City Council - Regular Meeting

Recording in progress.

I'm just gonna

call this meeting to order. This is a meeting of the city council. It is Thursday, January 8. I've lost my glasses already. What a start. Good evening, everyone. Pursuant to chapter two of the acts of 2025, this meeting of the city council is being conducted. Nope. That's the wrong. That's the wrong. Let's try this again. Note that video and audio of this meeting is being recorded and may be shown live on local access government channels and on the city of Somerville, website and will be available for future review. Will the clerk please call the roll?

This is roll call. Councilor Campin? Here. Councilor Link? Here. Councilor Scott? Present. Councilor Klingen? Present. Councilor Strezzo? Present. Councilor Saeed? Here. Councilor Wheeler?

Here.

Councilor Hart? Here. Councilor McLaughlin?

Here.

Councillor Mbaugh?

Present.

Councillor Davis? Here. With all councillors present, we have quorum.

Alright, thank you. Pursuant to our rule 32, let it be known that the city council salutes the flag of The United States Of America, and let us recall our oath to uphold the constitution and the laws of the commonwealth to the best of our abilities and understanding. We begin our meetings with a moment of silence. Are the counselors wishing to say a few words about members of our community tonight? Counselor Ewen Campen?

Go ahead. Thank you, mister president. I have two tonight. Mary Houghton, died on Sunday at the age of 61. Mary was a lifelong resident of Somerville in Ward 3 on Spring Street. She was one of eight siblings. Many of us may know her sister Sheila Tracy, who serves on the Commission for Persons with Disabilities and many of her other siblings who are very active in Somerville. I spoke with Sheila earlier today who told me a little bit about Mary's upbringing in Somerville. She was a graduate of the Somerville Schools, went to the the school that is now the Argenziano and the East Somerville School. She went to BC College in a program for adults with disabilities. Mary was born with cerebral palsy, and she

was a long time part of the Walnut Street Center for many, many, many years. Sheila kept coming back to is just how active Mary was in the community, how

how she was always out helping people, talking to people. She actually was very recently up here at City Hall. I know she met many of the councilors, when the city council gave a citation to firefighter O'Hearn about a children's book, that she had written. Mary was up here. And Sheila told me today that Mary had had recently met with mayor elect, Jake Wilson at that time who had promised to give her a tour of City Hall, and she was really looking forward to that. And I just want to send our deepest condolences to the family. We will be thinking of you tonight.

Yes,

mister president. This one is not about Summerville. All of us have now seen a woman named Renee Nicole Goode was murdered in Minneapolis by masked federal agent working for ICE. This was in broad daylight, caught on multiple cameras. Within hours, the president of The United States was telling bald faced lies about this murder that all of us could see with our own eyes as were other federal officials, libeling this woman when everyone who can see saw exactly what happened.

This was a mother of a young child, a beloved member of her community. I encourage everyone to to read up on her really just impeccable reputation in the community. It's hard to know what to say about this. We are in uncharted territory. Describing the facts straightforwardly, we have a masked federal agent killing a US citizen completely unaccountable, protected by the president as part of this just outrageous disgusting effort to terrorize cities across the country, particularly immigrants, particularly anyone who doesn't look white.

And tragedies like this are the predictable outcome of this garbage. It is horrifying beyond words. And tonight, I ask that we keep miss Good's memory in our hearts and pledge to honor her memory.

Thank you. Others? Okay. Councilor Scott would like to sign on. I to that one, I would as well. I see the whole council would like to sign on to that one as well. Okay. I I I believe a few others had also prepared some words about about this remembrance. If you'd like to say anything, you're welcome to this. A bit time would be appropriate.

If not, certainly we sign on to the words of council Ewenkampin. Seeing no further remembrances, would everyone in the chambers please rise as you are able and recognize a moment of silence for the aforementioned individuals. Thank you. Madam Clerk, next item.

That brings us to item 1.3, approval of the minutes of the regular meeting of 11/25/2025.

Any discussion? Seeing none, that item is approved. Next item.

Next item is 3.1, a grant of location. Eversource applying for a grant of location to install approximately a total of 2.7 feet of conduit in Highland Highland Avenue from an existing manhole 18944 to an approximate point of pickup at 185 Highland Avenue.

Alright. I declare this public hearing to be open. Is there anyone here to speak on this item? Jackie Duffy.

Hi. How are you tonight?

We're well. Thank you. How are you?

I'm good. Thank you. I would like to install approximately three feet of conduit in Highland Avenue to provide electric service to 185 Highland Avenue.

Okay. Is there anyone else here to speak on the item? Alright. Seeing none, I declare the public hearing to be closed. Any discussion? I can figure out gotta remember now where all y'all sitting sitting down looking at the wrong the wrong direction. Any discussion? No discussion? Alright. That item is approved. Next item, please.

Item 3.2, a grant of location. Eversource applying for a grant of location to install approximately a total of a 110 feet of conduit in Jack Street from Utility Pole 182 Over 4 to an approximate point of pickup at 146 Jack Street.

I declare this public hearing to be open. Is there anyone here to speak on the item?

Jackie Duffy, Eversource would like to install approximately 210 feet of conduit in Jack Street to provide electric service to 146 Jack Street, please.

Anyone else here to speak on the item? Alright. Seeing Anyone else online? No? Okay. So I declare the public hearing to be closed. Any discussion? No? All right. That item is approved. So we have a few items that we'd like to take out of order at the request of the administration. The first is item seven dot four and then the second will be seven dot one. Seven dot one, I believe mayor Wilson is here to speak on that to speak to speak to us on that item, but the administration said they would like to start with seven dot four. So if there's no objection, madam clerk.

That brings us to item 7.4, a mayor's request requesting approval to accept and expend a $50,000 grant with no new match required from the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources to the Health and Human Services Office of Food Access and Healthy Communities for the Somerville Mobile Farmers Market.

Any discussion? Any questions on the item? Yes. Council Wheeler?

I just wanted to to share an understanding for those watching at home that my understanding is that the the typical way that the council will handle most financial matters will be to refer the relevant items to the finance committee. But when there's a particular reason why an item should be addressed immediately that makes sense, that's appropriate, then we try to consider it as a council and skip that step. If that understanding isn't quite correct, clerk or please correct me. Just thought I'd share that for people who might be watching their first meeting.

An an excellent reminder and you you got that exactly right. I will always meet with the with the clerk's office and with the office of intergovernmental affairs earlier in the week so they can flag some of these items. We have a discussion about it. Sometimes things come up after that and and, you know, we communicate that as as they come up. But but yeah. No. That's exactly right. So in this in this case, the the hope is to get this moving. Councilor Scott sorry. Councilor Will, you all set? Okay. Councilor Scott.

Thank you, mister president. Just for folks at home, if you were take a look at page 24 of the attached document. It describes the scope of services. This is just money granted from the Commonwealth for us to run the Summerville farmers market. So mobile farmers market. So this looks in order to me, mister president. I'd recommend approval. Move to recommend approval.

