3. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to the appointment of Assistant City Manager for Fiscal Affairs & Public Investments David J. Kale as a member of the Cambridge Health Alliance Board of Trustees, effective Jan 10, 2022. (CM22#3)
Placed on File 9-0

Jan 10, 2022
To the Honorable, the City Council:

I am hereby transmitting notice of my appointment of Assistant City Manager for Fiscal Affairs & Public Investments David J. Kale as a member of the Cambridge Health Alliance Board of Trustees, effective Jan 10, 2022. Pursuant to my authority under Chapter 147 of the Acts of 1996, Section 4, which is the special act that created the Cambridge Public Health Commission, I am appointing Mr. Kale to take my place on the Board as my representative, to fill one of the two required City employee positions. I have served as a member of this Board since being appointed by former City Manager Robert Healy in 2003 as his representative. The other City employee who holds a position as my representative is Assistant City Manager for Human Services Ellen Semonoff.

Very truly yours,
Louis A. DePasquale
City Manager

4. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to approval of new appointments and reappointments of members of the Peace Commission for a term of three years. New Appointments: Kaleb Abebe, Annie Brown, Sarah DeMott, Yasmine Hung, Bonnie Talbert; Reappointments: Kazimiera I.H. Fraley, Larry Kim, Elka Kuhlman, David Seeman (CM22#4)
Placed on File 9-0

Jan 10, 2022
To the Honorable, the City Council:

I am hereby transmitting the following persons for your approval for appointment or reappointment as members of the Cambridge Peace Commission for a term of three years, which transmission shall also serve as the required filing with the City Clerk:

New Appointments

Kaleb Abebe
Kaleb Abebe is an IT professional who has focused his work on supporting educational institutions, including the Cambridge Public Schools and MIT, among others. He has lived in Cambridge off and on since coming to the United States in 1999 and has now made it his home. Mr. Abebe has volunteered on the conflict resolution subcommittee. He resides in East Cambridge.

Annie Brown
Annie Brown is currently Program Director for the WPS College Transition Program, a six-week summer program designed to help first-generation students successfully and confidently navigate the transition to college and beyond. A graduate of King Open and CRLS, she went on to teach at CRLS, has worked at the Cambridge Community Center, and volunteered at the Cambridge Women’s Center and the Friday Café. In addition to her teaching certification, Ms. Brown is a facilitator with the National SEED (Seeking Educational Equity & Diversity) Project, a trained AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) Teacher and has been trained in Circle Facilitation/Restorative Justice at Suffolk University. She resides in Cambridgeport.

Sarah DeMott
Sarah DeMott is a research librarian and public historian, currently working at the Widener Library at Harvard University supporting collections in Judaica and the Middle East. With a passion for collaboration and community building, she established Harvard’s "Anti-Black Racism Book and Film Series" in partnership with community activists, hosting social-justice community discussions focused on ways that Martin Luther King Jr. vision of a "beloved community" can address the contemporary moment that are virtual, open access and welcome to all. She resides in North Cambridge.

Yasmine Hung
Yasmine Hung is a multicultural, bilingual, public health professional who works as Youth Substance Use Prevention Program Manager for the Healthy Chelsea Coalition at the MGH Center for Equity & Community Health. Ms. Hung came to the U.S. in 2006, became a citizen ten years ago, and has lived in Cambridge for eight years. She resides in the Strawberry Hill neighborhood.

Bonnie Talbert
Bonnie Talbert has lived and worked in Cambridge since 2009. She is currently the Associate Director of Studies for first- and second-year undergraduates and is a Lecturer on Social Studies at Harvard. She recently completed an 18-month certification process in Restorative Justice Facilitation and Leadership through the University of San Diego. Ms. Talbert serves on Harvard's Committee on Public Service, where she ran a collective art-making project for first year students to help them feel connected to the community. She resides in the Avon Hill neighborhood.

Reappointments

Kazimiera I.H. Fraley
Kazimiera Fraley has served as the minister of the Cambridge Church of the Nazarene since 2009, where she pastors a multicultural congregation. She works with the Cambridge Black Pastors Association as a white ally and is committed to fostering positive relationships in this fractious time. She has also been a member of Cambridge’s Participatory Budgeting Committee. She has served on the Peace Commission since 2017 and resides in East Cambridge.

Larry Kim
Larry Kim has served as co-chair of the Commission since 2014 and has lived, studied, and worked in Cambridge for the past 16 years. A graduate of Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary in Roxbury and Harvard University, he is the pastor of Central Square Church. He has served on the Peace Commission since 2011, also serves as a chaplain to the Cambridge Police Department and has a special passion for working with at-risk young men. He lives in North Cambridge adjacent to Danehy Park.

