4. Transmitting Communication from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of $23,000 from Free Cash to the General Fund Elections Commission Other Ordinary Maintenance Account to reimburse funds used for the 2017 voter guide printing and mailing. The reimbursement is necessary to cover other election related expenses.
Adopted 8-0-1 (Simmons ABSENT)

Jan 22, 2018
To the Honorable, the City Council:

I am hereby requesting the appropriation of $23,000 from Free Cash to the General Fund Elections Department Other Ordinary Maintenance. In October 2017, per the request of the City Council and approval of the City Manager, the Elections Commission published a voter user guide, distributed to all Cambridge residents. This publication was not budgeted as part of the FY2018 adopted budget.

The appropriation is necessary to cover other election related expenses.

Very truly yours, Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager

11. Transmitting Communication from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of $5 million from Fund Free Cash to the Public Investment Fund Executive Department Extraordinary Expenditures account, for the City’s first contribution to the GLX project.
Adopted 9-0

Jan 22, 2018
To the Honorable, the City Council:

I am hereby requesting an appropriation of $5 million from Free Cash to the Public Investment Fund Executive Department Extraordinary Expenditures account, for the City’s first contribution to the GLX project.

The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) and the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) have been working for many years to advance the Green Line Extension (GLX) project from planning to design, and then into construction and operation. This project will extend the Green Line from its current terminal at Lechmere to serve seven new stations in Cambridge, Somerville, and Medford. From the Cambridge perspective, the principal benefits of this extension include the following:

• Construction of a new Lechmere Station to replace the current facility, which is obsolete, in poor condition, and not fully accessible for those with disabilities.

• Creation of frequent and reliable service from sections of Somerville and Medford that are currently not easily accessible by public transportation. In addition to better serving trips to Boston that pass through Cambridge, the GLX will serve trips from these locations into the key employment centers located in eastern Cambridge.

• Assisting in meeting the City’s and the region’s mobility, sustainability, and economic development goals.

In addition, the relocated Lechmere Station enables a number of opportunities associated with the Cambridge Crossing development, including the extension of First Street across Monsignor O’Brien Highway, the creation of a new development parcel at the current location of Lechmere Station, and general improvements to access the entire site.

Based on these multiple benefits, the City of Cambridge has long been supportive of this project, and has pushed the MBTA and MassDOT to move the project expeditiously, despite multiple delays and attempts to cancel the project.

In 2015, after construction on the project had commenced, the Commonwealth announced that the project was significantly over budget, and put construction on hold, pending a review of the design, cost factors, construction methods, and procurement strategy, with the goal of determining whether the project should be moved forward in a modified and less costly manner, or whether it should be cancelled despite the construction work already completed. During this review of the project, Secretary of Transportation Stephanie Pollack made it clear that she expected some level of municipal financial contribution to the project, to help offset the cost increases. Although this request was unprecedented for a public transportation project in Massachusetts, both the City of Cambridge and the City of Somerville agreed to enter into negotiations with MassDOT in order to help save the GLX as an active project.

Based on these negotiations, which also included representatives from DivcoWest, owners of the Cambridge Crossing (then Northpoint) development, Cambridge agreed to contribute $25 million dollars to the GLX project, half of which ($12.5 million) will come from contributions by DivcoWest. At the same time, Somerville agreed to contribute approximately $50 million dollars to the project, recognizing the more substantial benefit that they will realize from the project. The Boston Region Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) also agreed to reprogram the $150 million in federal funding originally intended for the next phase GLX extension to State Route 16 to help pay for the current project. Based on these financial commitments, along with changes to the design to simplify the project and reduce costs, the Commonwealth determined that it would continue to move forward with the project, subject to ongoing discussions regarding the project scope and budget.

