Cambridge City Council meeting - Jan 8, 2018 - AGENDA

CITY MANAGER'S AGENDA
1. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to the appointment of the following person as a member of the Public Planting Committee for a term of 2 years, effective Jan 8, 2018: Sophia Emperador
Placed on File

Jan 8, 2018
To the Honorable, the City Council:

I am hereby transmitting notification of the appointment of Sophia Emperador as a member of the Public Planting Committee for a term of 2 years, effective Jan 8, 2018.

Ms. Emperador is a landscape architect focused on the importance of landscape in an urban environment. She is familiar with a wide breadth of landscape-oriented topics ranging from issues concerning urban ecology, hazard mitigation, climate change adaptation, and urban planning to creating designs with native species. Her design background will bring an understand to the committee of the multiple complexities that arise when planting in an urban setting that include the technical planting and installation details to the selection of species.

Very truly yours, Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager

2. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to the appointment of the following persons as a members of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Plus (LGBTQ+) Commission effective Jan 8, 2018. 3-year terms: Bill Barnert, Jessica Daniels, Maya Escobar, Rachel Oppenheimer. 2-year terms: Susan Bernstein, Linda Daniels, Kimm Topping.
Placed on File

Jan 8, 2018
To the Honorable, the City Council:

I am hereby transmitting notification of the reappointments of the following persons as members of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Plus (LGBTQ+) Commission effective Jan 8, 2018:

Bill Barnert - 3-year term
Bill has served on the Commission since 2013. Bill is a Board Member of SpeakOut, a GLBT speakers bureau and is the Co-founder and principal organizer of the Cambridge Men's Group. Bill chairs the Communications subcommittee, does web site maintenance for the Commission, and is one of our active event organizers.

Susan Bernstein - 2-year term
Susan has served on the Commission since 2016. Susan is a long-time resident of Cambridge, an artist, a mother of two students attending the public school system, and an avid supporter of LGBTQ+ rights and equality. Susan holds bachelor and master degrees from Boston University.

Jessica Daniels - 3-year term
Jessica has been serving on the Commission since 2015. Jessica is employed by Tuft University as a Senior Associate Director of Admissions and has served as a sexual misconduct adjudicator for the University. Jessica has also served as a Community Representative Member on Cambridge's Family Policy Council. Jessica's daughter has been a member of the LGBTQ+ community, which has provided a personal understanding of the concerns of LGBTQ+ youth.

Linda Daniels - 2-year term
Dr. Daniels, who has served on the Commission since 2016, is a licensed psychologist with extensive experience in forensic psychology, in particular with individual, familial, and community trauma. Dr. Daniels holds degrees from Rutgers University and Long Island University.

Maya Escobar - 3-year term
Maya has served on the Commission since 2015 and is a Cambridge native and currently holds the position of Teen Librarian for Youth Services at the Cambridge Public Library. As a Librarian, Maya has daily interaction with Cambridge teenagers and many youth advocates, an experience which has added valuable insights for LGBTQ+ Committee.

Rachel Oppenheimer - 3-year term
Rachel has served on the Commission since 2013. Rachel is a licensed mental health counselor whose work is centered on the needs of adolescents and young adults, ages 12-29, with particular focus on GLBT youth, homeless and street-identified youth, and the transgender and questioning youth community.

Kimm Topping - 2-year term
Kimm has served on the Commission since 2016 and is currently employed as the Girls' Media Program Manager at Tutoring Plus of Cambridge. Kimm holds a bachelor degree in sociology/social change and psychology from Lesley University.

Very truly yours, Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager

3. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to the appointment of the following person as a member of the Community Preservation Act (CPA) Committee for a term of the 5 years, effective Jan 8, 2018: Michael McDonough and Victoria Bergland.
Placed on File

Jan 8, 2018
To the Honorable, the City Council:

I am hereby transmitting notification of the appointments of the following members of the Community Preservation Act (CPA) Committee for a term of the 5 years, effective Jan 8, 2018:

Michael McDonough (Conservation Commission Representative)
Mr. McDonough has volunteered to serve as the Conservation Commission Representative on the Community Preservation Act Committee. Michael has a strong academic background from both Saint Michael’s College and Tufts University. He is a dedicated Cambridge resident who has been a member of the Conservation Commission for over a year with perfect attendance and has a willingness to volunteer.