Elka Kuhlman
Elka Kuhlman has served as co-chair of the Commission since 2018. Ms. Kuhlman works for the Newton Public Schools as a math curriculum coach where her focus is on equity and collaboration. She has volunteered at a local food pantry for over 25 years. She served a term on the Pedestrian Committee. She has served on the Peace Commission since 2017 and resides in the Brickyards area of Neighborhood Nine.

David Seeman
David Seeman retired in 2016 from full-time work at Boston University after serving as a psychological counselor for students and continues to work as an adjunct professor at Lesley University. He has spent a career supporting young people in dealing with challenges, navigating the world, and helping them to understand and embrace diversity, while understanding the impacts of inequality and injustice on individuals and communities. He has served on the Peace Commission since 2017, has lived in Cambridge for more than 25 years and resides in the Taylor Square area of Neighborhood Nine.

Very truly yours,
Louis A. DePasquale
City Manager

CHARTER RIGHT
1. That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to appoint a 20-25 person Cycling Safety Ordinance Implementation Advisory Committee to advise and improve upon the implementation of the citywide bicycle safety infrastructure and to establish recommendations on mitigating any concerns raised in regard to this infrastructure, with the appointments to be announced no later than Jan 31, 2022. [Charter Right – Zondervan, Dec 20, 2021] (PO21#276)
Order Adopted as Amended 9-0

O-1     Dec 20, 2021  Charter Right - Zondervan
COUNCILLOR SIMMONS
COUNCILLOR TOOMEY
WHEREAS: In the more than two years since the City Council first adopted the Cycling Safety Ordinance, it has become apparent that there is a need for a mechanism through which the public can register their thoughts, ideas, and concerns about the new bicycle safety infrastructure, and through which the City can utilize this feedback to improve upon how this process is being conducted; and
WHEREAS: To that end, it would be wise to ask the City Manager to convene a standing Citizen’s Advisory Committee, similar to the “Implementation Advisory Committee” that was established when the City enacted the 2003 ban on smoking in restaurants, to bring together a panel of representative stakeholders to review, assess, and make recommendations on the feedback received from the public on this matter; and
WHEREAS: Such a committee could be comprised of two members from the Bicycling Committee, two members from the Pedestrian Committee, two members from the Small Business Community, two members from the Senior Community, two members from the Interfaith Community, two members from the Disability Commission, and so forth, to ensure that all the major stakeholders have an equal voice in receiving and reviewing concerns and making recommendations to mitigate these concerns, and to strengthen the City’s implementation of the bicycle safety infrastructure; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to appoint a 20-25 person Cycling Safety Ordinance Implementation Advisory Committee to advise and improve upon the implementation of the citywide bicycle safety infrastructure and to establish recommendations on mitigating any concerns raised in regard to this infrastructure, with the appointments to be announced no later than January 31, 2022.

Amended O-1     Dec 20, 2021  Adopted 9-0 as Amended by SS,AM,MM on Jan 10, 2022
COUNCILLOR SIMMONS
COUNCILLOR TOOMEY
WHEREAS: In the more than two years since the City Council first adopted the Cycling Safety Ordinance, it has become apparent that there is a need to improve the process for notifying residents and businesses in a more timely manner of forthcoming changes to Cambridge’s transit and road infrastructure, and for a mechanism through which the public can register their thoughts, ideas, and concerns about the new bicycle safety infrastructure, and through which the City can utilize this feedback to improve upon how this process is being conducted; and
WHEREAS: To that end, it would be wise to ask the City Manager to convene a standing Citizen’s Advisory Committee to provide pre-implementation input and post implementation feedback; and
WHEREAS: There are already many existing boards and commissions made up of Cambridge residents who hold relevant expertise to review plans and offer improvements, including the Pedestrian Committee, the Council on Aging, the Transit Advisory Committee, the Vision Zero Advisory Committee, the Commission for Persons with Disabilities Advisory Board, the Bicycle Committee, the Small Business Advisory Committee, the Interfaith Community, and others who could all be asked to participate to ensure that all the major stakeholders have an equal voice in receiving and reviewing concerns and making recommendations to mitigate these concerns, and to strengthen the City’s implementation of the bicycle safety infrastructure; and
WHEREAS: On December 6th, 2021, the City Council requested that:

ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to confer with appropriate departments on what the standard public process will be prior to implementing new sections of bike lanes consistent with the Cycling Safety Ordinance, and what general evaluation process will take place post-installation, and to report back to the City Council on these matters.
ORDERED: That the City Manager report back to the City Council on these matters by January 31, 2022;

now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to report back on the feasibility of convening a Cycling Safety Ordinance Implementation Advisory Committee of the preexisting committees mentioned above to advise and improve upon the implementation of the citywide bicycle safety infrastructure, and report back to the City Council along with the expected standard process report on January 31, 2022; and be it further
ORDERED: That the City Council go on record reaffirming its commitment to a citywide network of protected bicycle lanes on the timelines described in the Cycling Safety Ordinance.

2. That the City Manager is requested to convene meetings between his office, the Director of the Traffic, Parking, and Transportation Department, and with the heads of the Neighborhood Business Associations, with the Neighborhood Associations, and within each of the Cambridge Housing Authority’s senior buildings, to ensure that these stakeholders are given the opportunity to collaborate on devising new plans that will inform the City’s approach going forward in establishing citywide bicycle-safety infrastructure that works for bicyclists, motorists, pedestrians, seniors, those with mobility impediments, the local business community, and all our residents. [Charter Right – Zondervan, Dec 20, 2021] (PO21#277)
Order Adopted as Amended by Substitution 9-0

O-2     Dec 20, 2021  Charter Right - Zondervan
COUNCILLOR SIMMONS
COUNCILLOR TOOMEY
WHEREAS: In recent months, Cambridge residents – primarily senior citizens and those with mobility impediments – as well as representatives of the local small business community have grown increasingly vocal in citing significant concerns about how the City has gone about erecting 25 miles of protected bicycle infrastructure; and
WHEREAS: The concerns from seniors have largely focused upon the loss of parking spaces near their homes, which has led to numerous cancelations from visiting home health aides who have been unable to find nearby parking spots, as well as the loss of parking spaces near local businesses and medical offices, which creates a significant barrier to patronizing these establishments and offices by those unable to walk more than very short distances; and
WHEREAS: The concerns cited by small businesses include: lamenting the loss of critical loading zones near their establishments, the loss of parking spaces which is creating a hardship for some employees, and the loss of metered parking which is creating new barriers to potential patronage of these establishments (most of which are already desperately struggling to survive the worst fiscal impacts of the pandemic); and
WHEREAS: Those reaching out to the City Council have not suggested that the City should reverse course and abandon plans to make our roadways safer for bicyclists – rather, they are urging that the City reconsider how it goes about this process, and that the City abandon the “break it now/fix it later” approach that appears to have been taken; and
WHEREAS: The requirements and timelines laid out in the 2020 amendments to the Cycling Safety Ordinance state that the City must erect 25 miles of interconnected bicycle infrastructure in the coming years – yet nowhere in those requirements is it stated that this infrastructure must remove parking or potentially come at the expense of those who rely upon motor vehicles to move about the city and patronize our local businesses; and
WHEREAS: The method of implementing this critically necessary bicycle-safety infrastructure was a choice made by the Traffic, Parking, and Transportation Department, and it is becoming evident that this particular choice placed expedience above the kind of methodical, holistic planning that is required to ensure that in solving one problem, the City does not inadvertently create two new ones; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to direct the Traffic, Parking, and Transportation Department to prepare a formal response to the above-cited concerns raised by local senior citizens and local business owners outlining how the City can and will thoughtfully address these concerns in the already impacted areas of the city and all new areas going forward; and be it further
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to convene meetings between his office, the Director of the Traffic, Parking, and Transportation Department, and with the heads of the Neighborhood Business Associations, with the Neighborhood Associations, and within each of the Cambridge Housing Authority’s senior buildings, to ensure that these stakeholders are given the opportunity to collaborate on devising new plans that will inform the City’s approach going forward in establishing citywide bicycle-safety infrastructure that works for bicyclists, motorists, pedestrians, seniors, those with mobility impediments, the local business community, and all our residents; and be it further
ORDERED: That the City Council go on record reaffirming its commitment to the creation of an interconnected citywide bicycle-safety infrastructure, while recognizing that a new approach is needed to ensure that this infrastructure is implemented in such a way that does not result in the significant loss of the parking spaces that provide a lifeline to both our senior residents and to our local business community; and be it further
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to report back to the City Council on this matter no later than January 31, 2022.