Excuse me, now for people. Speak up. We'll let your microphones, please.

You got it, Harriet. Thank you for that reminder. Yes. Eat your microphones as much as you can. Alright. Very well. So seeing no further discussion, do we need a roll call on that one? No? Alright. That item is approved. Let's take us to 71 then.

And 71, a request of the mayor requesting approval to use available funds in the executive administration salaries account in the amount of $4,543.04 to fund executive liaison public, executive liaison community partnerships, and executive liaison legislative positions.

Mary Wilson. Wilson.

President Davis, honorable council. I want to just come before you to introduce this so you understood what this was. As part of a sort of greater reorganization reorganization we're looking at doing in the city. We are doing a restructuring of the mayor's office. As a result, we've introduced we've repurposed two roles for two new roles. That's what this is. This is the salaries for those folks. We have a now a mayor's public liaison, liaison, Jesse Moose. We have a community partnerships liaison, Brenna Broderick. As a result, we needed to move some salary around.

So that's what you're seeing before you. We wanted to I wanted to come explain that to you and ask that you please approve this tonight. Happy to answer any questions. Council Chazza.

Thank you, mister president. Through you, mayor Wilson, can you please give just a quick description of each of the roles?

Absolutely through the president. Happy for that question. The mayor's public liaison is basically the conduit between the mayor's office and the public. That role is also has some social media responsibilities as well as as just making sure that the public has someone they can talk to and make sure that their concerns are elevated to the mayor's office and then bring that communication right back to them. I feel it's very important that the people feel connected to their mayor and this position is a key part of making that happen.

The other the community partnerships liaison. It's been my observation that we have not historically done a great job of coordinating efforts between the city and our many community partners. I could name them, I don't want to leave anyone out, but you know from you know the organizations working with the homeless to main streets organizations. We have so many community partners who do incredible work, invaluable work for us. And it was for me to make sure that we are involving them and making sure that we're all on the same page so we can aren't duplicating efforts that the work is getting done. And that's why this position is such an important one.

Thank you. Mr. President, follow-up on that to come Mayor Wilson. Thank you for that. With the social media work of the is it public executive liaison who may be doing that? Will that be in the communications department or is that a separate entity? And can you just quickly describe the necessity of separating that if it is separate from the commute communications department, the purpose of that, etcetera?

Absolutely. Through the president. I thought it was important that these mayors social media account is the voice of the mayor. You know, for example, went and cut a video was that yesterday? I don't know. Time blurs. Announcing that the chapter 40 b filing that was done in Davis Square, we got a lot of very good feedback on that. We're gonna be doing similar things like that. I think it's very a very important channel for us to connect with people and get the word out to the community about important things going on. We're gonna be looking to to do much much more of that.

There's coordination with comms obviously on anything on the social media side. I just thought it was important to have that divide between the mayor's social media account and the city social media account because we haven't always seen that clear divide in the past.

Councilor Scott. Thank you mister president. I'm I'm excited to hear about this. Also, just excited to hear update on plans coming in. I really appreciate it. Our our mayor knows how much I I pay close attention to the budget book. So as I was looking at the descriptions of the positions posted, they're both listed as grade threes. When I look at the last year's budget book, I see a few different positions in here that are listed as grade three s's. Are some of these are these positions being reclassified as part of that? Maybe if you could just help me understand the work chart a bit.

Absolutely. Through the president in consultation with our CAO, we felt that the the grade 3S classification wasn't necessarily the best use of that classification there. And so as a result we moved to a grade three. You know we just believe that that's it best captures the qualifications required for these positions and puts them more in alignment with one another.

Okay. And then through you Mr. President, just to make sure I understand. So these would be the two three s legislative liaison positions from last budget. The current director of IGA line remains unchanged?

Director of IGA line is is we're currently negotiation with a new director. Well there's a hiring process underway. We're hiring a new director of intergovernmental affairs to be to be determined on that front. I will say the reason why you an increase there is we felt it was important to have equity and parity between these three roles. And so we're putting bringing them they're all three liaisons doing different things. And it was important to to me, to our office, to bring them in at the same level salary wise. And that's why you see that the that's why we're bringing in this money is to is to accomplish that. I think that's important to do.

Yeah. Thank you. Thank you for that, mister mayor. Mister president, as I was looking at it, I was just trying to understand the breakdown here because moving from a three s down to a three would appear to be less money, but then the the requisition here for a little bit extra. What what am I missing?

Moving pieces here. Alright. Yes. We could have moved things around a number of different ways. Know you recalled thank you for all the thank you for the appropriation that was passed for the transition team expenses. We felt this was the best way to tackle this just in light of where we are now in the hiring process. Not just for IGA director, but also for an executive administrative assistant position. Were those the two we're looking to hire? We're in the phone phone screen interview for the latter interview like first proper round of interviews for the first one.

Alright. Thank you, mister mayor. Thank you, mister president. That answers the questions I had. I appreciate it. Just trying to do my best to keep an eye on things between now and the next budget season.

And mister

president, can I add? We could have come to you way later for this. I thought it was was important on principle just to come to you and explain the restructuring that was going on. I took full advantage of an opportunity, you know, just to come before you here at your first meeting and just as a gesture of what we're looking to do, bring you all along on this and and make sure you know what's happened in the mayor's office.

I appreciate it, sir. It's always a pleasure to see the mayor when they're not here to scold us.

Count councilor Wheeler.

Through the chair. I just wanted to say welcome to those who are new for working for the city, both in the mayor's office and and throughout the staff. And congratulations to those who are continuing to work for the city moving from one role to another. And I hope everyone can see that Sunroville is a place where dedication and public service services and servants is recognized and careers flourish.

Thank you.

Mister president, can I add on that front? I didn't introduce her because she's continuing on, but Yasmeen Hrdesi is your continue to be your legislative liaison. So we all have her contact info. She's part of this though, so I just belated recognition to to Yasmin.

Any further questions? Discussion? Alright. Seeing none, that item is approved. Thank you, mister mayor.

Alright. That will take us back to our regular order of business then.

And that brings us to item 4.1, an ordinance by councilor Davis amending chapter two article three of the code of ordinances by adding a new section establishing the time and place of regular meetings of the city council.

Alright. This will be referred to legislative matters. I wanna note what I shared with the chair of legislative matters that as folks have will have hopefully, if you've looked at this, this includes so the charter requires that we set we set the the the time that we are that we meet, the the timing of our meetings by ordinance, there is a suggestion in here that we then move to a different day, Tuesday, at a different time, in two years. That's a suggestion. That's what's in the ordinance now.

My my my reason for this to legislative matters is so we can have that conversation. So I want folks to take it in the in that spirit. We'll have a robust discussion. And and certainly, there's if there's a a, you know, feeling there's a need for it, have a a larger discussion on it, we can we can either do at the council level or it's probably where we do it at this council level rather than a committee of the whole. Don't think it would probably rise to that level. But that's the I wanted to preface the the discussion here with that sort of intent. Any Councilor Scott, did you want to speak to the item at all?