The agreements between the City, MassDOT, and the MBTA were then laid out and memorialized in the attached Project Participation Agreement (PPA), which was entered into on Dec 14, 2016. The PPA also described the various rights and responsibilities of the parties, including a schedule of contributions, the milestones that the MBTA and MassDOT must meet, and the procedures for refunding excess municipal contributions. At the City Council meeting on Sept 26, 2016, the City Council authorized the City Manager to enter into this agreement and sign the PPA. A similar agreement was developed with the City of Somerville for their $50 million contribution.

Since the signing of the PPA, the MBTA has made significant progress on the GLX project, including hiring a new Program Manager and developing a more detailed version of the design that formed the basis for the decision to move forward. The MBTA also made a decision to switch to a design-build procurement method, which should provide a greater degree of cost certainty once the contract is in place. The MBTA then developed and advertised a design-build request for proposals, and went through an extensive, multi-step process to solicit and evaluate proposals from potential design-build teams. Three proposals were received, two of which were below the maximum allowed price and were therefore fully evaluated. On Nov 20, 2017, the MBTA’s Fiscal and Management Control Board awarded the contract to build the project to a joint venture called GLX Constructors, at a contract price of just over $1 billion, allowing the project to restart in earnest. In addition, the MBTA has created the GLX Community Working Group (CWG), which will provide a collaborative forum for information sharing between the GLX project and external stakeholders, including schedules, activities, and potential impacts associated with construction, while also soliciting stakeholder feedback. The CWG will include representatives from the City, DivcoWest, and the East Cambridge Business Association.

As laid out in the PPA, the first Cambridge contribution for the GLX project is due on Mar 1, 2018, with subsequent contributions due Nov 1 for each of the following four years (2019-2022); each contribution is an equal amount of $5 million. MassDOT and the MBTA have met their initial obligations under the PPA, notably having met the Start of Construction by having signed a contract and issued a Notice to Proceed to GLX Constructors and by establishing the Green Line Extension Project Cambridge Participation Expendable Trust contemplated in the PPA to receive contributions from the City of Cambridge. Based on this, we are fully expecting to need to make the initial $5 million contribution on Mar 1, 2018.

Very truly yours, Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager

12. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to a Planning Board recommendation to adopt parts of the Kroon, et al, Harvard Square Zoning Petition and to further study some parts. [Original Petition Text] [CDD Memo - Nov 8, 2017] [Revised Petition Text] [Planning Board Recommendation]
Referred to Petition

Date: Jan 17, 2018
Subject: Kroon, et al., Harvard Square Zoning Petition
Recommendation: The Planning Board recommends ADOPTION OF PARTS of the petition, and recommends that some parts be studied further.

To the Honorable, the City Council,

The Planning Board held a public hearing of this petition on Nov 14, 2017. After hearing a presentation from the petitioners and public comment, reviewing written materials provided by Community Development Department staff, and having some general discussion, the Board continued the hearing to Jan 2, 2018 in order to consider the issues in more detail and to allow additional opportunity for public comment. At that meeting, the Board voted to make the following recommendation.

The Board wholeheartedly endorses the goals expressed by the petitioners. It is important to help ensure the retail vibrancy of Harvard Square, especially given the changing nature of retail both in Cambridge and elsewhere. At a high level, the Board supports taking measures to support local businesses and to promote a healthy retail ecosystem. The challenge is to determine what set of zoning tools will truly advance that goal, and the petitioners have put forward an attractive and well thought out set of options.

With regard to the eight specific changes proposed in the petition (referring to the revised petition text provided at the Jan 2 hearing), the Board recommends the following actions:

• Review Criteria (additions to Section 20.53.2): The Board recommends ADOPTION.

• Harvard Square Advisory Committee (amendments to Section 20.54.1): The Board recommends ADOPTION, with the change that the committee should consist of thirteen (13) members by increasing the number of retail business representatives but not decreasing the number· of commercial property owner representatives.

• Required Residential Use Above 60 Feet (amendments to Section 20.54.2): The Board recommends further study. The current allowance, by special permit, of heights above 60 feet is intended to allow flexibility to promote historic preservation and open space. Employing it as a residential incentive could complicate these objectives. Also, because the allowed density is lower for residential use than for commercial use (unlike in other parts of the city), the additional height might not provide an adequate incentive, but could create uncertainty around the city's desired development outcomes.

