City Council

This is a meeting of the City Council. It is Thursday, January 8th. I've lost my glasses already. What a start. Good evening, everyone. Pursuant to Chapter 2 of the Acts of 2025, this meeting of the City Council is being conducted. No, that's the wrong. That's the wrong. Let's try this again. Note that video and audio of this meeting is being recorded. and may be shown live on local access government channels and on the City of Somerville website and will be available for future review. Would the clerk please call the roll?

This is roll call. Councillor Ewen-Campen? Here. Councillor Link? Scott, present, Councilor Clingan, present, Councilor Strezo, present, Councilor Sait, present. Wheeler, Hardt, McLaughlin, Mbah, Davis. With all councillors present, we have quorum.

All right, 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. We begin our meetings with a moment of silence. Are the Councillors wishing to say a few words about members of our community tonight? Councillor Ewen-Campen.

Thank you, Mr. President. I have two tonight. Mary Houghton died on Sunday at the age of 61. Mary was a lifelong resident of Somerville in Ward 3. On Spring Street, she was one of eight siblings. Many of us may know her sister, Sheila Tracy, who serves on the Commission for Persons with Disabilities and many of her other siblings who are very active in Somerville. I spoke with Sheila earlier today who told me a little bit about Mary's upbringing in Somerville. She was a graduate of the Somerville schools. went to the school that is now the Argenziano and the East Somerville school. She went to BC College in a program for adults with disabilities. Mary was born with cerebral palsy. and she was a long time part of the Walnut Street Center for many many many years and Sheila kept coming back to is just how active Mary was in the community how she was always out Helping people, talking to people. She actually was very recently up here at City Hall.

I know she met many of the councilors when the City Council gave a citation to Firefighter O'Hearn about a children's book that she had written. Mary was up here. And Sheila told me today that Mary had recently met with Mayor-elect Jake Wilson at that time, who had promised to give her a tour of City Hall, and she was really looking forward to that. and I just want to send our deepest condolences to the family. We will be thinking of you tonight. Yes, Mr. President, this one is not about Somerville. All of us have now seen a woman named Renee Nicole Good was murdered in Minneapolis by masked federal agent working for ICE. This was in broad daylight, caught on multiple cameras.

Within hours, the President of the United States was telling bald-faced lies about this murder that all of us could see with our own eyes, as were other federal officials. Libeling this woman when everyone who can see saw exactly what happened. This was a mother of a young child, a beloved member of her community. I encourage everyone to read up on her Really just impeccable reputation in the community. It's hard to know what to say about this. We are in uncharted territory. Describing the facts straightforwardly, we have a masked federal agent killing a US citizen, completely unaccountable, protected by the president, As part of this just outrageous disgusting effort to terrorize cities across the country, particularly immigrants, particularly anyone who doesn't look white, and tragedies like this are the predictable outcome of this garbage.

It is horrifying beyond words and tonight I ask that we keep Ms. Good's memory in our hearts and pledge to honor her memory. Thank you. Others?

Scott would like to sign on to that one. I would as well. I see the whole council would like to sign on to that one as well. Okay. I believe a few others had also prepared some words about If you'd like to say anything, you're welcome to. This time would be appropriate. If not, certainly we sign on to the words of Councilor Ewen-Campen. Seeing no further remembrances, would everyone in the chambers please rise as you are able. and recognize a moment of silence for the aforementioned individuals. Thank you. Madam Clerk, next item.

That brings us to item 1.3, approval of the minutes of the regular meeting of November 25th, 2025.

Any discussion? Seeing none, that item is approved. Next item.

Next item is 3.1, a grant of location. Eversource applying for a grant of location to install approximately a total of 2.7 feet of conduit in Highland Avenue from an existing manhole 18944 to an approximate point of pickup at 185 Highland Avenue.

All right. I declare this public hearing to be open. Is there anyone here to speak on this item? Jackie Duffy.

Hi, how are you tonight?

We're well, thank you. How are you?

I'm good, thank you. I would like to install approximately three feet of conduit in Highland Avenue to provide electric service to 185 Highland Avenue.

Okay, is there anyone else here to speak on the item? All right, seeing none, I declare the public hearing to be closed. Any discussion? I gotta remember now where all y'all are sitting now, looking at the wrong direction. Any discussion? No discussion? All right, that item is approved. Next item, please.

Item 3.2, a grant of location. Eversource applying for a grant of location to install approximately a total of 110 feet of conduit in Jack Street from utility pole 182 over 4 to an approximate point of pickup at 146 Jack Street.

I declare this public hearing to be open. Is there anyone here to speak on the item?

Jackie Duffy, Eversource, would like to install approximately 110 feet of conduit in Jacques Street to provide electric service to 146 Jacques Street. Please.

Anyone else here to speak on the item? All right, seeing none, anyone else online? Okay, so I declare the public hearing to be closed. Any discussion? All right, that item is approved. So we have a few items that we'd like to take out of order at the request of the administration. The first is item 7.4, and then the second will be 7.1. 7.1, I believe Mayor Wilson is here to speak to us on that item, but the administration said they would like to start with 7.4, so if there's no objection, Madam Clerk.

That brings us to item 7.4, Mayor's Requests, requesting approval to accept and expend a $50,000 grant with no new match required from the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources to the Health and Human Services Office of Food Access and Healthy Communities for the Somerville Mobile Farmers Market.

Any discussion? Any questions on the item? Yes, Councilor Wheeler.

I just wanted to share an understanding for those watching at home that my understanding is that the typical way that the council will handle most financial matters will be to refer the relevant items to the finance committee. But when there's a particular reason why an item should be addressed, Immediately. That makes sense. That's appropriate. Then we try to consider it as a council and skip that step. If that understanding isn't quite correct, clerk or president, please correct me. Just thought I'd share that for people who might be watching their first meeting.

An excellent reminder, and you got that exactly right. I will always meet with the clerk's office and with the Office of Intergovernmental Affairs earlier in the week so they can flag some of these items so we have a discussion about it. Sometimes things come up after that, and we communicate that as they come up. But yeah, that's exactly right. So in this case, the hope is to get this moving. Councilor Scott? Scott.

Thank you, Mr. President. Just for folks at home, if you take a look at page 24 of the attached document, it describes the scope of services. This is just money. Granted from the Commonwealth for us to run the Somerville farmers market, mobile farmers market. So this looks in order to me, Mr. President. I'd recommend approval. Move to recommend approval.

