MassVoter.com← Somerville City CouncilSomerville City Council · 2024–2025 Council · Regular meeting
November 26, 2024
31 recorded votes, 26 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.
Present: Willie Burnley, Wilfred Mbah, Kristen Strezo, Matthew McLaughlin, J.T. Scott, Ben Ewen-Campen, Jesse Clingan, Naima Sait, Lance Davis, Judy Pineda Neufeld
Absent: Jake Wilson
Every vote, in order
Minutes #24-1677
Approve the minutes of the October 24, 2024 regular meeting
Approval of the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of October 24, 2024.
The minutes give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.
Grant of Location #24-1662
RCN applying for a Grant of Location to install approximately 20 feet of conduit in Foley Street, from existing Manhole 001 to a point of pickup at 45 Middlesex Avenue
The minutes give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.
Officer's Communication #24-1668
Chief Assessor presenting proposed FY 2025 Tax Classifications and requesting the adoption of a minimum residential factor for FY 2025 and acceptance of Massachusetts General Law Chapter 59...
Chief Assessor presenting proposed FY 2025 Tax Classifications and requesting the adoption of a minimum residential factor for FY 2025 and acceptance of Massachusetts General Law Chapter 59 Section 5C, a residential exemption of 35% of average assessed value for owner-occupied properties.
From the minutes
“RESULT: APPROVED AYE: Ward One City Councilor McLaughlin, Ward Six City Councilor Davis, Ward Five City Councilor Sait, Ward Two City Councilor Scott, City Councilor At Large Mbah, City Councilor At Large Burnley Jr., Ward Four City Councilor Clingan, City Councilor At Large Strezo, Ward Seven City Councilor Pineda Neufeld, and Ward Three City Councilor Ewen-Campen ABSENT: City Councilor At Large Wilson.”
Order #24-1673
That the Director of Parking discuss with this Council how to ensure that permit-only parking is available to non-resident parents with shared custody of children enrolled in Somerville Public Schools
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 #24-1674
That the Director of Parking install signage indicating the grace period, during daycare pickup and drop-off hours, during which parking tickets will not be issued in front of 99A Dover Street
The minutes give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.
From the minutes
“RESULT: APPROVED AS AMENDED AND SENT FOR.”
Committee Report #24-1647
Accept the report of the Committee on Housing and Community Development, meeting on November 21, 2024
Report of the Committee on Housing and Community Development, meeting on November 21, 2024.
The minutes give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.
Committee Report #24-1646
Accept the report of the Committee on Land Use, meeting on November 21, 2024
Report of the Committee on Land Use, meeting on November 21, 2024.
The minutes give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.
Public Communication #24-1080 (report of the Land Use Committee)
Walter Tauro requesting a Zoning Map Amendment to change the zoning district of 282 McGrath Highway from Neighborhood Residence (NR) to Small Business (SB) Overlay District
From the minutes
“RESULT: ORDINANCE ORDAINED AYE: Ward One City Councilor McLaughlin, Ward Six City Councilor Davis, Ward Five City Councilor Sait, Ward Two City Councilor Scott, City Councilor At Large Mbah, City Councilor At Large Burnley Jr., Ward Four City Councilor Clingan, City Councilor At Large Strezo, Ward Seven City Councilor Pineda Neufeld, and Ward Three City Councilor Ewen-Campen ABSENT: City Councilor At Large Wilson.”
Mayor's Request #24-1196 (report of the Land Use Committee)
Requesting ordainment of an amendment to Sections 2.2.1, 3.1.16, 3.2.15, 4.1.13, 4.2.13, 4.3.13, 4.4.14, 5.1.15, 6.1.11, 6.2.13, 6.3.11, 6.4.14, 9.2.6.h, 9.2.14.b.v, and Table 9.1.1 of the Zoning...
Requesting ordainment of an amendment to Sections 2.2.1, 3.1.16, 3.2.15, 4.1.13, 4.2.13, 4.3.13, 4.4.14, 5.1.15, 6.1.11, 6.2.13, 6.3.11, 6.4.14, 9.2.6.h, 9.2.14.b.v, and Table 9.1.1 of the Zoning Ordinance to streamline the regulation of daycare services and permit additional daycare operation in the Residential, Mid-Rise, and Commercial zoning districts.
From the minutes
“RESULT: ORDINANCE ORDAINED AYE: Ward One City Councilor McLaughlin, Ward Six City Councilor Davis, Ward Five City Councilor Sait, Ward Two City Councilor Scott, City Councilor At Large Mbah, City Councilor At Large Burnley Jr., Ward Four City Councilor Clingan, City Councilor At Large Strezo, Ward Seven City Councilor Pineda Neufeld, and Ward Three City Councilor Ewen-Campen ABSENT: City Councilor At Large Wilson.”
Mayor's Request #24-1259 (report of the Land Use Committee)
Requesting ordainment of an amendment to Articles 2-7, Articles 9-11, Article 13, and Article 15 of the Zoning Ordinance to make corrections, clarifications, and regulatory framework improvements
From the minutes
“RESULT: ORDINANCE ORDAINED AYE: Ward One City Councilor McLaughlin, Ward Six City Councilor Davis, Ward Five City Councilor Sait, Ward Two City Councilor Scott, City Councilor At Large Mbah, City Councilor At Large Burnley Jr., Ward Four City Councilor Clingan, City Councilor At Large Strezo, Ward Seven City Councilor Pineda Neufeld, and Ward Three City Councilor Ewen-Campen ABSENT: City Councilor At Large Wilson.”
