Cambridge City Council meeting - Jan 13, 2014 - AGENDA
CITY MANAGER’S AGENDA
1. Transmitting communication from Richard C. Rossi, City Manager, relative to the appointment of the following persons as member of the Public Art Commission for a three year term effective Dec 18, 2013: Christopher Sokolowski, Hue T. Nguyen
To the Honorable, the City Council:
I am hereby transmitting notification of the appointment of the following persons as member of the Public Art Commission for a three year term effective Dec 18, 2013:
Hue Nguyen
Ms. Nguyen is a designer, professor, and artist who has had a range of experiences in architecture firms, schools, galleries, and museums. She was born in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam and resides in Cambridge. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Art History from University of Memphis and a Master of Architecture degree from Rhode Island School of Design and holds an abiding interest in community work. She is also an accomplished artist. Hue will bring to the Public Art Commission a valuable perspective born out of her wide range of experiences and engagements in the visual arts, education, and design.Christopher Sokolowski
Mr. Sokolowski is an art conservator at the Weissman Preservation Center at Harvard. He holds a B.A. in Studio Art from Bates College, an M.A. in Art History from University of Massachusetts, Amherst, and an M.S. in Art Conservation from Winterthur/University of Delaware. Christopher will bring to the Public Art Commission his knowledge of the arts and an important perspective on conservation of artworks. His knowledge will be particularly relevant to our discussions about new public art commissions as well as our existing collection.Very truly yours, Richard C. Rossi, City Manager
2. Transmitting communication from Richard C. Rossi, City Manager, relative to the appointment of the following persons as Public Weighers to operate scales at Mich-Lin transfer station for the calendar year 2014: Charles J. Mabardy, Joseph Marbardy, Jr., James Mabardy, Daniel Pasquarosa, JoAnn Del Vecchio, Kimberly Mochi-Vendetti, Justine N. Bonitatibus, Amanda Noonan, Michael Guerriero, Bryan Burdge & Nicholas Santolucito
3. Transmitting communication from Richard C. Rossi, City Manager, relative to the appointment of the following persons as Public Weighers to operate scales at Boston Sand & Gravel Co., for calendar year 2014: Dave Thebearge, Dave Kelley, Matt Dunn, Bill Tweedy, Dan O'Neil, Cherry Gomez, Scott Prentice, Joe Olson, Rolland Baris, Mike Denahy, Tony Cordella & Jody Staples
4. Transmitting communication from Richard C. Rossi, City Manager, relative to the appointments of the following persons as member of the GLBT Commission for a term of three years, effective Jan 1, 2014: Anna J. Weick, Paul O. Miller
To the Honorable, the City Council:
I am hereby transmitting notification of the appointments of the following persons as member of the GLBT Commission for a term of three years, effective Jan 1, 2014:
Anna J. Weick
Ms. Weick has extensive experience in community organizing, health activism and advocacy with GLBT individuals. Anna has held numerous volunteer leadership positions pertaining to sexual health, sexuality and sexual violence. While employed at Wellesley College, she advocated for more programs focused on the needs of the GLBT students through partnerships with the school administration, other student organizations, and off-campus nonprofit groups. Ms. Weick joined her high school Gay-Straight Alliance at age 14 and has since dedicated her life to social justice and equality. I welcome Anna to the GLBT Commission.Paul O. Miller
Mr. Miller is currently employed at Fenway Health were he began his career as a volunteer with the Young Leaders Council serving as a member of the Steering Committee. He also helped found the GLBT alumni group, OneGordon, for Gordon College. Mr. Miller is a strong advocate of access to information and inclusive services for the GLBT community and I am pleased to appoint him to this position on the GLBT Commission.Very truly yours, Richard C. Rossi, City Manager
5. Transmitting communication from Richard C. Rossi, City Manager, relative to an update on the new Nexus Study for Incentive Zoning Ordinance.
From: Brian Murphy, Assistant City Manager for Community Development
Date: January 8, 2014
Re: New Nexus Study for Incentive Zoning OrdinanceWe wanted to update you and the City Council on the status of the commissioning of a new study to assess the impact of non-residential development on the City's housing market as further described below (the "Nexus Study"). Funding for the Nexus Study was recently approved by the Affordable Housing Trust, and we are now ready to seek a consultant or team to complete the new study. CDD staff have worked with other departments to prepare a request for proposals (the "RFP") which will be issued in the coming weeks.