Of course if there's any preliminary thoughts from counselors, we're happy to hear them tonight, but otherwise happy to take it into committee. And if there are strong opinions about having this as a committee of the whole, feel free to refer them to me and I will take it under advisement, sir. Thank you.

Very well. And and as always, as I said, we can also do that at the council level as as we see fit. Any discussion or questions at this stage? Alright. Seeing none, that will be referred to legislative matters then.

Item 4.2, an order by councilor Strezzo that director of housing report to this council how many new units have been approved for development year by year since adoption of summer vision 2040. And of those numbers, how many are permanently affordable and how the department defines affordability?

Councilor Strezzo.

Can you please send this to Housing Community Development and Equity?

That is, approved and with copy sent to Housing Community Development and Equity.

Thank you.

With all the commas in the right spot. Next item.

Item 4.3, order an by councilor Strezzo that the director of housing stability discuss the current status of residents facing displacement and the number of households seeking rental assistance.

Councilor Strezzo?

Same thing. Can you please send this there? Housing, community development, and equity.

I see no discussion. That item is approved with a copy to housing community development housing community development and equity.

And item 4.4, order by councilor Strezzo that the director of parks and recreation provide an update on upcoming inclusive playground accessibility plans and redesign projects.

Gotcha. Same thing.

See no discussion. That item is approved. I'm getting copies sent to the Yep. Committee. Yep. Housing community development. We did good acronym. H c h c d e, housing housing community. We'll we'll come up with something.

Probably put that should have put that e somewhere else to maybe make it a little bit more of a better

Housing community development and equity.

Right. And item 4.5, an order by councilor Schrezo that the commissioner of public works and relevant departments discuss the future community use of founder's rank for 2026 and beyond.

Here here. Councilor Schesem.

Game on.

We hope so.

To housing, community development, and equity.

Alright. Seeing no discussion. That item is approved with a copy to housing, community development, and equity. Next item.

Brings us to item 4.6, an order by councilor McLaughlin that the director of mobility provide an update on the Kensington Connector.

Councilor McLaughlin.

Thank you, mister president. All of my orders are items that I've previously submitted, and I'm resubmitting them. It's not gonna stop me from making a speech, though. Kensington Connector, I think I've been advocating for this as long as I've been on the council. I believe Chris Dwan is keeping a tracker of the amount of times I've submitted this order. For those of you who don't know, there's a highway that divides my community two highways actually. But I 93 separates East Somerville from Assembly. We have a little underpass there that's dangerous and disgusting. We had mass DOT come by, put some safety measures in there. But this is about beautification.

This is about making this a place people actually wanna walk. Lighting, artwork, security, something down there to just make it so not unpleasant. I've been for several years, a lot of passing the buck. I'm hoping this new mayor takes it on and we get it done this year.

Alright. Councilor Strauss Yeah.

I would just approve this item.

Councilor Strauss would like to sign on. Do you want to speak to the item as well?

Actually, yeah. And I'd love to send this to Housing and Community Development Committee or public utilities or something. Think that keeping it in committee and discussing it there's a use for that.

Any objection to that? Councilor McLaughlin gives the thumbs up from Mofflin. Great. Preference on the committee. Council Mofflin?

Okay.

I'm gonna take it.

I mean, I'm happy to take it in mind, which, by the way, I do wanna say that the Kensington Underpass is smelly and gross and scary at times. My beloved dog, Martha, and I like to go in that region. There have been times when people have been setting things on fire for some unknown reason at that moment. The artwork that was put up by East Somerville Main Streets years ago, somebody slashed it, so it's just dangling there and tattered, and that's really unfortunate too. It is scary at times.

It is not well lit. And then, of course, that doesn't even count for the fact of of trying to cross the streets on both end and hoping no one gets killed. So, yes, it is quite an important issue. It should be addressed this year. And can we do that, please? Thanks.

Alright. Just to add to that, mister president, people have been killed down there. We had one unhoused person who died under that bridge, and then someone else was hit by a car as well. So it is definitely something I would like I'd like it done before my time here is done. That's for sure.

Very well. Alright. Councilor Link. I get just a question for this you said beautification through the chair. Sorry. Is this this is a beautification project. Is there any because it's with the DOT, is there any opportunity to fix lighting the crosswalk light setup is not particularly safe? Is that something that could be discussed or is that not in this particular

Carry put put the question to councilor McLaughlin. Is that the intent? Yes. Councilor McLaughlin?

I would I would think they're two separate things, but we can obviously have that conversation in committee. Right now, I was pretty satisfied with a lot of the work Mass did to make that area safer. And as far as as far as I know, this has been approved by Mass DOT for some time. And that's what I mean by passing the buck. I keep hearing that, oh, we're waiting on the state. We're waiting on the state. And the state is saying that they're ready to work. So I'm hoping the city is ready to work as well.

Alright. So seeing no further discussion, that item is approved with a copy to housing community development and equity. Very well. Next item.

Item 4.7, a resolution by councilor McLaughlin that the director of human resources and the chief of police work with state officials to provide crossing guards on McGrath Highway.

Councilor McLaughlin.

This is another item, mister president, that I've been told is a state issue. And then I talked to the state, and my rep, Mike Connolly, says they're ready to work on this. Ready to do something. I'm hoping the new mayor takes it up. This will be public health and safety, I would say.

Alright. Council Chazo?

Thank you. Yes. I'm I'm glad this is coming forward as this has been an issue. And while we have the crossing guards on on Medford Street and McGrath, there was still isn't any on Broadway. And despite years of the passing of the buck of of it's the city's job to hire crossing guards.

It's the state's job. I I I've heard nothing but that back and forth three years as well, and I just don't understand. And I do wanna side on to this order, but we should absolutely be addressing this in committee. I think it should be on record that someone has an answer as to who hires them. We've had the blessing of there being crossing guards continuously on Medford Street in McGrath, but that's an anomaly in this region despite the fact that we're about to lose the crossing bridge over McGrath. I am very concerned about safety in this region, so we need some actual steps instead of pointing fingers to make sure that everyone can cross the street and not die in this region in the corridor of death.

Great. Seeing no further discussion. That item is approved with a copy to where did you say?

Public health and safety.

Public health and public safety. Very well. Next item.

Item 4.8, a resolution by councilor McLaughlin that the administration collaborate with East Summerville Main Streets and the Ward 1 City Councilor to promote e out and East to support East Summerville immigrant owned businesses.

Councilor McLaughlin. Thank you, mister president. This is also an item I previously submitted, but it is unfortunately very timely, due to what happened in Minnesota this week. I actually had, representatives from Saint Paul reach out to me to ask what we're doing to address ICE in Somerville. And I gave them my frank assessment as I tell everybody what we can do, what we maybe can't do, and the real the reality of having the federal government behaving in such a way, how we can respond to this.

