2026-09-10 - City Council Regular Meeting

02:14Recording in progress.

02:45Please note that audio and video of this meeting is being recorded and may be shown on live local access government channels and the City of Somerville website and will be available for future review. Madam Clerk, would you please call the roll.

03:08This is roll call. Council Ewing Campen. Here. Councilor Link. Here. Councilor Scott. Present. Council Clingen. Present. Council Schrezzo. Present. Council Sa'it. Here. Council Wheeler. Here. Council Hart. Here. Council McLaughlin. Here. Council Unba. Present. And President Davis. Here. With 11 members present we have quorum.

03:27Alright, 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.

03:38We begin our meetings with a moment of silence. Are there any members wishing to recognize members of the community this evening? Councilor Ba, go ahead.

03:46Thank you. Thank you, Mr. President. I would like to ask us for a moment of silence in honor of a beloved community member, you know, who we lost last week.

03:56The Gendro Coma Prahan, who lives on Bradley Street, was the pillar of New England's Nepali American community and an embodiment of the American dream. A native of Tree's Wholly, Nepal, he moved here as a young man, working jobs such as taxi driver, cook, and most recently mechanic for the Cambridge Housing Authority.

04:25In his spare time, he worked to celebrate and bring together the Nepali community. He was the president of the NEWA organization of New England, which works to preserve and celebrate NEWA culture.

04:40He was a proud husband and father, and also a dear friend, mentor, and uncle to so many people in our city and beyond.

04:50Thank you. Any others? Councilor Schozzo. Councilor Cling would like to sign on to that one. Councilor Schozzo.

04:58Like a moment of silence for Mary Bedard of Somerville passed away on Thursday, August 27th, and she was the cherished daughter of the late Edwin and Marion Davidson.

05:15Prior to her retirement, she worked at Burlington Coat Factory as a store clerk. She loved to read, especially romance novels and listening to music and watching movies.

05:26She was the devoted mother of Roger and his wife, Adelaide and Raymond of Somerville. She was the adored grandmother of Derek and his wife Taylor and Robert, Sean, Nicholas, and Shane.

05:42And the loving great grandmother to Jackson and Lanham. She was the dear sister to Edwin and George, both of Somerville, and her family is going to miss her very much. And may your memory be a blessing.

06:01Any others? All right. Would everyone in the chamber please rise, however you are able, and for a moment of silence for the aforementioned individuals. Thank you.

06:36Madam Clerk, first item.

06:37Next item is approval of the minutes of the regular City Council meeting on July 9, 2026.

06:42Council Member Campen moves for approval. Any discussion? Seeing none, that item is approved. Next item.

06:50Next item is a resolution by Council McLaughlin recognizing the seriousness of myotonic dystrophy and expressing support for the designation of September 15 as International Myotonic Dystrophy Awareness Day.

07:01I'd like to suspend the rules to take up item 7.20 together with that item, if there's no objection. Seeing none, would you please read 7.20?

07:11Yes. Amir's communication proclaiming that September 15, 2026 is International Myotonic Dystrophy Awareness Day.

07:17All right, thank you. Council McLaughlin. Thank you, Mr. President. Yes, a number of activists in the community asked, approached me to talk about myotonic dystrophy, which is a genetic multi-system disorder that's caused progressive muscle weakness in individuals.

07:36It's impacted by about 1 in 2100 people. And I want to take the moment to recognize the struggle of this and the residents who care about this issue.

07:45I do believe the mayor was going to speak. Oh, there he is. The mayor, I'd like to give him a moment to speak, but then I'd also like to sponsor a speaker as well after that.

07:54Very well, Council McLaughlin wants to sponsor the mayor to speak. Seeing no objection, Mr. Mayor, please approach.

07:59Thanks, Mr. President. Through you, I'm speaking on item 7.20 for the record. Myotonic dystrophy or DM, as it's known as the most common adult onset muscular dystrophy, it can affect every system in the body.

08:19It can affect people of all ages. There may be thousands of people living with DM who are undiagnosed or misdiagnosed. It affects 1 in 2100 people.

08:30So if you do that math, that means roughly 150,000 individuals in the US are affected. That means about 40 of our neighbors here in Somerville are affected by that if we look at those averages.

08:41So September 15th is International Myotonic Dystrophy Awareness Day. It's an opportunity to promote greater understanding and awareness to affirm the dignity of those who are affected by this and to support the families and caregivers and to encourage continued scientific research and medical progress on this.

09:02So we wanted to proclaim September 15th Myotonic Dystrophy Awareness Day here in Somerville in recognition of that. And I want to thank Council McLaughlin for putting this in and thank the council for taking this up.

09:19Thank you. Council McLaughlin. I'd like to sponsor Ward 1 resident Jim Dolan to speak. Council McLaughlin would like to sponsor Jim Dolan. Any discussion? Seeing no objection, please approach.

09:31I'm Jim Dolan. I'm 43. I live at 485 Foley Street in Assembly Row.

09:45I'm also one of the estimated 3400 people in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts who suffer from Myotonic Dystrophy.

09:54Myotonic Dystrophy, as been mentioned, is a rare muscle-wasting genetic disease affecting 1 in 2100 people.

10:02They pass on from parent to child, gain more severe with each generation. It's a multi-system disorder that affects different people in different ways.

10:11For me, it impacts speech, sleep, heart, liver, GI issues. It includes crippling fatigue and daytime sleepiness at all times.

10:24Issues like this caused me to have to retire and go on disability in 2024.

10:30Other common symptoms include joints locking up, cognitive issues, endocrine issues, and reproductive issues.

10:39There's currently no cure or even a treatment for myotonic dystrophy.

10:43Myotonic dystrophy is also widely unknown, often confused with multiple sclerosis or diabetes.

10:51I was misdiagnosed for almost 20 years by the top doctors in their specialties in Boston, and my case is not unique.

10:59That's why over 64 organizations around the world recognize international myotonic dystrophy awareness day on September 15th,

11:08laying landmark screen and issuing resolutions and proclamations like this.

11:15Thank you all for raising awareness for this important cause. Thank you.

11:18Thank you. Any discussion? Councilor Ewen Caput?

11:23Thank you, Mr. President. Through you, I just want to thank Councilor McLaughlin and the mayor for bringing this and Mr. Doar for speaking.

11:31There's a phrase you often hear in disease research of each rare disease might be itself rare, but collectively rare diseases are incredibly common.

11:41I just can't let this moment pass. We live in a place that is known for scientific research, biomedical research,

11:48and it is just literally under attack by the federal government right now.

11:54And it's sickening. It's depressing. And I'm just very proud to be in a community that stands up to support people that are working to cure diseases such as this one.

12:04So thank you for sharing your story with us tonight.

12:08For the discussion. Councilor Bala would like to sign on. Or Council would like to sign on.

12:13Any other discussion? Councilor McLaughlin, back to you.

12:17I would at some point like to pause for a photo, but I know there's another item with speakers.

12:23If you want to proceed to the next one, if not, I would like to pause for a photo at some point.

12:27I think now would be a good time for a photo. Let's take a brief recess so we can take some pictures and then we'll come right back to business.

14:19All right. I'll call this meeting back to order. I can see that a quorum is present.

14:22Quick housekeeping note. So you saw we took a couple items out of order already.

14:27I'll give you the sort of the rundown for the rest of our out of order items.

14:31We will, unless there's an objection, I'd like to take up item 719 next.

14:35We'll then go back to the regular order. We're going to take up a few items.

14:39And then after that, I'd like to take up 7.21. That is an item related to civilian oversight.

14:46It's the first introduction to the council, sort of a high level presentation.

14:52Two or three slides, let's put it.

14:54My intent then will be to lay that item on the table and then take up item 7.1, which is a request for executive session.

15:01Because some aspects of a civilian oversight will relate to collective bargaining,

15:06we will go into executive session with labor council to make sure we understand the parameters

15:11and what is directly related to collective bargaining and that would have to be discussed in executive session.

15:16It is my hope and intent that we have as much of that conversation as humanly possible back in open session,

15:23particularly since we are in a scenario now where we don't have a policy.

15:28There is nothing in any collective bargaining agreement specifically related to this.

15:31So my hope is that gives us sort of more flexibility than we've seen in recent discussions on other items.

15:37So then after the executive session, which I hope will be relatively brief,

15:41we will come back to open session so that we can pick up item 7.21 off the table

15:45so that we can have that open discussion about sort of the initial discussion with the administration,

15:50sort of to hear where they're thinking is, get some feedback from the council

15:54and we can then go back and refine a plan in advance of a future item

16:02potentially at the next meeting or the one that follows where there will be a broader presentation

16:07of like, okay, here's the current plan and thinking.

16:10As I mentioned, I think it was at our last meeting, we will then at a subsequent meeting after that,

16:15have a public hearing or that may actually go to committee.

16:20But we will have a public hearing on the items that we can hear from everyone in the public

16:23and then that process will then be in legislative matters

16:27and we will move forward with crafting ordinance in committee

16:31subject to any other discussions or, you know, twists or turns that we have.

16:35So that's the general plan.

16:37I wanted to sort of tease that a little bit because, as I said, we're going to go back to the regular order

16:42but we do have those coming up and like I said, while we,

16:46I normally would push the executive sessions as late as possible

16:49because I don't like going into executive session when we have folks here to watch us.

16:52But this one, we need to get that out of the way

16:55and the whole point of the discussion when we come back is to have that in front of the public

17:00so that we can keep that whole discussion as open and transparent as possible.

17:04So long-winded housekeeping summary there.

17:07That brings us to our first, our next out of order item, which is 7.19.

17:12If there is no objection, Madam Clerk, would you please read that item?

17:17This is item 7.19, a mayor's communication proclaiming that the week of September 10 through September 19, 2026 is welcoming week.

17:24Mr. Mayor.

17:25Thanks, Mr. President.

17:27Through you, we proclaim 2026, the year of the neighbors.

17:31You all know, recognizing the strong communities that are built when we look out for each other,

17:37when we make meaningful connections and when we ensure that everyone feels like they belong.

17:42Welcoming week is observed today through September 19. It's an opportunity to pause, reflect,

17:51and plan for the next phase of our welcoming work while reaffirming that welcoming is a core part of who we are.

17:58As a welcoming community, it's a commitment that we carry throughout the year.

18:03You know, we want to call upon community members to share their stories, to learn from their neighbors,

18:12and to join together to build a stronger and more welcoming Somerville,

18:15because we know that we're stronger when we embrace both our similarities and our differences,

18:21when we create opportunities to connect and build lasting relationships through food, music, art, storytelling,

18:29shared traditions, and through conversation.

18:31So this is a really important piece of the year of the neighbor, of who we are as a city.

18:36I really think it's part of our DNA, and that's why I'm thrilled to proclaim this week that we're in here as welcoming week.

18:43Thank you.

18:44And we have our director from the Office of Immigrant Advancement, Maria Teresa Nagel here.

18:52Sure, people.

18:58Go ahead.

18:59Good evening, everyone.

19:00It is such an honor to be here tonight to accept this proclamation on behalf of the many people who make Somerville the welcoming community that it is.

19:08This year's theme for Welcoming Week is Stories We Share, the Courage to Connect.

19:13And I have to say, I don't think we could have chosen a more fitting theme.

19:17Because it takes courage to connect.

19:19It takes courage to walk into a room where you don't know anyone and introduce yourself.

19:24It takes courage to ask someone about their story and to actually listen to the answer.

19:29It takes courage to show up for someone whose life may look very different from yours.

19:34And it takes courage to let someone see you.

19:37That courage feels especially important right now.

19:41We're living in a time when it can be easier to retreat into what we already know.

19:45To stay with people who think like us, look like us, speak like us, or come from places we understand.

19:51There are forces around us telling us to be afraid of one another.

19:56To draw lines between us and them.

19:59To believe that someone else's gain is somehow less for us.

20:04And sometimes the status quo tells us something even more quietly.

20:09This is just the way things are.

20:11There is nothing you can really do about it.

20:13But connecting with one another is a rejection of that idea.

20:18It is an act of resistance.

20:20Every time we reach across a difference instead of retreating from it,

20:24we are resisting the idea that we have to remain divided.

20:27Every time we listen to a story that challenges our assumptions,

20:31we are resisting the idea that we already know everything we need to know about our neighbors.

20:36Every time we show up for someone else,

20:38we are saying that the well-being of our community is not someone else's responsibility.

20:43It is ours.

20:46And I believe connecting is also an act of love.

20:48And I'm not talking about sentimental kind of love,

20:51but the kind that really requires something from each of us.

20:54The kind that says, "I see you.

20:57I am curious about your story.

20:59Your experience matters to me.

21:02And when you need someone to stand beside you, I will try to be there."

21:07That is what welcoming means to me.

21:10It is not simply opening a door and saying, "You're welcome here."

21:13It is making sure that once that door is open,

21:17people that walk through it know they belong.

21:21And I think it is particularly beautiful

21:23that Mayor Wilson has declared this year the year of the neighbor.

21:27Because what better reminder could we have that building community

21:30is not some abstract idea?

21:32It happens neighbor by neighbor.

21:34It happens when we learn the name of the person we pass on the sidewalk.

21:37When we check on someone who has been sick.

21:41When we help a family navigate something unfamiliar.

21:44When we celebrate a holiday, we do not grow up celebrating.

21:48When we sit together, eat together, laugh together,

21:51disagree with one another,

21:53and still come back the next day ready to keep building.