You got it, Harriet. Thank you for that reminder. Yes, eat your microphones as much as you can. All right, very well. So seeing no further discussion, do we need a roll call on that one? No? All right, that item is approved. Let's take us to 7.1 then.

and 7.1, a request of the mayor requesting approval to use available funds in the executive administration salaries account in the amount of $4,543.04. to fund executive liaison public, executive liaison community partnerships, and executive liaison legislative positions.

President Davis, honorable counsel, I want to just come before you to introduce this so you understood what this was as part of sort of The greater reorganization we're looking at doing in the city, we are doing a restructuring of the mayor's office. As a result, we've introduced, we've repurposed two roles for two new roles. That's what this is. This is the salaries for those folks. We have now a mayor's public liaison, Jesse Moose. We have a community partnerships liaison, Brenna Broderick. As a result, we needed to move some salary around, so that's what you're seeing before you. I wanted to come explain that to you and ask that you please approve this tonight. Happy to answer any questions.

Thank you, Mr. President, through you, Mayor Wilson. Can you please give just a quick description of each of the roles?

Absolutely, through the president. Happy for that question. The mayor's public liaison is basically the conduit between the mayor's office and the public. That role also has some social media. Steele, Steele, Steele, Steele, I feel it's very important that the people feel connected to their mayor, and this position is a key part of making that happen. Community Partnerships Liaison. It's been my observation that we have not historically done a great job of coordinating efforts between the city and our many community partners. I could name them. I don't want to leave anyone out. But from the organizations working with the homeless to Main Street's organizations, we have so many community partners who do incredible work, invaluable work for us.

and it was a really important priority for me to make sure that we are involving them and making sure that we're all on the same page so we aren't duplicating efforts that the work is getting done and that's why this position is such an important one.

Thank you, Mr. President. Follow up on that to Mayor Wilson. Thank you for that. With the social media work of the public executive liaison who may be doing that, Will that be in the communications department or is that a separate entity? And can you just quickly describe the necessity of separating that if it is from the Communications Department, the purpose of that, et cetera.

Absolutely, through the president. I thought it was important that the mayor's social media account is the voice of the mayor. For example, went and cut a video, was that yesterday? I don't know, time blurs. Announcing the Chapter 40B filing that was done in Davis Square. We got a lot of very good feedback on that. We're going to be doing other similar things like that. I think it's a very important channel. for us to connect with people and get the word out to the community about important things going on we're going to be looking to to do much much more of that There's coordination with comms, obviously, on anything on the social media side. I just thought it was important to have that divide between the mayor's social media account and the city's social media account because we haven't always seen that clear divide in the past.

Scott. Thank you, Mr. President. I'm excited to hear about this. Also just excited to hear update on plans coming in. I really appreciate it. Our mayor knows how much I pay close attention to the budget book. So as I was looking at the descriptions of the positions posted They're both listed as grade threes. When I look at the last year's budget book, I see a few different positions in here that are listed as grade three S's. Are some of these Are these positions being reclassified as part of that? Maybe if you could just help me understand the org chart.

Absolutely. Through the president in consultation with our CAO, we felt that the grade 3S classification wasn't necessarily the best use of that classification there. And so as a result, we moved to a grade three. We just believe that that best captures the qualifications required for these positions and puts them more in alignment with one another.

Okay, and then through you, Mr. President, just to make sure I understand, so these would be the two 3S legislative liaison positions from last budget. The current director of IGA line remains unchanged?

Director of IGA line is, we're currently in negotiation with a new director. Well, there's a hiring process underway. We're hiring a new director of intergovernmental affairs. To be determined on that front. I will say the reason why you see an increase there is we felt it was important to have equity and parity between these three roles and so we're bringing them they're all three liaisons doing different things and it was important to me to our office to bring them in at the same level salary wise and that's why you see that the that's why we're bringing in this money is to Yeah, thank you.

Thank you for that, Mr. Mayor. Mr. President, as I was looking at it, I was just trying to understand the breakdown here because moving from a 3S down to a 3 would appear to be less money, but then the requisition here for a little bit extra. What am I missing?

Moving pieces here. Yes. We could have moved things around a number of different ways. You were called, thank you for the appropriation that was passed for the transition team expenses. We felt this was the best way to tackle this just in light of where we are now in the hiring process, not just for IGA director, but also for an executive administrative assistant position where those are the two we're looking to hire. We're in the phone screen interview for the latter interview like first proper round of interviews for the first one.

All right. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Thank you, Mr. President. That answers the questions I had. I appreciate it. Just trying to do my best to keep an eye on things between now and the next budget season.

Mr. President, can I add, we could have come to you way later for this. I thought it was important on principle just to come to you and explain the restructuring that was going on. I took full advantage of an opportunity just to come before you here at your first meeting and just as a gesture of what we're looking to do, bring you all along on this and make sure you know what's happening in the mayor's office. I appreciate it, sir. It's always a pleasure to see the mayor when they're not here to scold us.

Councilor Wheeler.

I just wanted to say welcome to those who are new for working for the city, both in the mayor's office and throughout the staff. And congratulations to those who are continuing to work for the city, moving from one role to another. And I hope everyone can see that Somerville is a place where dedication and public services and Servants is recognized and careers flourish.

Thank you. Mr. President, can I add on that front? I didn't introduce her because she's continuing on, but Yasmin Radassi is your, continue to be your legislative liaison, so We all have her contact info. She's part of this though, so I just belated recognition to Yasmin.

Any further questions? Discussion? All right, seeing none, that item is approved. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. All right, that will take us back to our regular order of business then.

And that brings us to item 4.1, an ordinance by Councillor Davis amending Chapter 2, Article 3 of the Code of Ordinances by adding a new section establishing the time and place of regular meetings of the City Council.

This will be referred to legislative matters. I want to note what I shared with the chair of legislative matters, that as folks will have seen, hopefully, if you've looked at this, this includes... The charter requires that we set the... The timing of our meeting is by ordinance. There is a suggestion in here that we then move to a different day, Tuesday, and a different time in two years. That's a suggestion. That's what's in the ordinance now. My reason for sending this to Legislative Matters is so we can have that conversation. So I want folks to take it in that spirit. We'll have a robust discussion and Certainly, if there's a feeling there's a need for a larger discussion on it, we can either do that at the council level. It's probably where we do it at the council level rather than a committee of the whole. I don't think it would probably rise to that level. Scott.

I wanted to preface the discussion here with that sort of intent. Councillor Scott, did you want to speak to the item at all?

Of course, if there's any preliminary thoughts from councilors, we're happy to hear them tonight, but otherwise happy to take it into committee. And if there are strong opinions about having this as a committee of the whole, feel free to refer them to me and I will take it under advisement, sir.