And one of the things I said to them is that one of the basic things we can do is just be here for each other and be here for members of the community, for the immigrant community, and the immigrant businesses, and also everyone who's affected by this. People who witness abductions on the street and seeing what what's going on in this community, what's happened before. And this is a very simple idea that activists in the community have started and I've supported them on this. It's just once week come down to East Somerville, eat at the local businesses, which are 75% immigrant owned. Come down, walk around the neighborhood, be visible, make sure people feel safe in the streets, not asking for anything outrageous.

Just building a community and making sure people are there for each other. I've spoken to the mayor about this already and how we can get city assistance to make this happen. Because it if we leave it up to activists alone, things like this can fall apart. And I would like to see a full press from the city government to assist these businesses, to assist East Somerville specifically, and to make sure that people feel safe in the community. So I would take this up in public health and safety as well. Any

further discussion? Councilor Strathol?

Yes. If you wanna through you, miss president, to council McLaughlin, I also suggest bringing in economic development on this. It should be pivotal in the in the already pushing for the campaign of supporting small businesses and to the other additional level. And, yes, if it doesn't go to public health, public safety, which you may I think you're on that committee. Yeah. So alright. Enjoy the conversation, but always happy to talk about it too in housing and community development as well. But, yeah, you want a public health to public safety? Makes total sense.

Good. See, no further discussion. That has approved. And I think public health and public safety is fine, certainly since councilor Schatz, we've already loaded up your committee pretty well. So that is a copy sent to public health and public safety. Next item.

Item 4.9, a resolution by councilor McLaughlin that the director of engineering and the director of mobility work to block off the end of Virginia Street and Aldridge Street to through traffic.

Mister McLaughlin. Traffic and parking, please.

And for the discussion, that is approved with a copy to traffic and parking.

Item 4.1, a resolution by councilor McLaughlin that the director of planning, preservation, and zoning draft an amendment to the zoning ordinances for transit oriented height and density bonuses for additional affordable housing and other enumerated community benefits.

Councilor McLaughlin. So this is the upzoning item, citywide upzoning. It's been our agenda for a few years now. I have faith that this is gonna be the year. Landius, please.

Very well. So I think I I think it was originally yourself. It was Councilor Wilson and and me were the three initial sponsors. I'll sign my name onto this one again. Certainly, do we want to send this to committee as a reminder, as sort of a holding item?

Yeah, it's a placeholder for the land use committee.

Okay, very well. Councilor Sate would like sign on. Councilor Wheeler, Councilor Hart, and Councilor Link, and Councilor Bah, and Councilor Schrezo. Good. Councilor Scott. Very well. That will be approved with a copy to land use.

Item 4.11, an order by councilor Wheeler and councilor Ewen Campin that the director of mobility discuss with this council the recommendations of the pedestrian and transit advisory committee regarding the 25% design documents of Massachusetts Department of Transportation McGrath Boulevard project.

Council Wheeler. Thank you. Through the chair, many of you and many people watching will be familiar with the Mass Department of Transportation's McGrath Boulevard redesign project, but some will not. The elevated portion is being taken down. There's going to be an extensive change to what McGrath looks like on the ground. It's really great that it's happening. I think I am thrilled. I know many colleagues are thrilled. There was an open house about the latest stage of this that was hosted here at the high school in December. I had the chance and other people had the chance to speak with members of the design team for this project.

And they're paying attention to a huge number of details and and doing really great work. That said, there are some areas where there is a trade off between the convenience of drivers from outside Summerville and the safety of Summerville residents, particularly children at places like the Otis Street Crossing where there's a playground and the Edgeley with the Winter Hill School is nearby. And for the ability of neighborhoods on either side of McGrath to be connected to each other as one seamless neighborhood, not as a neighborhood that ends at a traffic wall. So there's I think really thoughtful and attentive and specific feedback that our pedestrian transit advisory committee has produced. I would love for that to be the beginning of this council articulating as a whole any areas where we want to urge MasDOT to continue working and refining.

Thank you.

Pastor Ewen Kempen. Thank you, Mr. President, and thank you to my colleague of Directors

Board

Board pedestrian transit

advisory committee submitting comments for the McGrath Boulevard.

Of

thank you, mister president. You know, I think as my colleague just said, our hope is there are a lot of people who have really important feedback, and what we need to all do is sort of speak with one voice. Right? When we're dealing with a state agency like DOT, if we have this group of advocates saying this and the city council saying this and the mobility department, the mayor's office saying this, they're gonna tune that out. We need to try to have one voice. That that is how we're gonna get our feedback heard. So I'm looking forward to having this conversation in traffic and parking, you know, with the mobility department who have a lot of expertise working with state agencies. Okay.

Councilor McLaughlin would like to sign on. Councilor Link, do you wanna speak to okay. Just give give me a give me a wave if you wanna that way I write your name down. Councilor Link, go to floor.

To the

chair, I just wanna thank councilor Wheeler and councilor Ewen Kampin for bringing this up. And I just want to emphasize the the the very first one which is the hawk signal on on Oda Street which councilor Wheeler mentioned. And I, you know, I just really really hope that that we can get that back to signalized crossing.

Okay. Gotcha. Scott.

Mister president, hawk signals, one of my favorite topics of discussion. Those who are not frequent followers of the city council can see some greatest hits footage over the year, as it relates to the hawk signals on Beacon Street. So, on that one, I was told it was too late to make a change, but I'm gonna keep holding on to councilor Nedergang's advice. It's never late to correct the mistake. So let's let's all join in the fight together. I look forward to it, sir.

Councilor Klingen. Thank you, mister president. Through you. Thank you, my colleagues. As the one of the counselors who one one side of the is Ward 4, the other side is Ward 1. Well, so I do not like hawk lights at all, especially not for there. But, you know, I would be remiss not to mention, I know I've heard the mayor's over the head, a bunch of everything. I know state representative Mike Conley is very much sort of hands on with this project. So naturally, that one voice would include his voice, of course. But, yeah, I I appreciate this conversation because I I'm not totally satisfied with what we have there.

I know that as usual, budgets are the constraint, but I think we can with the right advocacy, we can get there. So so thank you both.

Okay. Council site would like to sign on. Alright. Council link would like to sign Council cling hand would like to sign on twice. Council heart. Alright. Very well. So that is approved with a copy to traffic and parking. Is that the request? Yeah. Okay.

Next item is item 4.12, an order by councilor Wheeler that this councilor work with the administration to clarify understanding of the rules for accessory dwelling units or affordable dwelling units as detailed within.

Councilor Wheeler.

Thank you. Through the chair. Legalizing accessory dwelling units is a move intended to be a gentle way to add homes to our city without displacing existing existing residents. However, across the multiple layers of government that have policy related to housing, there are often tricky ambiguities about different definitions, different terminology. And there's some questions that have come up in our community about clarifying some of these some of these questions, some of these ambiguities related to terminology, related to height limits in different documents, and related to the relationship between the primary structures and these secondary structures behind them.