21:56And in a city like Somerville,

21:58our neighbors bring extraordinary stories with them.

22:01Stories of migration, stories of starting over,

22:04stories of generations who have called this place home,

22:07stories of faith and culture and family,

22:10stories of struggle, resilience, loss, joy and hope.

22:15For stories, something powerful happens.

22:17We stop being categories.

22:19We stop being strangers.

22:21We become people to one another.

22:24That is why welcoming week matters.

22:26So today, we're joining thousands of communities across the country

22:29and actually around the world.

22:31In saying something very simple, we are here.

22:35We are here and we belong to one another.

22:37We are here to learn from one another.

22:40We are here to make room for one another.

22:42And we are here to build a community together.

22:45One where every person has the opportunity not just to live,

22:49but to thrive.

22:51A community where our differences do not pull us apart,

22:54but give us more to learn from one another.

22:56A community where belonging is not something we ask people to earn.

23:00A community where every neighbor knows that their story matters

23:05and that they have a role in writing the next chapter of ours.

23:09So during this welcoming week,

23:11I hope we challenge ourselves to be a little braver.

23:13Introduce yourself.

23:14Ask the question.

23:15Listen a little longer, show up, and maybe, and most importantly,

23:19make room for someone else's story alongside your own.

23:23Because the future of Somerville will not be built by one person,

23:27one office, one organization, or one government.

23:30It will be built by neighbors, by all of us.

23:33Because we are one Somerville.

23:35And our story is still being written.

23:38Thank you.

23:41Thank you, Director, Mr. Mayor.

23:47Any discussion?

23:48All right.

23:50Seeing none, item 4.1 is approved.

23:54Item 7.9 is placed on file.

23:56Very good.

23:57Thank you.

23:58That brings us back to the regular order of business, Madam Clerk.

24:01Next item.

24:02Next item is 4.2, a resolution by Councillor Clingan

24:05in support of striking Encore Boston Harbor workers.

24:08Councillor Clingan.

24:09Thank you, Mr. President.

24:10If the clerk would please read the resolution into the record.

24:14Yes.

24:16Whereas Encore Casino and Resort Workers

24:19are ambassadors for the greater Boston area's travelers and tours.

24:22And whereas the more than 1,400 members

24:25of the Unite Here Local 26 and Teamsters Local 25

24:29who do the work at the casino reflect the strength and diversity

24:32of the city of Somerville and communities throughout the region.

24:35And whereas many Encore employees reside in Somerville

24:38and other neighboring communities,

24:40and the wages and benefits earned by these workers

24:42are reinvested in local businesses, housing, and community institutions.

24:46And whereas the workers are seeking fair wages,

24:49the preservation of health care and retirement benefits

24:52and job security provisions that would allow them

24:54and their families to continue living

24:56and working in the greater Boston region.

24:58And whereas Unite Here Local 26 and Teamsters Local 25 workers

25:03believe one job should be enough to live in the city they work in,

25:06raise a family, and retire with dignity.

25:09And whereas after months of negotiations,

25:11Unite Here Local 26 and Teamsters Local 25

25:14have gone on strike indefinitely at Encore Boston Harbor,

25:17now therefore be it resolved that the city of Somerville

25:21goes on record expressing its strong support

25:24for the strike of Unite Here Local 26 and Teamsters Local 25 workers

25:28and their efforts to secure a fair contract.

25:31And be it further resolved that the Somerville City Council

25:35encourages residents, community organizations, labor organizations,

25:39and elected officials to honor the strike

25:41and support the workers' efforts

25:43by refraining from patronizing Encore Boston Harbor

25:46for the duration of the labor dispute.

25:48And be it further resolved that the Somerville City Council

25:52stands in solidarity with the striking workers

25:54and encourages support for lawful picketing

25:57and other peaceful activities undertaken

25:59in furtherance of a fair agreement.

26:01And be it further resolved that the Somerville City Council

26:03urges Encore Boston Harbor and Wynn Resorts

26:06to negotiate in good faith and reach a fair agreement

26:08that respects the contributions of its workforce.

26:11And be it further resolved that the city clerk

26:13in hereby is requested to forward a copy of this resolution

26:17to Jenny Holiday, president of Encore Boston Harbor,

26:20Craig Billings, chief executive officer of Wynn Resorts,

26:24and the Massachusetts Gaming Commission

26:26and the leadership of Unite Here Local 26 and Teamsters Local 25.

26:30Thank you.

26:32Councillor Clayton.

26:33Thank you for that.

26:34Mr. President, colleagues, you may have seen on the news,

26:39you may have participated already.

26:40I was down there with the mayor a few days ago.

26:42I know a few colleagues have been down to the picket line

26:44and there was a parade on Labor Day,

26:48which, you know, seems celebratory.

26:51The spirits are really high on the picket line.

26:53But let me be clear, this is a fight.

26:56And we want these people to get back to work

26:58as soon as humanly possible.

27:02And so I just want to tonight recognize these workers

27:05and say that I stand in strong support

27:07with the striking workers of Teamsters Local 25

27:09and Unite Here Local 26 that are currently out on strike

27:13at the Encore Boston Harbor Casino.

27:17When people think about Encore, they see the luxury hotel,

27:20the restaurants, the casino and the enormous profits.

27:23What they don't always see are the people behind it,

27:26the housekeepers, the cleaners, the gardeners that keep the grounds beautiful,

27:30the drivers, the cooks, the dishwashers, the cashiers, the bartenders.

27:36All of these positions are what makes Encore a five-star resort.

27:40There is no Encore without these workers.

27:44And what they're asking for is not unreasonable.

27:46They're asking for fair wages, good benefits, job security

27:51and the ability to support themselves and their families.

27:53They're asking to share in some of the prosperity

27:57their own labor helps create.

28:00And furthermore, they're asking for basically parity

28:02with what every other hotel, namely hotel groups

28:06that aren't nearly as wealthy as this one, pay their workers.

28:09And I tell you, as somebody who's worked in the service industry

28:14in restaurants, hotels, in the livery business,

28:18I've waited on service driven, some of the most wealthy people in the world.

28:22I've been on that side of the line.

28:26I've been behind back of house, front of house.

28:29And this is personal for me.

28:32And this should be personal for all of us.

28:34There are 319 members of Local 25 that live here in Summerville.

28:38Four different employers, including, I believe,

28:41some of our own city staff are now Local 25 members.

28:44723 Local 26 members who live right here in Summerville,

28:4828 of which work at the Encore Casino.

28:52Many of them are here this evening.

28:54They're our neighbors, and they're part of our communities.

28:58Encore markets itself is a five-star destination.

29:01Well, five-star destinations don't happen without five-star workers.

29:04And I want to give it up for these workers right now.

29:12So tonight, with this resolution,

29:14I think we should be really clear about where we stand.

29:17We stand with the people who take care of these rooms,

29:20who cook this food, who take care of these grounds,

29:23who serve these guests, and basically bring in record profits

29:28for a casino that is not sharing in that

29:32and treating their workers fairly.

29:34So I urge my colleagues to support this resolution this evening.

29:38Thank you.

29:39And with that, I would like to, with my colleagues,

29:43approval, support -- I'm sorry -- sponsor.

29:51Thank you.

29:52I lost my train of thought.

29:53Sponsor a few of the workers.

29:55James Adkins, who is the head gardener in the horticultural department.

30:00He's the chief steward for Local 25.

30:02He's a 10-year sumable resident, and he's here to speak to us tonight.

30:05With that, I'll bring up James.

30:08And we also have Freddy Sanchez, who's also a sumable resident.

30:17He's a chef at Rare Steakhouse at the Encore,

30:20and he's also here to speak to his experience and want you to share his story.

30:26All right.

30:27Councillor Clingin would like to sponsor James Adkins and Freddy Sanchez.

30:30So you have no objection.

30:32Let's go ahead.

30:34Good evening.

30:35My name is James Adkins, and I've been living in Summerville,

30:37as you know, for 10 years now.

30:38And I wanted to start by thanking you, Councillor Jesse Clingin,

30:41for sponsoring us to speak with you all this evening

30:44and for having walked the picket line all three days of this Labor Day weekend.

30:50It was really an honor.

30:52As you know, I'm the chief steward for Local 25,

30:55as well as lead gardener at Encore Boston Harbour,

30:58where I've been working since 2022.

31:01It's a job I've loved and one that I take great pride in.

31:05But the hard reality is that despite working full-time,

31:08I, like many of my co-workers, have a difficult time making ends meet.

31:15Most of my co-workers, myself included,

31:17are forced to work second or third jobs just to survive.

31:21I, myself, have three roommates,

31:24and more often than not, walk from my small apartment down on Belknap Street

31:29right here in Summerville, all the way down 16 and across the river,

31:33to the resort, just to save what little I can really.

31:41Last year alone, Encore brought in $847 million from this single resort,

31:46and we're just asking that a fraction of those massive profits

31:50go back to the very workers that earned them.

31:53That wealth should stay right here,

31:57investing in the working-class families

32:00in Everett, Summerville, and surrounding communities.

32:03These past seven days on the Pickett Line have been a powerful reminder

32:08of our shared humanity.

32:12We have 1,300 workers out on strike,

32:15many of whom come from diverse backgrounds speaking many different languages,

32:19living in different neighbourhoods.

32:23But we are completely united behind this goal.

32:26As many of you know, years ago, when Wind Resorts was first building this casino,

32:32the city of Summerville stood tall and actively opposed it

32:37because of the traffic congestion, the gridlock,

32:41and environmental strain that it would have in our city.

32:44Summerville was an outspoken voice then and can continue to be one now.

32:52By passing this resolution, you will send a powerful message,

32:58an unmistakable message from Summerville right to the corporate headquarters in Vegas,

33:03that enough is enough.

33:05You can send Encore a message that they must be a true community partner

33:11and that they must respect the workers who make their success possible.

33:14Thank you.

33:16Good evening.

33:26My name is Freddy Sanchez-Baskis.

33:28I work here in Summerville.

33:30So I work for Encore as a chef at the state house.

33:35So we are in a strike because we want a fair of wishes.

33:39So not only for us, but for our families.

33:42We deserve to have better benefits to stay here in Massachusetts,

33:47to stay here in Summerville, Everett, in another city in Boston.

33:51So we're not asking for more than what we deserve and for our job.

33:56So we're asking for what is value for our job to have in this moment.

34:00So thank you for your support.

34:02Thank you both, Councillor, you and Kevin.

34:11Thank you, Mr. President.

34:14Through you, thank you, Councillor Clingan.

34:16And thank all of you.

34:17I know myself, many of my colleagues have been on the picket line,

34:20incredibly inspiring.

34:22My day job, I work at the Harvard Medical School,

34:25and the dining workers there are local 26.

34:28And they were on strike 10 years ago when I was starting that job.

34:32They won.

34:33You all are going to win.

34:34It is incredibly inspiring to see two unions working together, obviously.

34:38It is truly stunning to see how this employer is treating the people that do the work.

34:45It's shocking.

34:47And you get the sense that this organization feels like,

34:52"Well, we're the biggest taxpayer in the city of Everett.

34:55What are they going to do?

34:57Do they need us more than we need them?"

34:58And it's just disgusting.

35:00And I'm very glad that the resolution explicitly encourages people not to cross the picket line.

35:05But I would just say, even for people who it's not like a moral fear of theirs to cross the picket line,

35:10I really would not recommend going to that resort right now with the cleaners are not working,

35:14the people who do the work who actually keep that place running aren't working.

35:17I would not want to be in that building.

35:18So I would take that recommendation seriously.

35:21You guys are going to win.

35:22Thank you for being here tonight.

35:23Councillor McLaughlin and then Councillor Link.

35:26Thank you, Mr. President.

35:30I can see the Encore Casino from my house right in my backyard.

35:34So I think I lived the closest to it.

35:37And I was trying to decide whether I was going to tell the story about me opposing the casino.

35:41But someone just mentioned it.

35:43I remember years ago, I went to Everett and I was speaking against the casino for a number of reasons

35:49because I just thought there was a better location on the table at the time.

35:53And when I spoke, there was this roar of cat hisses from the audience,

35:58just basically disagreeing with me, respectfully disagreeing.

36:04Those voices were from Labour.

36:06Labour backed this casino.

36:08They made this happen.

36:09They fought for this because they was promised good paying jobs,

36:13like the jobs that they have in Vegas and that other casinos provide.

36:17So if we're not getting that, if we're not getting good jobs out of this,

36:21I don't know what we're doing here.

36:23So I just want to voice my support.

36:25I'll be on the picket line tomorrow supporting organized labor

36:29because that was the only reason that I ever wanted a casino with an eye shot of my house.

36:34So to know that the workers are being disrespected like this,

36:38we have to reassess our entire relationship with this casino

36:41and make sure the workers are the ones who are prioritized.

36:44Thank you.

36:46Councillor Link.

36:47Thank you, Mr. President.

36:51I think the good Councillor from Ward 1 hit the nail on the head.

36:56You know, we are often promised to our community good paying jobs.

37:01The reason that we should put up with all the other pains of this casino,

37:06of a future stadium, good paying jobs, good paying jobs.

37:09And if those aren't coming, yeah, what are we doing?

37:14So 100%, you know, we need to actually hold these employers feet to the fire.

37:23And thank you for saying it so well.

37:26Thank you, Councillor Scott.

37:27Yeah, thank you, Mr. President.

37:31Everything my colleagues have said is spot on and obviously all support.

37:37I'd love to sign on to this resolution as well.

37:40But the scale really gets to me, Mr. President.