The Incentive Zoning provisions of the Cambridge Zoning Ordinance ("Incentive Zoning Provisions") were adopted by the City Council in 1988 to mitigate the impact of non-residential development on the City's housing market by looking at the impact of demand from new Cambridge-based workers on market rents. Through this new Nexus Study, the City will assess the current impact of new commercial development on housing costs, and reexamine the set of special permits which trigger the Incentive Zoning Provisions. While prior nexus studies have examined the impact on housing affordability for low- and moderate-income residents, in this study we will also ask that housing affordability for middle-income households be considered.
A nexus study establishes the basis for requiring contributions from commercial developments as set forth in the Incentive Zoning Provisions. The new study will quantify the current impact of new commercial development on housing affordability. Study recommendations could form the basis for changes to the Incentive Zoning Provisions such as updating the required contribution rate and/or list of permits which are subject to the Zoning Ordinance. Section 11.203.1 (a) ofthe Zoning Ordinance requires contributions which are intended to mitigate housing cost increases stemming from new commercial development ("Housing Contributions"). Funds generated from these Housing Contributions are administered by the Affordable Housing Trust.
The Affordable Housing Trust uses Housing Contributions to fund affordable housing programs and developments. These funds are an important source of funding for the Trust and are the most flexible source of funds available to the Trust. Housing Contributions are used to fund needs that are not eligible for Community Preservation Act (the "CPA") funding, such as City-wide expiring use analysis and planning, support for non-profit housing providers, purchase price write-downs for new homebuyers, administrative costs of managing-the City's stock of affordable homeownership units, and administrative costs of the other housing programs. Housing Contributions have been used to offset recent significant reductions in federal funding for housing programs. While flexibility in the use of these funds is valuable, funds have become a less predictable source as many new commercial developments have not been subject to the Incentive Zoning provisions of the Ordinance.
We will keep you updated of progress as we identify and work with the consultant or team selected in connection with the RFP process to prepare the new Nexus Study.
6. Transmitting communication from Richard C. Rossi, City Manager, relative to the appointment of the following person as a Constable With Power for a term of three years, effective Jan 1, 2014: James M. Desrosiers
7. Transmitting communication from Richard C. Rossi, City Manager, relative to the appropriate the Homeless Youth Count grant funded by the Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) in the amount of $4,750.00 to the Grant Fund Human Service Programs Other Ordinary Maintenance account which will be used to coordinate with local homeless organizations to participate in the State's 2014 Unaccompanied Homeless Youth Count to be conducted in late January.
8. Transmitting communication from Richard C. Rossi, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of $373,734.00 to the Grant Fund Human Service Programs Salary and Wages account ($28,875.00) and to the Department of Human Service Programs Other Ordinary Maintenance account ($344,859.00) which will be used for costs related to serving persons experiencing homelessness in Cambridge
9. Transmitting communication from Richard C. Rossi, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of $16,100,824 in funds received from the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA) Grant to the Public Works Public Investment Fund Extraordinary Expenditures account for the Alewife Sewer Separation Program.
To the Honorable, the City Council:
I am hereby requesting the appropriation of $16,100,824 in funds received from the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA) Grant to the Public Works Public Investment Fund Extraordinary Expenditures account for the Alewife Sewer Separation Program.
This grant will fund the Concord Avenue construction costs, engineering services and final costs associated with the other Alewife area contracts.
The City costs associated with these projects were appropriated in the FY14 Adopted Budget and this MWRA appropriation was anticipated in the budget process, but could not be finalized until the design of the Concord Avenue contract was completed.
The City has been working with the MWRA for over sixteen years executing projects in the Alewife watershed to reduce combined sewer overflows to the Alewife Brook. These improvements are part of the court-ordered cleanup of the Boston Harbor.
Very truly yours, Richard C. Rossi, City Manager
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
1. A communication was received from Donna P. Lopez, City Clerk, transmitting a report from Councillor David P. Maher, Chair of the Ordinance Committee for a public hearing held on Nov 22, 2013 to conduct a public hearing on an amendment to the Municipal Code by adding a new Chapter 8.68 entitled "Concussion Prevention and Management in Youth Activities at City Facilities." The question comes on passing to be ordained on or after Dec 23, 2013.