And in particular, an aspect of this that I'm curious about is whether there is a pattern happening of some developers interpreting ADU rules to split what might otherwise be a single building that would be subject to inclusionary zoning because of its number of units into two smaller structures that each avoid the threshold. So that's that's a particular question that I have. I think we should get clear about what our city's interpretation of these different definitions is, and whether we want to clarify interpretations or whether we to any possible change to the rules.

Thank you. So through you to Councilor Wheeler, ADUs are bi right. I know this is a good opportunity to just listen and connect with department heads and find out more information about ADUs because it is complex. However, there's a lot of work that has been done about this that can be outside of an order and don't necessarily have to be in order. There's a lot of good work in ADUs and a lot of conversations happening as well.

So I am excited to talk further about accessory dwelling units and cottages and backyard cottages and what the next year and years to come will look like. But let's let's research, look, and listen, and learn from each other too. Thank you.

Councilor Bob would like to sign on. Councilor Sai, that sounds like a good conversation to have in land use. Alright, very well. That will be approved to copy of the land use.

Brings us to item 4.13, a resolution by councilor Wheeler that the administration consider convening issue specific community meetings for residents to share their perspectives and experiences on long term issues such as mobility and transportation, school integration, inclusion, choice, and specialization.

Councilor Wheeler.

Through the chair. Thank you. And first I want to just also appreciate my colleague, Councilor Strazo, and your point about doing homework before we bring orders. And I appreciate everyone's everyone's grace and and patience as I get up to speed. This is an idea that was brought up by by someone else to me.

It's not. I don't claim that it's my idea but I I think it's promising. So many people have observed that in Somerville and so many other places in our country, in our world, there seems to be a lot of division and perhaps more than there used to be. This may be related to it being the era of social media and smartphones and the Internet and ways that we sit in our own homes and have opinions rather than encountering each other and interacting with people from more walks of life in our day to day life. I don't know.

But I do know that when people get together and have the chance to work together towards articulating a common vision, that experience can be transformational and really powerful and can really help reweave a community together. One way I had the chance to experience something along these lines recently was that the Davis Square Neighborhood Council organized a meeting at that was hosted in a space at Tufts University. And there were a large number of different people from all over Summerville and some nearby towns because the Davis Square catchment area includes some of Arlington and Cambridge. And we split into small groups and articulated a vision for where we might like to see development continue in Davis Square. It was a powerful experience and I think we could we could do more of these.

Whether it's city organized or organized through nonprofit partners or some kind of combination. There's a lot of existing work along these lines. Our participatory budgeting process, as our director Denise Taylor pointed out to me, and such a great point. There's a lot of this in that and a lot of this in why that's a powerful experience. So this is a sort of a vague idea at the moment.

Admittedly, I would love to see some exploration of this. And that's something where, you know, I think we would need to find who on the council, who in the administration is really interested in helping to move an idea like this or something possibly similar forward. Thank you.

Any further discussion? All right. So that item is approved. Think if, you know, hopefully that discussion will go forward. Just procedural step. This is an excellent example of of bringing an idea to the table. The administration has now heard it. We can have a conversation. We get something a little more formal. We get to submit a new item, send that to committee.

Not everything has to go committee committee, so that's great. I also wanna note appreciate and the the exchange. We also have a new mayor. And so as I look at some of these items, and it's it's always the case with the new council that there's gonna be things that are brought that have been brought before, sometimes multiple times before, as we heard from our good councilor from Ward Ward 1 and and councilor Nedergang who he who he invoked, used to love to put forth request. He used to key account.

That totally okay. And especially in the scenario, I think we I I think we so far we have seen reason to expect different results this time. So no reason not to to raise issues again. And we certainly can can bring all the the the, you know, the expertise and learning that we've we've gained from the previous discussions to those discussions. So a little procedural note from the chair here.

Before we go to the next so that item is approved. Before we go to the next item, actually want to circle back to 10.4 because councilor Ewenkampin slipped that one in, and I neglected to designate a a disposition for that one because separate from the item that with which we considered it. So that item is is placed on file with a copy to committee to follow the other items. That conversation can be had together, but it's just we we don't approve comments from the the public. Those items are those are placed on file, then they're there for everyone to see. Alright. Very well. Next item then.

Item four fourteen, order by councilor Link that the chief assessor provide this council with an inventory of city owned parcels as detailed within.

Councilor Link. Yeah.

This is something, you know, I heard a lot on the the doors, you know, talking about what are we doing with the buildings that, you know, the lights are always off on. And, you know, can we turn these into some sort of like supportive housing or affordable housing? So I would I'd love to just know if we even know as a city what we have in terms of of our our properties and our our buildings. I'm sure not what committee this would be best in.

Captain Link, I think this is an excellent example of another item that perhaps doesn't need to go to committee, but we have I would suspect that's probably gonna be under the under the umbrella of asset management. And so encourage you to follow-up with IGA to I'm sure we have a list somewhere figure out where that is. And if not and we need to make one, then we can have that conversation committee. Alright. So that item is approved.

Mister president, would like to

sign Councilor Bob would like to sign on to that. Okay. Next item, please.

Item 4.15, a resolution by councilor Link that the commissioner of public works and the director of engineering explore the feasibility of establishing a teen center at the Cummings School accessible via School Street, considering current building uses and provide this council with an analysis on space availability, operational considerations, community impacts, and potential next steps.

Councilor Ike. Mister chair, so I received a clarification from Director Riesch and I want to acknowledge there's an assessment at

the coming school already underway through IIM and Councilor Link. Can I ask you to just swallow that microphone while I talk and just make sure everybody can hear your wise words?

Is that better? Perfect. Sorry. It's my first day.

We we all forget as well, so don't worry about it. So,

yes. So as I said, director let me know that there is already assessment of the coming school underway through IIM and capital projects. So I'm glad that it sounds like there's work there,

and I'm just hoping that we can continue

to be looped into that process. And, you know, given how frequently I've heard both from this council and outside of this council, how we need more spaces for our teams. I you know, I'm really hopeful that we can find, you know, something like this. So I'm happy to amend this item as requested by director Reich, directing it to infrastructure and asset management, and would like to refer to the school buildings, facilities, and maintenance committee.

Alright. So councilor Link moves to amend the item to change the reference from commissioner of public works and director of engineering to for changing both of those to infrastructure and asset management. Is

that yes. Yes.

Okay. To that that to direct it to infrastructure and asset management to make that request. Seeing no objection, that amendment is approved. And then

Sorry, mister chair. Just Yep. Could I sign on to that?

Could I sign on to that item? Yes. Let let's let's let's let the ink dry on the on the amendment first. So councilor Wheeler would like to sign on to the item now as amended. I would also reference folks to there was a discussion in specifically as it related to overflow space or swing space for the school department that was specific to the coming schools. I would encourage folks to take a peek. I can't recall if that happened in school building maintenance or whether it's in the school committee. It might have been both. Based on Raddazzi, can you help me out or otherwise advise us where folks can look at to catch up on the discussion?

