Welcoming Communities Ordinance Amendment

At a glance

What: An amendment to Section 2-6 of the Code of Ordinances, the Welcoming Communities Ordinance, to make clear the City will not cooperate with federal government overreach efforts.
Where it stands: Ordained 11-0 on Thursday, May 28, 2026 (an older meeting).
Next: none recorded; follow-up drafting orders were also approved.

Councilor Ewen-Campen introduced item 26-0919 as a clean, revised version of the original item (26-0522) that was before the Legislative Matters Committee. Councilor Scott, reporting for that committee's May 19 meeting, said the committee asked for minor changes, now reflected in 26-0919; the original stays in committee to be marked work completed later.
Two orders by President Davis with Councilor Ewen-Campen, Councilor Strezo, Councilor Scott and (on the second) Councilor Mbah were approved: remove the remaining uses of "without limitation" in the proposed amendment (26-0883), and add "religious expression" after "assembly" in section (13)(B)(I) and resubmit (26-0884).
On a separate matter, Councilor Scott said the administration was not prepared to move forward on or discuss an amendment to create a rental registry.

City Council regular meeting minutes, May 28, 2026: https://somervillema.legistar1.com/somervillema/meetings/2026/5/3960_M_City_Council_26-05-28_Meeting_Minutes.pdf
The minutes are the Legistar versions, which carry the City's notice that they are not the official version; check with the City Clerk before relying on them.

Ordinance ordained, all 11 members voting yes. Legislative Matters Committee report approved; two drafting orders approved.