

ApprovePassed · Unanimous, 9 present

From the minutes

“RESULT: ORDINANCE ORDAINED AYE: Ward Seven City Councilor Pineda Neufeld, 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, and Ward Four City Councilor Clingan ABSENT: Ward Six City Councilor Davis, and Ward Five City Councilor Gomez Mouakad.”

Read it in the official minutes, page 8 (PDF)

Committee Report #23-0252

Accept the report of the Committee on Legislative Matters, meeting on February 14, 2023

Minutes, page 9 · Video

ProceduralPassed · Voice vote, names not recorded

Report of the Committee on Legislative Matters, meeting on February 14, 2023.

The minutes give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.

From the minutes

“RESULT: APPROVED.”

Read it in the official minutes, page 9 (PDF)

Mayor's Request #23-0087 (report of the Legislative Matters Committee)

Requesting ordainment of an amendment to the Code of Ordinances, Section 1-11 (Penalties and violations), to codify Traffic & Parking fines

Minutes, page 9 · Video

ApprovePassed · Unanimous, 9 present

From the minutes

“RESULT: ORDINANCE ORDAINED AYE: Ward Seven City Councilor Pineda Neufeld, 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, and Ward Four City Councilor Clingan ABSENT: Ward Six City Councilor Davis, and Ward Five City Councilor Gomez Mouakad.”

Read it in the official minutes, page 9 (PDF)

Committee Report #23-0259

Accept the report of the Committee on Open Space, Environment and Energy, meeting on February 16, 2023

Minutes, page 9 · Video

ProceduralPassed · Voice vote, names not recorded

Report of the Committee on Open Space, Environment and Energy, meeting on February 16, 2023.

The minutes give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.

From the minutes

“RESULT: APPROVED.”

Read it in the official minutes, page 9 (PDF)

Committee Report #23-0246

Accept the report of the Committee on Public Health and Public Safety, meeting on February 13, 2023

Minutes, page 9 · Video

ProceduralPassed · Voice vote, names not recorded

Report of the Committee on Public Health and Public Safety, meeting on February 13, 2023.

The minutes give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.

From the minutes

“RESULT: APPROVED.”

Read it in the official minutes, page 9 (PDF)

Committee Report #23-0245

Accept the report of the Committee on Public Utilities and Public Works, meeting on February 13, 2023

Minutes, page 10 · Video

ProceduralPassed · Voice vote, names not recorded

Report of the Committee on Public Utilities and Public Works, meeting on February 13, 2023.

The minutes give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.

From the minutes

“RESULT: APPROVED.”

Read it in the official minutes, page 10 (PDF)

Public Event #23-0257

Union Square Main Streets applying for a Public Event License for Union Square Farmers Market on Wednesdays May 13-October 28 from 6:45am to 2pm

Minutes, page 15 · Video

ApprovePassed · Voice vote, names not recorded

The minutes give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.

From the minutes

“RESULT: APPROVED.”

Read it in the official minutes, page 15 (PDF)

Order #23-0289

That the Commissioner of Public Works install high visibility flexible bollards at all entrances to the Community Path from a vehicular road, to prevent the entry of non-authorized vehicles into...

Minutes, page 15 · Video

ApprovePassed · Voice vote, names not recorded

That the Commissioner of Public Works install high visibility flexible bollards at all entrances to the Community Path from a vehicular road, to prevent the entry of non-authorized vehicles into the path.

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.”

Read it in the official minutes, page 15 (PDF)

Mayor's Request #23-0294

Requesting approval of the Urban Center Housing Tax Increment Financing (UCH-TIF) Zone, Plan and Negotiated Agreement for Winter Hill

Minutes, page 16 · Video

ApprovePassed · Unanimous, 9 present

From the minutes

“RESULT: APPROVED AYE: Ward Seven City Councilor Pineda Neufeld, 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, and Ward Four City Councilor Clingan ABSENT: Ward Six City Councilor Davis, and Ward Five City Councilor Gomez Mouakad.”

Read it in the official minutes, page 16 (PDF)

Public Event #23-0286

Paul Collyer applying for a Public Event License for Race of Ireland 5K on March 19 from 7am to 1pm

Minutes, page 16 · Video

ApprovePassed · Voice vote, names not recorded

The minutes give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.

From the minutes

“RESULT: APPROVED.”

Read it in the official minutes, page 16 (PDF)

Order #23-0295

That the Director of Parking replace the missing No Left Turn sign at the intersection of Mt. Pleasant Street and Perkins Street

Minutes, page 17 · Video

ApprovePassed · Voice vote, names not recorded

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.”

Read it in the official minutes, page 17 (PDF)

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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