City Council - Regular Meeting

So welcome everyone, and I'll call this meeting of the Somerville City Council to order. Pursuant to chapter two of the acts of 2025, this meeting of the city council may be conducted via remote participation. Please note that we will post an audio recording audio video recording, transcript, and other comprehensive record of this proceeding as soon as possible after the meeting on the city of Somerville website and local cable access government channels. I will be available for future review. Will the clerk please call the roll?

This is roll call. Councillor Yankampin?

Here.

Councillor Link?

Here.

Councillor Scott? Present. Councillor Klingen? Councillor Schrezo? Present. Councillor Saeed? Here. Councilor Wheeler? Here. Councilor Hart? Here. Councilor McLaughlin? Here. Councilor Mbaugh?

Present.

Councilor Davis? With nine councilors present,

we have quorum.

I think, may the record, reflect that councilor Davis has some other commitment. So pursuant to our rule 32, let it be known that this city council salutes the flag of The United States Of America and let us recall our oaths to uphold the constitution and the laws of the common wealth to the best of our abilities and understanding. We'll begin with a moment of silence. Are there counselors who wish to speak about community members? I have one.

It's since, you know, it nobody has one. I think our colleague, Steven Nuda, I saw him recently. His mom passed away recently. His mom's name is Deborah Nuda, 91 year old of Uniontown, passed away on February 15, leaving a legacy of of faith, family devotion, service to others. Born 09/07/1934 in Enterprise, she supported her family through years of travel during her husband's service in the United States Navy and later built a respected career including becoming an award winning realtor with Conway Banker, a devoted apostolic musician and creative artist.

She shared her talents through church ministry, painting, cake decorating, decorating, gardening, and caring for her beloved family and pets. Services were entrusted to Hama Funeral Home. We ask that this you know, we remember her, you know, in our thoughts and prayer. So everyone in the chamber who is able, can we rise for a moment of silence? Thank you.

Colleagues, after we go through the citation, the administration has requested a few items that we need to take out of order, and these items are 7.3, 7.7, finance report, and then 7.1.

Mister president, please repeat that.

Oh, sorry. So we would be taking the administration has requested we take a few items out of order. That's 7.3, 7.7, then we're gonna take finance report, and then we the last item we take out of order is 7.1. Sure. And with that, next item, madam clerk?

The first item is agenda item 1.3, approval of the minutes of the regular meeting of 01/22/2026.

Seeing no objection, that item is approved.

Bring us to agenda item 2.1, a citation by councilor Mbaugh, commending director of libraries Kathy Piantonigi on her return to work following a medical procedure.

I'm out.

Oh, it's been a while since I've been up here. The power. The power. Councilor Ba.

Thank you, mister president. During my time serving on the Somerville Library Foundation, I had the privilege of working closely with Kathy Piantigene whose leadership as director of the Somerville Public Library has strengthened the library's role as a welcoming, inclusive, and dynamic civic institution. Through collaborative initiatives and my volunteer work teaching citizenship classes at the library, I witnessed firsthand Cathy's deep commitment to expanding access to knowledge, fostering lifelong learning, and creating spaces where residents of all backgrounds can connect, grow, and thrive. Libraries serve not only as repositories of books, but as essential community anchors that support education, digital access, and cultural exchange, and democratic institutions. Kathy's thoughtful stewardship has ensured that some of his library continue to embody these values and remain vital public resources for our community and society at large.

I don't know if Kathy's here, but

Wilson, are you here to speak

on this Wilson, you here to Alright.

So And, no, Kathy, any further discussion on this item? Seeing none, the item is approved.

That

brings us to our first item out of order 7.3, request of the mayor requesting approval of a transfer of $5,700 from the law department professional and technical services account to the executive department salaries and wages temporary account to establish the position of senior adviser to the mayor for labor.

May I listen?

Mister president, thank you for the recognition here. I was so excited to come tell you all about this. I jumped the gun a little bit. Apologize for that. Yeah, this is something that I'm extremely enthusiastic about. You all know from my time serving on this body how much I love the idea of taking things currently done out of house, doing that in house. This is us doing that. This is us listening to the voices of labor leaders in our city who've asked us to not use outside counsel in those negotiations. There's a clear track record of this approach working extremely well next door in Boston. Mayor Wu in Boston, he gets called her labor whisperer.

But Lou Mandarini in Boston has proven a really, really invaluable hire. And we're going in that same direction here. I can't tell you a name yet, but you all have proven this tonight, will allow us to go bring in someone who I think you all will be very impressed by. And basically money that would have been spent on much costlier outside counsel, we're going to spend on bringing someone in to work in the city. It's not a full time position.

We don't have that workload. But we anticipate it being we're shooting for in the neighborhood of an estimate of forty hours a month. Could be as much as nineteen hours a week during some peak times. But yeah, I think this is going to help us do amazing things and really pursue shared goals that we have as a government, as an administration with our union employees in this city, and really take us forward as a city. Happy to answer questions from people, but, yeah, very enthusiastic about this.

Thank you, mister mayor. Consolator, you're incumbent.

Thank you Mr. President. Through you, thank you Mr. Mayor. I just want to make sure that I kind of am understanding this. This is we're bringing in someone to advise you on labor negotiations, your administration, but this is someone who is respected by the labor movement.

Exactly. In Boston, sorry to cut you off. Through you Mr. President, in Boston the mayor brought in someone who spent a career sitting on the other side of the table. That's what we're doing here. Again, can't say a name, but it's a name you will know in Massachusetts labor circles. Someone who will have credibility with the folks on the other side table. One of the main goals, if you come in and cause an affront to the other side, if you step in it, you're gonna pay for that. You're gonna pay for it either on the policy side, you're gonna pay for it financially. Having everyone in alignment working together on shared things, showing respect goes a long way in this game.