37:47The scale of wealth accumulation is a problem that we have throughout our society.

37:55You know, the operating profit, I mean, there was a $750 million number mentioned there in terms of revenue.

38:00But the operating profit of just this one property has been reported at $230 million a year, $230 million a year.

38:10Even if you divided that up across every one of those 1,400 employees that they mentioned, right?

38:16That's over $150,000 a year that doesn't come to each one of those employees.

38:21It goes into the pocket of a corporation.

38:24It goes in the pocket of somebody who, frankly, unfortunately is all too often putting that money to work,

38:31trying to make our world a less fair place.

38:37So obviously, as a city, we stand with these workers.

38:41Obviously, as a socialist, I stand with these workers.

38:47And, you know, I'm even welcome to having the ownership keep some of that money.

38:57Maybe it can only return $150,000 per worker to the folks that actually make that money for them.

39:03But, yeah, this is the scale of the problem we need to address.

39:09And these workers have all the support that I can offer them and that some of them can offer them.

39:15Thank you.

39:17Thank you, Mr. President.

39:19Thank you, colleagues.

39:20Again, I want to sign on again.

39:22This is just simply about respect, you know, for the contribution of the workers that actually sustain this company.

39:29So I don't and we will continue to stand with you. I think tomorrow I'll also join you on the pick a line just to say we're not going anywhere.

39:37We'll continue to stand with you until you prevail.

39:40Thank you for the discussion.

39:44Can you say?

39:46Through you, Mr. President, first, I would like to thank Councillor Clingan for bringing this resolution forward.

39:52And, yeah, I want to say that you strike right now is incredibly inspiring.

39:58Keep up the fight. You will win. And we stand with you. We support you.

40:03Thank you, Mr. President, just echoing my my colleagues sentiments.

40:11One thing I wanted to share that felt so inspiring to me joining the pick a line on Monday was all of the workers from other unions, all the people from community organizations, all of the individuals, all the activists, all the people who came and showed up to stand in solidarity.

40:28There's something really exciting and inspiring happening there and a true sense of common purpose.

40:34I was honored just to experience that. It makes me confident that you're going to win.

40:38Thank you for being here. And God bless.

40:41Thank you, Councillor Hart would like to sign on as well.

40:44All right. So, you know, further discussion. Thank you, folks.

40:48And that item is approved. And Councillor Clingan would like to, if there's no objection, take up items four dot three and four dot four together, please, Madam Clerk.

40:56Yes, Adam, do pictures are let's before we get to that, let's take another quick brief recess for some pictures and then we'll come right back.

41:05Hey, Mr. President, did you have my signed on to that as well because I signed on the first.

41:10If council chance is not already. Yeah, I should have already been signed.

41:13All right. We'll stand in brief recess or pictures. All right. Call this meeting back to order.

42:50I can see that a quorum is is present, Madam Clerk, just for the record. Would you would you read the full list of concerts who signed on?

42:59I know some folks signed on. Yes. When this when this item was circulated earlier in the week.

43:05So let's just make sure we get that that full list on the record for the record.

43:09The counselors who signed on to item four point two where Councillors Clingan, Ewing Campen, Link, Hart, Davis, Strezzo, Sa'it, Mba and Wheeler.

43:18All right. Very good. Thank you. That item is approved and me and me. Come on, man.

43:22And Councillor Scott, everybody. Now we have very good.

43:27Councillor Clingan would like to take up items four point three and four point four together, seeing no objection.

43:34We'll waive the rules, take up those items together, Madam Clerk. Would you read those both into the record?

43:37Next item is four point three account resolution by Councillor Clingan that the director of engineering and the commissioner of public works discuss with the committee on public utilities and public works.

43:47The city's current requirements for restoration of streets following utility and other permitted excavations, including whether the city has the authority and ability to require full lane,

43:56expanded or curb to curb restoration on streets that have passed the five year street opening moratorium, but remain in good condition.

44:04And four point for another resolution by Councillor Clingan that the director of engineering and commissioner of public works discuss with the committee on public utilities and public works.

44:13The feasibility of establishing a street preservation offset fee or similar pavement degradation fee modeled on programs such as Cambridge's to help offset the city's costs associated with utility and other excavations and public streets.

44:26Councilman. Thank you, Mr. President.

44:30Through you. So colleagues, the impetus for for for these orders are, you know, somewhat obvious in the in the wording, but I just want to add a fine point on it.

44:41You know, we have a moratorium on if a if a utility opens up a street that's been paid in the last five years, they need to pave curb to curb at that point.

44:53If they do open the street up or they typically don't allow it has to be for emergency anyway, oftentimes a street six years old and the life may be 15 and that's six years now they've made a trench down the middle of the street.

45:06And now maybe two years after that, there's another trench made on the side of the street, basically creating degradation where water gets in, then it turns to ice the streets.

45:17And now you have Thurston Street, for instance, which is like driving on the moon.

45:23So, you know, what Cambridge does, they have a fee that basically the utilities pay into so that we can maybe not wait the whole, you know, 15 year lifespan, but we can do a curb to curb wouldn't be the whole street.

45:40But when we say curb to curb being at least like where the trench was located so that it can help, you know, stave off water damage and just the buckling of the streets and so on.

45:52So this is really just to see how far we can push I know that, you know, it's pretty standard to say a five year moratorium, but we could discuss a fee, or perhaps, if we can get utilities to go curb to curb when they when they dig a trench, or use the

46:10fee money to do it ourselves either way I think this is something that we can all agree. I'll just use one example on my Heath Street was newly repaved right down the middle, and then a year later they did a bunch of gas replacement and now it's just, you

46:26know, it's very bumpy. And, you know, when we do do streets over which we only do about 1% a year be nice if we could keep those streets smooth for for for a little bit so like to send those to committee and have that discussion with engineering and

46:41see where we're somewhere we could land on on maybe improving the way we interact with utilities regarding tearing up our streets. Thank you. Any discussion. Alright, seeing none, the those items are approved with a copy to sustainability and infrastructure, and then

47:00we would like to wave the rules to take up items 4.5 and 4.6 together. See no objection, Madam Quick would you please read those items, next item is 4.5 a resolution by Councilor clean and that the director of engineering, the Commissioner of Public Works, and

47:14the chief procurement officer discussed with the committee on public utilities and public works, the city's current practices for establishing monitoring and enforcing construction timelines for municipal projects, including the use of project milestones,

47:27construction deadlines, contractor staffing levels liquidated damages, and other tools to ensure that projects are completed in a timely manner, and 4.6 a resolution by Councilor clean and that the deputy that the director of engineering,

47:40the Commissioner of Public Works, and the chief procurement officer explore best practices used by other municipalities and public agencies to encourage timely completion of public construction projects, including performance incentives liquidated damages, milestone

47:54improvements, recovery schedules, and cost plus time, or a plus be bidding and discuss which approaches could be appropriate for Somerville Castle clean. Thank you, Mr. President, on these again, I think colleagues probably know I'm getting out for the public.

48:09I'm sure you've probably have seen contractors will bid on a job. They'll tear up the street, they'll get real aggressive for like the first couple days, then they just minimize staffing to like one person in a backhoe.

48:22And people say what is going on, we haven't seen people down there for days. Now again, this is why I don't profess to know everything and procurement. The reason why I have this conversation with procurement and with engineering is because people so people understand that they may be given an 18 month

48:36timeline. Now, if you have a contractor that, you know, they pick up multiple jobs, so now they've just dropped one guy over here and then they're working on three other jobs.

48:46And people think like they must be a more efficient way to get this done. Well, there are some tools that some municipalities use, which is like a plus B bidding, which basically means, you know, you can bid, say you bid $2 million for this project to take 18 months, and then it's

49:04$2.5 million, if you can get it done in 12 months. So things like that, that I want to make sure we're using all available, like, for instance, you know, tough street, the same company that's doing Pearl Street, you know, that project seemed, at least in people's minds to take an extended period of time.

49:23And maybe staying within the contract, or maybe not that we do use liquidation damages, but it's at like $500 a day, they can just do the math and say, well, if we don't get it done, you know, what's 500 a day, a month, 15, you know, so so we need to be a little more proactive

49:42in the way that we are doing our bidding process as far as how long projects are taken, and whether or not we're making sure that we are pushing these contractors to get work done in a much more timely fashion, wherever whenever possible, you know, up to as far as we can push that outside of whatever the standard is.

50:05So, yeah. Okay, thank you. Any other discussion. Alright, seeing none, those two items are approved then with a copy to sustainability infrastructure council clean with those good committee as well.

50:20Yeah, and you want us and I have had the same conversation together those could theoretically be a finance discussion but I assume you'd want to keep that.

50:27Yeah, I'd like to keep it infrastructure because even though there's a procurement piece to it. It's really more about public works projects and bidding so I can always kick it out after but I think to start the conversation we have it there.

50:44Very good so those will be a copy of those will be sent to sustainability and infrastructure. Alright, before we get to our next out of order 721. I just want to check if there anyone in the room, specifically here for another item that I haven't mentioned any item other than 721.

51:00No, okay, just if so we would take that up out of order so you don't have to wait, since we're going to go into exact session pretty soon here.

51:17Yes, please read that item next item is 7.21 a mayor's communication conveying an update on civilian oversight. We have manager Hellman here, manager helmet please get us started on this on this what I anticipate will be a very long process long thorough process due diligence.

51:41I'll let you make that comment. Mr. President. So thank you for having me this evening. So we're going to be here to provide some quick history and context on the city's efforts to implement a public safety civilian oversight board.

51:53As you're aware, the administration is made establishing a civilian oversight body in the coming months a priority and excited to begin the conversation with you all about it tonight. Next slide please.

52:09So, just some quick historical context on this in the early 2000s the local Human Rights Commission identified a civilian oversight board as a potential priority for the city.

52:21There's that followed a little movement on that until the summer of 2020 when then America tone included establishment of such a board as part of the city's policy and declaring the systemic racism, a public health emergency that call spurred a public safety community survey that found 81% of

52:40Somerville residents supported a civilian oversight entity. The following year, so local community groups provide policy recommendations to the city, alongside a council resolution that called for implementation.

52:52This was supported by a 2021, you know a legislative analysis that the council provided that gave critical context on potential models and community engagement strategies for this work in 2023 the public safety for all initiative which created my position,

53:08led by the racial and social justice department establish a civilian oversight task force, which conducted nearly two years of research community engagement subject matter expertise interviews that Task Force report is extensive.

53:22This was released in February of 2025, including recommendations on mission structure operations staffing budget timeline considerations, the whole gamut.

53:35Next slide. So I just want to highlight a few considerations for where we're at this process currently as an administration and a city with my onboarding at the end of last year and preparing for this work.

53:48There are some local primary resources that identified that I'd want to share with you all. That includes the 2021 council resolution and analysis report that I named the 2021 justice Somerville policy demands on this issue.

54:02There was a series of community workshops, led by the racial social justice department in 2023. That's helpful. And obviously the 2025 Task Force report which is the most extensive and most recent of this.

54:15I also like to highlight a couple additional things here quickly. The existence of the Massachusetts Peace Officers Standards Training Commission, better noticed post the city's currently required to report all police complaints to post currently.

54:30They hold the ability not only to activate a more thorough investigation of a complaint, but they hold the power to decertify an officer from public service entirely across the Commonwealth.

54:41So this form of existing oversight, and how any local oversight entity in the Commonwealth interacts with post is critical for us to consider in this work.

54:52We've seen how other municipalities across the state have sort of been navigating this dynamic since post creation December of 2020. And we expect this to be a key point of conversation for us, moving forward.

55:03I will add the Task Force report is pretty extensive on this issue. And it recommends what I will quote it as a accountability backstopping when it comes to activating local investigations that fill in the gaps of post when needed.

55:17I will also quickly note the realities of collective bargaining negotiations with our local police unions on this matter.

55:24As you're all aware any change to working conditions requires the city to negotiate in good faith with any union that includes our police. The administration expects the need for some conversations with you all in the council to occur in executive session, including this evening.

55:39However, it's our intention of the majority of policy discussion to occur in public session on this issue as is legally permissible.

55:47Last note on this slide. I just want to point to some preliminary work that's already occurred on this. That includes a thorough review and cataloging of primary resources that I named.

56:00It's extensive research that we've conducted into existing and comparable municipal ordinances on this topic across Massachusetts and the country as a whole, and ongoing engagement and learning sessions with counselors subject matter experts and community advocates.

56:15That engagement is going to continue in the months ahead and we want to encourage the council, the public to reach out to the administration to provide their own insights and recommendations at an upcoming public hearing when it's scheduled.

56:28Next slide and final slide. So here's just a quick immediate timeline on next steps.

56:36It includes this evening, but following this evening, it's our intention to submit an item to the council providing an update from us the administration on the policy development process with a likely presentation on that item in committee later this month.

56:51Following that we want to hopefully the council will hold a public hearing on this initiative in October on that item that the council put forth during the August 27th meeting so residents can respond to ongoing policy development processes and community conversations that are going to occur obviously in the month ahead.

57:07So we look forward to collaborating with the community, the council on this and creating an oversight body that is both effective and sustainable for the long term. Thank you, Mr. President.

57:17Thank you, manager Hellman. And I want to, I will note, not from a in terms of deliberation but just for sake of completing the record, because I think it's important to recognize the council's role.

57:28If we go back to the first slide please. In June of 2020, I submitted put together together with counselor Scott and submitted with counselor by a resolution calling for a civilian oversight body actually it was a two entity structure that we had at the time.