Thank you, Mr. President. Yes, was in school building facilities and maintenance and we'd be happy to have this sent to that committee so that we can continue to give those updates at a regular cadence.

Perfect. All right. Very well. So that will be approved with a copy to school buildings, facilities and maintenance. Thank you. Next

resolution by councilor Link that the director of mobility install a no turn on red sign at the intersection of Bow Street and Warren Avenue to improve pedestrian and cyclist safety and report back to this council on implementation timing.

Councilor Link.

Really straightforward one. That light quarter of And we we

And And a parking so that it can make its way to the twenty traffic commission, assuming they're the ones that would need to do that, but maybe not. I may have the the priorities wrong. But either way, we'll send a we'll prove that with a copy to traffic and parking to make sure it gets to the right spot. Next item.

Item 4.18, a resolution by councilor Link that the director of public space and urban forestry develop and report on a standardized green score for public parks and identify appropriate benchmarks and expectations for publicly owned parkland. Councilor Link.

Yeah. So we've made some really great progress in the city with new parks and open spaces. But we have some older parks that are notably less wonderful. So I'm just really hopeful that we could build on, you know, we require a green score for our private properties and developments and having something of a a you know, would probably be different. But having something similar for our own public parks and open spaces so that we can understand where we're doing really well and where we might not be doing so well and maybe need to pay some attention, for example, Perkins Park. I'm not sure which committee would be best.

Any further discussion? No. I so this could go to a couple committees, I think that it might make sense to send it to open space. Well, now what do we call it now? Yeah. That's right. Sustainability infrastructure. That's the one, which is where items that would have gone to open space environment and and energy will now be captured and we'll have those good conversations. So see no further discussion. That is approved with a copy to sustainability and infrastructure. Next item.

Item 4.19, a resolution by Councillor Link that the administration explore the feasibility of a year with no SWAG as detailed within.

It possible to live for a year without swag? Councilor Linc, tell us how it will be so.

So, yeah, I suspect that my wife is probably gonna think that this is about my war against tote bags in our house, but actually, I'm I'm in all seriousness, I am curious, like, you know, how much as a city we could save money if we didn't have quite as much swag maybe for $20.26 in a year where we're looking at maybe a tighter budget and what maybe better things we could

do if all of it

was gone for just a, you know, a year, you know, to make sure that we're spending things on our best priorities.

Councilor McLaughlin. We still get to hear about badges though. Right? How

dare you call classify our badges as swag, councilor McLaughlin. After such a hard fought. Okay. Councilor Wheeler.

I just wanna say it through the chair. I think, you know, as fun as this this item is in a way, it's also serious. And I think always it's good for us to take a step back and ask ourselves is the way that we're doing something something that we want to keep doing? Does it make sense overall? So I'm glad that we're asking questions like this. Thank you.

Councillor Scott.

I look forward to the discussion here. I will say though that, the the materials that are produced by, for example, health and human services to distribute, Narcan and other, overdose prevention supplies. You know, hopefully, can still put some city of Summerville branding and get those out there. But I, I appreciate the overall sentiment to reduce the amount of plastic crap we put into the world. Thank

you. And with that, a beautiful segue to where I think we might actually send this for it's a committee is it's I see this as as much of an environmental issue as anything else. So if there's no objection, I I think we have to go to sustainability infrastructure. Seems like the right spot for it. And I I echo my good colleague at large's point that it's good to think about things a little differently. So I appreciate this. Alright. Next item.

Item 5.1 in order by councilor Schrezzo that this city council discuss the safety of the Summer Street bike lane design around or near Putnam Street to Benton Road and how and if additional safety modifications can be made.

Councilor Schrezzo.

Thank you, miss president. He's not here, so just send it to committee and we'll talk about it there. I guess, could we please put it public? I know this is traffic and parking. I I'm I'm right here. I'm here.

But I can't hear you. I'm here. Assume the folks in the room might not be Mister

president.

Including the the ones that are that are in back waving saying that they can't hear you.

Alright. Fine. Okay. This is me talking. So is this better? Alright. Yes. Beautiful. Leaning slightly closer. I do want to talk about this, but I'm not on traffic and parking.

It seems like a a good avenue for that, but I guess can we send it to a committee like public safety, public works, or who is the chair of traffic and parking now, if I can bring this forward. There's a constituent that very much wants to speak on this, and I think that he should. With all dysregulation of last couple of meetings that happened. They weren't able to come and speak on this and they really want to speak on this and I think they should.

Okay. So I think there's a few committees that this could go to. Think traffic and parking I would agree seems like the most likely. Because that is I guess still most of our committees are three people, that was an intentional decision so that other counselors can come speak to an item and without there being a quorum concern. So you can work with the chair of traffic and parking as appropriate for on scheduling if you care to if you care to come speak to it and to to ensure that this member of the public might have an opportunity as well. So if that makes sense. I see

Wait. Face. Pardon me.

Oh, there's face. Face that suggests that you don't quite agree with what I'm saying. So I wanna

give the opportunity to push that. Very good cue. No. Thank you. And I don't mind that, but it

just seems like one more burden on the chair to have to figure that out, chair of traffic and parking, and I don't mind that.

I don't mind going to traffic and parking.

I'm happy to say this thing, I guess there's several options where this could go. Think housing community development equity would be fine. Think public safety public works would be I

did make a copy of

Cheat sheet on the committees.

I made it small though which is a problem.

Can't really see the

of kind of yes. I am gonna have to go to CVS and get those little itty bitty glasses. I'm not looking forward to that. Anyhow, I mean yeah. You know what? Can we send it to just I'm on public health public safety. Can we send it there? Do you mind, mister chair? Through you to Mr. Chair?

To public

health public safety. I'm not am I oh.

Counselor, you can't be very aware this under the big debate of this appropriate committee.

Mr. Chair,

think should go around the horseshoe

and each give our preference. No. My

Yes. That's exactly what we should be doing. Oh.

Mister Sheriff

We have no committee reports, so we gotta make this meeting last somehow.

Yep. I think it's relevant which staff attends these meetings to give the the kind of feedback that we're looking for. The this the traffic and parking has mobility and engineering staff attend it regularly. I believe that those are the relevant staff for this. That that that would be my recommendation.

But yep.

Mister president, I I through you to councilor Yenkampen. Yeah. Hear I that. However, there have been instances where an agenda item that I'm concerned about, I I comes and passes and goes and is already put on the committee report, I don't and I missed that opportunity. And this was a really important issue for this person to bring forward, and I want to give them that space. So, yeah, let's just please send it to public health and public safety. Thank you.

Alright. Seeing no objection, that is approved with a copy to public health and public safety. Next item, please.