And this is us doing that. There was a clear call. I heard it from one of our locals asking directly, please don't bring outside counsel to negotiations. This is us listening to them, and this is us pursuing a strategy that I am convinced is going to bear fruit in in ways that that you all and I are really really gonna appreciate, and in ways that that are gonna bring the city forward.

Well, mister president, I I'm very supportive of this. I'm thankful. I think this is a real sign of goodwill and respect for for our municipal unions. I I hope this works as well as we all think it will.

And mister president, can I add? This is a huge vote of confidence also, an expression of confidence in Matt Syrigu. Attorney Syrigu serves basically, we don't use the term Chief Labor Counsel anymore. You know Attorney Syrigu is out there doing all these negotiations. And this is an expression of how much we believe in Attorney Siragus that he's ready to take the lead on this without needing outside counsel. This position will be there at the bargaining table as well to make sure that that we're going about things in a way that's mutually beneficial to to management and to labor.

You all set, councilor Yunkel? Councilor McGlofen.

Thank you, mister president. Through you to the mayor. So the to be clear, this is an internal position now. So for people who don't know, the reason why this might be a good idea is outside counsel gets paid by the hour. So that would not be the case in this situation. Correct?

Mister president, this is an hourly. It's a part time position so it is being paid hourly. We don't entirely gain that benefit of going full salary here just because we don't believe that there's that demand at this point in a city our size. Boston I think, I might get this wrong, I think has 35 units. We don't have nearly that number. Yes, this is we believe this is the best approach here to really intelligently look to put things in the best possible position they can be on the labor front.

Well I made a mistake there but to be clear too I have heard from organized labor as well that they'd prefer this approach because they feel outside counsel often intentionally drags things out when things could be settled easier.

Yeah. Mr. President, if anyone isn't convinced by me telling you how enthusiastic you know our labor unions are in the city about this, I'd encourage you to reach out to them and ask them and hear it directly from them. They're very excited about this.

If the level union is excited, I think we should all be excited about it. Councillor Scott?

Mr. Chair, I am normally very dubious about mid year positions. This is what we've been asking for for years, to bring more of these roles in house and to have a better relationship with our labor unions. I appreciate it. And unless there's objection, I would move to approve tonight.

So is a motion on the table?

Sorry, I don't know if I'm allowed to speak him right now, there's a motion on the table, probably not. I was just gonna say I appreciate Councillor Scott's support with a long track record of being very dubious of mid year position creations. Really appreciate this.

Thank you mister mayor. I mean we appreciate you you know speaking on the motion which you are not allowed but it's so, you know, seeing no objection, that that item is approved. Next, we supposed to do we need a roll call vote? Oh, let the record indicate that councilor Klinge has joined the meeting. Welcome, councilor.

Do we need a roll call for that? No. Okay. Nice.

Next agenda item is 7.7, a request of the mayor requesting approval of an extension to the temporary appointment of Kevin Klein as interim director of inspectional services.

Mister mayor. IGA.

You, mister president. For the record, Yasmeen Hrdesi, legislative liaison with IGA. We didn't have any remarks prepared for this item. It's just extension of the interim appointment of Kevin Klein as ISD director. Hoping to have immediate consideration on this item. Thank you.

Councillor Scott. Thank you, Mr.

President. This is, as just mentioned, this is an extension of an interim posting that has been in place now longer than I would have liked it to. But I can speak to, interim director Klein's long history with the, city, long been in ISD, started as a plumbing inspector there. He's been doing a great job along with deputy director keeping the lights on down there. So while I'm anxious for this hiring process to continue through and to have a permanent director appointed soon, I'd move to accept this this evening just so the wheels keep turning.

So motions on the table. Seeing our objection is approved. Next item, madam Clerk.

That brings us to agenda item six a one, a report of the committee on finance meeting on 02/24/2026.

To sever item, six a twenty two, ID twenty six dash zero one five six from the finance committee report to be taken up separately.

So councilor Wheeler moved to seven six point

Six point eight point twenty two.

Six point eight point twenty two. Seeing no objection, the item is severed.

Thank you. The finance committee I'll I'll proceed with the finance committee report now if that's the right item. Thank you. The finance committee met on Tuesday, 02/24/2026 via remote participation with all five members present and with the help of clerk Madeline Latellier and legislative liaison Yasmeen Redassi. We took up a long 39 item agenda which is too long to list in detail.

I encourage everyone interested to consult the minutes and video transcript for each item. Very briefly, a few notes. We recommended approval for two distinct items for the Kennedy Schoolyard. A $1,000,000 appropriation from the community preservation committee and a $2,000,000 bond. The cost covers an expanded schoolyard that will have numerous elements of accessibility for the full student body of all the academic programs of the Kennedy, as well as extensive storm water parking lot and surface permeability work that will count to towards the city's overall burden of storm water mitigation.

The intention is to solicit contractor bids for this project soon and to complete a first phase of this work during the summer recess this year. I'm excited. And regarding public safety, we considered a series of items that involve grants. After consultation with city staff and discussion on the committee, the committee was satisfied that these grants are in line with the city's values and the law. I realize there are serious concerns about some of these grants and their conditions and several residents have reached out to me to learn more about that and share their views.

I welcome anyone who wants to discuss this or who has any questions to reach out to me. Thank you mister chair. And I am looking for the last thing that I'm supposed to say for this. I move for this committee report to be accepted in full.

Any question on the committee report? So that committee report is approved. And do we have any roll call votes? Or should we, you know, take on the several items? Or like because these are two distinct Call votes. Okay. So there are nine roll call votes, you know, for within the community board.