Committee Report #24-1645
Accept the report of the Committee on Legislative Matters, meeting on November 19, 2024
Report of the Committee on Legislative Matters, meeting on November 19, 2024.
The minutes give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.
Committee Report #24-1644
Accept the report of the Special Committee on School Building Facilities and Maintenance, meeting on November 18, 2024
Report of the Special Committee on School Building Facilities and Maintenance, meeting on November 18, 2024.
The minutes give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.
Mayor's Request #24-1650
Requesting the appropriation of $122,000 from the FY 2025 Property Tax Levy to the Emergency Stabilization Fund for the operational cost of the 2025 Warming Center
The minutes give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.
Mayor's Request #24-1651
Requesting approval to appropriate $388,000 from the Emergency Stabilization Fund for the 2025 Warming Center
From the minutes
“RESULT: APPROVED AYE: Ward One City Councilor McLaughlin, Ward Six City Councilor Davis, Ward Five City Councilor Sait, Ward Two City Councilor Scott, City Councilor At Large Mbah, City Councilor At Large Burnley Jr., Ward Four City Councilor Clingan, City Councilor At Large Strezo, Ward Seven City Councilor Pineda Neufeld, and Ward Three City Councilor Ewen-Campen ABSENT: City Councilor At Large Wilson.”
Mayor's Request #24-1656
Requesting approval to appropriate $350,000 from the Municipal Composting Program stabilization fund to implement a municipal composting pilot program
Yes: Burnley, Clingan, Davis, Ewen-Campen, Mbah, Neufeld, Sait, ScottThe minutes list Matthew McLaughlin and Kristen Strezo as absent for this vote; left out of it.
From the minutes
“RESULT: APPROVED AYE: Ward Six City Councilor Davis, Ward Five City Councilor Sait, Ward Two City Councilor Scott, City Councilor At Large Mbah, City Councilor At Large Burnley Jr., Ward Four City Councilor Clingan, Ward Seven City Councilor Pineda Neufeld, and Ward Three City Councilor Ewen-Campen ABSENT: Ward One City Councilor McLaughlin, City Councilor At Large Wilson, and City Councilor At Large Strezo.”
Mayor's Request #24-1648
Requesting approval for the 2025 Preliminary Municipal Election to be held on Tuesday, September 16, 2025
The minutes give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.
Mayor's Request #24-1669
Requesting confirmation of the appointment of Carlos Ayala to the Community Preservation Committee
The minutes give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.
Mayor's Request #24-1670
Requesting confirmation of the appointment of Mary Jo Bohart to the Community Preservation Committee
The minutes give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.
Mayor's Request #24-1652
Requesting approval of an exemption for Charles Graham as required by Massachusetts General Law Chapter 268A, Section 20(b)
The minutes give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.
License #24-1666
Renewing Used Car Dealer Class 2 License, Green Automotive Inc., 600 Windsor Place
The minutes give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.
Public Event #24-1663
Interdisciplinary Design Group and Victor Tessler applying for a Public Event License for Libertadores Final Match Celebrations on November 30 from 1pm to 7pm
The minutes give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.
Public Event #24-1665
Janine Fay applying for a Public Event License for Dancing in the Dark on December 21 from 3pm to 8pm
The minutes give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.
Resolution #24-1682
Reaffirming Somerville’s commitment as a Welcoming Community for justice, equity, and inclusion
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 #24-1683
That the City Solicitor draft a Home Rule Petition to prohibit the forced imposition of brokers’ fees onto renters
The minutes give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.
Order #24-1684
That the Director of Grants and External Funds explain to this Council in writing whether the city can apply for a grant through the Advanced Transportation Technologies and Innovation (ATTAIN)...
That the Director of Grants and External Funds explain to this Council in writing whether the city can apply for a grant through the Advanced Transportation Technologies and Innovation (ATTAIN) Program to fund a North-South microtransit pilot program, and apply if it is possible.
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 #24-1686
That the City Solicitor confirm whether an LGBTQ Legal Services Stabilization Fund can be created to pay fees associated with gendered document changes and potential court sealing of records...
That the City Solicitor confirm whether an LGBTQ Legal Services Stabilization Fund can be created to pay fees associated with gendered document changes and potential court sealing of records associated with such documents.
The minutes give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.
From the minutes
“RESULT: APPROVED AS AMENDED AND SENT FOR.”
Resolution #24-1685
That the Administration update this Council on the feasibility of pedestrianizing Elm Street for select hours, including identified obstacles and a potential timeline for implementation
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 #24-1687
In support of Cambridge Health Alliance (CHA) SHARE workers
The minutes give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.
Officer's Communication #24-1691
Director of Economic Development and Director of the Arts Council requesting that this Council's Finance Committee hold a public hearing on the draft Armory Master Plan
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.”
Public Event #24-1693
Mayor's Office applying for a Public Event License for Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony on December 5 from 4pm to 8pm (raindate December 10)
The minutes give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.
Mayor's Request #24-1606
Requesting the appropriation of $2,400,000 from the Receipts Reserved for Appropriation, Parking Meter Receipts Account to reduce the FY 2025 Tax Rate
The minutes give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.
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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