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Somerville City Council · 2022–2023 Council · Special meeting

June 28, 2023

16 recorded votes, 12 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, Ben Ewen-Campen, Jesse Clingan, Beatriz Gomez Mouakad, Lance Davis, Judy Pineda Neufeld

Absent: J.T. Scott

Every vote, in order

Minutes #23-1126

Approve the minutes of the June 1, 2023 special meeting

Minutes, page 1 · Video

ProceduralPassed · 6–0

Approval of the Minutes of the Special Meeting, June 1, 2023.

Yes: Burnley, Ewen-Campen, Kelly, Neufeld, Strezo, WilsonThe minutes list Matthew McLaughlin, Jesse Clingan, Beatriz Gomez Mouakad and Lance Davis as absent for this vote; left out of it.

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 Three City Councilor Ewen-Campen, and Ward Seven City Councilor Pineda Neufeld ABSENT: Ward One City Councilor McLaughlin, Ward Two City Councilor Scott, Ward Four City Councilor Clingan, Ward Five City Councilor Gomez Mouakad, and Ward Six City Councilor Davis.”

Read it in the official minutes, page 1 (PDF)

Committee Report #23-1121

Accept the report of the Committee on Finance, meeting on June 27, 2023

Minutes, page 2 · Video

ProceduralPassed · Unanimous, 10 present

Report of the Committee on Finance, meeting on June 27, 2023.

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 Three City Councilor Ewen-Campen, Ward Four City Councilor Clingan, Ward Five City Councilor Gomez Mouakad, Ward Six City Councilor Davis, and Ward Seven City Councilor Pineda Neufeld ABSENT: Ward Two City Councilor Scott.”

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

Mayor's Request #23-0667 (report of the Finance Committee)

Requesting approval of a multi-year lease agreement for the East Somerville Police Station

Minutes, page 3 · Video

ApprovePassed · Unanimous, 10 present

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 Three City Councilor Ewen-Campen, Ward Four City Councilor Clingan, Ward Five City Councilor Gomez Mouakad, Ward Six City Councilor Davis, and Ward Seven City Councilor Pineda Neufeld ABSENT: Ward Two City Councilor Scott.”

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

Mayor's Request #23-0813 (report of the Finance Committee)

Requesting approval to accept and expend a $6,781 Student Awareness of Fire Education (SAFE) grant, with no new match required, from the Department of Fire Services to the Fire Department for fire...

Minutes, page 3 · Video

ApprovePassed · Voice vote, names not recorded

Requesting approval to accept and expend a $6,781 Student Awareness of Fire Education (SAFE) grant, with no new match required, from the Department of Fire Services to the Fire Department for fire prevention education for students.

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 3 (PDF)

Mayor's Request #23-0814 (report of the Finance Committee)

Requesting approval to accept and expend a $2,677 Senior Student Awareness of Fire Education (SAFE) grant, with no new match required, from the Department of Fire Services to the Fire Department...

Minutes, page 3 · Video

ApprovePassed · Voice vote, names not recorded

Requesting approval to accept and expend a $2,677 Senior Student Awareness of Fire Education (SAFE) grant, with no new match required, from the Department of Fire Services to the Fire Department for fire prevention education for older adults.

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 3 (PDF)

Mayor's Request #23-0844 (report of the Finance Committee)

Requesting authorization to borrow $6,430,638 in a bond, and to appropriate the same amount for the Assembly Square Fire Station fit-out

Minutes, page 3 · Video

ApprovePassed · Unanimous, 10 present

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 Three City Councilor Ewen-Campen, Ward Four City Councilor Clingan, Ward Five City Councilor Gomez Mouakad, Ward Six City Councilor Davis, and Ward Seven City Councilor Pineda Neufeld ABSENT: Ward Two City Councilor Scott.”

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

Mayor's Request #23-0846 (report of the Finance Committee)

Requesting approval to accept and expend a $24,117.07 grant that requires a match, from the Metropolitan Mayors Coalition Community Safety Initiative to the Police Department for youth violence...

Minutes, page 4 · Video

ApprovePassed · Voice vote, names not recorded

Requesting approval to accept and expend a $24,117.07 grant that requires a match, from the Metropolitan Mayors Coalition Community Safety Initiative to the Police Department for youth violence prevention.

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)

Mayor's Request #23-0847 (report of the Finance Committee)

Requesting approval of a transfer of $8,039.02 from the Police Department Personal Services Overtime Account to the Police Department Special Items Grant Match Account to fund the Metropolitan...

