By Khoa Tong

The Somerville City Council met for a special meeting, per the request of Mayor Katjana Ballantyne, to discuss paying a $108,379 license agreement for the Tufts Administration Building (TAB) on Thursday, August 3.

Edward Bean, finance director for the city of Somerville, said that the license is a shorter-term agreement compared to a lease and is meant to be held just for the month of August. City Solicitor Cindy Amara added that a lease has an approved term and duration brought to the Council while a license is a more immediate agreement which has a drop-dead date to end.

Nikki Spencer, Chief of Staff for the city, explained that with preparations for the Winter Hill School, city and school departments in the Edgerly Building will need a new space. “The reason you are seeing a license tonight is because we are still working on a lease, but this will allow our departments to be in the Tufts building as soon as possible,” she said.

Spencer also mentioned that further details regarding a lease will be discussed later in August, but many departments such as school enrollment need a space to operate as soon as possible.

Councilor At-Large Kristen Strezo asked if the employees of those departments would be required to pay for parking. Bean replied by saying that it would be considered a taxable benefit for the employees.

Strezo mentioned that visitors to the building are permitted to pay $2.50 per hour for parking and she requests that with the private to public collaboration with Tufts, the city should cover the parking fee under the future lease agreement. Bean said that it would be placed under consideration for the lease.

Ward 4 Councilor Jesse Clingan asked about the rate that is being paid and whether or not it is competitive with other spaces. Bean explained that the deal with Tufts comes out to $32 per square foot with $20 of the costs being operational expenses. Clingan clarified that he is grateful that Tufts is willing to lend the space for the departments but just wants to make sure that the conditions of the building match the money being spent.

Ward 5 Councilor Beatriz Gomez Mouakad expressed concerns about exterior signage not being allowed on the building, pointing out that with vital departments now being in the building, they would not be able to advertise their location to the public.

Gomez Mouakad also asked who will be in charge of maintenance for the space, with Spencer stating that the Department of Public works will be handling custodial services and general maintenance.

Spencer also mentioned that she hopes to gather all the details for the lease to bring before the Council by August 24.

The meeting concluded by approving the license with 8 in favor, 0 against and 3 absent.