Thank you. Very well, and as always, as I said, we can also do that at the council levels as we see fit. Any discussion or questions at this stage? All right, seeing none, that will be referred to legislative matters then.

Item 4.2, an order by Councillor Strezo that the Director of Housing report to this council how many new units have been approved for development year by year since adoption of Summer Vision 2040, and of those numbers, how many are permanently affordable and how the department defines affordability.

Sesso.

Can you please send this to Housing, Community Development and Equity?

That is approved and the copy sent to Housing, Community Development and Equity. Thank you. With all the commas in the right spot. Next item.

Item 4.3, an order by Councillor Strezo that the Director of Housing Stability discuss the current status of residents facing displacement and the number of households seeking rental assistance.

Councillor Strezo.

Same thing. Can you please send this there? Housing, Community Development, and Equity.

I see no discussion. That item is approved with a copy to Housing, Community Development, and Equity.

Item 4.4, order by Councillor Strezo that the Director of Parks and Recreation provide an update on upcoming inclusive playground accessibility plans and redesign projects.

Councillor Strezo. Same thing. Seeing no discussion, that item is approved. We'll get the copies sent to the committee.

Yep.

Housing Community Development.

We did a good acronym, HCDE, Housing Community Development. We'll come up with something.

Probably should have put that E somewhere else to maybe make it a little bit more of a better.

Housing Community Development and Equity it is.

Yeah, right. In item 4.5, an order by Councilor Strezo that the Commissioner of Public Works and relevant departments discuss the future community use of Founders Rink for 2026 and beyond.

Hear, hear. Councilor Strezo.

Game on.

Can we send it to Housing, Community Development, and Equity?

All right. Seeing no discussion, that item is approved with a copy to Housing, Community Development, and Equity. Next item.

Brings us to item 4.6, an order by Councilor McLaughlin that the Director of Mobility provide an update on the Kensington Connector.

Councilor McLaughlin. Thank you, Mr. President. My orders are items that I've previously submitted and I'm resubmitting them. It's not going to stop me from making a speech though. Kensington Connector. I think I've been advocating for this as long as I've been on the council. I believe Chris Duan is keeping a tracker of the amount of times I've submitted this order. For those of you who don't know, there's a highway that divides my community, two highways actually, but I-93 separates East Somerville from Assembly. We have a little underpass there that's dangerous and disgusting. We had MassDOT come by, put some safety measures in there. But this is about beautification. This is about making this a place people actually want to walk. Lighting, Artwork, Security, something down there to just make it so not unpleasant. I've been asking for several years, a lot of passing the buck. I'm hoping this new mayor takes it on and we get it done this year. Yeah, I would just approve this item.

Councilor Strauss would like to sign on. Do you want to speak to the item as well?

Actually, yeah, and I'd love to send this to Housing and Community Development Committee or public utilities or something. I think that keeping it... in committee and discussing it, there's a use for that.

Any objection to that? Councilor McLaughlin gives the thumbs up from Councilor McLaughlin. Preference on the committee? Councilor McLaughlin?

Okay, I'm happy to take it in mine. Which, by the way, I do want to say that the Kensington underpass is smelly and gross and scary at times. My beloved dog Martha and I like to go in that region. There have been times when... People have been setting things on fire for some unknown reason at that moment. The artwork that was put up by East Somerville Main Streets years ago, somebody slashed it, so it's just dangling there. and Tattered and that's really unfortunate too it is scary at times it is not well lit and then of course that doesn't even count for the fact of trying to cross the streets on both end and Hoping no one gets killed. So yes, it is quite an important issue. It should be addressed this year. And can we do that, please? Thanks.

Just to add to that, Mr. President, people have been killed down there. We had one unhoused person who died under that bridge, and then someone else was hit by a car as well. So it is definitely something I would like I'd like it done before my time here is done. That's for sure. Very well.

All right. Councilor Lenk. Just a question. You said beautification through the chair. Sorry. This is a beautification project. Is there any, because it's with the DOT, is there any opportunity to fix the crosswalk light setup is not particularly safe? Is that something that could be discussed or is that not?

McLaughlin.

I would think they're two separate things, but we can obviously have that conversation in committee. Right now, I was pretty satisfied with a lot of the work MassDOT did to make that area safer. As far as I know, this has been approved by MassDOT for some time, and that's what I mean by passing the buck. That all we're waiting on the state, we're waiting on the state and the state is saying that they're ready to work. So I'm hoping the city is ready to work as well.

All right, so seeing no further discussion, that item is approved with a copy to Housing Community Development and Equity. Very well. Next item.

Item 4.7, a resolution by Councilor McLaughlin that the Director of Human Resources and the Chief of Police work with state officials to provide crossing guards on McGrath Highway.

Councilor McLaughlin. This is another item, Mr. President, that I've been told it's a state issue, and then I talked to the state, and my rep, Mike Connolly, says they're ready to work on this, ready to do something. I'm hoping the new mayor takes it up. This will be public health and safety, I would say. Thank you.

Thank you, yes, I'm glad this is coming forward as this has been an issue and while we have the crossing guards on Medford Street, and McGrath, which still isn't any on Broadway. And despite years of the passing of the buck, it's the city's job to hire crossing guards. It's the state's. Good job. I've heard nothing but that back and forth for years as well, and I just don't understand, and I do want to sign on to this order, but we should absolutely be addressing this in committee. I think it should be on record. that someone has an answer as to who hires them. We've had the blessing of there being crossing guards continuously. on Medford Street and McGrath, but that's an anomaly in this region despite the fact that we're about to lose the crossing bridge over McGrath.

I am very concerned about safety in this region, so we need some actual steps instead of pointing fingers to make sure that everyone can cross the street and not die in this region in the corridor of death.

Good. Seeing no further discussion, that item is approved with a copy to, where did you say? Public Health and Safety. Public Health and Public Safety. Very well. Next item.

Item 4.8, a resolution by Councillor McLaughlin that the administration collaborate with East Somerville Main Streets and the Ward 1 City Councilor to promote Eat Out in East to support East Somerville immigrant-owned businesses.

Councillor McLaughlin. Thank you Mr. President. This is also an item I previously submitted but it is unfortunately very timely due to what happened in Minnesota this week. I actually had representatives from St. Paul reach out to me to ask what we're doing to address ICE in Somerville and I gave them my frank assessment as I tell everybody what we Can Do, What We Maybe Can't Do, and the reality of having the federal government behaving in such a way, how we can respond to this. And one of the things I said to them is that one of the basic things we can do is just be here for each other and be here for members of the community, for the immigrant community. and the immigrant businesses and also everyone who's affected by this. People who witness abductions on the street and seeing what's going on in this community, what's happened before. And this is a very simple idea that activists in the community have started and I've supported them on this.