And that brings us to item 7.2, a request of the mayor requesting approval of a time only contract extension for three months with the new expiration date of 03/31/2026 for StanTech Consulting Services Incorporated for design services for the Spring Hill Sewer Separation Project.

That is referred to finance. Mister Councilor Wheeler?

I just wanted to make a a quick comment on this because I didn't quite know what time only meant, and I imagine many other people might not know. Time only means this is a contract that's not asking for more money. It's just asking for the legal ability to keep working given what we've already committed to paying. Correct me if that is wrong. Just for anyone who's wondering.

Once again, nailed it. Appreciate it. Alright. So that is a referred finance for this for discussion. Or for a rec for recommendation. Item, please.

Item 7.3.

Councilor Wheeler.

Got it. Motion to refer this to the finance committee.

Well, we what yeah. I councilor William moves to waive the reading. I refer Oh, sorry.

Point point of order. I'm a little confused about what's going on. I understand this is a finance related item. I'm not quite sure what that means that we do about it next.

So oftentimes when there's items that we're gonna refer to committee, they will be posted when something goes to committee, it is then posted on the committee agenda so folks have a chance to see what it is. And oftentimes when there's a whole list of things, we will waive the ratings just in the interest of saving time. Certainly don't need to do that. It makes sense to hear the item read out so that everybody knows what it is, the public knows what it is. Sometimes maybe that's less less critical. It's it's ultimately at the discretion of the chair to do that. So if you'd like to we're at 7.3.

I would be inclined to waive the reading. Is that a motion? I'm sorry. Point of order.

Just say move to waive the reading and send

to I move to waive the reading, mister chair.

Alright. Seeing no objection, objection, that that item item is is sent sent to to finance. Finance. Next item.

Item 7.5.

Mister Wheeler.

I move to waive the reading and refer this item for

approval to finance. Thank you.

Items. Alright.

Go ahead. So actually, no. So let's I'd like to take a few items out of order. We have a number of confirmations here, and I'll note that I had a conversation with the chair of confirmation of appointments this week, as well as from this clerk's office administration. And so we're gonna there there's there's I'm gonna recommend that there or actually chairman Ba is gonna make two motions here.

If one is gonna be to send some of these items to confirmation of appointments, and the other is gonna be to prove them this approve them this evening. The first batch is our new appointments, those three new appointments, and then two police promotions. Our practice has always been to send that type of item to committee. So if there's no objection, councilor Baill would like to to move to to waive the ratings of items seven ten, seven fifteen, seven eighteen, seven twenty two, and seven twenty three, and send those to confirmation of appointments. Mister president? Councilor councilor Bob?

I'm surprised that you're actually speaking on my behalf. You know? I had this conversation with a with a good president. If you say councilor Bach, I'm right here. I have to make the motion myself.

Go right ahead, councilor.

Thank thank you, mister president. And so to my new colleagues, you know, in the past, this is the first time that we are having department heads come to us. So and in consultation with the president, you know, we agreed that this if there are re reappointments, these are people we already know, you know, it's it's necessary that we approve tonight unless any member of this body thinks that they deem anybody to go to committee, then we'll send it to

Mister Bach, can I just ask you to so the the items that we that are before us are seven ten, seven fifteen, seven dot eight, seven twenty two, and 07/23? These are three new appointments for department heads and two police promotions. Yes. So on those items, you'd like to send those to to confirmation appointments?

I would like to waive, you know, the ratings of 7.6 to 7.9, 7.11 to 7.14, 7.16 to 7.17, and 7.19 to 7.21 to approve those tonight because these are reappointments.

Okay. So councilor Bob moves to waive the readings of seven dot six through seven nine, seven eleven through seven fourteen, seven sixteen through seven seventeen, and seven nineteen through through seven twenty one. These are all department heads who are currently serving in their role that that were not previously appointed by the city council. The charter the new language in the charter or the the the continuing government's language in the charter could be interpreted to say that a reappointment is not is not required. In fact, that's the word required is what is used. Mayor Wilson has submitted these for for reappointment at a act of good faith. So councilor Baum moves to to approve those items this evening. Is that correct?

Yes, mister president.

Unless, of course, there's an objection, in which case we can send any any specific item to to committee. Alright. So seeing no objections. So those items are approved. We don't need a roll call on any of those. Right? Alright. Very well. And then another motion, councilor Baugh?

Yes. Mister president, I move to waive the reading of seven point ten to seven point fifteen, 7.18, 7.22 to 7.23, and send those one to confirmation of appointments.

Okay. Seeing no objection, those items are sent to confirmation appointments. Thank you.

Thank you, mister president.

Next item.

Next item is 7.24, a request of the mayor requesting that city councilors submit budget funding priorities by 03/26/2026.

Just briefly on that item, if anyone has any questions about that, any of the new members, please feel free to reach out to me. Feel free to reach out to the well, really, of us, and we can we can have conversation. Seeing no discussion this evening, that item is approved.

Item 7.25, the mayor's communication conveying the temporary appointment of Kevin Klein as interim director of services.

That item is placed on file. Next item.

Item 7.26, a communication of the mayor conveying the temporary appointment of Neil Viner as interim director of water and sewer.

That item placed on file.

7.27, a communication of the mayor conveying an updated end of term report at the request of former mayor Ballantyne.

That item is placed on file.

Brings us to item 8.1, an officer's communications city clerk requesting acceptance of Massachusetts general laws chapter 41 section 91 relating to the appointment and removal of constables.

That item is referred to legislative matters. Councillor Wheeler, you want to speak on that item?

Through the chair, if I may. Just another quick definition. This is a point of confusion for me. I heard constable and thought some type of police officer, but as I understand it, constables are municipal officers who serve legal documents like summonses and subpoenas, collect debts, and sometimes do assist with some procedures like evictions. So that was just a bit of context that I found useful.

Councillor Scott.

Thank you Mr. President. That is correct. Although it is they they also go armed around the city. So it is one of those things that the city has this council has reviewed at several times in the past. There was there's some history there where at one point, it was required that the city of Summerville appoint constables because otherwise, constables from other communities would come in and perform. So oh, I will swallow this more. I look forward to it'll be an interesting discussion. It's one of the things that comes out of our last charter. Mister president, I appreciate you referring this, and I would also ask that you refer eight dot two, eight dot three to legislative matters as well. And you can waive readings of those or you can read them in.

Councilor Scott moves to waive the readings of eight dot two and eight dot three and refer those to legislative matters. Seeing no objection. Those are referred.

And that brings us to item 8.4 in officers' communications. City clerk conveying information regarding the city council's council's responsibilities pursuant to the 2025 city charter.

We I have there's a note here to lay this one to the table. I don't think we had that conversation, conversation so I move to I suggest that we lay this one to the table so we can figure out why that is and we'll take it up in two weeks. Next item.

That brings us to item 9.1.

Councillor Hart.

I'd like to move that we waive the readings of 9.1 to 9.7 and approve.