Okay.

Nykla, do you wanna go each one and then we can

We can do that.

Yes. Yeah. Or should we just approve? Can we just

We have to take roll call votes on these items.

So they say when in doubt, turn right. So okay. So we have to do a roll call vote for all the

Okay. We So have multiple items before the body for a roll call. First being twenty six dash zero zero eight four requesting an appropriation authorization to borrow 2,000,000 in a bond for financing a portion of the Kennedy Schoolyard renovation project as recommended by the community preservation committee. Councillor Ewencampin?

Yes.

Councillor Link?

Yes.

Councillor Scott? Yes. Councillor Klingon?

Yes.

Councillor Strazo? Yes. Councillor Saeed? Yes. Councillor Wheeler? Yes. Councillor Hart? Yes. Councillor McLaughlin? Yes. Councilor Mbaugh? Yes. Councilor Davis? With 11 councilors in favor, that is approved. The next item in front of the body is 26Dash0160 requesting approval of a pedestrian access easement and maintenance license at 16 To 20 Medford Street. Councilor Euncampan? Yes. Councilor Link?

Yes.

Councilor Scott?

Yes.

Councilor Klingon?

Yes.

Councilor Strezo? Yes. Councilor Saeed? Yes. Councilor Wheeler? Yes. Councilor Hart? Yes. Councilor McLaughlin? Yes. Councilor Mbaugh? Yes. Councilor Davis? With 10 councilors in favor, that is approved. The next item in front of us is 26Dash01 oops. And now I just let me make sure I get my papers

correct. Did that one.

Yes. 26Dash0162 requesting authorization to borrow 1,530,000 in a bond and to appropriate the same amount for the annual f y twenty twenty six sewer system evaluation and infiltration inflow assessment. Councillor Ewenkampin? Yes. Councillor Link?

Yes.

Councillor Scott? Yes. Councillor Klingon? Yes. Councillor Strezo? Yes. Councillor Saeed? Yes. Councillor Wheeler? Yes. Councillor Hart? Yes. Councillor McLaughlin? Yes. Councillor Mbaugh? Yes. Councillor Davis, with 10 councillors in favor, that is approved. And that brings us to agenda item 26 dash zero one seven two, requesting approval to appropriate 324,360 from the Minister of Marijuana Stabilization Fund for the salary and fringe of four positions related to youth in f y twenty twenty seven. Councillor Yunkampan?

Yes.

Councillor Link?

Yes.

Councillor Scott?

Yes.

Councillor Klingen?

Yes.

Councillor Schasso? Yes. Councillor Saeed? Yes. Councillor Wheeler? Yes. Councillor Hart? Yes. Councilor McLaughlin?

Yes.

Councilor Mbaugh?

Yes.

Councilor Davis? With 10 councilors in favor, that is approved. And then that puts in front of us five different items related to the energy stabilization fund for various amounts. We'll do them all at once unless there's any objection to me reading them all. Councillor Ewing Campan? Yes. Councillor Link?

Yes.

Councillor Scott?

Yes.

Councillor Klingen?

Yes.

Councillor Strezzo? Yes. Councillor Saite?

Yes.

Councillor Wheeler?

Yes.

Councillor Hart? Yes. Councillor McLaughlin?

Yes.

Councillor Mbaugh? Yes. Councillor Davis? With 10 councillors in favor, those items six a 30 through six a 34 on the agenda are approved. That is all of the roll call votes on the committee report.

Thank you, madam clerk. So, on the server item.

Thank you, chair. I wanted to bring this item back for consideration because, Somerville Police Department and Somerville Fire Department staff have clarified the technical setup and access control for this data. The cameras in question here are not part of the, FEMA, UASI or PS networks. They use servers housed entirely within Somerville in the control of Somerville Police Department and Somerville Fire Department with access provided only under a system of strict logging. Partners in other municipalities can request specific narrow data and all such requests are recorded and considered through a deliberate process controlled entirely by the city of Somerville.

All data is destroyed after thirty days unless there's a specific investigation that Somerville documents and assents to. While no system is perfectly immune to external threats, the staff has demonstrated that we have reasonable barriers in place to protect our data from unauthorized access. For these reasons, I believe this grant is a reasonable way to maintain our fire facilities safely while fully protecting the privacy values of our residents.

Thank you. Councilwoman Yongkampan.

Thank you, Mr. President. Through you, wanna thank chair Wheeler for that. And I just for folks who who follow this conversation, every time the city wants to get any kind of surveillance, anything, even if it's just surveillance equipment, you know, cameras to look at fire trucks, make sure they don't get damaged, they have to come before this council and give us a report report that explains exactly what the technology is, how who has access to the data, etcetera, etcetera. All of those reports and including this, there was a specific report for this technology, and these are all publicly available.

Wonderful city council staff if you Google Somerville surveillance technology reports, you'll find a list of them. And one of them is called homeland security cameras at the fire station. And you will hear exactly what chair Wheeler just said. This is like a it was described to me as like a convenience store surveillance camera. Right? It's not getting shared. So I think there there was confusion in the committee meeting, that's all been clarified. And I just wanna reaffirm that this is all happening according to that surveillance technology oversight. So thank you.

Councillor Link?

Yes, thank you, Mr. President. So yeah, just to, I guess, reiterate, there was very clearly some, I guess, just new information, but also some corrections of the information that were given in the committee meeting that that were I think very material.

Madame Clerk, can you just read the items so that Yes. You know, members of the public can understand

Thank you. That was the

the details of what we are talking about.

The severed item in front of us, 26Dash0156, requesting approval to accept and expend a $48,000 grant with no new match required from UASI to the fire department for the replacement of security cameras at fire headquarters.