Minutes, page 4 · Video

ApprovePassed · Voice vote, names not recorded

Requesting approval of a transfer of $8,039.02 from the Police Department Personal Services Overtime Account to the Police Department Special Items Grant Match Account to fund the Metropolitan Mayors Coalition Community Safety Initiative Shannon Grant match.

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)

Mayor's Request #23-0925 (report of the Finance Committee)

Requesting ordainment of an amendment to Sections 2-322 and 2-323 of the Code of Ordinances, to update categories and associated salaries for non-union positions

Minutes, page 4 · Video

ApprovePassed · Unanimous, 10 present

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 Three City Councilor Ewen-Campen, Ward Four City Councilor Clingan, Ward Five City Councilor Gomez Mouakad, Ward Six City Councilor Davis, and Ward Seven City Councilor Pineda Neufeld ABSENT: Ward Two City Councilor Scott.”

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

Mayor's Request #23-0947 (report of the Finance Committee)

Requesting the appropriation of $80,000 from the Community Preservation Act (CPA) Fund Undesignated Fund to Vida Real for continued restoration of the bell tower at 404 Broadway

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)

Mayor's Request #23-0951 (report of the Finance Committee)

Requesting approval to accept the 2023-2024 U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Annual Action Plan for the Community Development Block Grant, Home Investment Partnership and Emergency...

Minutes, page 5 · Video

ApprovePassed · Voice vote, names not recorded

Requesting approval to accept the 2023-2024 U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Annual Action Plan for the Community Development Block Grant, Home Investment Partnership and Emergency Solutions Grant programs, totaling $3,321,097.

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 #23-1063 (report of the Finance Committee)

Requesting approval of the First Amendment to Fiber Optic Communications Easement Agreement with TOWARDEX

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)

Mayor's Request #23-1065 (report of the Finance Committee)

Requesting approval to accept and expend a $500,000 grant amendment with no new match required, from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Bureau of Substance Addiction Services to the...

Minutes, page 5 · Video

ApprovePassed · Voice vote, names not recorded

Requesting approval to accept and expend a $500,000 grant amendment with no new match required, from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Bureau of Substance Addiction Services to the Health and Human Services Department for regional youth substance misuse prevention efforts.

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 #23-1088 (report of the Finance Committee)

Requesting authorization to seek funding and enter into related agreements with the Parkland Acquisitions and Renovations for Communities (PARC) grant, appropriate funding, and dedicate 217...

Minutes, page 5 · Video

ApprovePassed · Voice vote, names not recorded

Requesting authorization to seek funding and enter into related agreements with the Parkland Acquisitions and Renovations for Communities (PARC) grant, appropriate funding, and dedicate 217 Somerville Avenue as open space and recreational use in perpetuity.

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 #23-1119

Requesting the transfer of $310,000 from the Health Insurance Account to the Law Department's Damages to Persons and Property Account to fund settlement of John Doe v. City of Somerville & Josh Wairi

Minutes, page 5 · Video

ApprovePassed · 6–0

Yes: Burnley, Ewen-Campen, Kelly, Neufeld, Strezo, WilsonThe minutes list Matthew McLaughlin, Jesse Clingan, Beatriz Gomez Mouakad and Lance Davis as absent for this vote; left out of it.

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 Three City Councilor Ewen-Campen, and Ward Seven City Councilor Pineda Neufeld ABSENT: Ward One City Councilor McLaughlin, Ward Two City Councilor Scott, Ward Four City Councilor Clingan, Ward Five City Councilor Gomez Mouakad, and Ward Six City Councilor Davis.”

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

Officer's Communication #23-1120

City Solicitor requesting to appear in Executive Session with attorneys from Brody, Hardoon, Perkins & Kesten, LLP, to discuss John Doe v. City of Somerville & Josh Wairi

Minutes, page 6 · Video

ProceduralPassed · 9–0

Yes: Burnley, Clingan, Davis, Ewen-Campen, Kelly, Mouakad, Neufeld, Strezo, WilsonThe minutes list Matthew McLaughlin as absent for this vote; left out of it.

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 Three City Councilor Ewen-Campen, Ward Four City Councilor Clingan, Ward Five City Councilor Gomez Mouakad, Ward Six City Councilor Davis, and Ward Seven City Councilor Pineda Neufeld ABSENT: Ward One City Councilor McLaughlin, and Ward Two City Councilor Scott.”

Read it in the official minutes, page 6 (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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