It's just once a week come down to East Somerville, eat at the local businesses which are 75% immigrant owned. Come down, walk around the neighborhood, be visible, make sure people feel safe in the streets, not asking for anything outrageous. Just building a community and making sure people are there for each other. I've spoken to the mayor about this already and how we can get City assistance to make this happen because if we just allow it if we leave it up to activists alone things like this can fall apart and I would like to see a full press from the city government to assist these businesses, to assist East Somerville specifically, and to make sure that people feel safe in the community. So I would take this up in public health and safety as well. Any further discussion?

Councilor Strzok?

Yes. If you want to, through you, Mr. President, to Councilor McLaughlin, I also suggest Bringing in economic development on this. It should be pivotal in their already pushing for the campaign of supporting small businesses and to the other additional level. And yes, if it doesn't go to public health, public safety, which you may I think you're on that committee yeah so all right enjoy the conversation but always happy to talk about it too and housing and community development as well but yeah you want to public public safety makes total sense

See, no further discussion. That is approved, and I think public health and public safety is fine, certainly since we've already loaded up your committee pretty well. So that is a copy sent to public health and public safety. Next item.

Item 4.9, a resolution by Councilor McLaughlin that the Director of Engineering and the Director of Mobility work to block off the end of Virginia Street and Aldridge Street through traffic.

So McLaughlin. Traffic and parking, please. And for the discussion, the item is approved with a copy of the traffic market.

Item 4.10, a resolution by Councilor McLaughlin that the Director of Planning, Preservation, and Zoning draft an amendment to the zoning ordinances for transit-oriented height and density bonuses for additional affordable housing and other enumerated community benefits.

Councilor McLaughlin.

So this is the upzoning item, citywide upzoning. It's been on our agenda for a few years now. I have faith that this is going to be the year.

Landius, please. Very well. So I think I, I think it was originally yourself? Wilson, and me were the three initial sponsors. So I'll sign my name onto this one again, certainly. Do we want to send this to committee as a reminder, as sort of a holding item? Yeah, it's our placeholder for the Land Use Committee. Okay, very well. Councilor Sait would like to sign on, Councilor Wheeler, Councilor Hardt, and Councilor Link, and Councilor Mbah, and Councilor Strezo. Good. Councilor Scott. Very well. That will be approved with a copy to land use.

Item 4.11, an order by Councilor Wheeler and Councilor Ewen-Campen that the Director of Mobility discuss with this Council the recommendations of the Pedestrian and Transit Advisory Committee regarding the 25% design documents of the Massachusetts Department of Transportation McGrath Boulevard project.

Wheeler. Thank you. Through the chair, many of you and many people watching will be familiar with the Mass Department of Transportation's McGrath Boulevard redesign project. But some will not. The elevated portion is being taken down. There's going to be an extensive change to what McGrath looks like on the ground. It's really great that it's happening, I think. I am thrilled. I know many colleagues are thrilled. There was an open house about the latest stage of this that was hosted here at the high school. In December, I had the chance and other people had the chance to speak with members of the design team for this project, and they're paying attention to a huge number of details and doing really great work. That said, there are some areas where there is a tradeoff between the convenience of drivers from outside Somerville

and the safety of Somerville residents, particularly children at places like the Otis Street crossing where there's a playground and the Edgerly with the Winter Hill School is nearby. and for the ability of neighborhoods on either side of McGrath to be connected to each other as one seamless neighborhood, not as a neighborhood that ends at a traffic wall. So there's I think really thoughtful and attentive and specific feedback that our Pedestrian Transit Advisory Committee I would love for that to be the beginning of this council articulating as a whole any areas where we want to urge MassDOT to continue working and refining.

Thank you. I'll see Ewen-Campen. Thank you, Mr. President, and thank you to my colleague for leading on this. Can I ask that we read item 10.4 also, which is the recommendations from the PTAC? We need to take them all together? Yeah.

Item 10.4, Public Communication by the Pedestrian and Transit Advisory Committee, submitting comments for the McGrath Boulevard.

Thank you Mr. President. You know I think as my colleague just said our hope is there are a lot of people who have really important feedback and what we need to all do is sort of Speak with one voice, right? When we're dealing with a state agency like DOT, if we have this group of advocates saying this and the city council saying this and the mobility department, the mayor's office saying this, they're going to tune that out. We need to try to have one voice that that is how we're going to get our feedback heard so i'm looking forward to having this conversation in traffic and parking you know with the mobility department who have a lot of expertise working with state agencies

McLaughlin would like to sign on. Councilor Link, do you want to speak? Okay, just give me a wave if you want. Then I'll write your name down. Councilor Link, you have the floor.

Through the chair, I just want to... Wheeler, and Councilor Ewen-Campen for bringing this up. And I just want to emphasize the very first one, which is the hawk signal on Otis Street, which Wheeler mentioned. And I just really, really hope that we can get that back to a signalized crossing. Okay. Councilor Scott.

Mr. President, Hawk Signals, one of my favorite topics of discussion. Those who are not frequent followers of the City Council can see some greatest hits footage over the year. As it relates to the hawk signals on Beacon Street. So on that one, I was told it was too late to make a change, but I'm going to keep holding on to Councilor Niedergang's advice. It's never too late to correct a mistake. Let's all join in the fight together. I look forward to it, sir. Clingan.

Thank you, Mr. President, through you. Thank you, my colleagues. As one of the councilors who, one side of the McGrath is board four, the other side is board one. I do not like Hawk Lights at all, especially not for there. But, you know... I would be remiss not to mention, I know I've heard the Amazon, but I heard a bunch of other things. I know State Representative Mike Conley is very much sort of hands-on with this project, so naturally, that one voice would include his voice of course um but yeah i appreciate this conversation because i i'm not totally satisfied with what we have there i know that As usual, budgets are the constraint, but I think with the right advocacy, we can get there. So thank you both.

Okay.

Sait would like to sign on. All right. Councilor Link would like to sign on. Councilor Clingan would like to sign on twice. All right. Very well. So that is approved with a copy to traffic and parking. Wheeler. Is that the request? Yeah. Okay.

Next item is item 4.12, an order by Councillor Wheeler that this Councillor work with the administration to clarify understanding of the rules for accessory dwelling units or affordable dwelling units as detailed within.