Thank you. Councillor Scott.

Thank you very much. I really wanted to say thank you to the mayor staff and staff from the fire and police department that reached out When I had a conversation with them, I am a trust but verify kind of person. Maybe that's well. But I actually asked for a copy of the quote. I reviewed the quote in the RFP.

This is closed system, which means it is a secure from the feds as any camera footage can be. Obviously, it can be obtained through a subpoena. But yes, I really appreciate clearing the record on that, making it something that I am comfortable accepting the money for. So I really appreciate this and I think this is a great opportunity. It's never too long to or never too late to correct a mistake, and I'm I'm glad we're getting it right. So thank you, sir.

Thank you, councilor Scott. At this point, I would like to, you know, sponsor, you know, my friend, Christa. Who wants to speak on this item? Christa, you have the floor. Oh, we cannot approve. Because if you approve My

name is Crystal Huff. My pronouns are they, them, and I live in Ward 5. And I and several of our neighbors have been contacting you this week, this month about our concerns about DHS, about ICE in our community. And it sounds like you have already made your decision about accepting more integration of DHS and ICE in the city, but I am asking you to reconsider. I prepared things to say that aren't helpful now, but I I'm a member of several mutual aid networks.

I I help almost every week clean up after ICE has kidnapped someone from Somerville or someone has self deported. That happens more than once a week. And I am just asking you to decide that we don't want more integration with Department of Homeland Security, that we don't want more integration with ICE in Somerville. I'm asking you to decide that free money isn't free, and we will take a stand to not move more along that path, and we'll instead sever ourselves from that path, decide not to be co opted by money, decide to refuse it. I I don't know what else to say.

I'm so tired, and our community is hurting. And because we have made decisions that make our community less welcoming and less able to surface the voices who are the most vulnerable, you're not hearing from them as much anymore. You're not hearing from us as much anymore. It's called a nested barrier. And I think that is what is happening here, and I wish you would choose the other path and make a clear decision not to accept money from Department of Homeland Security under the Trump administration.

Really do. Thank you.

Thank you, Christa. So we're not IGH?

Thank you, mister president. I just wanna say I appreciate a lot of the anxiety that exists around this, and just want to reassure everyone that the law department fully vets and reviews terms and conditions for every grant that comes through the city, and they ensure that we have alignment there with the values of our city and with our local ordinances, including the welcoming community ordinance. So I

just wanted to put that on the record. Thank you. Thank you. So with that, know, councilor Ewenka.

Thank you, mister president. I I I don't wanna have a long conversation about this, and I regret that I wasn't able to connect in person with Crystal this week, and I very much look forward to doing that in the next couple days. I did for folks who are paying attention to this, thank you. You know, it makes perfect sense. There is a lot of detail in these documents that I think is easy to miss and I just want to point out in specific if folks look for example item six a two on our agenda has to do with breathing apparatus, a $618,000 grant.

Scroll to the very end of that grant. It's attached to the agenda. There's an article 58, and it says non applicability of specific agreement articles. Notwithstanding their inclusion in this award package, the following agreement articles do not apply to this grant, communication and cooperation with the Department of Homeland Security and immigration officials. I just want folks to know that these have been very, very carefully vetted, and I don't want misinformation to spread. So these are difficult and nuanced conversations, I very much am willing to have them in person with anyone who would like to, but I did just want folks to know that.

So with no further conversation, councilor Wheeler.

Thank you chair. Very briefly I just want to say how much I do truly appreciate the many members of our community who stand up for their values and who want to make sure that every decision we make is in line with the values of the city. Thank you.

Thank you.

Move to approve, mister president.

Wait. I can you withdraw that motion? I wanted to speak on airtime. Okay.

Councilor Bah.

Thank you, mister president. I just wanted to also just acknowledge all this conversation is very moving because I personally, I mean, know Crystal, and we work together. Especially during the pandemic, I got to know her up close. We drove around the city, stocking community fridges. So when I see an email from someone I know up close, you know, it's it's very personal to me.

So this is something that, you know, it's nothing about the grant or anything like that. I personally will not be voting for this, you know, just to honor my friend and the work she does in the community. Thank you. So that item is approved, and we need a roll call

vote. President?

Oh, councilor councilor McLaughlin.

Comment. I will be voting for these items, and I thank the city for upholding the welcoming city ordinance that many of us voted for and was later approved by the cities of Cambridge and Medford. So I'm very happy that we're here upholding our values.

So I moved here

Excuse me.

Three years ago.

We are deliberating on the item we I did not recognize.

That's because I'm a recent person here. I grew up in Canvas. I've lived went through many meetings much like this one

where people Excuse me.

Excuse me. We're about to vote on an item. You've not been recognized.

Where you need approval to speak for your community.

Madam Clerk? Yeah. I mean, we need a roll call vote.

Just, mister president, I'm gonna speak

very quickly. Yes. Really quick. Really quick. Listen. I know this is scary where we are in this country right now and here in our city. Luckily, we are united to work together for a community and uphold our values. We take this job seriously. Never for a second wouldn't consider it anything less. I know a lot of people are scared. I know. I know. We're gonna get through this together as a community and trust that process. Okay? We are working together for the best of all of us and upholding our values with love and respect to all of us. Move to approve.

Thank you, councilor Streisel. We need a roll call vote too. Yes.

Alright. And roll call for approval on the item in front of us, 26Dash0156. Councilor Ewenkampin?

Yes.

Councilor Link?

Yes.

Councilor Scott?

Yes.

Councilor Klingen?

Yes.

Councilor Strezo? Yes. Councilor Sate? Yes. Councilor Wheeler? Yes. Councilor Hart? Yes. Councilor McLaughlin? Yes. Councilor Mbaugh? No. Councilor Davis? With nine councilors in favor, that is approved.