• Use of Parking Contributions (amendments to Section 20.54.4): The Board recommends ADOPTION, with the small change that "transit solutions" be amended to "transportation solutions," to allow use of funds more broadly for pedestrian/bicycle improvements as well as other transportation-related measures such as mitigation of construction impacts on local businesses.

• Formula Business Regulations (new Section 20.56): The Board recommends ADOPTION; however, the Board agrees with concerns raised regarding the overlapping jurisdiction for sign review that could be created between the Planning Board and the Historical Commission, which can currently approve signs that deviate from some of the normal signage requirements in Article 7.000 of the Zoning Ordinance.

• Small Store Regulations (new Section 20.57): The Board agrees with the objectives but recommends further review of the detailed mechanics, given the uncertainty of how such a requirement might play out in a variety of situations. At the least, allowing modification by special permit may provide a "relief valve" to address situations where strict application of the requirement is infeasible or results in an undesirable outcome.

• Limitations on Bank and Other Office Frontage (new Section 20.58): The Board recommends ADOPTION, with possible further review of the appropriate limitation on frontage length. It is helpful in this case that there is a special permit provision to provide relief where it may be needed.

• Below-Grade GFA Exemption (new Section 20.59): The Board recommends ADOPTION, as this is a logical extension of current provisions in the Zoning Ordinance.

While the Board finds the recommended zoning changes to be favorable, there is a general concern that they may not be as effective in achieving the stated goals as some community members might hope. These measures should continue to be evaluated in the future, along with other zoning and non-zoning policy options, such as those outlined in the city's Retail Strategy completed last year.

Respectfully submitted for the Planning Board,
Catherine Preston Connolly, Vice Chair

TEXT OF ORDERS
O-1     Jan 22, 2018
VICE MAYOR DEVEREUX
COUNCILLOR ZONDERVAN
WHEREAS: The City of Cambridge has been working to actively promote the use of electric vehicles among its residents; and
WHEREAS: Electric vehicles offer significant environmental benefits; and
WHEREAS: Battery electric cars emit no pollution from the tailpipe, with the only emissions occurring with the production of the electricity used to charge them; and
WHEREAS: Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles emit no pollution when they are running on the electric motor, but also have an internal combustion engine for use at specific times; and
WHEREAS: Electric vehicles emit up to 99% less air pollution and 70% fewer greenhouse gas emissions than traditional internal combustion engine vehicles; and
WHEREAS: Electric vehicles are less expensive to maintain than internal combustion engine vehicles, as they do not require regular oil changes and the cost per mile of electricity is less than that of gas; and
WHEREAS: There are significant rebate and incentive programs for battery electric and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles to assist in making the cost of ownership attainable; and
WHEREAS: The Commonwealth of Massachusetts recently set a goal of having 300,000 electric vehicles on the road by 2025, and municipalities play a role in ensuring that that is possible; and
WHEREAS: There remain gaps to ensure that there are accessible charging locations citywide, and that residents are aware of the benefits and incentives that are available; and
WHEREAS: Additional charging stations would be helpful in encouraging more electric vehicle use, including on certain residential streets that are not located near existing charging stations and where driveways are limited such that users cannot charge their electric vehicles at home; and
WHEREAS: Public charging stations function like parking meters, wherein users currently pay a $1.25 hourly fee to cover the cost of electricity and administrative fees; and
WHEREAS: A good choice for driving in cities, the use of electric vehicles pairs with the City’s stated goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to consult with the Community Development Department and other appropriate City staff to provide the City Council with an update on efforts to expand the number of electric vehicles charging stations, including a target number of chargers that could be sustained in Cambridge and suggested locations for these chargers; and be it further
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to consult with the Community Development Department and other appropriate City departments to determine the feasibility of appropriately placing electric vehicle chargers on residential streets where there is need demonstrated by residents and a thoughtful community process; and be it further
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to consult with the Community Development Department and other appropriate City departments to update the City Council on the status of City fleet replacement to electric vehicles when feasible; and be it further
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to consult with the Community Development Department and other appropriate City departments to expand outreach and education on the available rebates and tax credits for purchasing electric vehicles, along with information on the potential cost savings of ownership; and be it further
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to consult with the Community Development Department and other appropriate City departments to determine the feasibility of requiring developers to include a greater number of electric vehicles chargers in new or substantially renovated multi-unit buildings; and be it further
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to report back to the City Council on all of the above matters.