Victoria Bergland (Cambridge Housing Authority Representative)
Ms. Bergland has been a public housing resident in Cambridge for over 45 years. She currently lives in Lincoln Way in North Cambridge. She has served on several committees which include: Cambridge Economic Opportunity Committee, Alliance for Cambridge Tenants Committee (ACT). She attended the MassNahro 2017 Annual Conference which covered program objectives, learning opportunities and technical assistance. She has completed the online board member training required by Chapter 235. Ms. Bergland has participated in the CHA budget process with Agency staff and regularly attends public and resident meetings sponsored by the CHA. Ms. Bergland is an active member of the Board and is committed to serving the tenants of CHA properties.

Very truly yours, Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager

CHARTER RIGHT
1. An application was received from Porter Square, LLC, requesting permission for an awning at the premises numbered 1 White Street. Approval has been received from Inspectional Services, Department of Public Works, Community Development Department and abutter. [Charter Right exercised by Vice Mayor McGovern on Dec 18, 2017]
Order Adopted as Amended 9-0

ON THE TABLE
2. A communication was received from Donna P. Lopez City Clerk, transmitting a report from Councillor Craig Kelley, regarding assessing and approving Neighborhood-Based Resiliency. [Tabled on the motion of Councillor Kelley on Dec 18, 2017]

COMMUNICATIONS
1. A communication was received from Joseph Rose, 72 Spring Street, regarding Courthouse parking and traffic.

2. A communication was received from Marie Elena Saccoccio, 55 Otis Street, regarding reconsideration of long term parking at the municipal garage in East Cambridge.

3. A communication was received from Donna Hill, Somerville MA, regarding Bike lanes on front of businesses on Cambridge Street.

4. A communication was received from Peter Valentine, 37 Brookline Street, regarding beneficially recycle waste.

5. A communication was received from Robert J. La Trémouille, regarding Destruction of Charles River getting worse.

6. A communication was received from Ruth Ryals, 115 Upland Road, regarding Dunkin Donuts putting orange awnings.

RESOLUTIONS
1. Congratulations to Gather Here Stitch Lounge on their successful "Gather Here Holiday Market" event.   Councillor Toomey

2. Thank you to the administration for the addition of the paramedic engine and expanding paramedic service in the East Cambridge area.   Councillor Toomey

3. The City Council congratulates Deputy Superintendent Robert Lowe of the Cambridge Police Department who has been selected and will be joining the FBI's National Academy.   Councillor Mallon

ORDERS
1. That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to reach out to representatives of supermarkets other than Star Market, such as Market Basket, to determine the possibility of their opening a location at 20 Sidney Street, and to report back to the City Council on this matter.   Councillor Simmons
Order Adopted

2. That the City Manager is requested to reach out to the owner of the Fresh Pond Apartments to inquire as to what is being done to repair and maintain the elevators in those apartment buildings.   Councillor Simmons
Order Adopted as Amended

3. That the City Manager is requested to provide an update to the City Council on progress made in regards to the Stated Goals of the City Council, as outlined during the 2016-2017 City Council term.   Councillor Simmons
Order Adopted

4. That the City Manager is requested to schedule no less than two, and no more than four, cultural sensitivity training sessions for his leadership team and for the City’s elected officials over the course of the next two years.   Councillor Simmons
Order Adopted

5. That the Mayor is requested to change one of the upcoming City Council meetings to a Roundtable/Working Meeting discussion regarding the draft version of the Climate Change Preparedness & Resilience Plan for the Alewife Area to be held before the Plan is finalized.   Vice Mayor Devereux
Order Adopted

COMMUNICATIONS AND REPORTS FROM CITY OFFICERS
1. A communication was received from Donna P. Lopez, City Clerk, transmitting a communication from Councillor Kelley, regarding the City Council's use of suspending our Council rules to accept late Policy Orders that lack an urgent time constraint.
Placed on File

Jan 2, 2018
Dear Mayor McGovern, Vice Mayor Devereux and fellow Councilors:

As many of you know, I am not comfortable with the Council's habit of suspending our Council rules to accept late Orders that lack a urgent time constraint. I feel that the Council's unnecessarily discussing and voting on such Orders with little or no advance notice to either the Council or the general public circumvents the transparency that is required for a democracy to maintain its integrity.

Accordingly, I plan to "Charter Right" all late Orders prior to discussion, if possible, and certainly prior to voting unless there is some compelling reason that they must be discussed and voted on at the meeting in which they are introduced.

That being said, I look forward to a productive, if challenging, term with all of you.

Sincerely,
Craig

2. A communication was received from Mayor McGovern, appointing a Special Ad-Hoc Rules Committee to review the City Council rules, and to recommend any changes. Given that this committee may suggest changes to council committees, I am refraining from naming council committee members at this time, excepting the selection of Ordinance Committee co-chairs.