APPLICATIONS AND PETITIONS
1. An application was received from Gourmet Express requesting permission for a sandwich board sign in front of the premises numbered 1868 Massachusetts Avenue.
2. An application was received from the Lesley University requesting permission for twenty-five temporary banners on electrical poles along Massachusetts Avenue between Porter Square and Harvard Square and five temporary banners on electrical poles on Brattle Street. Temporary banners will be hung February, March and April. Approval has been received from the Electrical Department.
3. An application was received from Whittemore Realty Trust requesting permission for three curb cuts at the premises numbered 12A-12B-12C Whittemore Avenue; said petition has received approval from Inspectional Services, Traffic, Parking and Transportation, Historical Commission and Public Works. Chair of neighborhood association disapproves the curb cuts and vice chair of the neighborhood association approves the curb cuts. [Reference]
Charter Right - Kelley
Comments: Developer and nearest neighbor are not able to reach agreement on matters important to the community.
Richard D. Clarey, Chair: Disapproves
Caroline M. Mieth, Vice Chair: Approves (with comment "I know of no opposition to the curb cuts. The opposition relates to non curb cut matters.")
COMMUNICATIONS
1. A communication was received from Whittemore Avenue LLC and Tyler Court Realty Trust transmitting written protest to the petition filed by John Walker, et al. to amend Section 17.20 and 19.40 of the Zoning Ordinance of the City of Cambridge.
2. A communication was received from Whittemore Avenue LLC and Tyler Court Realty Trust transmitting written protest to the Petition filed by the City Council to amend Section 17.20 and 19.40 of the Zoning Ordinance of the City of Cambridge in the Linear Park area.
3. A communication was received from Amy Farber regarding public toilets on the Cambridge Common.
4. A communication was received from Liz Vandermark regarding public toilets on the Cambridge Common.
5. A communication was received from Adriane Bishko regarding public toilets on the Cambridge Common.
6. A communication was received from Carol O'Hare, 172 Magazine Street transmitting strong support for a plastic bag ban.
7. A communication was received from Tom Stohlman, 19 Channing Street transmitting suggested changes to the Council rules.
8. A communication was received from Matilde Martins relating to Sanofi Genzyme hiring ACM to clean their buildings in Canton and the impact this action had on her employment.
9. A communication was received from Eliseo Perez an employee that will be affected by the actions of Genzyme.
10. A communication was received from Donna Kelly Williams, 110 Macy Street, Arlington relating to the Hospital Profit Transparency and Fairness Act.
11. A communication was received from Susan Wright Thomas, RN, 2 Christine Road, Hull regarding the Patient Safety Act.
RESOLUTIONS
1. Congratulations to Sanjay Gupta on his new role at Cambridge-based electronics firm MC10. Councillor Cheung
2. Resolution on the death of Constance A. Fowler. Councillor Cheung
3. Resolution on the death of John E. Ferdinand, Jr. Councillor Cheung
4. Resolution on the death of Harold G. Thompson. Councillor Cheung
5. Resolution on the death of Joseph M. Comerford. Mayor Maher
6. Resolution on the death of Joseph J. Hassett, Esquire. Mayor Maher
7. Resolution on the death of Richard T. Carceo. Mayor Maher
8. Resolution on the death of Edward K. Fry. Mayor Maher
9. Resolution on the death of Mary (Harris) O'Connell. Mayor Maher
10. Resolution on the death of Jean A. Manning Fallon. Councillor Cheung
11. Resolution on the death of Mitchell J. Sartanowicz. Mayor Maher
12. Resolution on the death of Anne DeCoursey Clapp. Councillor Cheung
13. Congratulations to David Einstein and Katherine Levine Einstein on the birth of their daughter Elise Rena Einstein. Councillor Cheung
14. Resolution on the death of Thelma M. Giacoppo. Councillor Cheung