O-2     Dec 20, 2021  Adopted 9-0 as Amended by Substitution by SS,AM,MM on Jan 10, 2022
COUNCILLOR SIMMONS
COUNCILLOR TOOMEY
WHEREAS: In recent months, North Cambridge residents, small businesses and other stakeholders have raised significant concerns about the impact of the recent implementation of protected bicycle infrastructure and priority bus lanes; and
WHEREAS: The concerns have focused upon the loss of available parking spaces near their homes, local businesses and medical offices; and
WHEREAS: Based on feedback that was heard during meetings with northern Massachusetts Ave residents, business owners and stakeholders, there are several approaches that could address concerns of certain aspects of the bike and bus lane implementation along Massachusetts Ave., north of Dudley St., that have not yet been implemented; and
WHEREAS: Many residents, small business and stakeholders have offered solutions to these concerns, including adding directional signage to indicate metered parking on side streets, longer parking periods on some blocks, currently limited to 15 minutes, and others; and
WHEREAS: These solutions should be considered and communicated to the public on a possible implementation schedule, or their infeasibility, in a timely manner; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to convene a meeting between the Traffic and Parking Department, the Department of Public Works, the Fire Department and any other relevant department to meet with the impacted residents and businesses on northern Massachusetts Avenue to discuss their ideas and suggestions for addressing their concerns, and others that have been put forward; and
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to direct the Traffic, Parking, and Transportation Department to prepare a formal response on the feasibility of implementing the above-mentioned strategies; and be it further
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to report back to the City Council on these matters as soon as possible.

3. Thanks to Peter Daly for his tremendous work as Executive Director of Homeowners Rehab, Inc., over the past 33 years, and in wishing him the very best as he looks to pursue his next exciting chapter.   Councillor Simmons, Mayor Siddiqui

R-3     Jan 10, 2022
COUNCILLOR SIMMONS
MAYOR SIDDIQUI

WHEREAS: On Jan 4, 2022, Peter Daly announced that he shall be stepping down from his position at Executive Director of Homeowners Rehab, Inc., (HRI)/Cambridge Neighborhood Apartment Housing Services, Inc. after 33 years of service; and

WHEREAS: During his tenure at the helm of HRI, Peter Daly advocated for affordable housing in Cambridge and throughout Massachusetts, and his work led to the creation and maintenance of over 1,700 affordable housing units through both rehab and new construction; and

WHEREAS: Peter Daly’s involvement in community development began in 1979, when he started at a CDC running first a Home Improvement Program and later a first-time homebuyer program (both for lower income households) before he went on to become the initial Program Coordinator for CNAHS in 1983, creating and operating a program that secured conventional rehab loans for rent controlled properties in Cambridge; and

WHEREAS: In 1988, Peter Daly became Executive Director of HRI/CNAHS, leading the effort to significantly expand the organization’s rental portfolio from 17 to over 1,700 apartments, and these projects have included new construction, rehab projects, and 40T expiring use developments, and all of these have contained a strong green overlay and robust resident service programs; and

WHEREAS: Peter Daly has also served on multiple boards and committees at the local, state, and national levels, he has served as an invaluable partner to City leaders working to preserve the affordability and socio-economic diversity of this community, and his work has positively impacted the lives of thousands of Cambridge residents, and it shall continue to reverberate in this community for generations to come; now therefore be it

RESOLVED: That the City Council go on record thanking Peter Daly for his tremendous work as Executive Director of Homeowners Rehab, Inc., over the past 33 years, and in wishing him the very best as he looks to pursue his next exciting chapter; and be it further

RESOLVED: That the City Clerk be and hereby is requested to forward a suitably engrossed copy of this resolution to Peter Daly on behalf of the entire City Council.

5. Resolution on the death of Janet Axelrod.   Councillor Nolan, Mayor Siddiqui

R-5     Jan 10, 2022
COUNCILLOR NOLAN
MAYOR SIDDIQUI

WHEREAS: The City Council is saddened to learn of the death of Cambridge resident Janet Axelrod, who passed away on Dec 26, 2021, after a long courageous battle with cancer; and

WHEREAS: Throughout her life of activism, caring, and impact, friends and colleagues appreciated and valued her wise counsel, her steadfast commitment to integrity, her trenchant analysis of issues and situations, using words like “fearless,” “supportive,” “awesome,” “profound,” “deep,” “powerful,” and “no-nonsense” to describe her, all the while Janet was someone who enjoyed life, invoked laughter, and greeted all with a smile; and