Councillor Wheeler. Thank you, through the chair. So legalizing accessory dwelling units is a move intended to be a gentle way to add homes to our city without displacing existing residents. However, across the multiple layers of government that have policy related to housing, there are often tricky ambiguities about different definitions, different terminology, and there's some questions that have come up in our community about clarifying some of these questions and some of these ambiguities related to terminology, related to height limits in different documents. and related to the relationship between the primary structures and these secondary structures behind them. And in particular, an aspect of this that I'm curious about is

Whether there is a pattern happening of some developers interpreting ADU rules to split what might otherwise be a single building that would be subject to inclusionary zoning because of its number of units. into two smaller structures that each avoid the threshold. So that's a particular question that I have. I think we should get clear about what Our city's interpretation of these different definitions is and whether we want to clarify interpretations or whether we want to consider any possible change to the rules.

Thank you. So through you too, Councilor Wheeler, 80s are by right. And this is when I know this is... It's a good opportunity to just listen and connect with department heads and find out more information about ADUs because it is complex, however. There's a lot of work that has been done about this that can be outside of an order and don't necessarily have to be in order. There's a lot of good work in ADUs. A lot of conversations happening as well. So I am excited to talk further about accessory dwelling units and cottages and backyard cottages and what the next year and years to come will look like. But let's research, look, and listen, and learn from each other too. Thank you.

Bob would like to sign on. And Councilor Sait, that sounds like a good conversation to have in land use. All right, very well. That will be approved to the copy of the land use.

This brings us to item 4.13, a resolution by Councilor Wheeler that the administration consider convening issue-specific community meetings for residents to share their perspectives and experiences Wheeler.

Through the chair, thank you. And first, I want to just also appreciate my colleague, Councilor Strezo, and your point about doing homework before we bring orders. And I appreciate everyone's grace. and patience as I get up to speed. This is an idea that was brought up by someone else to me. It's not, I don't claim that it's my idea, but I think it's promising. So many people have observed that in Somerville and so many other places in our country, in our world, there seems to be a lot of division. and perhaps more than there used to be. This may be related to it being the era of social media and smartphones and the internet and ways that we sit in our own homes and have opinions rather than encountering each other and interacting with people from more walks of life in our day-to-day life. I don't know. But I do know that when people get together

and have the chance to work together towards articulating a common vision, that experience can be transformational and really powerful and can really help reweave a community together. One way I had the chance to experience something along these lines recently was that the Davis Square Neighborhood Council organized a meeting that was hosted in a space at Tufts University and there were a large number of different people from all over Somerville and some nearby towns because the Davis Square Cashman area includes some of Arlington and Cambridge. And we split into small groups and articulated a vision for where we might like to see development continue in Davis Square. It was a powerful experience and I think we could do more of these. Whether it's city organized or organized through non-profit partners or some kind of combination. There's a lot of existing work along these lines.

Our participatory budgeting process, as our communications director, Denise Taylor, pointed out to me, it's such a great point. There's a lot of this and that, and a lot of this and why that's a powerful experience. This is a sort of a vague idea at the moment. Admittedly, I would love to see some exploration of this and That's something where I think we would need to find who on the council, who in the administration is really interested in helping to move an idea like this or something possibly similar forward. Thank you.

Any further discussion? All right, so that item is approved. I think if, you know, hopefully that discussion will go forward. Just as a little procedural step, this is an excellent example of bringing an idea to the table. The administration has now heard it. We can have a conversation. We get something a little more formal. We can submit a new item, send that to committee. Not everything has to go to committee, so that's great. I also want to note, and I appreciate the exchange, We also have a new mayor and so as I look at some of these items and it's always the case with the new council that there's going to be things that are brought that have been brought before, sometimes multiple times before, as we heard from our good Councilor from Ward 1 and Councilor Niedegang, who he invoked, used to love to put forth requests. He used to key it in the count. That's totally okay. And especially in this scenario, I think so far we have seen reason to expect different results this time.

So no reason not to raise issues again. and we certainly can bring all the expertise and learning that we've gained from the previous discussions to those discussions. So a little procedural note from the chair here. So that item is approved. Before we go to the next item, I actually want to circle back to 10.4 because Councilor Ewen-Campen slipped that one in and I neglected to We're going to designate a disposition for that one separate from the item with which we considered it. So that item is placed on file with a copy to committee to follow the other item. So the conversation can be had together, but it's just we We don't approve comments from the public. Those items are placed on file, and they're there for everyone to see. All right. Very well. Next item, then.

Link. Item 414, order by Councilor Link that the chief assessor provide this council with an inventory of city-owned parcels as detailed within.

Councilor Link. Yeah, this is something I heard a lot on the doors talking about what are we doing I would love to just know If we even know as a city what we have in terms of our properties and our buildings, I'm not sure what committee this would be best in.

I think this is an excellent example of another item that perhaps doesn't need to go to committee, but I would suspect that's probably going to be under the umbrella of asset management. I encourage you to follow up with IGA to, I'm sure we have a list somewhere, and figure out where that is. And if not, and we need to make one, then we can have that conversation in committee. All right, so that item is approved. President would like to say. Councilor Mbah would like to sign on to that one. Okay. Next item please.

Item 4.15, a resolution by Councilor Link that the Commissioner of Public Works and the Director of Engineering explore the feasibility of establishing a teen center at the Cummings School accessible via School Street considering current building uses and provide this council with an analysis on space availability, operational considerations, community impacts and potential next steps.

Link. Mr. Chair, so I received a clarification from Director Raish, and I want to acknowledge there's an assessment at the Cummings School already underway through IAM and Councilor Link.

Swallow that microphone while I talk just to make sure everybody can hear your wise words. Is that better? Perfect. Sorry. It's my first day.

We all forget as well, so don't worry about it. So, as I said, Director Raish let me know that there is already assessment of the Cummings School underway through IAM and Capital Projects. So I'm glad that it sounds like there's work there and I'm just hoping that we can continue to be looped into that process and you know given how frequently I've heard both from this council and outside of this council how we need more spaces for our teens I'm really hopeful that we can find something like this. So I'm happy to amend this item as requested by Director Raish, directing it to Infrastructure and Asset Management, and would like to refer to the school, buildings, facilities, and maintenance committee.