15. Resolution on the death of Theresa M. Buckland. Councillor Cheung
16. Resolution on the death of Paul F. Collazzo. Councillor Cheung
17. Congratulations to Dr. Assaad Sayah on his new position as Chief Medical Officer of the Cambridge Health Alliance. Councillor Cheung
18. Resolution on the death of Peter J. Caputo. Councillor Cheung
19. Resolution on the death of Beatrice L. (Levy) Davis. Mayor Maher
20. Resolution on the death of Richard P. Ring. Councillor Cheung
21. Resolution on the death of William Benoit. Councillor Cheung
22. Resolution on the death of Mary K. Shae. Councillor Cheung
23. Resolution on the death of Jean Wheeler Parsons. Councillor Cheung
24. Resolution on the death of Paul Warren Nugent. Mayor Maher
25. Resolution on the death of Paul Trotto. Councillor Toomey
26. Resolution on the death of Ernestine (Santos) Vieira. Councillor Toomey
27. Congratulations to Scott Harshbarger on receiving the Distinguished Service Award from Shelter Legal Services. Councillor Cheung
28. Condolences to the family of Nirmala Prakash. Councillor Simmons
29. Resolution on the death of Kevin M. Dwyer. Councillor Toomey
30. Retirement of Dennis J. Shine from the Cambridge Fire Department. Mayor Maher
31. Encourage citizens of Cambridge to honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s legacy by performing acts of kindness through service to others in need and participate in Many Helping Hands - Cambridge Martin Luther King Day of Service on Martin Luther King Day on Jan 20, 2014. Councillor Simmons
32. Congratulations to the organizers of the Being Culturally Responsive in Urban Settings conference. Councillor Simmons
33. Resolution on the death of Eugene G. Masci. Councillor Cheung
34. Resolution on the death of Marilyn Elaine Williams. Councillor Cheung
35. Resolution on the death of Grace M. O'Brien. Councillor Cheung
36. Resolution on the death of Roberta G. Selleck. Councillor Cheung
37. Congratulations to Chef Matt Cunningham on his new role as Chef de Cuisine at The Sinclair. Councillor Cheung
38. Congratulations to James Stockard on being awarded the Alice K. Wolf award by the Cambridge Democratic City Committee. Councillor McGovern
39. Thanks to the mentors of the TTT Mentor Program for their participation. Councillor Simmons
40. Congratulations to the 2013-2014 mentees who participated in the TTT Mentor Program. Councillor Simmons
41. Happy 40th Birthday wishes to Allison P. Berg. Councillor Toomey
42. Congratulations to Matthew Frank for being named President of the Chelsea City Council. Councillor Cheung
43. Retirement of Lorna Rutkauskas from the Cambridge Fire Department. Mayor Maher
44. Resolution on the death of Russell C. Killion. Mayor Maher
45. Resolution on the death of Sister Bernadette Marie Rodley, CSJ. Councillor Toomey
46. Resolution on the death of Valjeanne M. Prescott. Mayor Maher
47. Congratulations and best wishes to the Jon Kessen, Barry Maiden, Rachel Miller Munzer and Alon Munzer on the opening of the State Park Restaurant at One Kendall Square. Councillor Toomey
48. Congratulations to Bishop Richard Deeley on his appointment as Bishop of Portland, Maine. Mayor Maher
ORDERS
1. That the City Council go on record endorsing the Coalition to Protect Patient Safety's ballot initiative, the Patient Safety Act, which would establish specific patient limits that registered nurses can have at one time to ensure safe patient care. Councillor Cheung
2. That the City Council go on record expressing support for fair wages and benefits for Cambridge's adjunct professors, the right of Cambridge's adjunct professors to form a union, and the adoption of free and fair union election principles, similar to those that have been adopted by many higher education institutions in other U.S. cities, which establish the commitment that workers are "free" to make up their own mind under "fair" voting conditions. Councillor Cheung
Councillor Carlone recused himself