Thank you, madam Clerk. What's the next item?

That brings us to agenda item 7.1, a request of the mayor requesting ordainment of an amendment to section 8.1 of the zoning ordinance to provide for larger buildings, additional dimensional flexibility, and fewer use restrictions for affordable housing projects.

Councilman Yuan Kampen.

Thank you, mister president. You may be wondering why I'm asking to speak on an item from the mayor's office, so let me explain. I I just I wanna start by offering a huge thank you to the planning department to the mayor's office for the collaborative effort on this. In 2020 this council passed the affordable housing overlay that is a zoning tool that makes it easier to build affordable housing, something we're all very proud of rightfully so. We're starting to see the fruits of that effort.

There's a groundbreaking right now on Webster Street and there are a few other projects in the hopper that are taking advantage of that. The item tonight is the first significant set of amendments to improve and expand the Overlay District and so I just wanted to explain why. So last year councilor McLaughlin was chair of land use he brought into the committee a resident named Gavin Robb who gave us a presentation about a new building construction technology called mass timber and some building code elements that support it. And he made a recommendation to the committee that one way that we can take advantage of this new cost effective and kind of interesting construction technology is to amend the affordable housing overlay to allow up to eight stories instead of the current seven. That's something that mass timber makes cost effective in a new way.

So councilor McLaughlin and I reached out to the planning department to prepare that really simple amendment and what we learned was that the planning department had been working internally on a few other improvements based on feedback that they'd heard from affordable housing developers. And so what's before us is that combined amendment. So I just wanted to take a moment tonight to invite Gavin Robb to introduce this concept to the council, give us some very brief remarks, and then I'd ask that it be referred to land use with a copy to the planning board. And I believe he's joining us remotely.

Oh. I don't madam clerk, do you recognize I don't see anybody online.

I am here. Don't know if anyone can hear me.

So Gavin Ross, you have the floor.

Great. Thanks, Ben. Hi, everyone. I'll be

very brief. I just wanna say thanks for the opportunity to say a few words on this.

Yeah. We

can I'm very you have the most pressing intersectional and existential issues facing Somerville today. As we all know, we're deep in a housing crisis and we desperately need more affordable housing. At the same time, we should be building durable, high quality, beautiful, sustainable housing, not just for the next five years, but for the next one hundred years. And this amendment gets us closer. Among other things, as councilor Gerbenkampin mentioned, this amendment provides an additional density bonus for the housing overlay to go from seven stories to eight stories, and this specifically incentivizes mass timber, which I could go on and on and about, but just to keep it brief, is a durable, sustainable, and beautiful construction technology, which is new and old, and it represents how we should build our cities for the long term.

So this is one more step towards the future of sustainable, dense, transit oriented, high quality housing, and to build in the city that we deserve. And I'm very excited to have been played a small part in it.

Councilor Leon Camping.

Through you. Thank you again to Gavin Robb for for spending your time to help us improve our affordable housing overlay. Thank you, mister president. I'd ask that this be referred to land use.

And this item is referred to land use. With a copy to the planning board. Next item, unclip.

Okay. That brings us back to our regularly

No. No. No. One second. Kat, I'm about to take your item.

Madam Clerk, can you just take up eight point one and eight point two? Sure.

That brings us to 8.1, an officer's communication from the director of infrastructure and asset management conveying the strategic asset management plan report. And 8.2, an officer's communication from the director of public safety and urban forestry conveying information regarding the Kennedy School inclusive schoolyard renovation.

So those items are approved with placed on file with a copy to the Somerville Building school building facilities and maintenance. Thank you. So next item, madam Clip.

Okay. And that brings us to the regular agenda. Item 4.1, a resolution by councilor Mbaugh, councilor McLaughlin, councilor Scherzo, and councilor Hart in support of senate bill two thirty seven, an act regulating self checkouts in grocery establishments.

Councilor McLaughlin.

Thank you, mister president, and thank you for including me on this. This is a issue close to my heart and my stomach. I go to the Stop and Shop all the time. And for years, I've been frustrated by this. You you go there and there's a self checkout.

First of all, you go there and I have to ask for help every single time to get my fruits and vegetables to plug in the PLU code. Someone has to come and physically help me while he's helping three other people. I'd much rather wait in a line, but there's only two lines open and, aisles, long aisles of just nobody there to help to help customers. Not only does it affect customers, but it affects workers who are being phased out and automated when it would just be much easier for both the customer and the employee for someone to physically be there to help us. This item was introduced by senator Paul Feeney, a great, union leader in the community.

It would limit grocery stores to be restricted to a maximum of eight self-service checkout stations. They would have staff ratios for these stations. There would be monitoring requirements and there would be just accountability to make sure that not only our customers being satisfied but employees are not being overwhelmed. So I would like to approve this item, and I thank you for including me.

Thank you. Any councilor Clinton would like to sign on? Councilor Ewing Campion would like to sign on as well? Councilor Saeed? Seems like the whole council would like to sign on. Okay.

We're all tired of waiting in line.

Everybody's tired of waiting in line. That is for sure true. Next

item is agenda item 4.2, a communication by councilor Imbaugh conveying a report of the job creation and retention trust fund.

Councilor Bah. Thank you, mister president. So this the committee met on on February 19, and staff reported an uncommitted balance of approximately $202,500,000 with an anticipated $500,000 linkage payment expected to bring in a total near $3,000,000 while noting limited additional revenue projections in the near term. Updates also highlighted ongoing and forthcoming workforce initiative delivered through partners including MassHealth, Metro North, Workforce Board, Somerville Center for Adult Learning Experiences. Again, it's well detailed in in the in the report online.