WHEREAS: Janet exhibited a lifelong commitment to social justice, culminating in her service on the Board of Grassroots International, a non-profit dedicated to funding social movements for global change, and worked for many other social, racial, and economic justice-oriented groups and causes; and

WHEREAS: She was extraordinarily progressive from her first jobs, including work at the startup Lotus where she established one of the country’s first human resources policies protecting the rights of LGBTQ employees; and

WHEREAS: Janet also co-founded South Africa Partners, an organization dedicated to providing equitable access to healthcare and education in South Africa, and worked at the progressive Haymarket fund in an early foreshadowing of what became a lifelong commitment to justice, equity, racial reckoning, economic opportunity, and disruptive social change; and

WHEREAS: Janet also showed tremendous service to the City of Cambridge, advising countless organizations and working for many years on behalf of the Cambridge Public Library, through a strategic plan, and spearheading efforts to re-invent the main library with a major reconstruction project and eventually chairing the board; and

WHEREAS: Janet will be sorely missed by all, especially her partner and spouse Tim Plenk who was a stalwart activist in Cambridge Public Schools for decades; her children Eli and Stella Plenk who carry on her spirit in their own actions to better the world and insist on just, righteous action, her siblings; and a large network of other family, friends, and colleagues in Cambridge and beyond (with special note of Sheboom, a drumming group which brought Janet joy and love); now therefore be it

RESOLVED: That the City Council go on record extending its deepest sympathy to Janet’s family and friends at this time of loss; and be it further

RESOLVED: That the City Clerk be and hereby is requested to forward a suitably engrossed copy of this resolution to her family on behalf of the entire City Council.

---

Maria McCauley, Director of Libraries:

Jan 9, 2022

Dear Patrons,

I hope your new year is off to a promising beginning.

It is with sorrow that I write today. One of our longstanding Library champions, Janet Axelrod, passed away on December 26. Janet was the chair of the Board of Library Trustees. She was also one of the founders of the Cambridge Public Library Foundation. Janet was the very best board chair. She cared deeply about accessible library services, the freedom to read, and the privacy rights of users. She understood the complexities of a public library. She was committed to social justice, civil rights, and equity and inclusion work, and she greatly appreciated the staff of the Library and its volunteers.

Janet was first appointed to the Board in 1994. In September 1999, she was elected chair of the Board and in that capacity not only led the Board but also served as a thoughtful adviser to the Director of Libraries. I was honored to serve with Janet and to call her my friend. Rest in peace, dear Janet.

A thoughtful colleague reminded me that sorrow and joy are inextricably linked, including in life and death. I think if I had asked Janet about this, she would have agreed and said to make sure we celebrated the natural beauty in all of it as well.

---

7. Resolution on the death of legal scholar, civil rights champion, and Cambridge resident Lani Guinier on January 7, 2022 at the age of 71.   Councillor Simmons

R-7     Jan 10, 2022
COUNCILLOR SIMMONS

WHEREAS: The City Council was deeply saddened to learn of the passing of legal scholar, civil rights champion, and Cambridge resident Lani Guinier on January 7, 2022 at the age of 71; and

WHEREAS: Lani Guinier achieved so much during her lifetime, including becoming the first woman of color appointed to a tenured professorship at the Bennett Boskey Professor of Law at Harvard Law School, being nominated by President Bill Clinton to serve as United States Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights in 1993, and tirelessly working to create a fairer, more equal, more inclusive country; and

WHEREAS: The Boston Globe recently characterized Lani Guinier as “…an attorney and scholar who envisioned creative ways to make elective politics and admission to top universities more welcoming and inclusive,” and this succinctly captures her life’s work and legacy, which shall continue to yield positive ripple effects for generations to come; now therefore be it

RESOLVED: That the City Council formally go on record in expressing its deepest condolences to the family of Lani Guinier for their tremendous loss; and be it further

RESOLVED: That the City Clerk be and hereby is requested to forward a suitably engrossed copy of this resolution to the family of Lani Guinier on behalf of the entire City Council.