57:42I think we made the mistake of trying to lay out in that resolution, a lot more detail than we probably were ready to, but that, that resolution predated America Tony's call that I think I want, I want, I want to pine in terms of the dates that is what led to the, to the city council lead

58:02process and that included broad public input, which then produced the, the 2021 city council analysis report which the manager mentioned is one of the was a phrase he used the primary resources.

58:17So, at the end of the day that the important part is there, so I appreciate that but, you know, let the record reflect that there's a there was a key step here I think that, that the council should be acknowledged for for moving this conversation forward, and given,

58:30I don't speak personally just I'm thrilled that we're here. So thank you to you director Hellman manager Hellman and to the administration for moving this along, as you all said you would.

58:40What I'd like to do now as I mentioned earlier is to if there's no objection to lay this item on the table, then take up item seven dot one which is the executive session as manager Hellman noted there's, there is a need to have some aspects of this discussion in

58:54executive session given the relation to collective bargaining. We have our chief labor council here in the chamber.

58:59We will, you know, that exactly that executive session will take as long as it needs to but I don't anticipate it will be as long as some of our other ones have put it that way, though you never know.

59:11After that executive session that we will, it'll be my intent to come back to open session to pick this item up off the table and then have the fullest open public discussion that we are able to on this item in terms of that initial sort of, you know, where we are.

59:25What our thoughts are in advance of a more formal presentation from the administration subsequent media that all sound good. All right, so man quick let's lay it lay Adam seven dot two one on the table and if there's no objection like to suspend the rules to take up item seven dot nine would

59:40you please read that seven dot one you're right I'm sorry seven dot one if I misspoke earlier I meant to say seven dot one.

59:47Yes, next item is seven point one mayor's request requesting that this council can be an executive session to receive an update on collective bargaining negotiations.

59:55Attorney Sergei is this item appropriate for executive session could you please approach and give the council opinion.

1:00:01Yes, Labor Council, Matt Sergio. We've our office has reviewed the agenda and the subject for discussion tonight and this is appropriate for executive session.

1:00:09All right, very good Council Bob moves to adjourn into executive session which please call the role. Yes, this is a roll call to adjourn and to go into executive session.

1:00:16I think I misspoke I'm not technically a journey we're simply going into executive session and we will come back into open session at the conclusion of executive session.

2:18:22Let's start with a roll call to establish quorum, coming out of his exit session here, Councilor link here, Councilor Scott, present, Council clean in present, Council shows up, Council site here, Council Wheeler here, Council heart here, Council McLaughlin.

2:18:45Yeah, Councilor involved. Aye, and Council Davis here with 11 members present we have quorum.

2:18:57No votes were taken in executive session, other than the vote to adjourn out of the executive session.

2:19:06I see citizen huff in the background are you here, Crystal for a specific item, perhaps, five or 67.3 and or whatever the corresponding sentiment.

2:19:20I'm happy to take those I'm happy to take those out of order now if you're here just for those items I don't keep your eye on it so before we pick up item 721 off the table if there's no objection.

2:19:33We take up items help me out here counselor link it's seven dot three, and then the corresponding administration submission is, which one. All right, of course, sorry, sorry, and yours is 1011 can we take those up together as counseling would like to move to spend the roles to take up 7.3 and 10.1 out of order and together.

2:20:04Seeing no objection, please read those items. Yes, seven dot three requesting a payment of an amendment to the following sections of the Summerville zoning ordinance to remove ground story elevation requirements.

2:20:16And then 10.1, which is a zoning ordinance by counselor link that sections 3.1 point seven C of the zoning ordinance be amended as detailed within.

2:20:29Okay, just in terms of the procedure, given that 10.1 is on a supplement on the supplemental item that was sort of due to the Monday holiday and the sort of sequencing and getting that prepared it just wasn't ready before.

2:20:46Before the submission deadline so we won't have a deliberation on that. But because it is a zoning ordinance amendment. It also very much overlaps or is sort of essentially the same subject matter as the other item there's just sort of maybe, maybe some little differences in approach.

2:21:03We will refer both of those items to land use with a copy to the planning board for a schedule of public hearing. That way it'll get properly noticed before we actually talk about any of it, folks will know. And then, hypothetically, if there were two items before in land use that address the same issue.

2:21:22And they've both been noticed we've had a public hearing that it would be then at the discretion of the committee and ultimately the council to work with the administration and or amend one or one or the other to align with, with our sort of, you know, single objective for whichever parts of each we feel is appropriate.

2:21:41And that might be approach we might take with with those items.

2:21:45Alright, so we'll leave that at that. Thank you.

2:21:48Sorry, because I just, I just would like to quickly just say thank you to the administration for for seven dot three, which was properly noticed. So I just want to say yeah, thank you for that and it's really appreciated that that we're, we're addressing this so quickly.

2:22:04I really like it. Alright, excellent. Thank you for that.

2:22:07Stay tuned for good public hearing and robust committee discussion on those items. Now let's go back to. So, we, we address seven dot one. Let's take up item seven dot 21 off the table.

2:22:22This was the, the update on civilian oversight we heard manager Hillman present prior when we first began discussing this item.

2:22:32I'm told that that that sort of presentation will stand are there questions or comments or discussion this is who said this is sort of the opening of the, the public process to, to, wow, I shouldn't say that we have, we just heard there's been long and robust public

2:22:48processes in many shapes and sizes and forms. This is the council, focusing this to this conversation now in between the collaboration between the council and the administration to move forward with a concept for civilian oversight of police.

2:23:04Any discussion any comments any questions. I know you all have some I have a list in my pocket here of things that we brought up in executive session that were more appropriate for open session so should we start with that why don't we do that to get the ball rolling here

2:23:19little icebreakers counselor you and camping, you mentioned, access to information, you want to touch on that topic, Mr. President, I'd say, you know, the most accurate way to summarize my feelings about civilian oversight in open session are that we've

2:23:44spoken at great length about what we want to see in this process.

2:23:47There have been resolutions from the council their task forces made recommendations. I stand by all of those, you know, and that is how I'm going into this process, that is my position going into this I want there to be meaningful civilian oversight of the

2:24:02police department. That clearly means they have to play a significant role in in investigations and disciplines they have to have the ability to get information subpoenas, and that has to be, that's, you know, to me there's, there's no meaningful

2:24:18oversight unless they have the ability to conduct those informations and make decisions recommendations based on the information they collect. It's really that simple so thank you, Mr. President.

2:24:27We'll go around the room and to the extent that we don't hit any of the things that were brought up because I said things were brought up in executive session that are appropriate for a session I want to make sure that they do get stated so if we don't

2:24:46touch on my list here, then I'll flag it and if we do, then we're good. So counselor Scott, go ahead.

2:24:51Thank you, Mr. President. I think this is kind of an awkward discussion, given that we started it, and then went into executive session and then came back out of executive session so I, it might be helpful just for the public to understand that we as a council,

2:25:09we as a community have been demanding a civilian oversight function for a very long time, the first council demands back in 2020, which we're riding along with the community man's of just a Somerville.

2:25:26And with that said, all of this impacts a contract with employees that have a union. And so, and we are not the ones who negotiate those contracts. So, it is important for the mayor to understand, because the mayor and the mayor's Labor Council

2:25:45is someone negotiating these contracts, what some of the council's priorities red lines approaches places where, you know, even just thoughts of how to approach the negotiations entirely.

2:26:00So, in, to some extent, that is itself a negotiation between the council and the mayor and his Labor Council. So, it's okay for that to happen because buying closed doors.

2:26:11That said, when it comes to expressing the will of the community, I don't think the community has been shy.

2:26:19Let's, let's put it this way, the people that come to my office hours have not been shy about what they want. And so, if you'd like, I mean, again, I have time and again referred us to those source document materials.

2:26:34I think I said it earlier, but I'll say it again, which is, since those demands have been made as communities across the country have attempted to implement effective civilian oversight.

2:26:47I think they've discovered a lot of ways that it doesn't work well. And I would like us to not repeat the mistakes of places that don't work.

2:26:57I think the idea that we are a unique snowflake. Yes, Somerville is a very unique place. However, to some extent, it goes to the question of like, well, did this actually ever work for anybody else?

2:27:12No, no. It never worked for anybody else, but maybe it'll work for us.

2:27:18Okay, we're not that special. I think the research that was done six years ago, and the proposal that was placed forth by the council, and then later functionally scuttled by the, by the administration is a great place to start.

2:27:37I think the bedrock foundation that the police department, the officers who are authorized to use force against us deserve.

2:27:54We deserve to have some level of civilian input and control and visibility into the complaints that happen. I myself as a counselor have filed several complaints to the department about the behavior of officers.

2:28:13One in particular was when an officer actually came approach this council and lied directly to this council and by extension to the community, you know, took a lot of follow up to try to get any response from that.

2:28:28They came back that the incident was investigated and it was unfounded. Okay, I've got it on camera, but a civilian oversight body should be able to look at that and to not just simply have a result of unfounded, but to have the public should have a body that it can trust knowing that it has visibility,

2:28:52not just into the work product of a completed investigation years later, but that there are people actively involved in looking at the problem in real time.

2:29:06I look at our neighbors in Cambridge, who are despite being very proud of their body camera program that body camera footage isn't helping a soul right now.

2:29:16It's not getting released. It's not putting the public at ease. The public has no confidence that the incident is being investigated well, at least from what I hear.

2:29:30So I would like us to avoid those mistakes. I think going back to the fundamental principles is a great place to start on it. I don't need to get into the exact details, although I'm prepared to at length when this goes into legislative matters for discussion.

2:29:51But ultimately, this is we're a government of the people and there should be no single branch, no single department or entity within that government that stands separate and above supervision or review.

2:30:10And I think that stands for the police department as well. So if there's more you'd like me to elaborate on a detail, Mr. President, I'm happy to do so. But I just wanted to place that as perhaps a foundational starting point for the discussion.

2:30:27Council. Council Scott, I got to say some of the stuff for when I sit down and talk. So I'll let you I'll let you stop there if you'd like to other discussion.

2:30:34I'll save some for your shared part of the brain, sir. Very good. Other discussion. Council link.

2:30:41Thank you, Mr. President, through you. I'll just say that I'm very glad to see this coming on the heels of body one cameras.

2:30:49You know, this was something that that I was very concerned about, as was as were several of my colleagues pointed this out.

2:30:58So it's it's really heartening to see that we are, you know, approaching this with sincerity and, you know, as some others have already said, you know, it's really important that that as we do this, it's it's more than theater.

2:31:15You know, this body has to create like true accountability, true transparency and, you know, kind of speaking, continuing to speak kind of more broadly at the moment. I'll just say that, you know, another part that's really top of mind for me is, you know, that making sure that as we do this, that this body can continue to exist, function and do the work.

2:31:38Regardless of, you know, right now, we've got a wonderful administration who's supportive of this. We want to make sure that no matter who sits in the office over there, that this body can continue to function and exist and do their work regardless of that.

2:31:56And other than that, you know, I'm happy to talk more about it as we get into more details later. All right. Council say, yeah, through you, Mr. President.

2:32:08First, also glad to see this on the agenda.

2:32:13I'm glad we're discussing this without any delays as the mayor has promised back in June that will be discussing this right after we come back from recess. So we're glad to see this.

2:32:25Yeah, I will say that, yes, the community has been asking for civilian oversight for years now. A lot of work has been was done with the community. So let's make sure as we, you know, do in this process that we include all those recommendations

2:32:45and like all the work that was done with the counselors.

2:32:51In terms of some things things that I would like to see very broadly.

2:32:58I want to make sure that the civilian oversight board has, you know, people who have expertise.

2:33:06I want to make sure they, you know, have a strong disciplinary role, and also, they're able to conduct a parallel investigation on there's a complaint, and also,

2:33:22you know, access information and footage.

2:33:29That's about what you take the presidency for you wanted me to share some light, Mr. President, speak first, you know, just, I mean, just everything that chairman Scott, you know, really, you know, emphasize because this is, I mean, we, I'm glad that this is actually become like the project for

2:33:52this fall. This is something, you know, that was almost going to be a holdout, you know, for the previous vote and accountability measures that we took, but it's taken us several years but now it's been taken up and it's, it is important that we actually see what is being presented.

2:34:14I mean, I don't need to, you know, talk about my hopes and aspirations but I think people, it is assumed that we know what we want to see, you know, happen because we always want to see an effective oversight that reflects the values of the community

2:34:32that we serve, you know, so in terms of composition, they have to reflect the people impacted by the systemic issues that we're trying to address in terms of disciplinary, we want to make sure that, you know, that same oversight have the capacity to be able to implement disciplinary

2:34:51measures and yeah, because it says civilian oversight so it actually should be the civilian that should actually have upper hand in terms of like what is the final decision, you know, on any of this discipline that we are trying to implement.

2:35:12So I think it will be a good end of year celebration to see that, you know, we actually brought this home before we move today, you know, to our next big adventure. Thank you.

2:35:25Thank you, Mr. President, I just want to echo my colleagues and appreciation that we're starting this discussion right now, and I hope that we can keep moving very swiftly through each stage of the process of setting this up because just to reiterate,

2:35:47from the discussion in past months of the body worn cameras we know that for them to be useful tools that we have to have a meaningful civilian oversight body with significant power and responsibility and authority.

2:36:03So I appreciate all the, all of the comments made by my colleagues so far. And I also really appreciate all of the work that's been done over the past many years, and I was not on Council for that work and had not been involved.