O-2     Jan 22, 2018
VICE MAYOR DEVEREUX
COUNCILLOR ZONDERVAN
COUNCILLOR SIDDIQUI
WHEREAS: The Cambridge Snow Center website states that “it is illegal to ‘reserve’ cleared parking spaces; objects left in on-street parking spaces may be removed when crews are available after a snow event or when a snow emergency has been lifted”; and
WHEREAS: Residents from Cambridge continue to express frustration that space savers are not removed in a timely fashion after a significant snow event, which further complicates parking and creates tension among neighbors; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to work with the Department of Public Works to publicize and enforce a “zero tolerance” policy on space savers, working to remove them as quickly as possible following snow events; and be it further
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to work with the Department of Public Works, the Information Technology Department, and any other appropriate City departments to create a new “Space Saver” category on SeeClickFix to simplify the reporting procedure for remaining space savers.

O-4     Jan 22, 2018
COUNCILLOR ZONDERVAN
VICE MAYOR DEVEREUX
WHEREAS: The New York City Government has filed suit against the 5 largest publicly traded oil companies, BP, Chevron, Conoco-Phillips, ExxonMobil, and Royal Dutch Shell, charging that the companies have known and obscured consequences of climate change exacerbated by oil and gas products they have sold for decades; and
WHEREAS: The City of Cambridge has and will continue to see the effects of climate change including extreme temperatures, unusual levels of variability, more intense or frequent storms, flooding, and air pollution as described in the Cambridge Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment; and these effects will lead to substantial costs to the taxpayers and residents of Cambridge; now therefore be it
RESOLVED: That the City Council go on record supporting the lawsuit brought forth by New York City against the aforementioned oil companies; and be it further
RESOLVED: That the City Clerk be and hereby is requested to forward a suitably engrossed copy of this resolution to New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio on behalf of the entire City Council.

O-5     Jan 22, 2018
COUNCILLOR ZONDERVAN
MAYOR MCGOVERN
VICE MAYOR DEVEREUX
WHEREAS: The City has invested significant resources and planning into preparing for snow storms and is able to respond adequately to a certain level of annual snowfall; and
WHEREAS: Storms will continue to proliferate and intensify due to the destabilization of the polar vortex and more extreme variability caused by the ever-worsening reality of climate change; and
WHEREAS: There is considerable evidence that winters in Cambridge have become more extreme over the last several decades, surpassing levels at which the city is able to provide an adequate response; and
WHEREAS: The City’s response to a snow storm impacts the safety and quality of life of all residents of Cambridge; and
WHEREAS: The elderly and disabled are disproportionately and severely impacted by sidewalks and roads that are not fully cleared; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to explore mechanisms for achieving greater levels of snow clearing by the city during major storm events or heavy snow winters, including extending or expanding the parking ban so that more snow can be physically removed from the streets, expanding the capacity for snow removal from on-street parking spots and other critical areas, and the possibility of having city staff or contractors hired by the city clear major sidewalk/crosswalk access points when they are out of compliance while waiting for the responsible property owner to respond to citations; and be it further
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to explore mechanisms for increasing the public response during major storm events or heavy snow winters, including potentially greater enforcement of sidewalk clearing by abutters, requiring residents to dig their cars out after a storm (instead of allowing the cars to remain buried in snow until April, rendering the parking spot unusable to anyone else), and working with local business associations to ensure the parking spots in front of businesses and large property owners are cleared of snow; and be it further
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to ensure that parking spaces for people with disabilities are cleared of snow in a reasonable amount of time following a snow event; and be it further
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to report back to the City Council on this matter.