3. A communication was received from Councillor Mayor Siddiqui, announcing the formal 2022-2023 appointments to the City Council Committees. (COF22#3)
Placed on File 9-0

City Council subcommittees for 2022-2023

Committee	Members
Ordinance	McGovern(Co-Chair), Zondervan (Co-Chair), Azeem, Carlone, Mallon, Nolan, Siddiqui, Simmons, Toner (committee of the whole - mayor ex-officio, quorum 5)
Finance	Carlone (Co-Chair), Nolan (Co-Chair), Azeem, Mallon, McGovern, Siddiqui, Simmons, Toner, Zondervan (committee of the whole - mayor ex-officio, quorum 5)
Government Operations, Rules, and Claims	Mallon (Chair), Carlone, Nolan, Simmons, Toner (5 members, quorum 3)
Housing	Simmons (Co-Chair), Azeem, Carlone, Mallon, McGovern (5 members, quorum 3)
Economic Development and University Relations	Toner (Chair), Azeem, Mallon, Nolan, Zondervan (5 members, quorum 3)
Human Services & Veterans	McGovern (Chair), Azeem, Mallon, Toner, Zondervan (5 members, quorum 3
Health & Environment	Nolan (Chair), Azeem, Carlone, McGovern, Zondervan (5 members, quorum 3)
Neighborhood and Long Term Planning, Public Facilities, Art, and Celebrations	Carlone (Chair), Mallon, McGovern, Nolan, Zondervan (5 members, quorum 3)
Transportation & Public Utilities	Azeem (Chair), McGovern, Nolan, Toner, Zondervan (5 members, quorum 3)
Civic Unity	Simmons (Chair), Carlone, Mallon, Toner, Zondervan (5 members, quorum 3)
Public Safety	Zondervan (Chair), Azeem, McGovern, Nolan, Toner (5 members, quorum 3)

The Mayor shall serve as ex-officio member of all committees of the City Council.

4. A communication was received from Councillor Simmons, transmitting a memorandum regarding an update on the City Manager Search Process. (COF22#4)
Placed on File 9-0

Re: Update on the City Manager Search Process

Dear Mr. Wilson:

I am submitting this letter as a late communication for inclusion on the January 10, 2022 City Council meeting agenda. This letter is meant to inform my colleagues on the City Council and the public that last month, Naomie Stephen, Executive Secretary to the City Council, was appointed to serve as the City’s liaison with Randi Frank Consulting, LLC. as the process for choosing our next city manager gets underway. Ms. Stephen and representatives of Randi Frank Consulting, LLC., shall be looking to meet in the coming days to flesh out a timetable for determining what the next steps in this process shall be, and I anticipate that further updates will be made in the Government Operations committee once those discussions have taken place. I thank my colleagues for their attention to and consideration of this matter.

Sincerely,
City Councillor E. Denise Simmons

TEXT OF ORDERS
O-1     Jan 10, 2022
COUNCILLOR SIMMONS
COUNCILLOR TONER
WHEREAS: As of January 2022, the City of Cambridge continues grappling with the rapid spread of the Covid-19 virus, and particularly with the extremely contagious strand known as Omicron; and
WHEREAS: While early reports suggest that the Omicron variant may be slightly milder than past strains, and while a significant majority of Cambridge residents have received at least one of their vaccination shots, we know that this illness could still be quite dangerous to the elderly and those with compromised immune systems, and it is critical that every member of this community do their part to slow the spread of this virus; and
WHEREAS: A key part of that effort is for individuals to remain vigilant in knowing whether or not they are infected, so that they can isolate themselves during their period of contagiousness – yet even with the City’s efforts to increase testing options to seven days a week, widespread reports of excessively long lines at testing locations and difficulties making testing appointments are unquestionably hampering this process; and
WHEREAS: Lines of up to two hours or longer have been reported at testing locations like the Galleria Mall and St. John’s the Evangelist Church, and particularly for seniors and those with mobility impairments or difficulty standing, these lines can serve as a deterrent to getting tested, leading many to abstain from testing and quite likely continuing to unknowingly spread the infection throughout Cambridge; and
WHEREAS: Early in the pandemic’s run, many grocery stores and banks established regular “senior’s hours” to cater to the population that was viewed as most vulnerable to the deadliest impacts of Covid-19, and these carve outs provided opportunities for seniors to conduct critical transactions and purchase provisions with a lowered risk of being exposed to significant crowds, and such a model may be wise for the City to adopt for its Covid-19 testing locations; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to work with the Chief Public Health Officer, the Cambridge Health Alliance, and other relevant City staff to create a “priority line” and/or establish “senior hours” at the City’s Covid-19 testing locations, and to explore additional strategies to ensure that seniors and those with significant mobility impairments are not forced to have waiting in hours’ long lines be their sole option for being tested, and to report back to the City Council on this matter in a timely manner.

