Somerville City Council Meeting

Votes & Decisions

Grants & Funding

• Approved unanimously: $1.4 million MassWorks grant for Union Square Plaza & Streetscape Phase 1 construction
• Approved unanimously: $1.37 million state grant for Blessing of the Bay Urban Heat Resilience Project
• Approved unanimously: $500,000 state grant for Blessing of the Bay Greenway Project
• Approved unanimously: $25,000 MassDOT grant for senior taxi program
• Approved unanimously: $250,000 transfer to Immigrant Legal Services Stabilization Fund
• Approved unanimously: $250,000 appropriation from Immigrant Legal Services Fund for immigrant and asylum seeker legal services
• Referred to Finance: $65,000 grant for municipal road safety program

Financial Items

• Approved: $3.06 million bond for FY2026 street resurfacing program
• Approved: $3 million from Street Reconstruction Stabilization Fund for street resurfacing
• Approved: City Clerk's office reorganization, consolidating three positions to two (saving approximately $50,000 this year, $100,000 annually going forward)

Zoning Ordinances

• Ordained: Amendment to permit home-based child day care as accessory use
• Ordained: Amendment making pre-submittal meetings optional for most permits
• Ordained as amended: Zoning map amendment for 363 Highland Avenue (MR4 to MR5/MR6)

Other Ordinances

• Ordained: Amendment requiring commercial property owners to clear snow and ice from accessible curb cuts
• Ordained: Amendment clarifying Community Preservation Committee term length and appointment process
• Ordained: Extension of neonicotinoid pesticide purchasing exemption to 2028

Council Rules & Structure

• Approved as amended: Major restructuring of council committees, reducing to 10 regular committees. The "Community and Equity Committee" was amended to "Housing, Community Development, and Equity Committee."
• Approved: Amendment to council rules aligning with new city charter provisions

Appointments & Confirmations

• Approved: Seven Fire Department promotions (oaths administered at meeting)
• Approved: Senior Tax Work Off Program income limit increase to 80% AMI ($92,650, up from $48,800)
• Approved: Three Council on Aging appointments and one Condominium Review Board appointment

Key Discussions

Farewell to Outgoing Officials

The meeting featured extended tributes to departing Mayor Katjana Ballantyne and Councilors Willie Burnley Jr. and Jake Wilson. Key themes included:

• Mayor Ballantyne's legacy: investments in schools (30% budget increase), street safety improvements (zero crash fatalities), equity-centered ARPA spending, wage equity for municipal employees
• Councilor Burnley's legislative record on equity, LGBTQ+ protections, and courage in speaking on difficult issues
• Councilor Wilson's restructuring of the Finance Committee budget process and transition to mayor-elect

Winter Warming Center Report

Emergency Management Director Bill Fisher presented a comprehensive after-action report:

• Served 3,692 overnight stays from December 9 to April 13
• High satisfaction rates (65%+ across most categories, 94% for transportation)
• Key improvements made: ADA-accessible bathrooms and entrance, new security vendor, expanded capacity
• Ongoing challenges: long outdoor wait times, need for more multilingual staff

Affordable Housing Trust Fund Update

Councilor Mbah reported significant trust actions:

• Approved $2.8 million loan to acquire the former Patsy's Pastries site at 176-182 Broadway, which will become 56 units of 100% affordable housing
• Converted a $2.5 million loan to grant for 12 Pleasant Street, where tenants are becoming homeowners through the land trust model

Notable Moments

Mutual Aid Medford and Somerville (MAMAS) Recognition

Representatives from MAMAS received a long-overdue citation for their community work since 2020. They have redistributed over $1 million in community funds, operate community gardens and fridges, and run a multilingual hotline.

Special Education Parents Honored

The Somerville Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SSEPAC) received recognition for advocating for students with disabilities, including helping create Somerville's first inclusive playground.

What's Next

• Rental Registry and Energy Disclosure ordinance will be taken up in Legislative Matters in the new year
• New council committee structure takes effect, with each of the 10 committees assigned to one councilor chair
• Newly elected councilors and Mayor-elect Jake Wilson will take office in January