All right, so Councilor Link moves to amend the item to change the reference from Commissioner of Public Works and Director of Engineering for changing both of those. to Directed to Infrastructure and Asset Management to make that request. Seeing no objection, that amendment is approved. Sorry, Mr. Chair, could I sign on to that? Can I sign on to that item? Yes, let's let the ink dry on the amendment first. Wheeler would like to sign on to the item now as amended. I would also reference folks to there was a discussion specifically I would encourage folks to take a peek I can't recall if that happened in school building facilities or whether it was the school committee. It might have been both.

Liz, can you help me out or otherwise advise us as to where folks can look to catch up on the discussion?

Thank you, Mr. President. Yes, it was in school building facilities and maintenance, and we'd be happy to have this sent to that committee so that we can continue to give those updates at a regular cadence.

Perfect. All right, very well. So that will be approved with a copy to school buildings, facilities, and maintenance. Thank you. Next item.

Item 4.16, a resolution by Councilor Link that the Director of Mobility install a no-turn-on red sign at the intersection of Bow Street and Warren Avenue to improve pedestrian and cyclist safety and report back to this Council on implementation timing.

Councilor Link. A really straightforward one. That light only ever turns red if there's a pedestrian pushing a button, so it seems like a really low-cost safety improvement that we could easily make to make the world a little more safe.

Any further discussion? I think we'll want to send that one to traffic and parking so that it can make its way to the traffic commission, assuming they're the ones that would need to do that. But maybe not. I may have the priorities wrong. But either way, we'll approve that with a copy to traffic and parking to make sure it gets to the right spot.

Next item. Item 4.18, a resolution by Councilor Link that the Director of Public Space and Urban Forestry develop and report on a standardized green score for public parks and identify appropriate benchmarks and expectations for publicly owned parkland. Councilor Link.

Yeah, so we've made some really great progress in the city with new parks and open spaces but we have some older parks that are notably less wonderful. So I'm just really hopeful that we could build on, you know, we require a green score for our private properties and developments and having something of a, you know, would probably be different. But having something similar for our own public parks and open spaces so that we can understand where we're doing really well and where we might not be doing so well and maybe need to pay some attention. For example, Perkins Park. I'm not sure which committee would be best any further discussion

No, so this could go to a couple committees, but I think that it might make sense to send it to open space. What do we call it now? Yeah, that's right. Sustainability infrastructure. That's the one. which is where items that would have gone to open space environment and energy will now be captured and we'll have those good conversations so see no further discussion that is approved for the copy to sustainability and infrastructure next item

Item 4.19, a resolution by Councillor Link that the administration explore the feasibility of a year with no swag as detailed within.

Is it possible to live for a year without swag? Councillor Link, tell us how it will be so.

So yeah, I suspect that my wife is probably going to think that this is about my war against tote bags in our house, but actually, in all seriousness, I am curious, like, you know, and many more. Better things we could do if all of it was gone for just a year to make sure that we're spending things on our best priorities.

Councilor McLaughlin.

We still get to keep our badges, though, right? How dare you classify our badges as swag, Councilor McLaughlin. They're such hard-fought. Wheeler.

I just want to say it through the chair. I think, you know, as fun as this This item is, in a way, it's also serious. And I think always it's good for us to take a step back and ask ourselves, is the way that we're doing something something that we want to keep doing? Does it make sense overall? So I'm glad that we're asking questions like this. Thank you.

Scott. I look forward to the discussion here. I will say though that the materials that are produced by, for example, Health and Human Services to distribute Narcan, and other overdose prevention supplies. Hopefully we can still put some City of Somerville branding and get those out there, but I appreciate the overall sentiment to reduce the amount of plastic crap we put into the world. Thank you.

And with that, a beautiful segue to where I think we might actually send this to committee. I see this as much of an environmental issue as anything else. So if there's no objection, I think we have to go to sustainability infrastructure. Seems like the right spot for it, and I echo my good colleague at large's point that it's good to think about things a little differently, so I appreciate this. All right, next item.

Item 5.1, an order by Councillor Strezo that this City Council discuss the safety of the Summer Street bike lane design around or near Putnam Street to Benton Road and how and if additional safety modifications can be made.

Councillor Strezo.

Thank you, Mr. President. He's not here, so just send it to committee and we'll talk about it there. I guess, um, could we please put it public? I know this is traffic and parking. I'm right here. I'm here.

But I can't hear you. I'm here. I assume the folks in the room might not be able to. Mr. President. Including the ones that are in the back waving, saying that they can't hear you.

All right, fine. Okay. This is me talking. Is this better? All right. It's beautiful. Leaning slightly closer. I do want to talk about this, but I'm not on traffic and parking. It seems like a good avenue for that, but I guess can we send it to a committee like public? Safety, Public Works, or who is the Chair of Traffic and Parking now, if I can bring this forward. There's a constituent that very much wants to speak on this, and I think that he should. With all the... Disregulation of last couple meetings that happened. They weren't able to come and speak on this, and they really want to speak on this, and I think they should.

So I think there's a few committees that this could go to. I think traffic and parking, I would agree, seems like the most likely. I guess still most of our committees are three people. That was an intentional decision so that other counselors can come and speak to an item and without there being a quorum concern. So you can work with the chair of traffic and parking as appropriate on scheduling if you care to come speak to it. and to ensure that this member of the public might have an opportunity as well. So if that makes sense, I see.

My face. Pardon me. Oh, there's a face.

The face is suggested. You don't quite agree with what I'm saying, so I want to give you the opportunity to push

Very good cue. No, thank you. I don't mind that, but it just seems like one more burden on the chair to have to figure that out, chair of traffic and parking, and I don't mind that, but... There's several options where this could go.

I think housing community development equity would be fine. I think public safety, public works would make sense.

I did make a copy.

Cheat sheet on the committees?

You made it small, though, which is a problem.

I can barely read.

Kind of, kind of, yes. I am going to have to go to CVS and get those little itty-bitty glasses. I'm not looking forward to that. Anyhow, I mean, yeah, you know what, can we send it to just, I'm on public health, public safety, can we send it there? Do you mind, Mr. Chair, through you to Mr. Chair? To public health, public safety? I'm not, am I, oh.

Councilor Ewen-Campen, do you want to weigh in on this, on the big debate of this appropriate committee? Mr.

Chair, I think we should go around the horseshoe and each give our preference. Yes, that's exactly what we should be doing.

We have no committee reports, so we've got to make this meeting last somehow.

I think it's relevant which staff attend these meetings. to give the kind of feedback that we're looking for. The traffic and parking has mobility and engineering staff attend it regularly. I believe that those are the relevant staff for this. That would be my recommendation.