2:36:18And so I really look forward to, you know, diving into that body of work more and learning from it. And just on that point I wanted to make a request that I really appreciated from manager helmets slide presentation, the key documents that are important,

2:36:39the pieces that we can draw on for this conversation. And I wondered if it's possible to make all of those available to the public in one place, so that, you know, I, while I'm appreciating people I also really appreciate all of the work that so many activists and advocates

2:36:57and community have done throughout this whole year on this topic, and, you know, I encourage more people to get involved, and even if they haven't been involved in this conversation yet.

2:37:09And so having the, the resources, easily accessible, I think would be fantastic. Thank you.

2:37:19Manager Helman you mentioned in the listed on the slides the primary reference documents. Are those at this stage or is there a plan to make those sort of.

2:37:30Is there is there is there page on the, on, you know, somewhere in the city website whether that's the public safety for all sub page or anywhere to folks, we can attach them to to agenda items but that's not the easiest thing to find so there's a clear way to get folks to them.

2:37:47Mr. President through you, I mean there, obviously we have the public safety for all website, currently, right and so the civilian oversight task force report is available on that to the public.

2:37:56In reference to the other items, you know, I'm not gonna, I wouldn't say right now, when we would get those up on that website specifically or not but they're obviously publicly available documents, be it the Council resolution.

2:38:07We have the legislative analysis report provided by the council, the justice Somerville policy demand press release that we're working off of these are, you know, available publicly but maybe some of them are harder to find than others and so I think we can certainly

2:38:20discuss how we make those just more readily available and alert to folks who want to learn more. I don't think that should be too challenging.

2:38:29I think, you know, to make it as direct a request as possible. If there's a if there's, there's a reason other than just technical logistics which of course we'll understand we'll work through, if there's a reason other, other than that, to not, you know, put them right on that, that sub page within

2:38:47the public safety for all site, because I think that's where I go to look for them. If I was, and so, that then if you could you bring that back to me if there's if there's any other concerns with that, let me have the conversation so I don't want to say like,

2:38:59please do that. But if there's if there's any reason not to do that, if we can make the request, let me know we'll have the conversations and then you know if we, if so, then we need to find another avenue for it then great.

2:39:09If not, then I think that would be the first place folks probably Mr. President three I think with we can certainly commit to coming back to you and explaining yes or no on that question.

2:39:17Excellent. Thank you. Anything further customer. That's it. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. President. Um, I want to echo what my colleagues have said. I think there's, there's been desire for civilian oversight body that really works for a long

2:39:38time. In my mind, part of why it's so crucial is accountability is not anti police accountability is pro police and I want us as a city to work towards deep and true trust between community and police and a body like this with real power is crucial

2:39:59to that. We use civilian oversight in tons of different contexts and it is a basis every day for our trust on the financial side of the city council's powers we ask about every dollar being spent and we're asking, you know, some department or some division

2:40:21when we're asking the public space and urban forestry division about about what they're doing and how they're spending money. It's not because we're opposed to them. It is because we are supporting them and part of how the public is able to to really

2:40:36trust and support the work that our city staff do is because they know that our oversight is real.

2:40:42So, I think this is part of making Somerville the best place that we can be for professional law enforcement officers to make a career. There's a few points that I don't always hear brought up, and I want to make sure that we remember and figuring

2:40:59out how to make a body like this work well. One is that oversight is not just about individual incidents, it's also about being, being a constant part of looking at policies and practices and patterns to quote, one of the recommendations

2:41:17Association for civilian oversight of law enforcement, NACOL. Another is that this body will need some sort of access to funds for expenses that come up for the need on occasion for for support for investigations.

2:41:34And, and I think an important thing is not just to structure interactions as ones that happen after the fact, but to regularly schedule and build the expectation around opportunities for communication and collaboration for the beginning with the

2:41:54police department. Thank you, Chancellor, Chancellor Davis, thank you, Mr. President. Thank you, manager Hellman, and Attorney Sergey and Mr. Mayor for all your input so far on this.

2:42:22I'll try not to echo too much what my counsel, what my colleagues have already stated.

2:42:29But, you know, as Councillor Scott noted, the history of this issue goes back to 2020 that process that that council process led to sort of a two stage effort one was looking at the state of civilian oversight across the country, and to be fair,

2:42:49Councillor Scott and I actually did that initially ourselves had countless hours of conversations with folks from as far away as Oakland, and as close as Cambridge to just learn about what the state of civilian oversight was at the time.

2:43:05It's, of course, very much different now, even in our own Commonwealth, this was before the post commission existed, a lot of the input and and sort of guidance that was that was reflected in that council resolution, ultimately got wrapped into the creation

2:43:20of the post commission. So, you know, certainly whatever we do now needs to understand that and reflect that and we know it well and you know, I know we will be looking at, you know, other municipalities in the Commonwealth, certainly to see how they've integrated

2:43:35to any sort of civilian oversight and the role that civilian bodies play with the role the post commission plays because it's a very important aspect of it and the civilian oversight task force on which I also served acknowledge that in that report and recognize recommendation.

2:43:51But the the so the primary thrust of this part of the discussion is part of the process that went when the mayor and I spoke about this a few weeks ago was to just get some big points out on the table right where sort of our kind of where what the current thinking

2:44:07is where some sort of, you know, primary ideas, nothing, nothing, nothing, no list being exclusive, no, nothing, no, no emission being meaningful, but to sort of just make sure we're all thinking about the same thing so that, as, as manager Hellman said then the administration

2:44:24can come back to the council and in public present, you know, more sort of formal proposal to go forward and advance the discussion which then of course will still be subject to additional public hearing more public input the committee process.

2:44:39And so for the sake of saying those things here in public session, you know, I would I would say to you all, Mr. Mayor manager Hellman, you look at that resolution that counselors by Scott and I put in that that most if not all of the council signed on

2:45:00and that's what we do at the time, looking at with a grain of salt, because we then immediately realize we needed to do a better job which led to the, the, the Council analysis which manager Hellman was on your list.

2:45:13Look at what what those recommendations were.

2:45:16And then obviously the the civilian oversight task force.

2:45:19Those don't all align perfectly North should they they come from different eras, even in that small number of years and none of them reflect the time period that we are right now, as fast as this area is moving.

2:45:31One of the things that we that was the most clear, at least personally the point that I learned most clearly was that there were civilian oversight, quote unquote bodies all over the country, even back in 2020 and had been for years, and for the most part,

2:45:51the consensus seemed to be at least my interpretation of it was that none of them really worked well for a variety of reasons.

2:45:58But to the extent there was a consistent reason or challenge or impediment to these bodies doing what it seemed like people had sort of hope they would do or might expect when they were researching was that they weren't empowered.

2:46:12They weren't empowered and in some cases they weren't properly funded.

2:46:17I often try and look at things, questions to the extent I can answer question its simplest form sometimes that's just the easiest and clearest way of doing that right. A civilian oversight of police, a body that is that is put in place to have oversight of policing,

2:46:36that body should actually have oversight, meaningful oversight of that should those words should mean something, or it's not the thing we call it right. So as a guiding principle, it should be a body made up of civilians that has oversight of policing.

2:46:51Let's start there as a basic assumption. And to be clear, I haven't sensed any objection or conflict, my senses were all on the same page here but for the sake of putting this on the record in public session, that's my starting point for approaching this, it was in 2020 and it remains so here.

2:47:10What does that mean in less simple terms. I talked about, you know, let's take that one point and make it to I said just a moment ago properly funded properly empowered without those two broad things, you're probably going to end up with what municipalities have had for decades,

2:47:28which is what many consider sort of failed ineffective bodies. What does that mean on a more granular level.

2:47:40Before we get to the, this is this is a, you know, including without limitation and and any omission from anything I say should not be interpreted as I don't care about it is probably I just forgot.

2:47:50There's a lot of things that that that we need to consider and we need to look at.

2:47:56One of the things that's on my list of things we talked about in executive session that we need to share in open session is that of course we are looking at other municipalities, both in the Commonwealth and across the country that have that have put oversight bodies in place where we're looking at various factors various metrics

2:48:12that are similar in size every population have similar structures, you know, and sort of measuring how that might translate to Somerville special snowflake that we may be or not, to use counselor counselor Scott's term.

2:48:27But, you know, things that have been mentioned, having real subpoena power, having real access to information, having a process to sort of allude to the scenario in Cambridge that counselor Scott mentioned.

2:48:39And understanding when for when information will be released to the public, you know, there's a difference between information being available to an oversight body and when, when that same information might be released to a public those are two different questions right.

2:48:52We need to get that right.

2:48:54The makeup of the body, the, the ability to have real info. So, when I think of oversight at its core I think disciplinary actions right I mean that's that's the thing you hear people talk about probably more than anything else so having a real meaningful role in discipline.

2:49:12Of course the civil service system is the is the, you know, I was at the end all be all but you know it is the fight that that that body of law has the final say it is the ultimate rule of law in terms of, of, you know, rules that impact disciplinary

2:49:33officers and just about a real employment measure forum for civil service employees. But, you know, the degree to which we can within within, you know, within the confines of that, of that civil service, actually enable a civilian oversight commission to have a meaningful role in discipline,

2:49:52whatever that looks like and I know that's a complicated question, and one that we're going to talk about a lot.

2:49:58Having a meaningful role in policy, the good counselor at large mentioned this is something we talked about all the way back to 2020 as well and I think is reflected in some of those early documents right it's not just, it's not just reviewing and having a role in discipline

2:50:11it's having to review and a role in reviewing and recommending if not implementing policy changes.

2:50:21That's a lot. I'll stop there again that that is certainly not an exhaustive list that's not my like you know everything I haven't said is not important there are certainly other important things.

2:50:29You know, for the sake of sort of getting out like the things that are at top of mind, and the things that that I think we know you will see the public will see in the documents that are already public those are the ones that that you know, consistently come up and

2:50:41that I think we need to find a way to address and and, you know, to the good counselor from war two's point, people, municipalities have screwed this up far more often, you know, for lack of a better way of saying it more often than they've gotten it right.

2:50:58And so, you know, we will we will trip over these things, almost certainly and we will need to adjust, revise and fix but I am grateful to the mayor for committing to this for immediately following through and setting this process in motion.

2:51:16I know it was already it was already in motion when we had the conversation this summer about body one cameras, but but I want to thank both attorney Sarah goo and manager Hellman for for, you know, putting the work and coming to the council on this.

2:51:30I usually don't talk this much at City Council me to see you should absolutely interpret that meaning I'm really excited.

2:51:39As I said, I probably put it's possible I've put more hours into this one issue in at least in the last six years if not in my entire almost going on 11 year term as a city councilor that than any other issue from that initial from all the work to that initial submission

2:51:58that initial resolution to all the work for that led to the city council analysis to my time on the on the civilian officer task force. I can't wait till we actually get something done here, and we're not close yet.

2:52:12We aren't, there's a lot of work to do, but I'm grateful that we're here and I it's important to say that, and I and I'll end with this, Mr. President, to the public.

2:52:24I really look forward to hearing your input again.

2:52:30It's one of the thing I mentioned this sort of two phases of the city of the city council process that it was a constant you and camp and played a large role in as we, as we sort of took that initial resolution and decided to, to take it in a different direction.

2:52:45The city council's first ever staff part time staff led that project, and our Mason one side was getting the putting together a proposal based on different models and that's the document that's out there that's still a really good reference point.

2:53:03The other side was was community input, and I think what we learned was the city council's we didn't have the sort of scaffolding or the bandwidth or the ability to do community input at the scale that we needed to properly.

2:53:22And that was a good lesson for me at least, and it's, it's the primary reason why we you know we then we're grateful when the Department of racial social justice was was formed and a director was hired, and we moved that process into collaboration with RSJ that then launched

2:53:38the civilian oversight task force, which was a somewhat repetitive but a much better and more robust community process so that the all of that community input all of that, that continues, we will have a public hearing.

2:53:51Before this council or committee of this council, we will continue to listen to the public in whatever form you can communicate communicate to us, as long as it's reasonable.

2:54:01You know, knocking, maybe not knocking on doors at midnight but emails, text letters, coming to the public hearings, we want to hear from you because I speak personally in the context of the body one cameras.

2:54:15I learned a ton and we absolutely improved our body one camera policy because of input from the public unsolicited.

2:54:22But it was great, as it always is in this in this city we have such smart engaged folks so if this is my ask to folks to absolutely let us know what you think. Let us know what we're not thinking about let us know what you learned when you went down a rabbit hole last Friday night, and because that will all be really valuable to us and I know I will read as much as it as I possibly can even even when it in there, inevitably,

2:54:46because it costs me a lot of sleep, but I get excited about this stuff and I can't help it so I'll stop talking now thank you, Mr. President.

2:54:55Thank you. Any further discussion. Okay, so that item will be placed on file. As I said, we will look forward to a new submission and a more formal presentation from the administration, possibly at the next meeting.

2:55:18If it's if we're not right there yet we don't want to rush it so then if it's a subsequent meeting then that's fine.

2:55:24Obviously there's, there are timing considerations that are involved but we do want to get this right we do want to put the horse in front of the cart.

2:55:32This time in terms of having a community process that results in a policy proposal and then we take all the related steps that we need to implement that so that's that's how we'll go forward thank you again folks.

2:55:45Should we start the meeting. We kind of already did because we're through all of our council items so that's, that's a bonus. The next item on the agenda, Madam Clerk, I believe we get down to finance committee report finance committee report.

