The Somerville City Council Finance Committee discussed a number of issues of importance at their latest meeting in September.

By Jordan Pagkalinawan

Somerville’s finance committee met on September 23 to approve several grants and prior year invoices, as well as extend and amend a contract with Eastern Bank. The councilors also expressed concern about proposed requirements for Urban Area Security Initiative grants, which include cooperation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents.

Approved grants and invoices

The committee began by approving a $50,000 grant to the Office of Sustainability and Environment for a study to investigate potential zoning initiatives that would increase compliance with the Fossil Fuel Free Ordinance. The office’s director, Christine Blais, said the study would examine transformers and explore ways to generate community benefits for neighborhoods pursuing electrification.

After grants to the Somerville Police Department were kept in committee, small-dollar figure invoices for office and public safety supplies were also approved. Infrastructure and Asset Management Director Michael Richards then explained requests to pay prior-year invoices for the Strategic Asset Management Plan and transfer around $350,000 to the IAM Capital Outlay Professional & Technical Services Account, both of which were laid for approval.

The committee also authorized $4.3 million in bonds and appropriated the same amount toward the Morrison Avenue Linear Storage Sewer Separation project. According to IAM Director of Engineering Brian Postlewaite, the project would help mitigate flooding in Davis Square by preloading stormwater in a large diameter pipe, which would run for half a mile along Morrison Avenue from Cedar Street to Grove Street.

The city’s contract with Eastern Bank was extended and amended through August 31, 2026, to maintain the services of its Treasury Department.

Sewall Court construction

Regarding a residential project at 299 Broadway, the committee approved requests for the following changes near Sewall Court:

• A partial termination of the City Utility Easement
• Temporary and permanent easements for Lot 3 of 299 Broadway
• The discontinuation of a portion of Sewall Court that stretches into the former Star Market parking lot
• Adopting an Order of Taking for Lot 3 for municipal purposes, including parking.

Concern over ICE cooperation in future UASI grants

The committee held a significant discussion over ICE’s involvement in future Urban Area Security Initiative grants. A memo from the Somerville Law Department explained that recipients of UASI grants would be required to allocate at least 10% of the grant’s funds toward a National Priority Area for “Supporting Border Crisis Response and Enforcement.”

According to the Department of Homeland Security’s Notice of Funding Opportunity, “compliant” programs would “1) authorize state and local law enforcement officers to perform immigration officer functions, 2) cooperate with ICE detainers, or 3) support activities such as officer training, technology and information sharing, operational support, and community engagement.”

“Our community’s been under siege by federal activity that has taken our neighbors off the streets in really scary and chilling ways,” Councilor Willie Burnley Jr., who brought the items forward, said. “And I think as a sanctuary city, we have the responsibility to do everything we can to comply with our own laws that are meant to support our neighbors [and] ensure peaceful processes, including in law enforcement.”

As a result of the new proposed UASI requirements, Burnley “became quite concerned” and “wanted to make sure we were not inadvertently committing ourselves – legally, within contracts with the federal government – to taking actions that are contrary to our values and our laws.”

He also wanted to make his colleagues and the public aware of the potential changes to UASI funds, saying, “We should monitor [them] quite closely in order to ensure that we’re not signing up to do something that we have no desire to do.”

Director of Intergovernmental Affairs Neha Singh said the city is closely monitoring the application and working with the state and communities part of the UASI consortium, including those with sanctuary city statuses. She also clarified that the state has not agreed to any new terms and conditions for the funds, but it still wants to pursue funding because “it allows cities like Somerville to fund crucial public safety equipment and initiatives.”

Councilors Jesse Clingan and J.T. Scott also shared Burnley’s concerns. Clingan hoped the city could accept funding for other programs without putting residents at risk, while Scott said he “won’t be voting to approve” any grant that comes with the aforementioned conditions.

Burnley and Councilor Jake Wilson reiterated that the current UASI grants do not contain requirements from the federal government because they are from prior fiscal years. However, Burnley notes the changes “could happen soon,” potentially in the next round of funding.

“If that does happen, the city will have decisions to make about what it means to be a sanctuary city, how best to fund the real needs of our community … while not sacrificing our neighbors,” Burnley added.

Both items were kept in committee, with Burnley urging his colleagues and the public to keep them in mind going forward and “do everything we possibly can to support all of our neighbors.”

Reports for unspent stabilization funds

The final item discussed was a proposal from Councilor Wilfred Mbah that the Director of Finance provide reports for unspent stabilization funds within the last three fiscal years. Wilson and Burley appreciated the proposal’s transparency regarding the allocation of funds and balances across accounts. However, the item remained in committee, given Mbah’s absence.