Mr. President, through you to Councilor Ewen-Campen, yeah, I hear that. However, there have been past instances where an agenda item that I'm I'm concerned about comes and passes and goes and is already put on the committee report and I miss that opportunity and this is a really important issue for this person to bring forward and I want to give them that space. So, yeah, let's just please send it to Public Health and Public Safety. Thank you.

All right, seeing no objection, that is approved with a copy to Public Health and Public Safety. Next item please.

and that brings us to item 7.2 a request of the mayor requesting approval of a time-only contract extension for three months with the new expiration date of march 31st 2026 for stantec consulting services incorporated for design services for the spring hill sewer separate Wheeler.

I just want to make a quick comment on this because I didn't quite know what time only meant and I imagine many other people might not know. Time only means this is a contract that's not asking for more money. It's just asking for the legal ability to keep working given what we've already committed to paying. Correct me if that is wrong, just for anyone who's wondering.

Once again, nailed it. Appreciate it. All right. So that is referred to finance for discussion or for recommendation.

Next item, please. Item 7.3.

Wheeler.

Got it. Motion to refer this to the Finance Committee.

Well, Councilor Wheeler moves to waive the reading. Oh, sorry.

Point of order. I'm a little confused about what's going on. I understand this is a finance-related item. I'm not quite sure what that means that we do about it next.

So oftentimes when there's items that we're going to refer to committee, they will be posted. When something goes to committee, it is then posted on the committee agenda so folks have a chance to see what it is. and oftentimes when there's a whole list of things we will waive the readings just in the interest of saving time we certainly don't need to do that sometimes it makes sense to hear this the item read out so that everybody knows what it is the public knows what it is Sometimes maybe that's less critical. It's ultimately at the discretion of the chair to do that. So if you'd like to, we're at 7.3.

I would be inclined to waive the reading. Is that a motion? I'm sorry, point of order.

Move to waive the reading and send it to finance. I move to waive the reading, Mr. Chair. All right, I see no objection. That item is sent to finance. Next item.

Item 7.5. Mr. Wheeler.

I move to waive the reading and refer this item to finance.

Thank you. All right, so I'd like to take a few items out of order. We have a number of confirmations here. and I'll note that I had a conversation with the Chair of Confirmation of Appointments this week as well as from the Clerk's Office and the administration. So we're going to, there's, I'm going to recommend that there, or actually, Chair Mbah is going to make two motions here. One is going to be to send some of these items to confirmation of appointments, and the other is going to be to approve them this evening. The first batch is our new appointments, three new appointments, and then two police promotions. Our practice has always been to send that type of item to committee. So if there's no objection, Councilor Mbah, I would like to move to waive the readings of items 710, 715,

718, 722, and 723, and send those to confirmation of appointments. Lombard.

Mr. President, I'm surprised that you're actually speaking on my behalf. I had this conversation with the good president. If you say Councilor Lombard, I'm right here. I have to make the motion myself. Go right ahead, Councilor. Thank you, Mr. President. And so to my new colleagues, you know, in the past, this is the first time that we're having and in consultation with the president, you know, we agree that if there are reappointments, these are people we already know, You know, it's necessary that we approve tonight, unless any member of this body thinks that they deem anybody to go to committee, then we'll send it to them.

The items that are before us are 710, 715, 7.8, 722, and 723. These are three new appointments I would like to waive.

You know, the ratings of 7.6 to 7.9, 7.11 to 7.14, 7.16 to 7.5, Boehm, and 7.19 through 7.21 to approve those tonight because these are reappointments.

Okay, so Councilor Mbah moves to waive the readings of 7.6 through 7.9, 7.11 through 7.14. 716 through 717 and 719 through 721. These are all department heads who are currently serving in their role that were not previously appointed by the City Council. The new language in the Charter or the continuing government's language in the Charter could be interpreted to say that a reappointment is not required. In fact, the word required is what is used. Mayor Wilson has submitted these for reappointment Goodfaith. So, Councilor Mbah moves to approve those items this evening. Is that correct? Yes, Mr. President. Unless, of course, there's an objection, in which case we can send any specific item to committee. All right, so seeing no objections, so those items are approved. We don't need a roll call on any of those, right? All right, very well. And then another motion, Councilor Bott?

Yes, Mr. President. I move to waive the reading of 7.10, 7.15, 7.18, 7.22 to 7.23 and send those one to confirmation of appointments. Okay. Seeing no objection, those items are sent to confirmation of appointments.

Thank you. Thank you, Mr. President. Next item.

Next item is 7.24, a request of the mayor requesting that city councilors submit budget funding priorities by March 26, 2026.

Just briefly on that item, if anyone has any questions about that, any of the new members, please feel free to reach out to me, feel free to reach out to Any of us. And we can have a conversation. But no discussion this evening. That item is approved.

Item 7.25. Mayor's communication conveying the temporary appointment of Kevin Kline as interim director of inspectional services.

Item is placed on file. Next item.

Item 7.26, a communication of the mayor conveying the temporary appointment of Neil Viner as interim director of water and sewer.

That item is placed on file.

7.27, a communication of the mayor conveying an updated end of term report at the request of former Mayor Ballantyne.

That item is placed on file.

This brings us to item 8.1, an officer's communication. The city clerk requesting acceptance of Massachusetts general laws chapter 41, section 91 relating to the appointment and removal of constables.

Willard, do you want to speak on that item? Through the Chair, if I may.

Just another quick definition. A point of confusion for me. I heard constable and thought some type of police officer, but as I understand it, constables are municipal officers who serve legal documents like summonses and subpoenas, collect debts, and sometimes do assist with some procedures like evictions. So that was just a bit of context that I found useful.

Thank you, Mr. President. That is correct, although it is, they also go armed around the city. So it is one of those things that the city has, this council has reviewed several times in the past. There was there's some history there where at one point it was required that the city of Somerville appoint constables because otherwise constables from other communities would come in and perform Swallow this more. I look forward to it. It'll be an interesting discussion. It's one of the things that comes out of our last charter. Mr. President, I appreciate you referring this and I would also ask that you refer 8.2, 8.3.

Scott moves to waive the readings of 8.2 and 8.3 and refer those to legislative matters. Seeing no objection, those are referred.

And that brings us to item 8.4, an officer's communication. City clerk conveying information regarding the City Council's responsibilities pursuant to the 2025 City Charter.

There's a note here to lay this one on the table. I don't think we had that conversation, so I suggest that we lay this one on the table so we can figure out why that is, and we'll take it up in two weeks. Next item.

That brings us to item 9.1. Councilor Hardt. I'd like to move that we waive the readings of 9.1 to 9.7 and approve.