2:56:01All right. So we are at item six point a one report of the committee on finance meeting on September third, 2026.

2:56:10Councillor Wheeler. Thank you, Mr. President, give me just one sec to pull it up. The finance committee met on Thursday, September third, 2026 via remote participation with all members present and with the help of assistant city clerk Madeline latellier.

2:56:29We took up a 14 item agenda. We recommended an approval of an approximately $330,000 payment from uni first corporation for soil cleanup along tough street, along with creation of a stabilization fund to hold and spend those funds.

2:56:44The committee raised questions about the history of contamination at the site, whether nearby residents have been notified possible exposure during the cleanup, and whether the agreement limits the property owners future liability staff committed to providing additional information in the underlying agreement before the full council vote.

2:57:02We did get that information. The committee was able to review it. I can't speak for the rest of the committee, not having spoken to them about this matter, but I found the information satisfactory and reassuring.

2:57:14Learning that the, the nature of the toxic soil had been carefully looked at, and the mitigation process had carefully followed procedures was determined to not expose people nearby to anything dangerous, and that there had been notification of neighbors.

2:57:36Moving on, we approved an approximately $285,000 state grant for pedestrian and traffic safety improvements on Eastern Washington Street, and an approximately $187,000 state climate resilience grant to expand tree canopy and improve sidewalks in places where planting is difficult because of narrow streets and infrastructure constraints.

2:57:56We approved two blue bikes grants, approximately $370,000 for new e-bikes replacement batteries and two new docking stations near blessing the bay and Junction Park near Central Street, and approximately $86,000 for replacement blue bike equipment.

2:58:13The required local contribution comes from blue bikes revenue, rather than the general fund.

2:58:18We approved a $315,000 transfer related to the Morrison Avenue and Greater Davis Square sewer separation project allowing the city to pay short term borrowing costs, rather than carry them into longer term debt.

2:58:31We approved three public safety related grants, approximately $20,000 reimbursing police department over time, associated with the World Cup, $12,000 for the first quarter of the jail and arrest diversion program, and $65,000 for first quarter operations of the Metro Boston Crisis Intervention Training and Technical Assistance Center,

2:58:51which is an exciting program that City of Somerville Police Department staff and core staff do that is able to provide training to people from surrounding towns and cities.

2:59:05The committee also raised questions about how client information from the diversion program is stored and shared.

2:59:10We got supplemental information through Intergovernmental Affairs that, again, can't speak for the rest of the committee members, but I found reassuring.

2:59:18Finally, we approved a $60,000 DPW, Department of Public Works, transfer for temporary clerical staffing while several clerical positions are sitting vacant and proving difficult to fill.

2:59:29And also related to public safety, an $8,800 adjustment for the two deputy chief of police cost of living increases, which was explained is in line with increases for non-union staff, and an approximately $3,600 prior year software invoice caused by a clerical error.

2:59:49>> Chair, I ask that this committee report be accepted as submitted.

2:59:54>> All right, Councilor Wheeler requested the report be accepted as submitted.

2:59:59Any discussion on the report?

3:00:00All right, seeing none, the report is accepted.

3:00:03I believe that leaves two items for roll call vote.

3:00:05Is that right?

3:00:06>> Yes, that is correct, Mr. President.

3:00:07>> All right.

3:00:09>> We can actually do them up together.

3:00:10That would be item 6.810 and 6.811 that require a roll call vote.

3:00:17All right.

3:00:19Council Ewing-Campan.

3:00:20>> Yes.

3:00:21>> Councilor Link.

3:00:22>> Yes.

3:00:23>> Councilor Klein.

3:00:24>> Yes.

3:00:25>> Councilor Stroud.

3:00:27>> Yes.

3:00:28>> Councilor Wheeler.

3:00:29>> Yes.

3:00:30>> Councilor Hart.

3:00:31>> Yes.

3:00:32>> Councilor McLaughlin.

3:00:33>> Yes.

3:00:34>> Councilor Umba.

3:00:36>> Yes.

3:00:37>> Councilor Davis.

3:00:38>> Yes.

3:00:39>> With 10 members in the affirmative, that motion passes.

3:00:41>> All right, very well.

3:00:44Thank you.

3:00:45Next item.

3:00:46>> Next item is 6.B1, report of the committee on land use meeting on September 3rd, 2026.

3:00:50>> Councilor Ewing-Campan.

3:00:51>> Thank you, Mr. President.

3:00:53Colleagues, I'm happy to say that we have unanimously recommended approval of two zoning

3:00:58amendments.

3:01:00The first is what's called an UCTIF zone.

3:01:04This stands for Urban Center Housing Tax Increment Financing.

3:01:08This is a tool that the state allows municipalities to opt into.

3:01:14And the committee recommends a plan from the administration that designates a map, covers

3:01:21parts of Assembly Square, parts of East Somerville, that will allow for projects to negotiate

3:01:31with the city for partial tax relief on a future portion of their taxes.

3:01:38What we're recommending does not lock us into any decision making.

3:01:41What it does is it allows projects to come forward.

3:01:44Each of them will then be negotiated with the administration and reviewed by the finance

3:01:48committee.

3:01:50And the premise of this, I think our colleague Councilor McLaughlin said this very well,

3:01:55we kind of have three options in a situation where no housing is getting built.

3:01:59One option is we could lower our 20% inclusionary requirement, get less affordable housing out

3:02:05of it.

3:02:06That would make it cheaper, right, for developers.

3:02:08Another option is we could do nothing.

3:02:11That's what a lot of cities do.

3:02:13And a third option is that we can try to do something where we're still getting the

3:02:16affordable housing.

3:02:17And that is this plan.

3:02:18So this allows us to have a situation where we're still going to get the 20%, but we're

3:02:22going to forego some fraction of the future taxes.

3:02:25So that was unanimously supported by the committee.

3:02:30And there's associated documents that outline all the details of this.

3:02:33I encourage everyone to review them.

3:02:35And the second item that we recommend tonight is a proposal originally from Councilor Davis

3:02:42that makes it easier, less red tape to open homeless shelters and similar facilities

3:02:49around the city.

3:02:51Put simply in basically any residential zone, these will be in allowable use by right, requiring

3:02:57a neighborhood meeting, but a by right use.

3:03:01And then in the neighborhood residence, requiring a special permit.

3:03:05And the conversation around that was we don't want to prohibit them from neighborhood residences,

3:03:10but we do want to acknowledge that there are going to be site specific conversations

3:03:15that should be discussed in a public forum before those are granted.

3:03:19And that would be before a permit granting authority.

3:03:22So I'm very happy to place these items before the full council.

3:03:25Happy to answer questions if there are any.

3:03:27Councilor Davis, I don't know if you wanted to speak to your item directly as well.

3:03:41Councilor Davis.

3:03:42Thank you, Mr. President.

3:03:43And thank you to the good councilor from Ward 3 and the chair for that.

3:03:49I just want to draw the Council's attention to the point that Councilor Ward 3 made about

3:03:55the neighborhood residents.

3:03:56Because when I introduced this item, I specifically called out that it had included allowing

3:04:05homeless shelters, which is a defined term, in zoning in neighborhood residents by right,

3:04:10without only requiring the meeting and the site plan review.

3:04:15But that I only did that so that we could have the conversation because I wasn't sure

3:04:19exactly what the right approach was there.

3:04:22We did have that sort of, a little back and forth in committee, I think ultimately it

3:04:26was a constitutional and cabinet suggestion that maybe keeping a special permit requirement

3:04:30on neighborhood resident zones was a good compromise and ultimately I agree.

3:04:36So I just wanted to call that out.

3:04:38Certainly I think there are other viewpoints.

3:04:41I will note that if you look at the map, the zoning map, which there's a presentation

3:04:46from analyst Carr, which was excellent as always, that sort of compared, didn't compare

3:04:51what we currently have under the zoning, but would compare what, you know, the sort of

3:04:54two of the options, one including neighborhood residents by right and one not.

3:05:00The one without neighborhood residents still does show the urban residents zone, which

3:05:06if you recall, it is kind of sprinkled throughout.

3:05:11When we did the zoning overhaul, we effectively mapped it to reflect what was there.

3:05:19So there are a lot of parcels in the city where the thing that was there fit urban

3:05:27residents, even though there might not be necessarily a rhyme or reason based on sort

3:05:32of our modern zoning structure.

3:05:34So to me, it's an important thing to consider.

3:05:39Certainly I came down on, you know, look, if you've got a big apartment building or

3:05:44a big, you know, whatever in your neighborhood, then it's a little bit different than just

3:05:49a row of, you know, one to three family houses.

3:05:53And so appropriate enough to treat those differently.

3:05:56As I said, I think there's arguments both ways.

3:05:58I ultimately came down on this, the committee unanimously recommended approval, but I wanted

3:06:02to call that out just to make sure, for no other reason than to sort of, you know, let

3:06:07the record reflect the full thought process on that.

3:06:11And to make a little bit finer point on, you know, no surprise, this issue was raised

3:06:18because there, you know, there's been a lot of discussion in Ward 6 about homeless shelter

3:06:23and where it's appropriate to be in.

3:06:25And you know, I said this before, and I'll note it again, you know, one of the comments

3:06:29from in one of the public hearings was, look, if we think this is okay, then we should

3:06:33just change the zoning, go through the appropriate process and say so and make it more clear.

3:06:39And so that, you know, that was the original intent, that was the original, I think that

3:06:42person was right.

3:06:43And so that's what we tried to do here, and this is where we ended up, and I think it's

3:06:47a good approach.

3:06:48I will note for my colleagues, for any advocates out there, take a look at Counselor, at Analyst

3:06:55Carr's memo, the slides that were in this meeting or watch her presentation, because

3:07:01she did raise some really interesting questions about what, you know, what maybe isn't necessarily

3:07:07permitted even if we do go forward and pass this.

3:07:13There's some interesting nuance in different use types that I think are worth considering

3:07:18in a future amendment after we have a policy conversation about it.

3:07:23Not going to move forward with any of those right now at the moment, but I think they

3:07:26definitely are worth considering, so I would encourage folks to take a look at that because

3:07:29I think it's, there's probably a few, they're not, you know, these aren't the biggest earth

3:07:35shattering issues that will face us, but I think, you know, to the extent that one

3:07:38or two scenarios that we're talking about, this is as it might relate to different types

3:07:42of family housing and different types of other residences that maybe aren't quite

3:07:47captured under our current zoning that maybe would be appropriate in different areas.

3:07:51So I wanted to put that out there because it'll be a fun future project at some point.

3:07:56So thank you, Mr. President.

3:08:02With that, I ask the committee report be accepted.

3:08:08Councillor Yunkampin moves that the committee report be accepted as committed.

3:08:11Discussion on the report, Councillor Scott?

3:08:14Thank you on the motion for approval of the committee report.

3:08:16I just want to say thank you to the committee for engaging, as you described, in a very

3:08:21long and thoughtful conversation around both of these.

3:08:24I'm excited to see the HUC TIF in place.

3:08:26I think this is better than doing nothing.

3:08:29And I look forward to more that we can do, hopefully between now and the end of the year.

3:08:35That said, I also just want to applaud the pushing forward on making it more possible

3:08:44to create places for services and homes for our unhoused neighbours.

3:08:49I know there can be a lot of concern about this in the community, and I'm glad this

3:08:53buddy listened to it and responded.

3:08:56I just will say that when people say you don't understand what it's like to live next

3:09:00to one of these, I absolutely do.

3:09:03I live directly across the street from a Several Housing Authority building.

3:09:07I live one door down from a temporary shelter.

3:09:13So I think this is absolutely the moral call for us to enable more services for more people

3:09:24more integrated into our neighbourhoods.

3:09:25So thank you for everybody on the Land Use Committee for engaging with this.

3:09:31And I look forward to voting and approval on all of these items tonight.

3:09:34Councillor Leing on the report.

3:09:38Thank you, Mr. President.

3:09:39Just to echo the Councillor for Ward 2 said I really appreciate the efforts on both of

3:09:47these items.

3:09:49But I think that the tougher one is making sure that we've got shelters by right through

3:09:57a lot of the city.

3:09:59And I think that the being able to see that that's something that we've got a welcoming

3:10:07community's ordinance, where we want to be a welcoming community, this is part of being

3:10:10a welcoming community.

3:10:12And making sure that other organizations see that they're not going to have to fight tooth

3:10:17and nail is the chilling effect of seeing lawsuit after lawsuit after lawsuit.

3:10:23And being at the ribbon cutting for the shelter that we have in Ward 6 now, the repeated

3:10:33phrase that I heard was, you know, having people in our community be able to live with

3:10:39dignity and just to have the dignity of not having an accessible shelter where you don't

3:10:48have to crawl down the stairs, the dignity of having a place to shower.

3:10:53So these kind of things are just so, so important and I'm just really thankful for the leadership

3:10:57getting it there.

3:10:59Councillor McLaughlin.

3:11:01I guess if we're making speeches about committee reports, I'll weigh in, since this is our,

3:11:06the Octif is all in Ward 1.

3:11:10And I do want to just point out that, you know, one of the things I'm happy with is

3:11:13that I got East Broadway included in the project, in the Octif zone, it was originally

3:11:19just going to be Assembly Row and a few spots on East Broadway.

3:11:23But I really wanted to make sure that was a priority and I appreciate the city helping

3:11:27me out with that, because we've got a number of vacant lots on East Broadway, majorities,

3:11:32about 70% immigrant owned businesses.