So I ask that this committee report be, you know, accepted as submitted. No. The communication be accepted as submitted.

Any discussion on the item? Seeing none, the item is placed on file.

Item, I have to

Bring this to agenda item 4.3, a resolution by councilor Link that the director of public works and the director of mobility update this council regarding plans to keep bike lanes, protected bike lanes, and other separated micro mobility facilities clear and passable on major throughways with particular attention to school routes, timelines after snowfall, staffing, and equipment capacity.

Councilor Link.

That was a mouthful. Sorry, city clerk. So, mister president, I'm a parent, as many of you are, and, you know, getting around to the Kennedy School during the vacation week this week was very challenging. I saw a lot of other parents, also struggling, both on, mostly in the bike lanes. The the sidewalks have gotten reasonable at that point.

But yeah, I've also seen photos and and discussion online and I've had some some other parents reach out to me. So I just wanna know, I guess, I think as a city, we need to know like kind of what we're able to expect and then you know as as a city we can decide if we want to be able to do do more. That's of course also acknowledging the tremendous challenges that February has brought us. And I'd like for this to be sent to traffic and parking.

So we approve this item with a copy to traffic and parking. Item, madam Next clerk.

Next agenda item 4.4, resolution by councilor Link that the administration report to this council regarding whether the city maintains or can establish a process to identify vendors that materially support United States immigration and customs enforcement as detailed within.

Councilor Link.

Yeah. Thank you, mister president. So I would just like for us to kind of make sure we know who we're doing business with and, you know, evaluate what course we want to plot out when we have that information to make sure that we're kind of answering the moment. I'm not sure what committee would be most appropriate for this one.

So do you want to just approve it? And then the administration will know what to do next. IGH.

Thank you mister chair mister president. I would like to recommend to connect offline about this if possible if that's agreeable to everyone. But just wanted to put that out there.

It is as the maker of this resolution, councillor Linck?

I'm happy to do that. Yes.

Yes. Thank you. Thank you. So I approve. Next item, madam Clerk.

Budget item 4.5, a resolution by councilor Link that this city council reaffirms and recognizes the importance of the arts in Somerville and the role of the arts council in supporting artists, cultural organizations, and community arts programming.

Councilor Link? Thank you. Almost done here. So a lot of residents reached out, to me and I'm I'm sure to all of my colleagues here, about the the recent changes in the Summerville Arts Council. Of course, our our mayor has, you know, recently clarified what his vision is and that he plans to put new energy into the arts, which I'm very thankful for, and which is the opposite of what a lot of people were worried about. So I just wanted this resolution in here to kind of make it clear that that to the arts community that this council and this body is also going to continue supporting the arts.

Dennis councilor Arruda.

Through the chair. Thank you. I appreciate this item. I think, this item and, the recent communications from the mayor about the vision for the future of the arts in Summerville, are a reminder that even when matters are tricky, we can always take the opportunity to articulate our intentions, vision, and our priorities, especially so people are not left in a state of uncertainty. It's a reminder for all of us, including me.

Thank you. Thank you. Any other comment? So that item is approved. Next item, madam Clip.

Agenda item 4.6, a resolution by councilor Link in support of senate bill 1,010 and house bill fifteen seventy six, an act relative to creating a permanent affordability home ownership program.

Councilor Link.

Thank you, mister president. This is my last one here. So I just wanna really quickly, let everyone know what this bill does. So it establishes a statewide program, and a new subsidy source that's dedicated to construction of permanently affordable housing. It expands, housing options for low and moderate income earners. It supports small and mid sized projects which would be one to 25 units. Aids in the development of mixed use projects and also adds some missing tools to the state's housing program by providing subsidies. So it's a really great it's a really great bill, and I'm really, really hopeful that it will pass so that we can continue to add affordable housing stock to our city.

I think I would like to sign on. Councilor Klingen to let councilor Syed, councilor Wheeler. That's in the whole council. Can't it because you can't be wanting to say something. Oh, okay. So the whole council likes to sign. Thank you councilor Ling. Next item, I'll include.

That brings us to agenda item six b one, a report of the committee on legislative matters meeting on 02/17/2026.

Councilor Scott.

Thank you, mister president. We met for a brisk thirty minutes, and I will make sure that this, report is exactly that long. We covered, some of the surveillance technology impact reports that have been submitted previously. Counselor Davis and other counselors had concerns about the way they were drafted and wanted more elaboration on what happens with this data. As was mentioned earlier, this is part of our surveillance oversight structure that this council has built and invested a lot of time in.

And I want to thank the administration for investing that time because now anybody can look and see not only who can access the data from these various systems, but in our annual report that we receive can see how many times that data was requested and provided and to whom. So it's actually a really, really interesting read, sometimes a depressing one at the end of the year, but, illuminating in any case. So, having approved those, they were for, a ball camera, a thermal imaging device, and an under door camera. And all of those are available to the public to review. We also handled a few charter alignment issues, which were just straightforward changes to the code of ordinances and one to the city council's rules simply to make our our laws compatible with the charter that was adopted by the voters back in November.

With that, I request the report be accepted as submitted.

Seeing no objection that committee report is approved. I think I believe there are four roll call vote roll call vote, madam clerk. Is that

Yes. You are correct. The first item in front of us is agenda item 26 dash zero zero four two. City Clerk requesting acceptance of Massachusetts General Laws chapter 41, section 91 relating to the appointment and removal of constables. Councillor Euncampan?

Yes.

Councillor Link?

Yes.

Councilor Scott?

Yes.

Councilor Klingen?

Yes.

Councilor Strezzo? Councilor Saite? Yes. Councilor Wheeler?

Yes.