Oh, now I do remember that conversation. I apologize, Madam Clerk. Yes, I'm the last one. All right. 9.1 through 9.7. Councilor Hardt moves to waive the readings and approve this evening. Any discussion? These are various licenses, so if there was any concern with any of the businesses or otherwise, we can certainly send any individual item to committee. But see, no objections. Those are approved.

Item 9.8, a public communication from Cole Rainey Slavik, submitting comments about cannabis social consumption.

That item is placed on file.

Williams, and Item 9.9, a public communication from Harriet Randvig submitting comments about the Commission for Persons with Disabilities.

That item is Councilor Wheeler.

Thank you. Through the Chair, just a quick comment on I'm writing public communications in general talking about difficult matters. I don't want to speak about the particular I do want to recognize that speaking up publicly about complicated things is difficult. It's often perceived as being impolite or out of turn and I always welcome sincere efforts to engage with complicated things responsibly and I hope that we keep in mind being welcoming to Voices speaking up about problems. Thank you. Hear, hear.

All right, that item is placed on file. Thank you.

Item 9.10, a public communication from Crystal Huff, submitting comments about surveillance cameras.

That item is placed on file.

Brings us to item 10.1.

So item 10.1 and item 10.2, we will lay on the table for discussion at next meeting unless we want to send those directly to committee. Councilor Ewen-Campen?

Mr. President, when I have a moment, I have a brief comment on a previous item 910 that we just passed.

Okay, let's head to this. So, Councilor Strezo, do you have a preference to, if you want to speak to this at the council level, we can do that in two weeks or we can send it to committee.

One and two. Yeah, Mr. President, I wanted to send right to committee. It's totally fine. That's what I was hoping.

And just as a little procedural point, so there's a little bit of a gray area, but sorry. There's a little bit of a gray area between the council rules and the open meeting law requirements for setting an agenda. Council rules require that items be submitted at a certain time on Monday to go on the agenda that is published prior to the day of the meeting. where items and then items submitted subsequently are on the list of the supplemental items that is published in the morning, Saturday, Thursday morning. As I said, because the open meeting law says anything that the Chair reasonably believes will be discussed within 48 hours or more than 48 hours should be on the agenda. Like I said, there's a little bit of a gray area, but we want there to be transparency, we want things to be discussed, and so for items like this, unless there's a

That's something that's truly a new and time-sensitive issue that certainly we will see examples where something is discussed. But otherwise, we want to make sure that the public knows about an item before we take an action on it or before we deliberate on it, which is what the law requires. So in this case, would you say lay on the table or send to committee? You said send to committee? We'll send these to committee without an action, so we'll just refer it to committee. That way the council has not taken an action on them. If and when they go on an agenda for that committee, the public will be aware of it, they will be duly noticed, and then we can deliberate pursuant to open meeting. So that's just a little inside baseball. Explanation for everything. Very well. So item 10.1 and item 10.2 are referred to housing community development and equity. Very well, thank you. Next item, Madam Clerk. Mr. President?

Yes, so yeah, sorry, Councilor Ewen-Campen, you had a... Can I make a brief comment on item 9.10, which is a public communication from Crystal Huff about flock cameras?

So, Councilor Ewen-Campen moves to reconsider item 9.10 in hopes that reconsideration fails. Would anybody like to change? Yeah, we did place it on file. All right, that item is now at the scene. No objection. That item is now back before us. Ewen-Campen.

Thank you, Mr. President. I just wanted to make a brief comment on this because I've received a lot of input from the public concern about this Security camera company called Flock for folks who follow surveillance. This is a company that there have been a lot of news reports. This company Flock is partnering with federal agencies and there's a lot of concern that it's being used to track people. By the federal government. There's like a persistent misunderstanding that flock is being used in Somerville by the Somerville government. It is not. and I want everyone to be very clear about this. We have in Somerville a surveillance oversight ordinance. All surveillance technologies have to be approved by this city council. I think one of the areas of misunderstanding, we have these traffic Ticket Stix, like the one in Davis Square, they automatically, and that company is called MPS, I forget what it stands for, Municipal Parking Solutions.

And if you Google them, that company has entered a partnership with Flock. That is concerning. I reached out to Director Renfrit from our traffic and parking. She got it within like an hour of me writing, had it in writing. from the vice president of the MPS company that although that partnership exists for other technologies, that would be a violation of the contract that they have with Somerville. They do not share any information from Somerville with any third party absent There is no data sharing with FLOC from those. An advocate put together a website of flock camera locations and it is my understanding that in Somerville at Assembly Square in one of the private buildings there are some and at on the Tufts campus and the private buildings there are some.

It is my understanding that the city council cannot regulate the purchasing behavior of private individuals, but the city of Somerville as the government does not use flock cameras and I want the record to be clear on that.

Thank you very much. Okay, so that item is placed on file. Thank you. Next item.

That brings us to item 10.3, a request of the mayor requesting approval of a transfer of $103,421 from the salary contingency account to various departmental personnel services. accounts to fund a memorandum of agreement with the Somerville Municipal Employees Union Unit B.

I would like to refer it to finance for approval.

Thank you. I'm going to be a little jar here for how many times I say people's names wrong. None of you yet have reached the level of Councilman Yampampin. which I myself may be challenged to ever beat. All right, thank you very well. So that is referred to finance. Next item.

Yes, Councilor Scott. I just wanted to say this is actually a ratification of an agreement that was signed by Mayor Ballantyne on December 15th before leaving office, which Just pertains to vacation policy. This is just moving some money to ensure that the union agreements that have been settled will actually get paid out. So happy to take it up in committee, but also I feel like this is one that's pretty simple. You know what? Let's do a fun one on our first time, huh? All right. Thank you, Mr. President. Very well.

And I would like just to clarify through the chair, There's no, if there's any issue in delaying, I wouldn't want to keep people getting their retirement or vacation money.

They'll get paid. It's fine. All right. Very good. So that is referred to finance. Next item.

And that brings us to the last agenda item, 10.5, a public communication from Marjorie Williams submitting comments on the ballot question.

That item is placed on file. Are there any late items? Are there any late items?

Sorry, no.

No late items. All right. Good job, everyone. With that, Councilor Clingan moves to adjourn. We are adjourned. Councilor Clingan, on adjournment.

Before we wrap, I just want to recognize First Timer here as our city clerk. Great job.

Thank you very much, Clerk Cloutelier. Assistant Clerk Cloutelier. Assistant City Clerk Cloutelier? You should get a new title. Maddie Works. Excellent. Very good. Thank you, everyone. We are adjourned.