O-2     Jan 10, 2022
COUNCILLOR NOLAN
COUNCILLOR MCGOVERN
MAYOR SIDDIQUI
COUNCILLOR AZEEM
WHEREAS: In 1979, the City of Cambridge Community Development Department created the Alewife Revitalization plan, intended to fill the Fresh Pond - Alewife area with a mix of residential, business, and industrial structures (as shown in the attached graphic); and
WHEREAS: Forty years later, the 2019 Envision Alewife plan still visualizes Alewife as a mixed-use district, with development promoting the creation of good-paying, low barrier-to-entry jobs, and additional housing with no lab uses (as shown in the attached graphic); and
WHEREAS: Over two years the City Council debated an up-zoning petition for part of the Quad area that included some housing, some retail, and some office/lab space which was voted down out of concerns that it was not aligned fully with the areawide vision as articulated in the plans, and a commitment to connections was uncertain; and
WHEREAS: The climate resiliency issues in this district are important, and this area is the subject of discussions by various departments, committees and task forces, with increasing urgency due to the rapid changes in climate leading to a need for more urgent and aggressive actions in this flood prone area with the visions consistently showing the need for a pond or water retention system/green corridor; and
WHEREAS: In the past two months, Denver real estate investment firm Healthpeak Properties has spent close to $400 million in this part of Cambridge, purchasing to date 19 separate parcels as outlined in the attached chart; and
WHEREAS: All of these purchases are located in the Alewife “Quad” area, where Cambridge has planned a variety of different developments. Future purchases from HealthPeak Properties are expected since an additional LLC, LS Alewife IV, was created and has not yet acquired property, while LS Alewife V has; and
WHEREAS: HealthPeak is known for owning and developing real estate mostly in the healthcare industry, including medical offices and labs; and
WHEREAS: The original plan for Alewife included some office space and labs, though expected a wide variety of development; and
WHEREAS: Cambridge continues to struggle with housing affordability and availability, and therefore housing must be an integral part of all future development; and
WHEREAS: Long-needed public infrastructure, including pedestrian and bicycle connections through and across the district, a rail stop for those commuting to and from the area, publicly accessible open spaces, and urgent municipal needs such as DPW and Fire Department facilities, remains lacking; and
WHEREAS: City staff has not produced new zoning for the district in line with the plans, including the recent Alewife Envision Plan; and
WHEREAS: The City Council passed a Policy Order asking for a moratorium on development in the Alewife Quad area on Nov 18, 2021, yet an Ordinance Committee meeting was not scheduled in time to meet the legal timeline; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That Article 20.90- Alewife Overlay Districts 1-6 of the Cambridge Zoning Ordinance be amended to insert a new section entitled Section 20.94.3- Temporarily prohibited uses to read as follows:

“No Office or Laboratory Uses as listed in Table 4.34 - Office and Laboratory Use shall be permitted within Alewife Overlay Districts 1-6 until December 31, 2023, or until such time as new Alewife District zoning is ordained by the Cambridge City Council, whichever shall be sooner.

“Such new district zoning shall be created in consultation with neighborhood residents from throughout the Alewife District and from each bordering district, including Cambridge Highlands, North Cambridge, Neighborhood Nine, and West Cambridge.

“Specifically, such new district zoning shall be guided by the vision, goals, existing studies, and recommendations contained in the City publications Alewife District Plan:

A report of the Alewife Planning Study Fall 2019 and Alewife Design Guidelines Fall 2020, and shall address the following areas identified in those reports:

• Land Use

• Open Space

• Urban Form

• Mobility

• Climate and Environment

• Housing

• Economy

In addition, such new district zoning shall also reflect any recent reports and planning recommendations developed by other relevant citizen committees, task forces, and working groups, including but not limited to the following:

• Bicycle, Pedestrian, and Transit Advisory Committees (City of Cambridge Bike Plan 2020, City of Cambridge Pedestrian Plan)

• Climate Protection Action Committee (City of Cambridge Climate Protection Plan)

• Net Zero Task Force (City of Cambridge Net Zero Action Plan)

• Urban Forest Master Plan Task Force (City of Cambridge Urban Forest Report: Healthy Forest Healthy City)

• Climate Change Working Group (final report pending)

• Climate Resilience Zoning Task Force (final report pending)”

1979 Alewife Plan

Envision Alewife

Name/Corporation	Total Cost of Acquisitions	Date of Last Acquisition
LS Alewife I LLC	$180 million	9/9/2021
LS Alewife II LLC	$73 million	10/4/2021
LS Alewife III LLC	$120 million	10/27/2021
LS Alewife IV LLC	$0 to date	N/A
LS Alewife V LLC	$17.8 million	11/1/2021

O-3     Jan 10, 2022
COUNCILLOR SIMMONS
WHEREAS: With the new City Council term just getting underway, and with the addition of two new members serving on the City Council, this first month of the year would be an appropriate time to ensure that the entire City Council is given a proper training on Robert’s Rules of Order; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the Mayor be and hereby is requested to schedule a training session within the month of January for the purpose of reviewing Robert’s Rules of Order with the entire City Council.