3. That the City Council go on record endorsing the Hospital Profit Transparency and Fairness Act which would establish regulations to reign in CEO compensation and recuperate excess profits that come from taxpayer money for the protection of essential health care services in all communities Councillor Cheung
4. That the City Council go on record urging Attorney General Martha Coakley to explore the feasibility of enacting a consumer-protection action mandating that all guns sold in Massachusetts be manufactured or retrofitted with fingerprint-activation technology within a set number of years. Councillor Simmons
5. That the Mayor is requested to schedule a City Council/School Committee retreat in the near future to allow all of Cambridge's municipal elected officials the opportunity to converse with each other and discuss shared priorities for this term. Councillor Simmons
6. That the City Council go on record urging Sanofi/Genzyme to engage in labor peace and award the upcoming contract for cleaning services in worksites in Massachusetts to a responsible contractor who is signatory to 32BJ SEIU's collective bargaining practices to provide job security and stability for the existing workers. Councillor Cheung
COMMUNICATIONS AND REPORTS FROM CITY OFFICERS
1. A communication was received from Donna P. Lopez, City Clerk transmitting the action taken by the Cambridge City Council on an Open Meeting Law Complaint filed by Ilan Levy dated Dec 10, 2013. [Reference]
Response Approved 9-0
HEARING SCHEDULE
Mon, Jan 13
5:30pm City Council Meeting (Sullivan Chamber)
Mon, Jan 27
5:30pm City Council Meeting (Sullivan Chamber)
Mon, Feb 3
5:30pm City Council Meeting (Sullivan Chamber)
Mon, Feb 10
5:30pm City Council Meeting (Sullivan Chamber)
Mon, Feb 24
5:30pm City Council Meeting (Sullivan Chamber)
Mon, Mar 3
5:30pm City Council Meeting (Sullivan Chamber)
Mon, Mar 10
5:30pm City Council Meeting (Sullivan Chamber)
Mon, Mar 17
5:30pm City Council Meeting (Sullivan Chamber)
Mon, Mar 24
5:30pm City Council Meeting (Sullivan Chamber)
Mon, Mar 31
5:30pm City Council Meeting (Sullivan Chamber)
Mon, Apr 7
5:30pm City Council Meeting (Sullivan Chamber)
Mon, Apr 28
5:30pm City Council Meeting (Sullivan Chamber)
Mon, May 5
5:30pm City Council Meeting (Sullivan Chamber)
Mon, May 12
5:30pm City Council Meeting (Sullivan Chamber)
Mon, May 19
5:30pm City Council Meeting (Sullivan Chamber)
Mon, June 2
5:30pm City Council Meeting (Sullivan Chamber)
Mon, June 9
5:30pm City Council Meeting (Sullivan Chamber)
Mon, June 16
5:30pm City Council Meeting (Sullivan Chamber)
Mon, June 23
5:30pm City Council Meeting (Sullivan Chamber)
Mon, June 30
5:30pm City Council Meeting (Sullivan Chamber)
TEXT OF ORDERS
O-1 Jan 13, 2014
COUNCILLOR CHEUNG
WHEREAS: The safety of patients in our hospitals is a paramount public health objective; and
WHEREAS: Nurses are a fundamental resource for ensuring the safety of patients in our hospitals; and
WHEREAS: Many registered nurses in Massachusetts are being asked to care for more patients at one time than has been deemed safe; and
WHEREAS: Research has shown that excessive patient assignments leads to increased risk of errors and makes patients more susceptible to complications, infections, and cost readmissions; and
WHEREAS: Following the implementation of the Affordable Care Act, hospitals will soon be penalized for these poor outcomes; and
WHEREAS: Medical errors come at a high expense to hospitals. Safer patient assignment levels have been shown to decrease healthcare costs by as much as 30 percent while decreasing patient costs and reducing the average length of stay and readmission rate; now therefore be it
RESOLVED: That the Cambridge City Council go on record endorsing the Coalition to Protect Patient Safety's ballot initiative, the Patient Safety Act, which would establish specific patient limits that registered nurses can have at one time to ensure safe patient care; 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 Cambridge Legislative Delegation, Governor Deval Patrick, Massachusetts Speaker of the House Robert A. DeLeo and Senate President Therese Murray on behalf of the entire City Council.