Oh now I do remember that conversation. I apologize Madam Clerk. Yes, I'm the last one. Alright, 9.1 to 9.7. Councillor Hart moves to waive the readings and approve this evening. Discussion? These are various licenses so if there was any concern with any of the businesses or otherwise, we could certainly send any individual item to committee. But seeing no objections, those are approved.

Item, sorry, item 9.8, a public communication from Cole Rainey Slavik submitting comments about cannabis social consumption.

That item is placed on file.

And item 9.9, a public communication from Harriet Ranvig submitting comments about the Commission for Persons with Disabilities.

That item is, Council Wheeler.

Thank you. Through the chair, just a quick comment, on writing public communications in general, talking about difficult matters. I don't want to speak about the particular particular claims that are in this letter. But I do want to recognize that speaking up publicly about something, complicated things, is difficult. It's often perceived as being impolite or out of turn. And I always welcome sincere efforts to engage with complicated things responsibly. And I hope that we keep in mind being welcoming to voices speaking up about problems. Thank you. Hear, hear.

All right. That item is placed on file. Thank you.

Item 9.1, a public communication from Crystal Huff. Summating comments about surveillance cameras.

That item is placed on file.

Brings us to item 10.1.

So item 10.1 and item 10.2, we will lay on the table for discussion at next meeting unless we wanna send those directly to committee. Councilman Kampin?

Mr. President, when I have a moment, I had a brief comment on a previous item nine ten that we just passed Okay.

Let's let's handle this. So, Councilor Schrozow, do you have a preference to to do want to speak? If you want to at speak the council level, we can do that in two weeks or we can send it to committee.

Why don't you yeah. Mister president, wanted to send right right to committee. It's totally fine. That's what I

was hoping.

And just as a little procedural point. So there's a little bit of a gray area sorry. There's a little bit of a gray area between our the council rules and the open meeting law requirements for setting an agenda. Council rules require that items be submitted at a certain time on Monday to go on the agenda that is published prior to the day of the meeting. And then items submitted subsequently are on the supplemental list of the supplemental items that is published in the morning, Saturday, Thursday morning.

As I said, there's because the the open meeting law says anything that that is that the chair believes will be reasonably believes will be discussed within forty eight hours or more than forty eight hours should be on the agenda. So like I said, there's a little bit of a gray area, but we want things to to we want there to be transparency. We want things to to be discussed. And so for items that like this, unless there's a unless something is truly a, you know, a new and time sensitive issue, that certainly we we will see examples where something is discussed. But otherwise, we wanna make sure that the public knows about an item before we take an action on it or before we deliberate on it, is what the law requires. So in this case, I now what did you say? Lay on the table or send to committee? You said send It's to

h d c d e.

So because so we'll send these to committee without without an action. So that would be just referred to committee. That that way the the council has not taken an action on them. When if and when they go on an agenda for for that committee, the public will be aware of it. They will they will be duly noticed, and then we can deliberate pursuant to open meeting last. So that's just little inside baseball explanation for everything. Very well. So item 10.1 and item 10.2 are referred to housing community development and equity. Yes. Very well.

Thank you. Next item, madam clerk. Mister president?

Yes. Oh, yeah. Sorry. Councilor had a

Is can I make a brief comment on item nine dot 10, which is a public communication from Crystal Huff about flock cameras?

So councilor Euncampin moves to reconsider item nine dot 10 and helps that reconsideration fails. Anybody like to change? We did we did place it on file. So alright. That item is now I see no objection. That item is now back before us.

Councilman Kempen. Thank you, mister president. I just wanted to make a brief comment on this because I've received a lot of input from the public concern about this security camera company called Flock for folks who follow surveillance. This is a company that there have been a lot of news reports. This company Flock is partnering with federal agencies, and there's a lot of concern that it's being used to track people by the federal government. There's like a persistent misunderstanding that FLoC is being used in Somerville by the Somerville government. It is not. And I want everyone to be very clear about this. We have in Somerville a surveillance oversight ordinance. All surveillance technologies have to be approved by this city council following a public process.

No flock cameras have been approved in Summerville. I think one of the areas of misunderstanding we have these traffic ticket sticks like the one in Davis Square. They automatically and that that company is called MPS. I forget what it stands for, municipal parking solutions. And if you Google them, that company has entered a partnership with FLAC.

That is concerning. I reached out to director Rinfritt from our traffic and parking. She got it within like an hour of me writing. Had it in writing from the vice president of the MPS company that although that partnership exists for other technologies, that would be a violation of the contract that they have with Somerville. They do not share any information from Somerville with any third party absent permission from the city of Somerville or court order.

There is no data sharing with flock from those. There was a an advocate put together a website of flock camera locations, and it is my understanding that in Somerville at Assembly Square, in one of the private buildings there are some, and at on the Tufts campus on in the private buildings there are some. It is my understanding that this city council cannot regulate the, you know, purchasing behavior of private individuals. But the city of Somerville as the government does not use flock cameras, and I want the record to be clear on that.

Thank you very much. Okay. So that item is placed on file. Thank you. Next item.

That brings us to item 10.3, request of the mayor requesting approval of a transfer of $103,421 from the salary contingency account to various departmental personnel services accounts to fund a memorandum of agreement with the Summerville Municipal Employees Union Unit B.

Items referred to finance.

I would like to waive yep. The To It's too late to waive the reading of the item, but yes I would like to refer it to finance for approval. Thank you.

We're gonna need a little jar here for how many times I say people's names wrong. None of you have reached the level of counsellor Jan Panpen, which I think I Jan Panpen, which I myself may be challenged to ever beat. Alright, thank you very well. So that is referred to finance. Next item. Yes, councilor Scott.

I just wanted to say this is this is actually a ratification of an agreement that was signed by councilor by mayor Ballantyne on December 15 before leaving office, which just pertains to vacation policy. This is just moving some money to ensure that the union agreements that have been settled will actually get paid out. So happy to take it up in committee, but also I I feel like this is one that pretty simple. But you know what? Heck. Let's do a fun one on our first time. Alright. Thank you, mister president.

Very well. And and I I would like just to clarify through the chair. There's no if there's any issue in delaying, I I wouldn't wanna keep people getting their retirement or vacation money.

They'll get paid. It's fine.

Alright. Very good. So that is referred to finance. Next item.

And that brings us to the last agenda item 10.5 of public communication from Marjorie Williams submitting comments on the ballot question.

And that item is placed on file. Are there any late items? Are there any late items?

I'm sorry, no.

No late items. Alright. Good job everyone. With that, Councillor Klingon moves to adjourn. We are adjourned. Now, Councillor Klingon, on adjourn. Before we wrap,

I just wanna recognize first timer here as our city clerk. Great job.

You Thank want you very much. Clerk Quartelier. Assistant clerk Quartelier. Assistant city clerk Quartelier? What are you gonna you should get a new title. Maddie works. Excellent. Very good. Thank you everyone. We are adjourned.