O-7     Jan 22, 2018
COUNCILLOR TOOMEY
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to confer with the Chief Information Officer for the City and report back with the following information regarding current and previous city-elected officials:
  • What type of equipment was issued i.e. cellphones, tablets, computers and any other related type of electronics;
  • How is the equipment tracked by the Information Technology Department;
  • How is the equipment monitored to ensure that it is only being used for official city business;
  • What is the City policy to ensure that the City equipment is returned when an employee is no longer employed by the City;
  • What is the annual cost of said equipment; and
  • What is the City’s policy on replacement of equipment that is lost or stolen?

O-8     Jan 22, 2018
COUNCILLOR SIMMONS
WHEREAS: The City Council has recently met to determine the rules that shall govern the 2018-2019 City Council term; and
WHEREAS: It would also be wise for the public to be informed of the new rules and to ensure that those attending and participating in Council meetings are all operating with a shared understanding of these new rules; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the Mayor be and hereby is requested to work with the appropriate City staff to establish a method of effectively communicating the new rules for the 2018-2019 City Council term with the members of the public.

TEXT OF COMMITTEE REPORTS
Committee Report #1
The Ad-Hoc Rules Committee, comprised of Vice Mayor Devereux, Councillors Kelley and Mallon, conducted a public hearing on Tuesday, Jan 16, 2018 at 2:32pm in the Sullivan Chamber.

The purpose of the hearing was to discuss and suggest changes to the City Council Rules (ATTACHMENT A).

Present at the hearing were Vice Mayor Devereux; Councillor Kelley; Councillor Mallon; Councillor Zondervan; Councillor Siddiqui; Councillor Simmons; Nancy Glowa, City Solicitor; Maryellen Carvello, Office Manager, City Manager’s Office; Wil Durbin, Chief of Staff for Mayor McGovern; Paula Crane, Deputy City Clerk; and Donna P. Lopez, City Clerk.

Vice Mayor Devereux opened the hearing and explained the purpose. She stated that the meeting is being privately recorded. She stated that her goal is to get suggestions, and prepare a revised draft of the Rules so that it will be on the agenda for the City Council to discuss at the Jan 22, 2018 Council meeting.

Vice Mayor Devereux opened the hearing to public suggestions at 2:34pm.

John Hawkinson summarized his suggestions contained in his communication (ATTACHMENT B). He did not want the rules renumbered because it causes confusion. In 2016, the quorums were reduced from the majority of members on the committee to two or three members. He stated that this was done to encourage better attendance. Public comment sign up recently moved online and he felt that the public should be able to sign up on Thursday when the meeting is posted but currently the public cannot because of Rule 24C (1) b. He stated that regarding late policy orders, individuals should be able to comment on late policy orders. He expressed his concern about First Amendment rights with placards not being allowed in the chamber. He stated that signs are a form of free speech. He wanted this restriction removed.

Robert Winters stated that he is fine is with the rules as they are. He noted that over many years the rules have changed and the committees were consolidated. He suggested that the members give thought to the rules and committee structure.

Vice Mayor Devereux asked for suggestions from the members of the committee.

Councillor Mallon spoke about the consolidation of the committees. She spoke about gender and equity issues, and suggested that this topic be included in the purview of the Civic Unity Committee.

Councillor Zondervan commented on the issue of the quorums. He would like to increase committee quorums to a majority. He felt that the individuals should be able to sign up on-line for public comment. He expressed interest in forming a climate change committee. He explained that the state legislature has such a committee. There are health and environmental issues not included under climate change.

Councillor Kelley stated that all Councillors need to agree to and understand the rules. He stated that he would not be supportive of changing the quorums for committees. He noted that getting a quorum of two at times has been difficult. He submitted the following amendments:

- Rule 17 on page 3 – strike out the words “Commencing at 5:00 p.m.” Begin the sentence at “Before”.

