2026-05-28 - City Council
Summary
Older meeting (Thursday, May 28, 2026). Built from the Legistar minutes only; no video or transcript is recorded. 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.
- Called to order 7:08 PM by President Davis; Councilor Sait arrived at 7:12 PM; recess 7:53 to 8:04 PM; adjourned 8:57 PM.
- Welcoming Communities Ordinance amendment ordained 11-0.
- Council backed voluntary recognition of Somerville Workers United after City employees spoke about layoffs.
- Fourteen Finance Committee items approved, including about $8 million to pay down bond obligations and about $1.2 million for two new fire pumpers; the Assembly Square financing district map amendment passed 11-0.
- Nineteen year-end budget items were referred to the Finance Committee.
Welcoming Communities Ordinance Amendment
- Ordained 11-0; two drafting orders approved.
Somerville Workers United Recognition
- Resolution approved after remarks by Luis Quizhpe, Benjamin Wyner and Kate Bossingham. Councilor Mbah's resolutions on cut positions and an organizational restructuring presentation approved.
Fiscal Year 2027 City Budget
- Finance Committee report (May 26) approved; Councilor Wheeler announced the online public hearing on the budget for June 10 at 6:00 PM.
Fiscal Year 2026 Snow Removal Deficit
- Snow removal free cash and seven transfers referred to Finance.
Assembly Square Fire Station Purchase
- District Improvement Financing map amendment approved 11-0.
Backyard Cottage Zoning Rules
- Land Use report approved; 27 resident comments referred to Land Use.
Union Square Rezoning Request
- Eleven written comments referred to Land Use.
School Drop Off Traffic Safety
- Order approved as amended and sent to Traffic and Parking.
Tenant Notice of Building Sale
- Mayor's request referred to Legislative Matters.
Social Justice Department Funding
- Resolution requesting the list of cut positions approved.
Other business
- Other Finance items approved: $6,660 for police fingerprinting software, fire safety grants ($11,000 and $4,200), a 60-month Waste Management solid waste contract renewal, $182,469 opioid fund for Healthcare for the Homeless, $999,000, $2,381,625, $320,000 and $3,940,905 stabilization fund transfers to pay down bonds, and two fire pumper appropriations ($545,985 and $532,449). All 11-0 where a roll call was taken.
- Committee reports approved: Legislative Matters (May 19), School Building Facilities and Maintenance (May 21: snow clearing on schoolyards, Kennedy School mold, Winter Hill School borings, Argenziano School safety), Traffic and Parking (May 18).
- Resolution for ADA accessible crossing at Route 16 and Woods Avenue approved (Councilor Hardt, Councilor Link).
- Late item: a $15,015 appropriation for the police superior officers contract was laid on the table; Councilor Scott's late resolution about cyclist enforcement in Union Square that morning was also tabled. Councilor Scott's thanks to a departing legislative liaison and Councilor Mbah's congratulations to Councilor McLaughlin on his graduation were approved.
- Licenses: sixteen license items approved (mostly renewals), including a new 24/7 Ever Fitness extended hours license and a taxi medallion transfer.
- Mayor's items: a notice-of-sale ordinance, the 2026-2027 HUD One Year Action Plan (to Housing, Community Development and Equity), a Wage Theft Advisory Committee appointment, Older Americans Month proclamation, and the Jewish American Heritage Month proclamation approved.
- Minutes of April 23 and May 11, 2026 approved; citation to two crossing guards.