3:11:34We're trying to revitalize that area, make it a place to hang out and to be and to live.

3:11:40And I've just, I think at least four projects I can think of that have languished for years.

3:11:45Long before the interest rates went up, long before building costs went up, these projects

3:11:49have just stalled.

3:11:50So I'm really hoping that this leads to increased housing, increased density along the transit

3:11:55line and increased business for our community.

3:11:58Further discussion?

3:12:03All right.

3:12:05Seeing none, the committee report is approved.

3:12:07That puts two zoning amendments before us for enrollment and/or attainment.

3:12:10Yes, the first one just requires a roll call once for, and that's 6.B2 requesting approval

3:12:19of the Octif.

3:12:20Councillor Ewing-Campan?

3:12:22Yes.

3:12:24Councillor Link?

3:12:25Yes.

3:12:26Councillor Scott?

3:12:27Yes.

3:12:28Councillor Clingen?

3:12:32Yes.

3:12:33Councillor Schell?

3:12:34Yes.

3:12:35Councillor Wheeler?

3:12:36Yes.

3:12:37Councillor O'Farrell?

3:12:38Yes.

3:12:39Councillor O'Farrell?

3:12:41Yes.

3:12:42Councillor O'Farrell?

3:12:43Yes.

3:12:44Councillor Davis?

3:12:45Yes.

3:12:46That motion passes with ten in favor.

3:12:47Thank you.

3:12:48Sorry.

3:12:49So that's not a zoning change.

3:12:50That's the approval of the Actives.

3:12:51That's why it only required one vote for my own...

3:12:52I'm on a roll here tonight.

3:12:54You are.

3:12:55The next item...

3:12:56Next one.

3:12:57Next one we get a roll on our dame.

3:12:58Yeah.

3:12:59You're supposed to just throw stuff at me when I get it wrong.

3:13:00Madam Clerk, for our enrollment and attainment.

3:13:03Thank you.

3:13:04The next item is six point B three and this is to enroll.

3:13:09Councillor Ewing-Campan?

3:13:10Yes.

3:13:12Councillor Link?

3:13:13Yes.

3:13:14Councillor Scott?

3:13:15Yes.

3:13:16Councillor Clingen?

3:13:17Yes.

3:13:19Councillor Schell?

3:13:20Councillor Said?

3:13:21Yes.

3:13:22Councillor Wheeler?

3:13:23Yes.

3:13:24Councillor Hart?

3:13:25Yes.

3:13:26Councillor Laughlin?

3:13:27Yes.

3:13:28Councillor Inbal?

3:13:29Yes.

3:13:30Councillor Davis?

3:13:31Yes.

3:13:32That motion passes to enroll and next is to ordain.

3:13:33Councillor Ewing-Campan?

3:13:34Yes.

3:13:36Councillor Stroud?

3:13:37Yes.

3:13:38Councillor Wheeler?

3:13:39Yes.

3:13:40Councillor Hart?

3:13:41Yes.

3:13:42Councillor McLaughlin?

3:13:43Yes.

3:13:44Councillor Lumba?

3:13:45Yes.

3:13:46Councillor Davis?

3:13:48Yes.

3:13:51That motion also passes with ten in favor.

3:13:52All right.

3:13:53Very good.

3:13:54Good job team.

3:13:55Next item, Madam Clerk.

3:13:56Next item is six point C one.

3:13:57Report of the committee on school building facilities and maintenance meeting on September

3:13:588th, 2026.

3:13:59Councillor Link?

3:14:00Thank you, Mr. President.

3:14:01So we met on Tuesday, September 8th and we had an hour and a half-ish hour and 45 minute

3:14:15meeting.

3:14:16So in that we discussed several things.

3:14:19So we covered several items related to custodians in schools, road and control, temperature

3:14:27control and all of those were closed with deep appreciation to the DPW.

3:14:34We continued to monitor the safety improvements at the Arginziano since the Arginziano has

3:14:42taken on the AIM program.

3:14:46We also received an update on the Winterhill School where we discussed the site's ledge,

3:14:51how deep it was, what it was composed of and if it would allow us to build ground

3:14:56source, geothermal and parking, which there was no answer for at the moment.

3:15:01But we'll find out more as we continue on this journey.

3:15:05We also learned that there's been several updates that have been made and that from

3:15:11there are several questions that were asked by the MSBCA and the Massachusetts School

3:15:17Building Authority and that we were able to get answers back very quickly, which I have

3:15:24a huge appreciation for from the administration that we're continuing to try to tackle this

3:15:30and get these kids that are kind of, have been put in a less than adequate school over

3:15:39at the Edgerly trying to get as quickly as possible that we can get them a new school.

3:15:46So we also received the disappointing news that renovating the coming school for just

3:15:52about any use would be prohibitively expensive and that means it won't be turning into a

3:15:59teen center.

3:16:01The city council and the school committee both reflected on the need to find a space

3:16:04for this, you know, in the face of years more of the Edgerly, which used to be the

3:16:11teen center, being unavailable for that purpose and, you know, I've been reflecting a lot

3:16:17about the idea that, you know, there's this concept of anything worth doing well is worth

3:16:21doing poorly and we may not have the perfect place, the perfect conditions, locations,

3:16:30but you know, accessibility outstanding, I really, really want the, you know, this

3:16:36committee, the administration to work at finding a place that's going to be the best

3:16:42bad answer so that we can get kids, you know, ideally, you know, the kids that are in kindergarten

3:16:48right now could maybe see a teen center before they move on to college.

3:16:54And with that, I ask that this report be accepted.

3:16:57All right.

3:16:58Any discussion on the report?

3:16:59All right.

3:17:02Say none.

3:17:03That report is approved.

3:17:05Next item.

3:17:06Next item is 7.2, a mayor's request requesting or daemon of an amendment to the following

3:17:11sections of the Somerville zoning ordinance to correct parking maximums.

3:17:15Madam Clerk, let's take up item 7.2.

3:17:20Counselor, unless you have any objection, 7.2 through 7.7 together and waive the readings.

3:17:27These are all a series of zoning amendments with lots and lots of section numbers that

3:17:34no one really needs to listen to.

3:17:37They are available through any means that you are able to read the agenda.

3:17:41There's dozens of them.

3:17:43So if there's no objection, we'll waive the rules, waive the readings, take 7.2 through

3:17:517.7 together.

3:17:52We can have a discussion or comment on those if there's any.

3:17:55I see Counselor Wheeler.

3:17:56Do you want to speak to any of the items?

3:17:59Thank you, Mr. President.

3:18:00I was just curious to ask the administration, and I see IGA Director Najam Williams here,

3:18:09about the background of these, if these are coming out of the Department of Planning

3:18:15and Zoning's ongoing work.

3:18:21If different ones of these are in response to different items, I'm just sort of curious

3:18:27about the providence of this set of zoning amendments.

3:18:31Director Najam Williams and/or Chair Ewen Campen, if either of you can speak.

3:18:37Mr. President, I'm happy to hear whatever folks want to hear tonight.

3:18:39But as a general matter, these are going to be referred to land use.

3:18:42They'll be in a public hearing on October 1st, and they'll be explained in great detail

3:18:45where they came from and why people want introductions tonight, and that's available.

3:18:50That's fine, but typically we'll hear in great detail at the public hearing.

3:18:54Or if there's even just a general, if there's any general uniform providence, as you said.

3:19:00Are these Director Najam Williams, anything, any contacts you can share with us?

3:19:04Through you, Mr. President, Amanda Nadra Williams, Director of Intergovernmental Affairs.

3:19:09So several of these items just have a very high level, so I won't speak to all of them.

3:19:13And as Councilor Ewen Campen noted, they will be taking up inland use.

3:19:17What I can say is that a great majority of these items are some tidying up, some cleaning

3:19:23up of some areas that needed fixing, whether it was terminology or just something that

3:19:28was left out for clarity's sake.

3:19:30So not complete overhauls, but really some fine tuning.

3:19:36Thank you.

3:19:37I will add, just in terms of what these are, I read through, my read was that most, if

3:19:46not all of these, seem to relate to conversations I recall us having over the past period of

3:19:53time about various things, and it's like, okay, that must be the amendment that came

3:19:57out of that.

3:19:58Maybe not in all cases, but I know that to some degree that was the case, that's sort

3:20:01of how I read them.

3:20:03And as Councilor Ewen Campen said, we will refer all of these to land use with a copy

3:20:08of the planning board for a whole bunch of public hearings, and we'll get all the details.

3:20:13But I will note for folks that each of these do have a little, I mean, I guess we could

3:20:17be appropriate for me to just read the sort of high level for each of these.

3:20:22So in each item there's a sort of a high level description, so the first is correcting

3:20:27packing maximums, removing ground story, oh, 7.3, we already did, sorry.

3:20:347.4 is streamlining jurisdiction review boards, 7.5 is aligning with state law regarding

3:20:43protected ADUs, accessory dwelling units, glasses would help me here.

3:20:497.6 is clarifying requirements for principal entrances, and 7.7 is updating terminology

3:20:54for affordable dwelling units and commercial spaces.

3:20:57So those are the high level topics, again, the details, the devil will be in the details,

3:21:02and my sense is that most of these, as Director Nigel Williams says, are either sort of just

3:21:07fixes that have been sort of collecting and/or sort of, you know, follow up to conversations

3:21:11that we've had over the past months or more.

3:21:15Any further discussion on the questions?

3:21:18All right, cool.

3:21:19So those, let's see, so we did 7.3 already earlier tonight, so 7.2, 4, 5, 6, and 7 will

3:21:26be referred to land use with a copy of the planning board.

3:21:29Mr. President.

3:21:30Councilor Scott.

3:21:31Before we proceed, I know there is going to be a lot of waving in the readings and

3:21:35referring to committee coming up here.

3:21:36I did want to point out something that I think might have been an oversight in the

3:21:39agenda this evening.

3:21:41There's no committee report from the legislative matters meeting, which we held on Tuesday.

3:21:46So given that it was a meeting that had three public hearings generated its own set of

3:21:51minutes and also had the action of approving previous set of minutes that was amended,

3:21:56I would ask that a committee report be generated and added to our next council meeting.

3:22:00Do they know it?

3:22:03Thank you.

3:22:04It shall be done.

3:22:05Thank you.

3:22:07All right.

3:22:08Next item.

3:22:09Councilor Wheeler.

3:22:11Thank you, Mr. President.

3:22:13So for items 7.8 through 7.15, I move to waive the readings of these items and refer

3:22:20them to the Finance Committee.

3:22:24Any objection?

3:22:25Any discussion?

3:22:26All right.

3:22:28Reading of those items is waived and they're all referred to finance.

3:22:35And I would like us to take up each of the next two items.

3:22:38Madam Clerk, 7.16.

3:22:40Next item is 7.16 requesting approval to pay prior invoice totaling $1,687.50 using

3:22:48available funds in the fire department professional and technical services account for medical

3:22:52screening services.

3:22:54I move to, Mr. President, I move to approve this item due to its relatively small size.

3:23:02Any discussion?

3:23:04Any questions?

3:23:05Do we need a roll call vote on these?

3:23:06I assume not, no.

3:23:07Okay.

3:23:08All right.

3:23:09That item is approved.

3:23:10Next item.

3:23:117.17, mayor's request requesting approval to pay prior year invoice totaling $19.76

3:23:17using available funds in the immigrant advancement professional and technical services account

3:23:22for on-demand phone interpretation services.

3:23:24Councilor Wheeler.

3:23:25Mr. President, I move to approve this item due to its objectively small size.

3:23:30Any discussion?

3:23:32All right.

3:23:33That item is approved.

3:23:34Next item.

3:23:37Next item is 7.22, mayor's communication conveying the appointment of Lena Wark to the Somerville

3:23:42Arts Council Board.

3:23:43Mr. President, I move to waive the reading of 7.22 through 7.26 and place on file.

3:23:56Objection?

3:23:59All right.

3:24:00Those items, those are all appointments by the mayor to various boards, so folks can

3:24:02read those.

3:24:03Any objection?

3:24:05Any discussion?

3:24:06All right.

3:24:07Seeing none, those items are placed on file.

3:24:09Next item.

3:24:10Next item is 8.1, officer's communication director of emergency management conveying

3:24:14the 2025-2026 coming school winter warming center after action report and improvement

3:24:20plan.

3:24:21Director Najee Williams.

3:24:24Mr. President, so surprise, surprise.

3:24:27I am not the director of emergency management, but I did want to provide a brief note on

3:24:32this item.

3:24:33We are looking to utilize the coming school for the upcoming winter season for the warming

3:24:38shelter, but we are actively working to identify other locations for future winter seasons.

3:24:43Traditionally, we host an after action listening session once the warming center closes, but

3:24:49as we think ahead, we are aiming to host both a pre and post listening session with

3:24:54abuttors in the area.

3:24:56We've also recently submitted an updated MOU to the school committee, and their second

3:25:01reading of that item is happening, I believe, on Monday of this upcoming week.

3:25:07Lastly, staff are looking forward to discussing this more with the council, both when it appears

3:25:11in committee, but then also when it appears back on the council agenda again, as we understand

3:25:17that outstanding questions may remain that are pertinent to all of the council, so we

3:25:22will have staff available for both of those opportunities.

3:25:25Council Schozzo, then Council Lick.

3:25:29Mr. President, through you to Director Najee Williams, thank you for this, and I am going

3:25:41to ask if the suggestions and information that I gave in the last council meeting was

3:25:50taken into consideration, and how the administration does intend to consider what was brought

3:25:57forward in that conversation.