- Rule 21 on page 4 - add a new third sentence which reads: “In the event of anticipated closure of municipal buildings due to inclement weather or for another reason, the City Clerk, after consultation with the City Manager, may revise the deadline accordingly when matters shall be presented to the City Clerk for inclusion on the agenda.”

- ADD Rule 32D on page 12 add “Public hearing notes may be taken by any City employee.” He did not feel that the City Clerk should be the only one responsible for taking public hearing notes.

- Travel Policy - under City Council Travel Budget item (1) on page 15 - strike the words “except that there will be no reimbursement for travel outside the continental United States without prior approval of the City Council.”

- Travel Policy - under Lodging in Travel Expense Reimbursement on page 16 - add at the end “Short term rental access, internet and access fees are allowable.”

- Travel Policy - under Taxis in Ground Transportation on page 17 add to title Taxis “and ride-hail services” and add to the second sentence after the word “taxi” the words “and ride-hail services”.

Councillor Siddiqui stated that she wanted to further investigate the issue of quorums.

Councillor Simmons noted that she wanted a section entitled “Announcements” to be added to Rule 24A on page 5 in the Order of Business. A discussion ensued about the placement of Announcement in the Order of Business. Councillors Simmons and Mallon wanted Announcements to be placed at the end of the Order of Business; Councillor Zondervan and Vice Mayor Devereux wanted the placement after Public Comment. It was noted that Public Comment was not on the Order of Business and the committee wanted it added to the beginning of Order of Business in Rule 24A.

- 24C (1) b add after the word via “by signing up on a computer terminal in the City Council office.”

Councillor Zondervan commented that if public comment sign up is opened on Thursdays immediately after the agenda is published, there may be more individuals who sign up but then do not come to speak at the meeting. Vice Mayor Devereux wanted IT to make the link live for public comment sign ups on Thursday when the agenda is made public. Mr. Hawkinson noted that an individual can sign up on-line on Mondays. Vice Mayor Devereux noted that the question is whether it is wise to make this available on Thursday and not Monday. She wanted the language updated with what system is being used currently. She wanted this made easy and flexible for the public. The current system allows individuals to sign up on-line for Public Comment on Mondays from 9:00am to 3:00pm. After consultation with IT the City Clerk was informed that this can be changed to allow on-line sign up for Public Comment when the Agenda is posted. This is not a big change but IT would require a little notice to make the change.

Councillor Simmons spoke about the issue of consolidating the committees. She explained that when there were many more committees than there are today, it was difficult to get members of the Council interested in serving on several committees. The charge was to reduce the number of committees. She gave a history of the Civic Unity Committee. In 1945, the Civic Unity Department was formed when persons of color were coming home from the war. She stated that with the dissolution of the Civic Unity Department, the Civic Unity Committee was created. Councillor Simmons stated that she did not want the quorums changed. She commented that committees are for vetting issues to bring them to the floor of the City Council for full discussion.

Vice Mayor Devereux submitted an amendment as follows:

- 24B on page 6 - by striking out the fourth sentence and substituting in place the following: “The roundtable/working meeting shall be broadcast on cable television and live streamed.”

Councillor Siddiqui questioned the distinction between a roundtable and a working meeting.

Councillor Zondervan questioned the number of the roundtable/working meetings stated in the rules.

Councillor Simmons responded that these meetings were being underutilized and a suggested number that should be held each year was included in the rules to encourage the scheduling of roundtable/working meetings. Councillor Zondervan suggested amending Rule 24B to read:

- 24B on page 6 – “At least six, but not limited to twelve meetings per year may be roundtable/working meetings; three of which will be with the School Committee.”

Vice Mayor Devereux spoke on the issue of Committee quorums and the importance of encouraging participation. She favored increasing the quorums to a majority of the committee.

Councillor Simmons noted that the position of City Councillor is not a full-time job and committee hearings may conflict with other obligations of the members. She further stated that committee chairs do not poll members of their committees to see when members can meet. Councillor Kelley stated that committee meetings are open to all members of the City Council.