To: Cambridge City Council
From: Marc C. McGovern, Mayor
Date: January 8, 2017
Subject: Convening Special Ad-Hoc Rules Committee

To the Honorable, the City Council:
As has been customary at the beginning of each new term, I am appointing a Special Ad-Hoc Rules Committee to review the City Council rules, and to recommend any changes. Given that this committee may suggest changes to council committees, I am refraining from naming council committee members at this time, excepting the selection of Ordinance Committee co-chairs.

The members of the Special Ad-Hoc Rules Committee will be: Vice-Mayor Jan Deveraux (Chair); Councillor Alana Mallon; and Councilor Craig Kelley. Also on the Committee will be Donna Lopez, City Clerk; Nancy Glowa, City Solicitor; Maryellen Carvello, Office Manager to the City Manager; and Wilford Durbin, Chief of Staff to the Mayor.

Given the importance of naming council committee members, I am requesting that the Special Ad-Hoc Rules Committee return their recommendations to the full City Council no later than the January 22, 2018 City Council meeting.

Respectfully,
Marc C. McGovern

3. A communication was received from Mayor McGovern, to communicate the selection of Councillors Dennis Carlone and Craig Kelley as Ordinance Committee Co-Chairs for the 2018-2019 Council term.

To: Cambridge City Council
From: Marc C. McGovern, Mayor
Date: January 8, 2017
Subject: Communicating Selection of Ordinance Committee Chairs

To the Honorable, the City Council:
I am writing to communicate the selection of Councillors Dennis Carlone and Craig Kelley as Ordinance Committee Co-Chairs for the 2018-2019 Council term.

The announcement of Ordinance Committee chairs was made separate from the remainder of Committees because there are several time sensitive petitions requiring the Council’s attention.

Respectfully,
Marc C. McGovern

HEARING SCHEDULE
Mon, Jan 8
5:30pm   City Council Meeting  (Sullivan Chamber)

Mon, Jan 22
5:30pm   City Council Meeting  (Sullivan Chamber)

Mon, Jan 29
5:30pm   City Council Meeting  (Sullivan Chamber)

Mon, Feb 5
5:30pm   City Council Meeting  (Sullivan Chamber)

Mon, Feb 12
5:30pm   City Council Meeting  (Sullivan Chamber)

Mon, Feb 26
5:30pm   City Council Meeting  (Sullivan Chamber)

Mon, Mar 5
5:30pm   City Council Meeting  (Sullivan Chamber)

Mon, Mar 12
5:30pm   City Council Meeting  (Sullivan Chamber)

Mon, Mar 19
5:30pm   City Council Meeting  (Sullivan Chamber)

Mon, Mar 26
5:30pm   City Council Meeting  (Sullivan Chamber)

Mon, Apr 2
5:30pm   City Council Meeting  (Sullivan Chamber)

Mon, Apr 9
5:30pm   City Council Meeting  (Sullivan Chamber)

Mon, Apr 23
5:30pm   City Council Meeting  (Sullivan Chamber)

Mon, Apr 30
5:30pm   City Council Meeting  (Sullivan Chamber)

Mon, May 7
5:30pm   City Council Meeting  (Sullivan Chamber)

Mon, May 14
5:30pm   City Council Meeting  (Sullivan Chamber)

Mon, May 21
5:30pm   City Council Meeting  (Sullivan Chamber)

Mon, June 4
5:30pm   City Council Meeting  (Sullivan Chamber)

Mon, June 11
5:30pm   City Council Meeting  (Sullivan Chamber)

Mon, June 18
5:30pm   City Council Meeting  (Sullivan Chamber)

Mon, June 25
5:30pm   City Council Meeting  (Sullivan Chamber)

O-2     Jan 8, 2018  Amended
COUNCILLOR SIMMONS
WHEREAS: A number of residents at the Fresh Pond Apartments have voiced their concerns about the state of the elevators as well as any other maintenance issues in these buildings, with anxieties focusing on the amount of time being taken to repair the elevators and how the lack of easy access to the top floors can be particularly dangerous to the elderly and those with mobility issues; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to reach out to the owner of the Fresh Pond Apartments to inquire as to what is being done to repair and maintain the elevators in these buildings, and to report back to the City Council in a timely manner.

O-4     Jan 8, 2018
COUNCILLOR SIMMONS
WHEREAS: During the 2016-2017 term, members of the City Council, the School Committee, and the City Manager’s leadership team brought in and were trained by a consultant to help identify ways in which to ensure that the City of Cambridge is as culturally sensitive and aware as possible, and it is hoped that this process will continue throughout the 2018-2019 term; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to schedule no less than two, and no more than four, cultural sensitivity training sessions for his leadership team and for the City’s elected officials over the course of the next two years.