Councilor Hart? Yes. Councilor McLaughlin? Yes. Councilor Mbaugh? Yes. Councilor Davis? With nine councilors in favor, that is approved. And that brings us to the enrollment and ordainment of agenda item 26 dash zero zero four three, the city clerk submitting an amendment to section ten twenty of the code of ordinances to align the constable appointment process for the provisions of the revised city charter. And on enrollment, councilor Ewencampin?

Yes.

Councilor Scott?

Yes.

Councilor Klingen? Yes.

I think you missed councillor.

Okay.

Wait. Did I not say your name out loud? Yeah. Sorry. Councillor

I was I

was ready for it.

Sorry. Councillor Ewen Campin? Yes. Councillor Link?

Yes.

Councillor Scott?

Yes.

Councillor Klingen? Yes. Councillor Strezzo? Councillor Sait? Yes. Councillor Wheeler? Yes. Councillor Hart? Yes. Councillor McLaughlin? Yes. Councillor Mbaugh? Yes. Councillor Davis? With 10 councillors excuse me, nine councillors in favor that is enrolled and on ordainment, Councillor Ewen Campin?

Yes.

Councillor Link?

Yes.

Councillor Scott.

Yes.

Councillor Klingen.

Yes.

Councillor Strezzo. Councillor Saeed. Yes. Councillor Wheeler. Yes. Councillor Hart. Yes. Councillor McLaughlin. Yes. Councillor Mbaugh. Yes. Councillor Davis? With nine councillors in favor, that is ordained. And that brings us to the second enrollment and ordainment agenda item 26 dash zero zero four four. City clerk amend submitting an amendment to chapter two article five division one of the code of ordinances to add a review of multiple member bodies pursuant to the requirements of the city charter. On enrollment, Councillor Ewenkampin?

Yes.

Councillor Link?

Yes.

Councillor Scott? Yes. Councillor Klingen? Yes. Councillor Strazo? Councilor Saeed? Yes. Councilor Wheeler? Yes. Councilor Hart? Yes. Councilor McLaughlin?

Yes.

Councilor Mbaugh? Yes. Councilor Davis? With nine councilors in favor, that is enrolled and on or Damon. Councilor Ewenkampin? Yes. Councillor Link?

Yes.

Councillor Scott?

Yes.

Councillor Klingon?

Yes.

Councillor Schrezo? Councillor Saeed? Yes. Councillor Wheeler?

Yes. Councillor

Hart? Yes. Councillor McLaughlin? Yes. Councillor Mbach?

Yes.

Councillor Davis? With nine councillors in favor, that is ordained. And that brings us to the last roll call, hopefully, the evening. Agenda item 26 zero one two seven, city clerk submitting an amendment to the rules of the city council to align with the provisions of the city charter. Councillor Yuncanpin? Yes. Councillor Link?

Yes.

Councillor Scott? Yes. Councillor Klingen? Yes. Councillor Strezzo? Councillor Sate? Yes. Councillor Wheeler? Yes. Councilor Hart? Yes. Councilor McLaughlin? Yes. Councilor Mbaugh? Yes. With nine councilors councilor Davis? With nine councilors in favor, that is approved.

Thank you, madam Clerk. What's the next item?

That brings us to the next agenda item six c one, a report of the committee on licensing permits meeting on 02/25/2026.

Councillor Hart.

Thank you. Yes. The, license and Permits Committee met yesterday evening with all members present. We, as you can see, approved or recommended to be approved the new used car dealer class two license. And then we considered three grant of locations. Two were kept in committee, and one we recommended to be discharged with no recommendation. And I move that the report be accepted as submitted.

So councilor Hart, you know, move to, you know, let this report be accepted as submitted. Councilor Scott.

Thank you. On the motion, mister president. I just wanted to extend my thanks to councilor Hart. The the entire agenda of license and permits was Ward 2 stuff, so thanks. Happy to welcome a new business into the neighborhood.

The different, grants of location that went into this committee, one of which is coming back out. I believe the one that's coming back out was because the public hearing didn't properly happen before the city council, so it will be on our next agenda, to have a regular city council, public hearing. And unless I've got more information, it will go right back to committee and sit there. These are requests in one case for a grant of location on Ivalu Street where I am waiting for guidance from the administration on how to properly condition it to ensure that Eversource takes care of some of its maintenance obligations on the street before they are allowed to dig a new trench in it. And then on the two properties, one on Oak and one on Prospect Street, as I mentioned last time, these are applications for service to new parcels or to to projects, new buildings on those parcels.

And while I'd love to see new buildings on those parcels, there are none. And there have been no building plans filed with the city to produce them. So any such project is many months away. I've never seen one of these requested for a project that is prospective in the future. And given what everybody down on Oak Street and Prospect Street have been going through over the last couple of years, I think we can say hold your horses until we get until we at least get a business or a building permit filed. So thank you, mister president.

Thank you, councilor Scott. So if there's no further discussion, the the the committee report is approved. And so there's one item that we're gonna lay on the table. When I click, can you just read that for the record? Can Yep.

That's agenda item 26 Dash0185. Eversource applying for a granted location to install a total of 75 feet of conduit in Prospect Street from utility pole two ninety one over 12 to a point of pickup at 91 Prospect Street.

So that will be laid on the table. Next item, madam clerk.

That brings us to agenda item 7.2, a request of the mayor requesting approval to appropriate $56,339.46 from the bike share stabilization fund for installation and startup costs of a blue bike station at the Boynton Union Connect Transportation Management Association development site.

Finance.

I move that this be sent to committee.

So, councilor Wheeler, do you move to also waive the ratings of, of 7.2 through 7.6 to finance?