3:25:59Through you, Mr. President, to Council Schozzo, I will definitely check in with the staffers,

3:26:08so Director of Emergency Management, on that, but also flag it for them to ensure that

3:26:14feedback is incorporated.

3:26:15Thank you.

3:26:17I will put forward an order to address it further in the next meeting, and then we'll

3:26:25send that off to committee as well, because I know that the neighbors and butters, especially

3:26:30when we talked about the street harassment that was happening, and I didn't feel like

3:26:37in the post last year, talk about a discussion on the warming center, I didn't feel like

3:26:49what was reported of the street harassment of, you know, high school kids and younger

3:26:54girls was taken seriously or addressed emptily.

3:27:00And fine if the location is fine, and again, nobody's challenging the fact that we need

3:27:05a warming center.

3:27:06We've all made that clear.

3:27:08However, again, some of our residents and some of our butters are feeling uncomfortable

3:27:13about this, that at least an address or a consideration of this and what the plan is

3:27:20for that.

3:27:22Thank you.

3:27:24Councilor Lake, then Ewan Campen, then Hart, then McLaughlin.

3:27:28Thank you, Mr. President.

3:27:29I just want to point out that, you know, so one of the things that that it clearly,

3:27:34I think we all knew was that a big problem is capacity, that we're continuously over

3:27:39capacity and that the lines that are created because of people worrying about capacity

3:27:45are probably one of the big causes of many of the issues that our butters are facing.

3:27:52And I just want to point out that, you know, this, you know, this isn't we've talked about

3:27:58how Somerville is not a unique snowflake.

3:28:00This isn't new to shelters.

3:28:03This isn't new to shelters, even in Somerville.

3:28:06So while I'm happy that we've identified this issue and that we've conveyed that we

3:28:12want to fix it, it does seem like the improvement plan is more of a plan to improve rather

3:28:19than an actual set of actions.

3:28:21So I'd really like to encourage the administration and, you know, the emergency management team

3:28:27to kind of, you know, maybe just reach out, find out what the Somerville Homeless Coalition

3:28:32is doing, talk to them and, you know, not try to invent the wheel here and just fix

3:28:40the fix it as easily as possible.

3:28:42Thank you.

3:28:44Councillor Ewing-Campan, then Hartley McLaughlin.

3:28:48Thank you, Mr. President.

3:28:49So if the administration does decide to move forward with this location for the warming

3:28:54center, you know, my reading of the this year's report differs a little bit from my colleague.

3:28:59I think that they take the neighbors response feedback extremely seriously and are proposing

3:29:04some fixes for it.

3:29:07I just wanted to name tonight one thing mentioned in the report that I've heard from many,

3:29:11many neighbors is the queuing area.

3:29:13It's currently on Prescott Street.

3:29:15It's uncovered from the weather and there are people out for long amounts of time and

3:29:20freezing rain and snow uncovered, you know, it's been a serious issue.

3:29:25Many people have pointed out there is a unoccupied parking lot on the other side of the school.

3:29:30It would be, you know, it seems like quite logical to build a seasonal structure there

3:29:37where people could line up with some dignity and that there's a lot more space there

3:29:41than instead of kind of spilling out onto a small sidewalk.

3:29:44So I just wanted to name that tonight as if this location is used again.

3:29:49To me, I think that's that's incredibly important to pursue.

3:29:51Councillor Hart.

3:29:55I'm all set.

3:29:57Thank you.

3:29:58Councillor McLaughlin.

3:29:59So, Mr. President, I'd like this referred to the Public Health and Safety Committee

3:30:02where I have a meeting scheduled for September 30th, 6.30 p.m.

3:30:06I would ask Director Nigel Williams to take into consideration everything said tonight

3:30:11and have prepared response from the city and we can discuss it then.

3:30:17Councillor Shezza.

3:30:19Let's come back to the conversation again.

3:30:21And in disconnect, perhaps there was a disconnect of understanding from the third Ward 3 Councillor.

3:30:32There's a lot of similarities and understanding that yes, there was a positive job overall

3:30:39with the coming school and the rollout of numerous years of the warming center there.

3:30:46So let's not conflate and misrepresent that we were all in agreement that there's a need

3:30:50for a warming center.

3:30:52What the disconnect is and I would hope that anybody who is the father of daughters and

3:30:58the fact that residents that again, our constituents stated that they wanted the warming center.

3:31:08However, they also did not want to feel uncomfortable or feel unsafe.

3:31:18And the fact that when we talk about some of our youngest constituents, I would hope

3:31:24would have a voice in this, that the average age that a girl is harassed on the street

3:31:30and sexualized on the street is around 10 years old.

3:31:34And if that bothers anyone, especially fathers of daughters or any child, that they would

3:31:40consider their youngest constituents to any of them walking to a grade school, maybe

3:31:45the argenziano or maybe the high school.

3:31:48So that is why all voices should be considered in this as well, Mr. President.

3:31:59Just respectfully, I have no idea why my colleague is for any reason implying that

3:32:02I don't care about the safety of any residents of any age of any gender.

3:32:06I find it, frankly, insane.

3:32:09I don't know why you're talking.

3:32:10That's unsafe.

3:32:11Colleagues.

3:32:12That's disrespectful.

3:32:13Colleagues.

3:32:14Councilor Schatzel, you're not recognized.

3:32:16Councilor Encampment, let's keep all discussion on the item.

3:32:18I think that goes for several last comments.

3:32:21It's against the rules.

3:32:22Councilor Schatzel, you're not recognized.

3:32:23This item is...

3:32:24It's a violation of the rules.

3:32:25...a copy to Public Health and Public Safety.

3:32:27Thank you.

3:32:29This item, please.

3:32:31Next item is 8.2, City Clerk conveying block party license issued.

3:32:36If you haven't been to your block party or your neighboring streets block party, go.

3:32:41Look at this list.

3:32:43Find a street nearby.

3:32:44Check it out, especially this time of year because this is when the apple cider donuts

3:32:48start showing up.

3:32:49Those are the best block party food.

3:32:53If you can't find a block party near you and you think your street hasn't had a block

3:32:58party, then contact the clerk's office and find out how to have your very own block

3:33:02party on the street here in the year of the neighbor and everything else that we've been

3:33:07declaring this year, what better way than getting together with your block as the leaves

3:33:13turn to enjoy a cider donut and a hot cup of cider and whatever else you might want

3:33:18to enjoy and have a block party.

3:33:21Councilor Leck.

3:33:22If I could just tack onto that PSA there, Mr. President.

3:33:27Last meeting we saw that there was in there a batch by one resident of block parties.

3:33:34This happens to be in my neighborhood and it's something called play streets and I would

3:33:39encourage if anyone else wants to, if anyone in the community is interested in this, talk

3:33:45to me.

3:33:46I can hook you up with that person.

3:33:48It's a really great opportunity to just have community.

3:33:53The idea is that there's people having dinner, kids playing in the street like we all romanticized

3:33:58that we had maybe in our childhood.

3:34:01It's a really cool concept and it's actually really easy to do.

3:34:08It sounds like it would be a pain in the butt, but you can do it all at once, all together.

3:34:12So I highly encourage people to try it out.

3:34:16Unless we romanticize what happened in some of our youth, let's just not have any firecrackers

3:34:20or eggs or anything.

3:34:23Just saying, behave.

3:34:25Please.

3:34:26Any other discussion?

3:34:28All right.

3:34:29Seeing none, that item is placed on file.

3:34:30Next item.

3:34:32Councilor Hart.

3:34:33Yes.

3:34:34Thank you, Mr. President.

3:34:35We have readings of 9.1 to 9.10 and approved this evening.

3:34:42All right.

3:34:439.1 through 9.10.

3:34:44We have the readings.

3:34:45I will note there's some really fun stuff in here.

3:34:47As I mentioned, it is that time of year when we do lots of stuff in the city.

3:34:51So take a look at the list.

3:34:53Keep your eye on that city calendar and go enjoy some of these events for which we are

3:34:57issuing licenses.

3:34:58Any discussion?

3:34:59Councilor Wheeler.

3:35:00Just on that note of some fun events, I wanted to highlight the theater production

3:35:05of Iphigenia in Nathan Tufts Park, aka Patterhouse Park, which is just a really cool event.

3:35:13It's free.

3:35:14Anybody can come.

3:35:15You do not need to get a ticket in advance.

3:35:17It's going to be each Saturday and Sunday for three weekends in a row, starting September

3:35:2226th, going all the way through October 11th, 4 p.m.

3:35:26Really cool.

3:35:27Everyone should go.

3:35:30Seeing no further discussion, those items are all approved.

3:35:35Next item.

3:35:36Next item is 9.11, Bruce Shluman submitting comments regarding snow emergencies.

3:35:41That item is placed on file.

3:35:42Next item?

3:35:44Next item is 9.12, Maryann Wallace submitting comments regarding item 26-1268, comments

3:35:50relating to the following zoning ordinance sections.

3:35:53Councilor Gabbin, do you want that in committee or should we place that on file?

3:35:58Why don't we refer it to committee?

3:35:59We'll refer that.

3:36:00Replace it on file with a copy to Landy's.

3:36:02Next item?

3:36:05Next item is 10.2, a mayor's request requesting approval to enter into lease agreements with

3:36:09various tenants to provide commercial art space at the Summerville Armory Building

3:36:13at 191 Highland Avenue.

3:36:15All right.

3:36:16I'll note I had a conversation with the administration earlier this week after the deadline for

3:36:21submitting items for the agenda.

3:36:22These leases, I was told that these leases were not finalized in time to meet that,

3:36:27so that's why they're showing up on the supplemental.

3:36:29And they will begin before we need to, before we will have an opportunity to send them

3:36:34to committee and then back again.

3:36:36So that is why they are on the agenda this evening, but we will refer them to finance

3:36:40so they will be duly noticed and folks can have an opportunity to weigh in in advance.

3:36:44So if anyone in the public does have any thoughts on these, send them along and we'll

3:36:48make sure they get to, they'll follow the item to the finance committee so that that

3:36:51can be discussed.

3:36:53Any discussion on the items?

3:36:56On this item in particular?

3:36:57Okay.

3:36:58So that is referred to finance.

3:37:01Next item?

3:37:03Next item is 10.3, Veteran Services Applying for a Public Event License for 9/11 Remembrance

3:37:08Ceremony on September 11th from 5.30 p.m. to 7.30 p.m.

3:37:12That's tomorrow.

3:37:13Any discussion?

3:37:15See none.

3:37:16That item is approved.

3:37:18Next item?

3:37:19Next item is 10.4, Junkyard LLC Applying for a Public Event License for Junkyard Davis

3:37:23Square on September 19th from 10 a.m. to 11.30 p.m.

3:37:27Other cool fun event coming up.

3:37:28Any discussion?

3:37:30See none.

3:37:31That item is approved.

3:37:33Next item is 10.5, New Drain Layers License, Night Excavation Company Inc.

3:37:38Does that hurt?

3:37:41Will I move that we approve that and the next one as well?

3:37:47Can we read 10.6 as well?

3:37:48Yes.

3:37:49Next item is 10.6, New Secondhand Dealer License, The Heartland Roadshow at 30 Washington

3:37:54Street.

3:37:57Council moves to approve both of those items.

3:37:58Any discussion?

3:38:01All right.

3:38:02Seeing none.

3:38:04Those items approved.

3:38:06Next item is 10.7, President of Tufts University Submitting Comments Regarding Item #26-1302

3:38:11in Support of a Fair and Dignified Resolution for an International Graduate Student at Tufts

3:38:15University.

3:38:16Do we have a file?

3:38:18Next item.

3:38:20Any late items?

3:38:22I think that's the end of the agenda.

3:38:23Are there any late items?

3:38:24Yes.

3:38:27Well, Councilor Yunkappan.

3:38:29Mr. President, I have a late item that I sent to the clerk I shared with the clerk

3:38:33and the president that I'm tendering my resignation irrevocably.

3:38:40Thank you, colleagues.

3:38:43This will take effect December 31st, 2026.

3:38:47And I would ask you, Mr. President, on the next agenda to request a special election.

3:38:52We can't convince you to go any sooner.

3:38:55I'll leave, you know, tonight.

3:38:57All right.

3:38:59Very well.

3:39:00Thank you.

3:39:01That item is placed on file.

3:39:02Councilor Scott.

3:39:03Mr. President, I also have a late item using exactly the same language as my colleague

3:39:08with the same timing, irrevocably resenting my position as award to City Councilor effective

3:39:14December 31st, 2026.

3:39:17And also likewise request that you put in an order at the next meeting for a special

3:39:21election.

3:39:22There we go, and I was placed on file and we will have a properly noticed item at the

3:39:29next meeting.

3:39:30Since these are late items, since these are late items that we're going to refrain from

3:39:34having any deliberation on them, lest we trip over any rules and make anybody upset.

3:39:38However, you can say lots of things when I ask if there's any other late items.

3:39:45Mr. President, once the election is scheduled, I would like to know so I can know when to

3:39:53submit my resignation so that my successor can start immediately with the other newly

3:40:00elected.

3:40:02I'm happy to have a conversation with you about how your succession works, according

3:40:06to our charter.

3:40:07Councilor McLaughlin.

3:40:08I, too, have an announcement to make.

3:40:11I'd like to make a motion to adjourn.

3:40:13Councilor McLaughlin moves to adjourn.

3:40:16See no discussion.

3:40:17We are adjourned.