O-2 Jan 13, 2014
COUNCILLOR CHEUNG
WHEREAS: There are almost 13,00 non-union and non-tenure faculty currently working at Boston-area non-profit colleges and universities; and
WHEREAS: There are currently over 270,000 students enrolled in four-year non-profit colleges and universities in the Boston area, including at least 44,000 in Cambridge, who increasingly depend on the instruction and guidance of adjunct professors; and
WHEREAS: Students can pay upwards of $50,000 in tuition and living expenses every year to attend a college or university in the Boston area; and
WHEREAS: Adjunct professors should be adequately supported by their institutions for their growing presence and role in the academic pursuits of students in the Boston area; and
WHEREAS: Adjunct professors have little job security and must take on multiple course loads in order to make ends meet; and
WHEREAS: Some Boston-area colleges and universities do not provide health care benefits to their adjunct professors; and
WHEREAS: The cost of living in the Boston area is 32 percent higher than the U.S. average; and
WHEREAS: Adjunct professors in the Boston area should be paid fair wages and benefits that allow them to support themselves and their families; and
WHEREAS: The decision of whether to unionize belongs solely to workers and should not be interfered with by management or their agents, now therefore be it
RESOLVED: That the Cambridge City Council go on record expressing support for fair wages and benefits for Cambridge's adjunct professors, the right of Cambridge's adjunct professors to form a union, and the adoption of free and fair union election principles, similar to those that have been adopted by many higher education institutions in other U.S. cities, which establish the commitment that workers are "free" to make up their own mind under "fair" voting conditions; and be it further
RESOLVED: That the City Clerk be and hereby is requested to forward a suitably engrossed copy of this resolution to SEIU's Boston office on behalf of the entire City Council.
O-3 Jan 13, 2014
COUNCILLOR CHEUNG
WHEREAS: Local access to quality hospital care is essential to the health and well-being of the residents of the City of Cambridge; and
WHEREAS: The safety of patients in our hospitals is a paramount public health objective; and
WHEREAS: Massachusetts has among the highest health care costs in the world and among the highest readmission rates in the nation; and
WHEREAS: Health care costs have increased as a percentage of the state budget by 95 percent since 2000 and consumed 40 percent of the FY2014 budget; and
WHEREAS: Non-profit and for-profit hospitals across Massachusetts receive significant taxpayer dollars through Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement; and
WHEREAS: These public funds account for more than half of the revenues at many hospitals in Massachusetts; and
WHEREAS: The consolidation of hospitals into large corporate entities has put the focus of profit and higher compensation for CEOs above patient care and safety; and
WHEREAS: These corporate entities have continually reallocated funding and cut essentials services from less affluent communities, focusing instead on high-tech procedures to advance profits; and
WHEREAS: Research has shown no link between excessive CEO compensation and a number of important quality care benchmarks, such as mortality rates and readmissions; and
WHEREAS: If enacted, the Hospital Profit Transparency and Fairness Act would require hospitals to disclose all of their financial assets, including those held or invested in off-shore accounts, to the state Center for Health Information and Analysis; and
WHEREAS: If enacted, the Hospital Profit Transparency and Fairness Act would create a new state Medicaid Reimbursement Enhancement Fund which would derive funding from any hospital whose patient mix is less than 60 percent government payer and whose operating margin, including amortization and depreciation, is over 8 percent; and
WHEREAS: If enacted, the Hospital Profit Transparency and Fairness Act would also derive funding from any hospital that pays its CEO compensation more than 100 times greater than the annual compensation paid to a full-time employee earning minimum wage or than the lowest paid full-time employee; and
WHEREAS: Addressing these two issues simultaneously will dramatically improve patient safety in Massachusetts hospitals, while also ensuring that taxpayer dollars allotted for health care are dedicated exclusively for patient care and needed services for all communities; now therefore be it
RESOLVED: That the City Council go on record endorsing the Hospital Profit Transparency and Fairness Act which would establish regulations to reign in CEO compensation and recuperate excess profits that come from taxpayer money for the protection of essential health care services in all communities; and be it further
RESOLVED: That the City Clerk be and hereby is requested to forward suitably engrossed copies of this resolution to the Cambridge Legislative Delegation, Speaker of the House Terese Murray and Speaker of the House Robert DeLeo and Governor Deval Patrick on behalf of the entire City Council.