O-4     Jan 10, 2022
MAYOR SIDDIQUI
WHEREAS: Clairzie Julce Mervil, a longtime Cambridge resident, passed away on Sept 27, 2021; and
WHEREAS: Clairzie was the daughter of Amessit Julien and Pierre Julce, wife of Noula Mervil, and mother to Chesnel, Wichlyne, Kenol, Charles, Roslyne, and Emmanuel; and
WHEREAS: In 1976, Clairzie and her husband began to build their lives together in Cambridge after emigrating from Haiti, and had an open-door policy in their home for others migrating to the US to start their life over; and
WHEREAS: Clairzie managed to work multiple jobs while being a single mother after her husband passed away, and despite having a full plate, she made time to do mission trips in several countries, pray with prisoners, feed the homeless, and share her last dollar with others; and
WHEREAS: Clairzie was an influential member of the Cambridge community for over 40 years, raising all her children and grandchildren in the Cambridge school system, and playing a large roll in numerous churches in the city; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the Executive Assistant to the City Council confer with the Dedication Committee to consider a request from Mayor Siddiqui for a suitable dedication in the vicinity of Windsor and Washington Streets in honor of longtime Cambridge resident Clairzie Julce Mervil; and be it further
ORDERED: That the City Clerk be and hereby is requested to forward this order to the Dedication Committee for review and approval.

O-5     Jan 10, 2022   Charter Right - Simmons
MAYOR SIDDIQUI
VICE MAYOR MALLON
COUNCILLOR NOLAN
COUNCILLOR ZONDERVAN
WHEREAS: The City of Cambridge is embarking on the hiring of a new City Manager; and
WHEREAS: Extensive community outreach and engagement is necessary to ensure all community stakeholders have a voice in the process and selection of a new City Manager; and
WHEREAS: Deep knowledge of Cambridge is necessary to do this critical engagement and outreach; and
WHEREAS: Through the RFP Evaluation process it was determined that additional local supports would be needed to ensure the type of outreach and engagement this process warrants; and
WHEREAS: Members of the RFP Evaluation Committee identified two local firms, coUrbanize and Cortico to assist with this effort and have submitted a scope of work to support the Executive Search Firm retained to lead the search; and
WHEREAS: Now that the RFP process for hiring a consultant to perform an executive recruitment for a new City Manager has been concluded, and Randi Frank Consulting, LLC has been awarded the executive recruitment contract, there is no other action for the RFP Evaluation Committee to undertake; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Council designates the Chair of Government Operations, Rules, and Claims Committee to serve as the City Council’s designee to coordinate with Randi Frank Consulting, LLC as well as appropriate City officials in carrying out the executive recruitment process for a new City Manager search process; and be it further
ORDERED: That the City Manager is requested to ask the Purchasing Agent to coordinate with the Chair of Government Operations, Rules and Claims committee to engage the services of the identified Community Engagement Specialist(s) to work with Randi Frank Consulting, LLC in the executive recruitment for a new City Manager.

O-6     Jan 10, 2022
COUNCILLOR MCGOVERN
VICE MAYOR MALLON
MAYOR SIDDIQUI
COUNCILLOR AZEEM
WHEREAS: Cambridge has a robust COVID-19 testing program, including testing seven days per week; and
WHEREAS: Cambridge is testing at higher rates than most other communities; and
WHEREAS: Despite these efforts, those being tested often have to wait in line for over 2 hours, sometimes in the bitter cold; and
WHEREAS: These long wait times can dissuade people from being tested, including seniors, caregivers with young children, those with disabilities, as well as those who do not possess the flexibility of time; and
WHEREAS: Testing has been named as a significant strategy to combat the pandemic, and reducing wait times for those being tested will likely lead to an increase in those wishing to be tested; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to work with all relevant City Departments to develop a robust plan to increase access to testing, with the goal of reducing wait times for residents, including, but not limited to, expanding testing sites, hiring staff to operate additional sites, offering “testing tents” set up in City squares, developing a “grab 'n go” model as used at local universities Harvard and MIT, and more, and to report back to the City Council at the January 24, 2022 City Council meeting.