I'm thank to you. I move to waive the readings of 7.4, 7.5, and I think that is the only finance related ones. Waive those and have those sent to committee. There's a separate request I'd like to make for 7.6.

Okay. Did you get that? So those item will be sent to finance in on 07/2006. Thank you, chair. On 07/2006

Okay. I'm sorry. Shall I wait for this to

be read? Can read 7.6, Thank you, clerk.

And that brings us to agenda item 7.6, a request of the mayor requesting approval to pay prior year invoices totaling $565.50 using available funds in the police department professional and technical services account for case management services and biohazard cleaning.

Councilor William. Thank you, chair. Due to the relatively small size of this item, I move for immediate consideration, of this before this council mail.

Any?

I move for approval of this item. Okay. Thank you, councilor.

Any objection? That item is approved. Next item.

That brings us to agenda item 9.1, a new secondhand dealer license, nostalgia, 22 Summerville Avenue selling used clothes, footwear, and accessories.

Madam Clerk, this what about seven point seven? I see.

We took that up earlier.

Okay. Let's see. Yeah. That's okay. So which one? 9.1?

We are agenda item 9.1.

Councilor Hertz. That's

I would like it sent to the licenses and permits committee. Or is that is that

You can also approve it, but I think let me see. Okay. So the clerk madam clerk said that this one doesn't require public hearing, so it should be you know, it's not like a new

So we can approve it? Yes. Right now? Okay. I take back my

Motion.

Motion, and I move to approve.

Okay. So the item is approved. Next item.

I'm sorry, chair. I I have a small comment on that item before before we move on. I just wanna recognize that the property owners, in this case, invested a lot in renovating this building and did a great job. And I am really excited to see this investment in our community and the creation of the the type of shops that invite shoppers to visit multiple spots as a destination. Union Square gets better and better every month. Thank you.

Yes. The item is approved. Next item, madam Clerk.

Agenda item 9.2, a public event from Bill Rogers, Jingle Bell five k Run Walk, applying for a public event license for the Race of Ireland five k Run Walk twenty twenty six on March 15 from 7AM to 3PM.

Jingle Bell. Everybody loves Jingle Bell round. The item is approved. Next item.

Agenda item 9.3, a public event from Union Square Main Street applying for a public event license for Union Square Farmers Market twenty twenty six, Saturdays from May 9 to October 31 from 06:30AM to 2PM.

Farmers Market. Who doesn't like Farmers Market? It's like the item is approved.

I I'm sorry, chair. I do have one brief comment. I promise I'll be brief, on the subject of of Union Square. I just wanna speak to the power that our farmers markets provide, for neighborhood connections. Former mayor Curtatone said that there was a bump factor. You can bump into a neighbor and create or renew a connection. Additionally, I just wanna highlight that our farmers markets, all four of them across the city do fundraising so that there's a citywide snap match program. And if people don't know, you can get your snap benefits matched at our farmers markets. It's really incredible. A lot of a lot of work goes into that. It's a tremendous thing for the city. Thank you very much.

Thank you, councilor Wheeler. It's useful information. Councilor McLaughlin.

I just wanted to add, mister president, you said farmers market like a real Bostonian.

Thank you. Councilor Link. Sorry.

Thank you, mister president. Just to add on to what, councilor Wheeler said, you could so not only can, people get, can make purchases with Snap, but also, if you're so moved, you can donate towards that to increase it. So, you know, if you're if you're feeling like you wanna support your neighbors and give them healthy food, you can you can give some more money and they can make that snap dollar go a little further.

Nice. Now they say innovation depends on the quality of the conversation. The more we talk about this, it's like almost like we're peeling the onions and getting more substantive, you know, addition to the item. So the item is approved. Next item, madam clerk.

Agenda item 9.4, public communication from 26 registered voters requesting a zoning text amendment to amend the zoning ordinance sections three a three one eight c three one nine c three one ten c three one thirteen k three one thirteen l three two twelve l and 3212 m

so that then should be sent to line use with a copy to planning board Next item.

Next item is agenda item 9.5, a public communication from Elise Best, submitting comments regarding agenda item 26 dash zero one one four, fiscal year twenty twenty seven budget priorities.

Seeing no comment, the item is placed on file. Next item.

Agenda item 9.6, a public communication from Ida Kayo submitting comments about the Arts Council.

Placed on file. Next item.

And that brings us to agenda item 10.1, a public communication from Shannon Noel Curtis submitting comments about snow.

Seeing no discussion item is placed on file. Next item, madam clerk.

Agenda item 10.2, a public communication from the pedestrian transit advisory committee submitting comments with the 2025 annual report.

Councilor Scott.

Thank you, mister president. On the item, I just want to, lift this one up. It can be easy to miss some of these, but this is, the annual report is appended to it. It is 18 pages of really thoughtful discussion and it this has been probably the best year ever for PTAC and that's saying something because this committee has been doing great work. So, I just wanted to congratulate them on this and encourage folks who are concerned about street safety, concerned about pedestrians and transit to give it a look and see what hard work your neighbors are doing and encourage you to apply to serve on that commission as well because the more the merrier. Thank you, mister president.

Thank you, councilor Scott. Anyone any other comment? I also would like to say I used to, you know, have the privilege to be, you know, an the council liaison to PTAC, and, yeah, it's it's quite a impressive group of folks that really care about street safety. So that item is placed on file. Next item, madam clerk.

Brings us to the final agenda item 10.3, public communication from Michael Steele. So any comments on the arts council?

Seeing no discussion, the item is placed on file. And then in late item, madam clerk?

There are no other items before the body.

Wow. This is like we hit the record. Councilor Hard moves to adjoin. So, on adjournment, madam clerk. Oh, so we are joined. Wow.