O-4 Jan 13, 2014
COUNCILLOR SIMMONS
WHEREAS: Over the past decade, the United States has seen an increasing number of violent massacres carried out by individuals intent upon killing the largest number of people possible. Incidents like the murders at Virginia Tech, at an Aurora, Colorado movie theater, and at the Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut have seared themselves upon the nation's collective unconscious, with scores of innocent victims having been lost to senseless violence. Stolen guns have often played a key role in these types of incidents, as well as in many other tragedies that do not reach the national headlines, and the federal government has thus far failed to adequately address the problem; and
WHEREAS: After each wave of tragedy, there has inevitably been an outcry from the public for new and stricter laws to enforce gun safety, yet each of these efforts have inevitably failed to materialize, and the nation's collective attention inevitably shifts onto other topics until the next major incident galvanizes our attention once again; and
WHEREAS: With Washington seemingly unable to muster the political will to truly address the problem of firearms falling into the wrong hands, it seems that it is up to the individual states - the "laboratories of democracy" - to each work at finding some meaningful solutions to this problem. One such solution was recently proposed by Warren Tolman in a Boston Globe editorial. Mr. Tolman has proposed the passage of Massachusetts laws mandating that all new guns must come equipped with fingerprint-activated technology, and that all existing guns must eventually be retrofitted with such technology. These "smart guns" can only be made operable by being unlocked with the fingerprints of their owners and of other designated operators, and would otherwise be unable to be discharged. As Mr. Tolman argues in his piece, the technology for this is already in existence, and the impact this could have upon gun safety in Massachusetts could be significant; and
WHEREAS: Mr. Tolman argues that the state's consumer protection statute allows the attorney general to regulate firearms, and that such a mandate could be instituted by the attorney general in order to "...further protect the citizens of the Commonwealth from undue harm." Implementing such a law could have positive ripple effects across the entire country, potentially preventing untold numbers of gun crimes; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Council go on record urging Attorney General Martha Coakley to explore the feasibility of enacting a consumer-protection action mandating that all guns sold in Massachusetts be manufactured or retrofitted with fingerprint-activation technology within a set number of years; and be it further
ORDERED: That the City Clerk be and hereby is requested to forward suitably engrossed copies of this resolution to Attorney General Martha Coakley, Governor Deval Patrick and the members of the Cambridge Legislative Delegation to the State House on behalf of the entire City Council.
O-5 Jan 13, 2014
COUNCILLOR SIMMONS
WHEREAS: There are several new members serving upon the City Council and the School Committee, and members of these two bodies have repeatedly expressed the desire to work more collaboratively during the 2014-2015 term; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the Mayor be and hereby is requested to schedule a City Council/School Committee retreat in the near future to allow all of Cambridge's municipal elected officials the opportunity to converse with each other and discuss shared priorities for this term.
O-6 Jan 13, 2014
COUNCILLOR CHEUNG
WHEREAS: The City of Cambridge places a strong emphasis on insisting that employers throughout the City make a practice of treating all workers with fairness, dignity, and respect; and
WHEREAS: It has come to the attention of the Cambridge City Council that Sanofi/Genzyme is in the process of awarding a contract for cleaning services that includes multiple worksites in Massachusetts that are currently cleaned by approximately 150 contracted janitors who are members of 32BJ SEIU District 615; and
WHEREAS: In the spring of 2013, Sanofi/Genzyme displaced approximately 60 contracted janitors in Canton and Framingham after it selected a contractor that is not a signatory to 32BJ SEIU's collective bargaining agreement, causing great hardship for many workers who lost their jobs and family healthcare benefits. Although the contractor vocalized its commitment to maintaining the jobs of most incumbent workers, only four workers were retained from both sites; and
WHEREAS: When awarded a new contract, responsible contractors who are signatory to 32BJ SEIU's collective bargaining agreement offer the opportunity for continued employment to the cleaners employed by the previous contractor, ensuring a smooth transition for the client while providing job security for the existing workforce; and
WHEREAS: Many of the current cleaners that will be impacted by the upcoming contract have worked in this capacity for years and have expressed great concern that they will lose their jobs when the contract is transferred due to no fault of their own; now therefore be it
RESOLVED: That the City Council go on record urging Sanofi/Genzyme to engage in labor peace and award the upcoming contract for cleaning services in worksites in Massachusetts to a responsible contractor who is signatory to 32BJ SEIU's collective bargaining practices to provide job security and stability for the existing workers; and be it further
RESOLVED: That the City Clerk be and hereby is requested to forward suitably engrossed copies of this resolution to Sanofi/Genzyme and 32BJ SEIU District 615 on behalf of the entire City Council.