City of Somerville, Massachusetts · City Council Legislative Matters Committee · Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, September 8, 2026 · 6:00 PM
This meeting was held via Zoom and was called to order by Chair Scott at 6:02 pm and adjourned at · 9:44 pm on a roll call vote of 5 in favor (Councilors Davis, Mbah, Ewen-Campen, Strezo, Scott), 0 · opposed and 0 absent. · Others present: Amanda Nagim- Williams - Intergovernmental Affairs Director, Courtney Henderson - · City Clerk.
Roll Call
Present: Ward Six City Councilor Lance L. Davis, City Councilor At · Large Wilfred N. Mbah, Ward Three City Councilor Ben · Ewen-Campen, City Councilor At Large Kristen Strezo and · Ward Two City Councilor Jefferson Thomas (J.T.) Scott · 1. Committee · Approval of the Minutes of the Legislative Matters Committee Meeting of · Minutes · June 30, 2026.
(ID # 26-1210 ) · RESULT: ACCEPTED · AYE:
Ward Six City Councilor Davis, City Councilor At Large · Mbah, Ward Three City Councilor Ewen-Campen, City · Councilor At Large Strezo and Ward Two City Councilor · Scott
2. Public Hearings
2.1. Public
89 registered voters submitting a petition requesting a public hearing
Communication regarding Police Body-Worn Cameras, pursuant to Section 2-11 of the City (ID # 26-1006 ) Charter.
Five residents and one nonprofit representative spoke in opposition to portions of the Technology Surveillance Impact Report and the Technology-Specific Surveillance Use Policy. Speakers raised concerns
regarding oversight and enforcement related to the use of body-worn cameras. Residents also expressed concerns about law enforcement access to recordings and the potential for footage to be altered. Speakers inquired about the protocols or safeguards that could be established to prevent
- unauthorized alteration of recordings.
Councilor Scott stated that the Committee will accept written comments on this item through September 11.
RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE
2.2. Public
Davis Square Neighborhood Council submitting comments re: formal
Communication recognition by this Council as a neighborhood council under Chapter 7, (ID # 26-1165 ) Article IX of the Code of Ordinances.
Six residents spoke in favor of recognizing the Davis Square Neighborhood Council, while five residents spoke in opposition. Those who spoke in
- opposition raised concerns about allowing individuals who do not reside in
Somerville to become members and participate in decision-making on behalf of the community. Others noted that additional administrative matters and bylaw revisions should be addressed before the Neighborhood Council is
formally recognized. Those in favor shared information about the community events sponsored by the Neighborhood Council and that they
- have received a lot of interest and support from community members.
Councilor Scott shared that this item will be kept in committee and that a vote on recommendation will be made at the September 15th Legislative
- Matters Committee meeting.
RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE
2.3. Public
74 registered voters submitting a petition requesting a public hearing
Communication regarding the proposed ethical procurement ordinance, pursuant to Section (ID # 26-1185 ) 2-11 of the City Charter.
23 residents spoke in opposition to the proposed ordinance, while 38 spoke in favor. Those speaking in favor stated that the City had previously voted on the matter and characterized the vote as a mandate for elected officials to adopt the ordinance. Several speakers also expressed that they did not want their tax dollars used to contract with businesses that, in their view, support the conflict between Israel and Palestine.
- Those speaking in opposition raised concerns that the ordinance could
further divide the community and suggested that there are other approaches the City could take to promote community unity. Some speakers stated that the conflict is primarily a matter for the federal government and that local government should focus on local issues. Other residents expressed concerns that they felt targeted by the proposed ordinance and that it had affected their sense of safety in the community.
RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE
- Public
Davis Square Neighborhood Council submitting information re: item
Communication #26-1165, a request for formal recognition as a neighborhood council.
(ID # 26-1218 )
Taken with Item #26-1165
RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE
- Public
6 residents submitting comments re: item #26-1165, Davis Square
Communication Neighborhood Council recognition.
(ID # 26-1262 )
Taken with Item #26-1165
RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE