Cambridge City Council meeting - January 8, 2024

Cambridge City Council meeting - January 8, 2024 - AGENDA
[All members present; meeting forced to Zoom due to disruption by the clowns from the Party of Socialist Lunatics and their allies.]

CITY MANAGER’S AGENDA
1. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to an update on the Chester Street fire. (CM24#1)
pulled by McGovern; remarks by Acting Chief Thomas Cahill, City Manager Yi-An Huang, Mayor Simmons; Placed on File 9-0

2. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appointment Felipe Lobo Koerich as a member of the Commission on Immigrant Rights and Citizenship. (CM24#2)
Appointment Approved, Placed on File 9-0

Jan 8, 2024
To the Honorable, the City Council:

I am writing to recommend the following appointment to the Commission on Immigrant Rights and Citizenship (CIRC) for a term of three years, effective January 8, 2024:

CIRC, which was established in 2016, acts as a centralizing force in the City to deal with immigrant rights and citizenship issues, providing information, referral, guidance, coordination, offering and providing technical assistance to other public agencies and private persons, organizations and institutions engaged in activities and programs intended to support immigrant rights and citizenship. CIRC also works to eliminate prejudice and discrimination against immigrants because of their status as immigrants and/or non-citizens.

This work is accomplished through educating the community and Commissioners about the rights of immigrants residing in Cambridge and the opportunities available to enhance immigrant participation in the Cambridge community through engagement with City services, resources, programs and local and regional efforts to address immigrants’ particular needs, with a focus on language access.

Commissioners must live or work in Cambridge, and support staff and newly established Language Justice Division, to fulfill the goals and objectives of the Cambridge Commission on Immigrant Rights and Citizenship Ordinance. CIRC is made up of eleven volunteer members who reside in Cambridge and who bring their knowledge of the immigrant experience, as immigrants themselves or as persons whose life work is with immigrant-serving organizations.

The City Manager’s office posted a request for applications for CIRC on the City website and via a news release first on January 9, 2023, with a closing date of February 6, 2023, and again on August 18, 2023, with a closing date of September 25, 2023. To expand the diversity of the applicant pool and efforts for inclusive participation, CIRC staff developed a way for people to apply in their native language. CIRC staff offered a translated application that was linked to a translated flyer and worked with the Community Engagement Teams to recruit within the linguistic communities they represent. Additionally, during that time, members of the Commission conducted outreach with their networks. The call for applicants was also posted in several of the City’s daily email updates and in postings on the City website.

There were 20 applicants, 4 of whom were interviewed. Of those 4, 2 were appointed to the Commission on December 4, 2023. Soon after, the current co-chair of CIRC resigned as she moved abroad and can no longer attend meetings. Therefore, the interview panel, made up of City staff members and a current Commissioner, has recommended the appointment of another applicant from the top 4 that were interviewed.

New Appointment:

Felipe Lobo Koerich: Mr. Koerich is an immigrant and a resident of Cambridge, originally from Brazil. He is currently a permanent resident, on track to citizenship, but has lived in the United States under other immigration categories. Mr. Koerich is fluent in Portuguese and Spanish, proficient in French, and intermediate in Italian. Mr. Koerich is currently a student at Harvard Law School, with an academic background in immigration matters. He has strong research and analytical skills that will help him stay attuned to legislative and regulatory developments that impact immigrants in Cambridge and their rights. Also, as a program director for Learning Enterprises (LE), a multinational education non-profit, he ran two volunteer programs in Brazil and China. This position deepened his interpersonal skills. He served as the primary liaison with host communities, which required careful navigation of cultural norms and language to minimize miscommunications and build and earn community trust and buy-in. Mr. Koerich’s experiences will prove valuable in supporting CIRC’s efforts to engage in outreach to the immigrant community and organize inclusive events. His experiences also speak to his commitment to DEI and his ability to work with individuals from a variety of backgrounds. He will bring a passion for making others feel welcomed and valued to his Commission service.

I am pleased to recommend this individual whose expertise and experience will enable him to be a valuable member of CIRC.

I appreciate the willingness of this community member to serve on the Commission on Immigrant Rights and Citizenship and, with your approval, look forward to his appointment.

Very truly yours,
Yi-An Huang
City Manager

3. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the reappointment of Burton Malkofsky as Constable for a term of three years, effective the first day of January, 2022. (CM24#3)
Placed on File 9-0

4. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to Policy Orders and Awaiting Reports for the New Term. (CM24#4)
pulled by Toner; Rules Suspended 9-0 to bring forward Comm. & Reports #2; Toner says he intends to move to place all Awaiting Report Items on File; Manager explains desire for Council to collaborate and prioritize; McGovern, Sobrinho-Wheeler, Siddiqui, Toner, Nolan, Wilson, Azeem, Pickett, Simmons remarks; Simmons notes need to update City Council Goals which have not changed since 2017, notes difference between goals and policy orders; Toner motion to place Comm & Rpts #2 and all items on Awaiting Report on File Approved 5-4 (BA,MM,JP,PT,DS - Yes; PN,SS,JSW,AW - No); Manager’s Communication #4 referred to Gov’t Operations 9-0

Jan 8, 2024
To the Honorable, the City Council:

I’m excited about the new term and the opportunity to strengthen how we collaborate, communicate, and make decisions for the City of Cambridge. Over the last year, we were able to establish a clear process for conducting a City Manager performance review which was completed on December 18, 2023 at a Special City Council meeting. This was an important step that I embraced and was clearly desired by the Council and our community. I’m grateful for the privilege to serve and I’m hopeful that we can continue to find areas for improvement, particularly where we can increase community trust in our local government.

I recognize that a Council pain point is how we manage policy orders and awaiting reports, and the desire for the City Manager to be more responsive in bringing back information and decisions. There is also a frustration in the community when the Council passes a policy order but there isn’t clarity on whether or when a response will come from the City Manager.

However, the challenge that I have come to appreciate is the volume of requests. I have worked hard to be responsive and I have been in frequent dialogue with the Council to ensure that the most important policy orders are getting a response. But given the scale of work, the need for prioritization is inevitable. While Councilors have expressed a desire for the City to provide quicker answers even if the answer is “no”, these responses often require as much staff time and effort to pull together data, analysis, and justifications.

This is not a new challenge and to bring some data to the conversation, we pulled the last five calendar years of awaiting reports and how many awaiting reports were carried over across the last four two-year Council terms.

Awaiting Reports by Calendar Year

Year	AR Passed by Council	AR Responded to by City Manager	% Responded
2019	159	76	48%
2020	72	56	78%
2021	99	55	56%
2022	85	58	68%
2023	92	58	63%
Average	101	61	60%

Awaiting Reports Carried over by Council Term

Carry Over	Total AR at End of Previous Term	AR Carried Over by Council	% Carried Over
2018-19	60	20	33%
2020-21	97	41	42%
2022-23	76	44	58%
2024-25	96	68	71%

Note: Policy orders cover a range of Council actions (many of which are not directed to the City) averaged ~282 per year for the last five years. Our current tracking system does not link all awaiting reports and responses and this data was matched manually. Improving tracking for awaiting reports is an area for improvement.

In the last five calendar years, the Council has on average passed approximately 100 awaiting reports and the City has on average responded to approximately 60. Not every awaiting report is the same, but the numbers have been consistent. While I’m optimistic that we can provide incrementally more responses, the limiting factor is still time. And dramatically increasing the time spent on policy order and awaiting report responses would detract from all the other work across the City that is also important.

The Council has also been steadily increasing the number of awaiting reports carried forward into each new Council term, growing from 20 (33%) forwarded into the 2018-19 term to 68 (71%) forwarded into the 2024-25 term. If in 2024, the Council passed another 100 awaiting reports, even if the City dropped a lot of existing work and spent twice as much time on responding to awaiting reports, we would still not get through the whole amount!

What is the path forward?

I’m hopeful that if we change our approach together, we can create a system that works for the Council, the City, and our community. On the City side, we could commit to greater transparency, better tracking, and more responsiveness. On the Council side, we would ask for a collective approach to prioritization. More concretely, I would propose:

1. The Council holds on accepting the 68 awaiting reports that have been forwarded. There are important conversations that we should have together first. We are at the beginning of a two-year term - taking 1-2 weeks to start with the right agenda is worthwhile.

2. The Council refers this topic to the Government Operations Committee to have fuller discussion. I recognize that there is more discussion needed with the Council and I believe Government Operations is the right place for this.

3. The Council, with input from the City Manager, develop updated Council Rules that provide guidance and process for policy orders and awaiting reports. Policy Orders are a critical part of the interaction between the Council and City Manager and guidance on passage and response expectations should be addressed in some form.

4. The Council, with input from the City Manager, efficiently works through Council goal setting for the new term. Doing this well can provide a lens for prioritization and will better communicate the work of the Council over this term. The Mayor has also brought this up as an important priority.

I believe that the current policy order state is unsatisfying to all of us and I’m optimistic that we can find a better way of working together. I’m looking forward to discussing this and other important items as we begin this new term.

Very truly yours,
Yi-An Huang
City Manager

ON THE TABLE
1. An application from Nina Quinlan, requesting permission for a curb cut at the premises numbered 63 Sixth Street said petition has received approval from Inspectional Services, Traffic, Parking and Transportation, Historical Commission and Public Works. Response has been received from the neighborhood association. [Charter Right – Nolan, Oct 30, 2023; Tabled Nov 6, 2023] (AP23#55)
Removed from Table (Toner) 9-0; Toner bemoans burden placed on petitioner, additional remarks by Nolan, Pickett, McGovern; Nolan motion to Place Back on Table Fails 2-5-0-2 (PN,JP-Yes; MM,SS,JSW,PT,DS-No; BA,AW-Present); Adopted 7-2 (PN,JP-No)

UNFINISHED BUSINESS
2. Ordinance 2023 #8B Amend Chapter 14.04 – Fair Housing [Passed to 2nd reading Oct 2, 2023; Amended Nov 6, 2023; to remain on Unfinished Business pending legislative approval of Special Act needed prior to ordination] (ORD23-8B)

APPLICATIONS AND PETITIONS
1. An application from Jason Gagnon representing Home Decor Group, requesting permission for a projecting sign at the premises numbered 1149 Cambridge Street approval has been received from Inspectional Services, Department of Public Works, Community Development Department and abutter. (AP24#1)
Adopted 9-0

2. An application from Chahzad Shaefi, requesting permission for a curb cut at the premises numbered 2 Parkway Ter; said petition has received approval from Inspectional Services, Traffic, Parking and Transportation, Historical Commission and Public Works. Response has been received from the neighborhood association. (AP24#2)
Adopted 9-0

COMMUNICATIONS
1. A communication from Alex Hershey regarding pass BEUDO amendment.

2. A communication from Amanda J regarding vote FOR policy order #215 (re: CPD policies).

3. A communication from Amy Pollard regarding Demilitarize the CPD.

4. A communication from Amy Waltz regarding Urging You to Pass the Proposed BEUDO Amendment for New Buildings.

5. A communication from Ana Hurka-Robles regarding 12/18 City Council Meeting Agenda Item CR#1 (re: CPD policies).

6. A communication from Andy Nash regarding Policy Order 215 (re: CPD policies).

7. A communication from Angela Wang regarding Concern with Elbit Systems.

8. A communication from Arthur MacEwan regarding Urging You to Pass the Proposed BEUDO Amendment for New Building.

9. A communication from August Watson regarding 12/18 City Council Meeting Agenda Item CR#1 (re: CPD policies).

10. A communication from Barbara Englesberg regarding Amendment to BEUDO regarding new large buildings.

11. A communication from Betsy J. Sowers regarding Testimony for tonight’s BEUDO Amendment consideration.

12. A communication from Bridget Hanna regarding Please pass BEUDO amendment!!

13. A communication from Carolyn Magid regarding Charter Right #1 on tonight’s agenda (re: CPD policies).

14. A communication from Cassie Hurd regarding 12/18 City Council Meeting Agenda Item CR#1 (re: CPD policies).

15. A communication from Caterina Mainero Urging You to Pass the Proposed BEUDO Amendment for New Buildings.

16. A communication from Cathy Hoffman regarding order on police tonight (12/18) (re: CPD policies).

17. A communication from Celine Berger regarding 12/18 City Council Meeting Agenda Item CR#1 (re: CPD policies).

18. A communication from Charles Dietrick regarding Urging You to Pass the Proposed BEUDO Amendment for New Buildings.

19. A communication from Charles Franklin regarding This Week’s Comments BEUDO and Internet.

20. A communication from Conlan Olson regarding 12/18 City Council Meeting Agenda Item CR#1 (re: CPD policies).

21. A communication from Cynthia Hibbard regarding Please Pass the Proposed BEUDO Amendment for New Buildings.

22. A communication from Daniele Levine regarding BEUDO vote.

23. A communication from Dave Buck regarding Please approve the unfinished BEUDO Amendments.

24. A communication from Dawne Young regarding Freedman.

25. A communication from Diana Smith regarding Urging you to Pass the Proposed BEUDO Amendment for New Buildings.

26. A communication from Diane Martin regarding reach net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2030.

27. A communication from Eleanor Craig regarding Policy Order #215 (re: CPD policies).

28. A communication from Elena Fagotto regarding Another voice supporting the BEUDO amendment.

29. A communication from Elena Fagotto and Bridget Hanna Cambridge Mothers Out Front regarding We Urge You to Pass BEUDO Amendment.

30. A communication from Elka Kuhlman regarding Amendment Support Request (BEUDO).

31. A communication from Ella Condon regarding Elbit Systems.

32. A communication from Emily Mockler regarding Pass the Proposed BEUDO Amendment for New Buildings.

33. A communication from Erica Moore regarding Agenda Item CR#1 Testimony regarding Cambridge Police Department.

34. A communication from Erin Plummer regarding 12/18 City Council Meeting Agenda Item CR#1 (re: CPD policies).

35. A communication from Ethan Frank regarding 12/18/23 Public Comment in support of BEUDO.

36. A communication from Gabriela Romanow regarding BEUDO for new construction.

37. A communication from Gowri Vijayakumar regarding 12/18 City Council Meeting Agenda Item CR#1 (re: CPD policies).

38. A communication from Gracie Brett regarding 12/18 City Council Meeting Agenda Item CR#1 (re: CPD policies).

39. A communication from Graham Turk regarding BEUDO Amendment for New Buildings.

40. A communication from Gwen Trueblood regarding Pressure Elbit Systems (Israel’s largest weapons manufacturer) out of Cambridge.

41. A communication from Hannah Mahoney regarding Urging You to Pass the Proposed BEUDO Amendment for New Buildings.

42. A communication from Hannah Shaby regarding Remove Elbit from Cambridge.

43. A communication from Hope Turner regarding 12/18 City Council Meeting Agenda Item CR#1 (re: CPD policies).

44. A communication from Isabelle Woollacott regarding Public Comment for CR#1 12/18 (re: CPD policies).

45. A communication from Jacqueline Kung regarding 12/18/2023 City Council Meeting Agenda Item CR#1 (re: CPD policies).

46. A communication from James Mahoney regarding Municipal Broadband Considerations.

47. A communication from Jamie L. Frank regarding 12/18 City Council Meeting Agenda Item CR#1 (re: CPD policies).

48. A communication from Jessica Khamarji regarding 12/18 City Council Meeting Agenda Item CR#1 (re: CPD policies).

49. A communication from Jessie Lan regarding 12/18 City Council Meeting Agenda Item CR#1 (re: CPD policies).

50. A communication from Johanna Cockburn regarding Please Pass BEUDO Amendment.

51. A communication from John Bach regarding 12/18 City Council Meeting Agenda Item CR#1 (re: CPD policies).

52. A communication from John Carman regarding Support for Zondervan’s amendment to BEUDO.

53. A communication from John MacDougall regarding BEUDO amendment.

54. A communication from Jonathan Harris regarding Please support New Construction Net Zero Fast Track measure.

55. A communication from Jordan Cooper regarding GET ELBIT SYSTEMS OUT OF CAMBRIDGE.

56. A communication from Judy Hikes regarding BEUDO Amendment.

57. A communication from Judy Somberg regarding Urging You to Pass the Proposed BEUDO Amendment for New Buildings.

58. A communication from Julia MacEwan regarding Please Pass Proposed BEUDO Amendment for New Buildings.

59. A communication from Kathleen Francis regarding 12/18 City Council Meeting Agenda Item CR#1 (re: CPD policies).

60. A communication from Kavya Crasta regarding 12/18 City Council Meeting Agenda Item CR#1 (re: CPD policies).

61. A communication from Kelley Anderson regarding 12/18 City Council Meeting Agenda Item CR#1 (re: CPD policies).

62. A communication from Kelsey Wirth regarding Urging You to Pass the Proposed BEUDO Amendment for New Buildings.

63. A communication from Leah Brill regarding 12/18 City Council Meeting Agenda Item CR1 (re: CPD policies).

64. A communication from Lee Farris regarding Residents Alliance Support for BEUDO 2030 rule.

65. A communication from Lee Farris regarding Support Charter Right #1 (re: CPD policies).

66. A communication from Lida Richardson regarding 12/18 City Council Meeting Agenda Item CR#1 (re: CPD policies).

67. A communication from Liz McNerney regarding Urging You to Pass the Proposed BEUDO Amendment for New Buildings - it is URGENT.

68. A communication from Lois Markham regarding Please pass the proposed BEUDO amendment for new buildings now and regarding 12/18 City Council Meeting Agenda Item: CR#1.

69. A communication from Lorenz Glaser regarding 12/18 City Council Meeting Agenda Item CR#1 (re: CPD policies).

70. A communication from Louise S regarding Elbit Out!

71. A communication from Lowry Hemphill regarding please pass the new construction amendment to BEUDO.

72. A communication from Luca Passamonti regarding Urging you to Pass the Proposed BEUDO Amendment for New Buildings.

73. A communication from Lucy Tramper regarding November 20th Ceasefire Vote.

74. A communication from Madeleine Clarke regarding 12/18 City Council Meeting Agenda Item CR#1 (re: CPD policies).

75. A communication from Maha Alghamdi regarding 12/18 City Council Meeting Agenda Item CR#1 (re: CPD policies).

76. A communication from Margaret Hughes regarding Testimony on CR#1 disarming the Cambridge police.

77. A communication from Margery Davies regarding PLEASE VOTE FOR the Proposed BEUDO Amendment for New Buildings.

78. A communication from Marilyn Frankenstein regarding Please pass Policy Order #215 (re: CPD policies).

79. A communication from Mary Coelho regarding new construction in Cambridge (BEUDO).

80. A communication from Meg Stone regarding Support of Policy Order 215 (re: CPD policies).

81. A communication from Melissa Ludtke regarding Urging the City Council to pass the proposed additional BEUDO amendment.

82. A communication from Mina Reddy regarding Support for Proposed BEUDO Amendment for New Buildings.

83. A communication from Mosammat Faria Afreen regarding Support CR#1 on Dec 18 2023 (re: CPD policies).

84. A communication from Nancy Pendergast regarding BEUDO.

85. A communication from Neva Goodwin regarding Urging You to Pass the Proposed BEUDO Amendment for New Buildings.

86. A communication from Nina Porzucki regarding Please pass the BEUDO amendment for new buildings.

87. A communication from Nithya Badrinath regarding 12/18 City Council Meeting Agenda Item CR#1 (re: CPD policies).

88. A communication from Noah Gibbons-Shapiro regarding November 20th Ceasefire Vote and regarding ELBIT OUT OF CAMBRIDGE NOW.

89. A communication from Noel Jackson regarding 12/18 City Council Meeting Agenda Item CR#1 (re: CPD policies).

90. A communication from Pablo Argueso regarding Please pass the BEUDO amendment.

91. A communication from Payel Islam regarding 12/18 City Council Meeting Agenda Item CR#1 (re: CPD policies).

92. A communication from Perri Sheinbaum regarding 12/18 City Council Meeting Agenda Item CR#1 (re: CPD policies).

93. A communication from Pina Morganti regarding Urging you to Pass the Proposed BEUDO Amendment for New Buildings.

94. A communication from Rachel Davis regarding Urgent request to pass the Proposed BEUDO Amendment for New Buildings.

95. A communication from Roy Russell regarding public comment re: Municipal Broadband and Digital Equity for Dec 18, 2023 City Council meeting.

96. A communication from Sanjana P regarding Please Take Strong Climate Action - Pass the Proposed BEUDO Amendment for New Buildings.

97. A communication from Sarah Schwartz regarding Urging You to Pass the Proposed BEUDO Amendment for New Buildings and regarding Urging you to oppose landmarking 10 Buckingham Street.

98. A communication from Sharon deVos regarding Support BEUDO Amendment.

99. A communication from Stephanie Houten regarding Elbit Systems.

100. A communication from Hannah Brookman regarding Elbit Systems.

101. A communication from Steve Wineman regarding Please support Policy Order #215 (re: CPD policies).

102. A communication from Sue Stafford regarding Urging again Please Pass the Proposed BEUDO Amendment for New Buildings.

103. A communication from Susan Redlich regarding Vote on BEUDO Amendments for New Buildings.

104. A communication from Tamanna Syed regarding 12/18 City Council Meeting Agenda Item CR#1 and regarding Urgent Request/Letter for You - Evict Elbit - Admit Affordable Housing.

105. A communication from Valentina Nardi regarding Urging You to Pass the Proposed BEUDO Amendment for New Buildings.

106. A communication from Vanessa Brewster regarding Elbit Systems

107. A communication from Yael Shiner regarding Elbit systems out of Cambridge.

108. A communication from Young Kim regarding Traffic congestion at Alewife Brook Pkwy Mass Ave at 830am (#12524562).

109. A communication from Andres Medina Carreto regarding November 20th Ceasefire Vote.

110. A communication from Charlie Chbosky regard Elbit Systems.

111. A communication from Ryan regarding Elbit Systems.

112. A communication from Beatrice Espanola regarding Elbit Systems.

113. A communication from Perri Wilson regarding Elbit Systems.

114. A communication from Cynthia regarding Elbit Systems.

115. A communication from Christine Alves regarding Elbit Out of Cambridge.

116. A communication from Christine Alves regarding Elbit Out of Cambridge.

117. A communication from Erica Eustis regarding Elbit Systems.

118. A communication from Cameron Moro regarding Elbit Systems Out of Cambridge.

RESOLUTIONS
1. Condolences on the death of Paul J. Monagle Jr. Councillor Toner

2. Condolences on the death of Eleanor (Fallon) Toner. Councillor Toner
pulled by Toner, adopted

4. Resolution on the death of Tanaia M. Wilkinson. Councillor Nolan
pulled by Nolan, remarks by Nolan, Wilson, adopted

7. Resolution on the death of Linda (Cohen) Brown. Councillor Toner, Councillor Nolan

ORDERS
1. That the City Manager is requested to consult DPW, CDD, IQHQ, Friends of Jerry’s Pond, Alewife Study Group and Mass Audubon about further changes and enhancements to Jerry’s Pond, improvements to the shoreline ecology and other improvements to the current plans for the Rindge Avenue public edge along Jerry’s Pond and investigate funding sources for such plans including the use of City moneys and resources. Councillor Wilson, Councillor Siddiqui, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Vice Mayor McGovern (PO24#1)
pulled early by Toner; remarks by Wilson, McGovern, Siddiqui, Sobrinho-Wheeler, Toner, Nolan, Pickett, Azeem; Deputy City Manager Owen O’Riordan, DPW Commissioner Kathy Watkins respond; Order Fails 4-5 (MM,SS,JSW,AW - Yes; BA,PN,JP,PT,DS - No)

2. That the City Manager is requested to consult with relevant staff to consider using remaining ARPA funding to create a tuition relief opportunity with Lesley University for Cambridge employees and residents. Councillor Siddiqui, Councillor Wilson, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Mayor Simmons (PO24#2)
Order Adopted 9-0

COMMUNICATIONS & REPORTS FROM CITY OFFICERS
1. A communication from Diane LeBlanc, City Clerk, transmitting an update regarding legislative activity. (COF24#1)
Placed on File 9-0

2. A communication from Diane LeBlanc, City Clerk, transmitting pending Awaiting Reports and associated Policy Orders. (COF24#2)
Toner motion to place this and all items on Awaiting Report on File; Placed on File 5-4 (BA,MM,JP,PT,DS - Yes; PN,SS,JSW,AW - No)

3. A communication from Brian Corr Executive Director, Cambridge Peace Commission, Executive Director, Police Review & Advisory Board, transmitting Police Review and Advisory Board Quarterly Reports for 2023 Q2 and Q3. (COF24#3)
pulled by Nolan; Referred to Public Safety Committee 9-0

TEXT OF ORDERS
O-1 Jan 8, 2024
COUNCILLOR WILSON
COUNCILLOR SIDDIQUI
COUNCILLOR SOBRINHO-WHEELER
VICE MAYOR MCGOVERN
WHEREAS: Friends of Jerry’s Pond was selected for $600,000 in ARPA funding in July 2022; and
WHEREAS: The goal of the funding was to study the feasibility of the Friends of Jerry’s Pond “Rindge Avenue Community Greenway Plan” which proposes a partial restoration of the pond’s banks along the Rindge Ave. side, providing space for 150-175 trees, separated bike and pedestrian paths, reduction in heat and air pollution and with compensatory wetlands and flood storage on the southwest corner of the pond where IQHQ will be excavating a large flood storage area; and
WHEREAS: Rindge Avenue includes our City’s largest environmental justice community, and it is a unique opportunity along a major avenue where a three-quarter-acre green-space can be created on new land, bringing people closer to nature under a broad canopy, rather than on constructed boardwalks; and
WHEREAS: IQHQ initiated a process with Alewife Study Group, Friends of Jerry’s Pond, and Mass Audubon to propose a plan that does significantly improve the area; and
WHEREAS: IQHQ has engaged the community and committed to a substantial investment; and
WHEREAS: The Neighborhood and Long-Term Planning Committee held meetings on Sept 27, 2023, and Dec 13, 2023 to discuss future treatment of Jerry’s Pond, specifically the Rindge Avenue edge as it affects the community; and
WHEREAS: The City Council has previously expressed a desire for the City to invest in the space alongside IQHQ, and help improve the plan further; and
WHEREAS: For a project that will impact the area for generations to come, a substantive investment from the city seems worthwhile and prudent; and
WHEREAS: The City has substantially invested in concrete cisterns providing climate resilience; and
WHEREAS: Additional state and federal funds may be available for environmental justice, climate resilience, complete streets and ecological restoration projects; and
WHEREAS: The City has made many relevant statements relating to projects of this nature including the following excerpts from “Envision Cambridge: A plan for the future of the city”:

“Cambridge is … a leader in green infrastructure and resilience planning. The potential effects of climate change are so significant that Cambridge must do everything it can locally to prepare for a resilient future...”

“[A]ir and water quality, tree canopy, and impervious surfaces are unevenly distributed across the city’s neighborhoods. Investments in natural resources and green infrastructure will make Cambridge healthier, more resilient, and overall a better place to live.”

“Vision:
Cambridge is a sustainable city that cultivates its natural systems, limits its greenhouse gas emissions, and is resilient to the impacts of climate change. The City understands connections between energy consumption, stewardship of natural ecologies, mitigation of extreme weather, and the health and wellbeing of its people. Cambridge actively develops green infrastructure, sets smart environmental regulations, and incentivizes private action to create a sustainable environment for all.”

“Goal: Climate Change Preparedness
Protect the lives and livelihoods of the Cambridge community from the impacts of climate change. Cambridge must adapt its current physical and social infrastructure to protect the community — especially its most vulnerable populations—from the risks associated with climate change.”

“Goal: Ecological Protection
Preserve and enhance Cambridge’s biodiversity, open spaces, and habitats. Cambridge must reduce pollution, restore ecosystems, and create a symbiotic relationship between the built and natural systems that comprise Cambridge’s environment.”

“Goal: Environmental Justice
Ensure that all Cambridge residents are protected from environmental impacts and benefit equally from environmental resources. The benefits of a healthy environment should be shared by everyone in Cambridge.”; and

WHEREAS: The completion and leasing of IQHQ’s lab development along Whittemore Ave. and the majority of community benefits in the “commitment area” will be unaffected by a more climate resilient, healthier and more ecologically rich green-space along Rindge Ave.; and
WHEREAS: Without the design study that Friends of Jerry’s Pond proposed, it is difficult to create a new green-space and green infrastructure along Rindge Ave. which lives up to the City’s
aspirations for equity, climate resilience, complete streets and ecological restoration; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to promptly consult with DPW, CDD, IQHQ, Friends of Jerry’s Pond, Alewife Study Group and Mass Audubon about further changes and enhancements to add more tree canopy, green infrastructure, safer and healthier pedestrian and bicycle paths, improvements to the shoreline ecology and other improvements to the current plans for the Rindge Avenue public edge along Jerry’s Pond, to investigate funding sources for such plans including the use of City moneys and resources, and that the City Manager report back to the City Council on this matter expeditiously.

AWAITING REPORT LIST
All items on Awaiting Report Placed on File 5-4 (BA,MM,JP,PT,DS - Yes; PN,SS,JSW,AW - No)
It was noted that any of these items may be brought back fresh via a future policy order.
19-66. Report on whether it is possible to reduce or eliminate Building Permit Fees for 100% affordable housing development projects, through an exemption or other means and investigate what types of real estate tax abatements are possible for 100% affordable housing moving forward.
Vice Mayor Devereux, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Carlone, Vice Mayor McGovern (O-3) from 6/3/2019

20-27. Report on the advantages and disadvantages of continuing with Civil Service, and the process by which Cambridge could exit Civil Service.
Councillor Nolan (O-5) from 6/22/2020

20-60. Report on analyzing eviction data from 2018 through 2021 and come back with a plan on how to use this data to inform our next action steps.
Mayor Siddiqui, Vice Mayor Mallon, Mayor Simmons, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler (O-8) from 11/2/2020

20-72. Report on the condition of 105 Windsor Street and cost estimates of any repairs needed and provide recommendations on how to develop any other underused properties based on an inclusive public process centered in the Port neighborhood.
Councillor Zondervan, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Carlone, Mayor Simmons (Calendar Item #1) from 12/14/2020

21-10. Report on whether or not the City can require written notice be sent to all abutters, both property owners as well as tenants, regarding the scheduling of a hearing regarding the extension of a building permit request to the Planning Board.
Vice Mayor McGovern (O-5) from 2/22/2021

21-46. Report on the feasibility of purchasing properties for sale in the Alewife area to address City goals.
Vice Mayor Mallon, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Carlone (O1) from 6/14/2021

21-50. Report on providing an update on the cost of each license and permit required by businesses, which business license and permit fees are set under state law, which are set by ordinances, and which are determined administratively, as well as which licenses and permits the City has the discretion to waive entirely.
Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Zondervan (O-9) from 6/14/2021

22-23. Report on providing an analysis of the impact of current curb cut policies, including (but not limited to) an explanation of the administration’s current procedures for notifying and conducting outreach to abutters and neighbors, the criteria for evaluating curb cut applications, and an approximation of the number of residential parking spaces that have been lost to new curb cuts each year over at least the last decade.
Councillor Zondervan, Councillor Toner (O-8) from 4/11/2022

22-24. Report on determining what repairs to 205 Western Avenue would be needed to inhabit the space to allow the Cambridge Community Center to house their program.
Vice Mayor Mallon, Vice Mayor McGovern, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Azeem, Councillor Carlone, Mayor Simmons, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Toner, Councillor Zondervan (O-1) from 4/25/2022

22-29. Report on introducing a pilot program to open two of our youth centers during the evening and weekend hours during the summer.
Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor Azeem, Vice Mayor McGovern, Mayor Simmons, Councillor Carlone, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Toner, Councillor Zondervan, Mayor Siddiqui (O-1) from 5/9/2022

22-33. Report on consulting with the Executive Director of the Council on Aging, Somerville and Cambridge Elder Services, and the Executive Director of Cadbury Common to determine the feasibility of re-establishing some form of the Kate’s Café Monthly LGBTQ+ Community Dinners either at Cadbury Common or at another suitable location.
Mayor Simmons, Vice Mayor Mallon, Mayor Siddiqui (O-2) from 5/16/2022

22-36. Work on Implementing Recommendations from Working IDEAL Report.
Mayor Simmons (O-2) from 5/23/2022

22-38. Report on establishing a method of ensuring that anti-bias training is incorporated into the City’s hiring process at all levels.
Mayor Simmons (O-4) from 5/23/2022

22-46. Report on a plan for piloting more street closures for pedestrianization in Harvard Square.
Councillor Nolan, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Carlone, Vice Mayor Mallon (O5) from 6/27/2022

22-49. Report on Establishing a Task Force on Cambridge’s African American/Black Residents.
Mayor Simmons (O-7) from 8/1/2022

22-55. Report on the status of the long-term water projections and on what measures could be taken to conserve water.
Councillor Nolan, Councillor Azeem, Mayor Siddiqui, Vice Mayor Mallon (O14) from 8/1/2022

22-57. Report on Policy Order to investigate shared EV or Hybrid free bus service.
Councillor Toner, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Carlone, Councillor Azeem, Vice Mayor Mallon, Mayor Simmons, Vice Mayor McGovern, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Zondervan (O-16) from 8/1/2022

22-61. Report on communicating to the Cambridge Health Alliance the City Council’s support for the reopening of the Cambridge Birth Center for deliveries as soon as possible and City Council support for the protection of existing birth centers and the creation of new birth centers in Cambridge.
Councillor Nolan, Mayor Siddiqui, Mayor Simmons, Vice Mayor Mallon (O-9) from 9/12/2022

22-64. Report on t detailing how other comparable municipalities handle their street corner dedication processes and on ways to honor those individuals who may not ultimately have a street corner named after them but who nonetheless deserve to have their names and accomplishments recognized.
Mayor Simmons (O-2) from 9/19/2022

22-67. Report on necessary preparations for the next Housing Committee meeting in the discussion on potentially allowing multifamily housing to be built citywide.
Councillor Azeem, Mayor Simmons (O-6) from 9/19/2022

22-69. Report on a community process on the future use of 105 Windsor Street.
Councillor Zondervan, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Carlone (O-11) from 9/19/2022

22-71. Report on convening an advisory group to determine ways in which the City can work to lift up the voices and experiences of the descendants of the Indigenous People who currently reside in our community.
Mayor Simmons, Councillor Azeem, Vice Mayor McGovern, Councillor Toner (O-1) from 10/3/2022

22-73. Report on working with the Law Dept., to automatically provide an initial legal opinion to the City Council and the City Clerk at least three business days in advance of the first Public Hearing on any amendment to the Code of Ordinances formally introduced in the City Council.
Councillor Zondervan, Vice Mayor Mallon, Vice Mayor McGovern (O-7) from 10/3/2022

22-83. Report on determining how the City could adopt G.L. c. 40, sec. 60B, created under the Municipal Modernization Act, which allows cities and towns, through their respective legislative bodies, to provide for Workforce Housing Special Tax Assessments Zones (WH–STA) as an incentive to create middle-income housing.
Mayor Siddiqui, Vice Mayor Mallon, Mayor Simmons, Vice Mayor McGovern (O-16) from 11/21/2022

23-12. Report on options of how to increase overnight resident street parking in the vicinity of Rogers Street.
Councillor Zondervan (O-13) from 2/6/2023

23-16. Report on Police Details and the need for having armed vs. unarmed officers and the possibility of having civilian flaggers.
Councillor Toner, Vice Mayor McGovern, Mayor Simmons, Councillor Carlone (Calendar Item #2) from 2/27/2023

23-17. Report on the feasibility of automated traffic enforcement as well as using unarmed CPD traffic details for future discussion Automated/Unarmed Traffic Enforcement.
Councillor Azeem, Councillor Zondervan, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Carlone, Councillor Nolan (Calendar Item #3) from 2/27/2023

23-18. Report on creating a policy that will ensure the City is notified whenever a high-rise building over six floors experiences elevator failures.
Mayor Simmons (O-1) from 3/6/2023

23-20. Report on the feasibility of providing municipally-funded housing vouchers similar to programs in Somerville and Boston.
Mayor Siddiqui, Vice Mayor Mallon, Vice Mayor McGovern, Mayor Simmons, Councillor Azeem, Councillor Carlone, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Toner, Councillor Zondervan (O-6) from 3/6/2023

23-21. Report on funding the HEART initiative and negotiate a contract for services with HEART, to include but not limited to HEART responding to certain 911 calls.
Councillor Zondervan, Councillor Azeem, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Nolan (Calendar Item #1) from 3/20/2023

23-25. Report on developing a three-year plan to expand and improve After School Care.
Vice Mayor McGovern, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Azeem, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor Carlone, Mayor Simmons, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Toner, Councillor Zondervan (O-4) from 4/3/2023

23-28. Report on bringing together a working group to conduct outreach through neighborhood groups including the Fresh Pond Residents Alliance, and any other nearby neighborhood groups and city departments, in order to discuss and review options for use of the BB&N Field.
Councillor Nolan, Vice Mayor Mallon, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Carlone (O4) from 4/24/2023

23-30. Report on working with DPW and relevant City departments and the Committee on Public Planting to consider ideas proposed during the Health and Environment Committee meeting on Apr 25, 2023, and to prepare a brief report outlining action items within the City’s UFMP which can be implemented as soon as this year and develop recommendations to update regulations regarding native species planting practices in light of climate change affecting the species that should be planted in the City.
Councillor Nolan, Councillor Zondervan, Councillor Carlone, Councillor Azeem (O-5) from 5/1/2023

23-34. Report on funding and implementing the grant proposal submitted to DOE GTO to design and implement a community-scale geothermal heating and cooling system in Cambridge.
Councillor Nolan, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Zondervan, Councillor Azeem, Councillor Carlone, Vice Mayor Mallon, Mayor Simmons, Vice Mayor McGovern, Councillor Toner (O-2) from 5/15/2023

23-36. Report on the goal of lowering the speed limit as much as possible on all state highways that fall within Cambridge’s geographic boundaries.
Councillor Zondervan, Mayor Siddiqui, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor Carlone (O-4) from 5/15/2023

23-41. Report on a new phone number and email address for Inclusionary Tenants to utilize for complaints and emergency issues as they arise.
Mayor Simmons (O-1) from 6/5/2023

23-43. Report on whether the Fire Department, the Police Department, Emergency Communications Department, Traffic, Parking and Transportation Department, the Department of Public Works and the Harvard Square Business Association determine that permanent automatic bollards are feasible in the area of Winthrop Street.
Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor Nolan (O-10) from 6/5/2023

23-44. Report on the legal opinion on whether the city could, without violating state law, use traffic cameras, regulated under the Surveillance Ordinance, to inform motorists of potential traffic violations or dangerous actions, without issuing any citations or formal warnings.
Councillor Zondervan, Councillor Azeem, Councillor Carlone (O-12) from 6/5/2023

23-45. Report on the issuing of an RFP calling for an agency that will lead the City through a community process with all stakeholders that will include community education, feedback, location possibilities, and potential legal issues as it relates to Overdose Prevention Centers.
Vice Mayor McGovern, Councillor Zondervan, Vice Mayor Mallon (O-2) from 6/26/2023

23-46. Report on the coordination between relevant departments, local business associations, and local businesses to communicate to all retail businesses operating in Cambridge to encourage them to keep doors closed when operating cooling systems and inform them of other energy saving tools.
Councillor Nolan, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Zondervan (O-4) from 6/26/2023

23-48. Report back on the Department of Veterans Services and the Traffic, Parking, and Transportation Department’s determination of how and where it would be most appropriate to establish signs along the City’s borders proclaiming Cambridge to be a Purple Heart City.
Mayor Simmons (O-2) from 8/7/2023

23-50. Report on the review of the opportunity to work with MIT leadership and their staff to meet the requirement of planting at least the required 1,000 caliper inches-worth of trees in the very much underplanted Area 2 (main campus) as soon as possible.
Councillor Carlone, Councillor Zondervan, Councillor Nolan, Mayor Siddiqui (O-4) from 8/7/2023

23-51. Report on the review of existing policies and guidelines on project designs and reviews to determine whether there are opportunities to minimize new or additional pavement and encourage using permeable surfaces in public and private construction throughout the city.
Councillor Nolan, Councillor Zondervan, Councillor Carlone, Councillor Azeem (O-6) from 8/7/2023

23-52. Report on the Across Sidewalk Electric Vehicle Charging (EV) Permit Pilot Program and the removal of the $200 permit fee associated with the pilot program.
Councillor Nolan, Vice Mayor McGovern (O-14) from 8/7/2023

23-53. Report on the consultation with relevant departments on the enhanced communication strategy to inform residents about the implementation of the Cycling Safety Ordinance.
Councillor Carlone, Vice Mayor McGovern, Councillor Nolan (O-13) from 8/7/2023

23-54. Report on coordination between the Law Department and CPD to report to the City Council all outstanding and recent (last 5 fiscal years: FY’23,’22,’21,’20,’19) lawsuits involving the CPD or individual members of CPD that the City is expending or has expended resources on, including an estimate of how much has been spent on these lawsuits to date in FY24.
Councillor Zondervan (Calendar Item #1) from 9/11/2023

23-55. Report on work done with relevant departments and agencies to design and implement a pilot program providing subsidized, on-demand transit to low-income residents, people with disabilities and seniors, with the goal of expanding the program to service the region in ways that supplement the MBTA system via fare-free, on-demand transit for everyone.
Councillor Zondervan, Councillor Azeem, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor Carlone, Mayor Simmons, Vice Mayor McGovern, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Toner, Mayor Siddiqui (Calendar Item #2) from 9/11/2023

23-56. Report on the establishment and implementation of a regular maintenance schedule for tree wells, bump outs, crosswalks, and other pedestrian areas to prevent overgrowth and ensure consistent upkeep.
Mayor Simmons (Calendar Item #3) from 9/11/2023

23-58. Report on a report on the use of short-term rentals in Cambridge including numbers of registered units and how that compares to public listings, data on usage, whether the City can have access to data from rental services and state agencies, and whether the city needs additional ordinance language to improve enforcement.
Councillor Azeem, Councillor Nolan, Mayor Siddiqui (O-7) from 9/11/2023

23-60. Report on meetings with Governor Healey, DCR Commissioner Arrigo and Secretary Rebecca Tepper that discussed resuming Saturday closures to traffic this summer and mitigating the traffic impacts, including by making potential traffic signal adjustments.
Councillor Zondervan (O-16) from 8/7/2023

23-68. Report on the feasibility of erecting a covered bus shelter in the immediate vicinity of 15 Lambert Street.
Mayor Simmons, Vice Mayor McGovern (O-5) from 10/2/2023

23-69. Report on the identified ways these institutions can do more to provide affordable housing development within/near the city, whether by providing additional funds to the Affordable Housing Trust or by developing affordable/mixed-income housing, commensurate with the means of each institution, and specifically to work with the academic institutions on plans to provide on-campus housing to significantly more graduate students and to lower-income staff.
Councillor Carlone, Vice Mayor McGovern, Councillor Nolan, Mayor Siddiqui (O-8) from 10/2/2023

23-71. Report on the thorough assessment regarding the feasibility, costs, and benefits of replacing the existing community notice boards on the front lawn of City Hall with one or two digital signs.
Mayor Simmons, Councillor Toner (O-4) from 10/16/2023

23-73. Report on the creation of a dedicated page on the City of Cambridge’s website listing all community-based organizations providing services in The Port neighborhood.
Mayor Simmons, Councillor Toner (O-6) from 10/16/2023

23-78. Report on the feasibility of adding outdoor fitness areas near Rindge Field, St. Peter’s Field and other parks throughout the City.
Councillor Azeem, Vice Mayor McGovern, Councillor Toner (O-1) from 10/30/2023

23-79. Report on possible solutions and mitigations regarding the immediate parking concerns for the residents in and around Clifton Place during the construction of Jefferson Park Apartments.
Mayor Simmons, Councillor Toner (O-2) from 10/30/2023

23-80. Report on the assessment, repavement, and repair the stretch of sidewalk between Rivermark Apartments and the River Street Walgreen’s.
Mayor Simmons (O-4) from 10/30/2023

23-81. Report on possible base zoning changes for a new residential use that has a first-floor mixed-use option or other zoning alternative, to review the city’s permit policy for extending construction hours/days & propose changes that more significantly protect residents’ quality of life, and to work with the Department of Public Health to look at ways the City’s board of health, under the Nuisance Law, might further restrict undue noise.
Councillor Carlone, Councillor Nolan, Mayor Siddiqui (O-5) from 10/30/2023

23-83. Report on a list of recommendations to reduce the use of miniature liquor bottles.
Councillor Nolan (O-7) from 10/30/2023

23-84. Report on the process of banning various single-use plastics in line with the discussion during the Health and Environment Committee meeting and actions by the state and by various municipalities.
Councillor Nolan, Councillor Zondervan (O-8) from 10/30/2023

23-85. Report on a meeting with residents of the neighborhood and action plan to improve safety on Clinton Street and reduce speeding vehicles.
Councillor Nolan (O-9) from 10/30/2023

23-86. Report on the efficacy of establishing a dual reporting system for the Director of Public Health, the process by which the City could establish by ordinance a Commissioner of Public Health who would report directly to the City Manager, and the reestablishment of a Health Policy Board.
Councillor Nolan, Vice Mayor Mallon (Calendar Item #2) from 11/7/2023

23-87. Report on the Commonwealth’s recommendations from the Separated Bike Lane document, especially for all squares and along small business districts, schools, and key park entries, and with a focus also on the integration of pedestrian and biking infrastructure.
Councillor Carlone (O-1) from 11/6/2023

23-91. Report back by March 2024 on the review and results of Somerville’s pilot program and make a recommendation on whether the City should develop a similar pilot program in Cambridge.
Councillor Nolan, Councillor Azeem, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor Carlone (O-2) from 11/20/2023

23-92. Report back by Dec 18, 2023 on the work with city departments and state and federal regulators to establish an orderly testing and deployment strategy for Full Self Driving on Cambridge roads.
Councillor Zondervan (O-1) from 12/4/2023