City Solicitor Glowa stated that a committee chair may step down to participate in hearings and that co-chairs could step down to speak on the substance of the hearing. Councillor Zondervan stated that the quorum of committees, per the Open Meeting Law, does not allow a quorum of committee members to discuss issues before the Committee outside of a public meeting. They can set an agenda, but not discuss issues.

Vice Mayor Devereux agreed that gender equity issues should be added to the Civic Unity Committee and suggested adding “gender equity” into the title. Councillor Siddiqui suggested leaving the title as Civic Unity Committee and adding gender equity into the work of committee.

Vice Mayor Devereux asked if the Housing Committee should be a committee of the whole. Councillor Mallon agreed and further stated that the more voices on this committee the better. Mr. Durbin stated that the Mayor wanted to hold off on this to speak with the potential chair of the Housing Committee.

Councillor Simmons stated that she wanted to hear more from the mayor. Councillor Zondervan supported the idea of having the Housing Committee be a committee of the whole.

Councillor Simmons noted that the committees are spread thin. She further stated that last term the committee work was very productive. She disagreed with Councillor Kelley about city employees other than the Clerk taking minutes. She preferred the City Clerk’s office taking the minutes. She would not support Councillor Kelley’s amendment. She suggested amending:

- Rule 4 on page one by striking out the words “regularly seconded” in the second sentence.

Vice Mayor Devereux spoke about First Amendment issues related to holding signs in the chamber. She spoke about discretion of the chair. Councillor Zondervan stated that the Rules state that people cannot be unruly and there is no need to have restrictions on signs.

Councillor Simmons stated that there were previous rules that no one could be disruptive. Some people came in with campaign signs. Signs can be put in someone’s face. Restrictions are there to protect participation. She stated that some speech can be threatening. She spoke about offensive signs discouraging participation. Councillor Mallon stated that she agreed with Councillor Simmons. She will not support this change.

Councillor Siddiqui requested an opinion from City Solicitor to ensure that free speech is not being restricted. City Solicitor Glowa stated that she will provide a written opinion. This has been researched previously and it has been determined that this rule does not place a restriction on speech. This space is small and adding an additional encumbrance can be disturbing for some people.

Councillor Kelley stated that he would not change signs in Rule 38.

Councillor Zondervan stated that he did not want to turn City Hall into a spectacle. Signs could be allowed in certain situations, in a visual manner to communicate their thoughts. Language could be made to rule out disruptive behavior and not disrupt free speech.

Councillor Simmons stated that signs are brought in regards to heated issues. She spoke about the liability. She spoke about Cambridge encouraging participation. Vice Mayor Devereux agreed with maintaining respectful decorum and not having people feel threatened. She stated that the size of signs could be specified. Councillor Zondervan made a clerical correction to add an “s” at the end of posters in Rule 38 (4.).

Vice Mayor Devereux stated that it was her intention to review the document for changes and to make recommendations by the committee to the full City Council. She wanted the committees of the whole to have quorum of 5 and committees with five members have a quorum of 3. This was discussed.

Councillor Mallon was not in favor of increasing the quorums but did agree with the Housing Committee being a committee of the whole. Councillor Kelley also agreed.

It was suggested that Rule 21 be changed to add at the end thereof “The City Clerk shall add to the agenda any communication that was received at the meeting during public comment.”

Vice Mayor Devereux further amended 24C (1) a by adding “Late Policy Orders and Resolutions” after “Communications and Reports from Other City Officers.” She further wanted the word “citizens” to be changed to “individuals” where it appears throughout the entire document.

Councillor Kelley moved to send the recommendations to full City Council. The motion carried.

Attached is a Draft Recommendations to the City Council Rules (ATTACHMENT C).

Vice Mayor Devereux thanked all attendees.

The hearing adjourned at 4:36pm.

For the Committee,
Vice Mayor Jan Devereux, Chair