Cambridge City Council meeting - January 23, 2012 - AGENDA
CITY MANAGER’S AGENDA
1. Transmitting communication from Robert W. Healy, City Manager, relative to the transfer of $741,750.14 between School Department statutory accounts, which includes $732,143.53 from the General Fund School Other Ordinary Maintenance account and $9,606.61 from the School Travel and Training account to the School Salaries and Wages account ($716,062.47) and to the School Extraordinary Expenditures account ($25,687.67), which are re-allocations within school department programs and are related to school improvement and professional development plans based on approved detail budget allocations by Principals.
2. Transmitting communication from Robert W. Healy, City Manager, relative to the appointment of the following persons as Public Weighers for the calendar year 2012, while employed at Boston Sand & Gravel Co., 500 Front Street: Jake Howe, Tony Cordella, William Tweedy, David Thebearge, Scott Prentice, Jody Staples, Joseph Olsen, Ray Broderick and Roland Barris
3. Transmitting communication from Robert W. Healy, City Manager, relative to the appointment of the following persons as Public Weighers for the calendar year 2012, while employed at MICH-LIN transfer station, 45 Mooney Street: Amanda Noonan, Kimberly I. Mochi-Vendetti, Jo Ann Del Vecchio, Daniel Pasquarosa, Peter Diorio, Charles J. Mabardy, Joseph Mabardy, Jr., James J. Mabardy, Justine N. Bonitatibus, Michael Guerriero, Anthony Pasqurosa and Dana Desharnais
4. Transmitting communication from Robert W. Healy, City Manager, relative to the appointment of the following persons as members of the Cambridge Commission on the Status of Women for a three year term effective Jan 9, 2012: Audrey Oetomo, Srin Chakravorty
Audrey Oetomo
Audrey Oetomo immigrated to the United States less than a decade ago from Indonesia. When she first arrived in Seattle, WA, she worked a variety of jobs while working towards her associate degree at community college. She then attended Rochester Institute of Technology and now Mass General Hospital's Institute of Health Professions. In Cambridge, Audrey has served as a consultant on the Immigrant Women's Roundtable project, analyzing data from a citywide 2010 survey and also researching census data. Audrey's career and educational path reflect those of the growing immigrant populations, particularly women, settling in Cambridge.
Srin Chakravorty
Srin Chakravorty has been an active member of the Cambridge community for the past 7 years. She has been a volunteer at BARCC as a Certified Rape Crisis Counselor since 2005 and is also a regular contributor and volunteer at CCTV Cambridge. Srin's experience in housing advocacy and policy brings a wonderful perspective to the current Commission since women are the fastest growing group who are at risk of becoming homeless in Massachusetts. Srin's other main commitment is to AIDS advocacy and direct service.
5. Transmitting communication from Robert W. Healy, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 12-01, regarding a report on the use of rodent resistant trash bags.
6. Transmitting communication from Robert W. Healy, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of $102,000 from Free Cash to the General Fund Police Department Other Ordinary Maintenance account in support of the Cambridge Arlington Belmont High-risk Assessment and Response Team (CAB HART) Program through Dec 31, 2012.
CHARTER RIGHT
1. An application was received from John McQuillan, requesting permission for a curb cut at the premises numbered 37 Lancaster Street; said petition has received approval from Inspectional Services, Traffic, Parking and Transportation, Historical Commission (Avon Hill NCDC approved ribbon driveway and handicap ramp) and Public Works. Three abutter approvals and three abutter disapprovals received. Neighborhood representative approved personally, not for the organization. Additional design documents on file with the petition. [Charter Right exercised by Councillor Kelley on Applications and Petitions Number Two of Jan 9, 2012. Appeal from Avon Hill NCDC also included.]
Tabled - Simmons
2. That the City Manager is requested to prepare a home rule petition to delegate the approval of curb cuts and report back to the Council with the necessary legislative language. [Charter Right exercised by Councillor Toomey on Order Number Seven of Jan 9, 2012.]
Placed on File - no action
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
3. That the matter of the election of the Mayor and Vice Mayor be referred to Unfinished Business. Jan 9, 2012 ballot #2 taken (Councillor Cheung three votes; Councillor Davis one vote; Councillor Decker three votes; Councillor Kelley one vote and Councillor Toomey one vote).
Ballot #3: Cheung 3, Decker 3, Davis 1, Kelley 1, Toomey 1 - no election
4. A communication was received from D. Margaret Drury, City Clerk, transmitting a report from Councillor Seidel, Chair of the Ordinance Committee, for a hearing held on Dec 28, 2011 to consider an amendment to the Zoning Ordinance on the petition filed by Julia Bishop, et al. and re-filed by the City Council to amend Section 17.20 of the Zoning Ordinance - Regulations for Special District 2 located in North Cambridge along Linear Park. Planning Board hearing held Jan 17, 2012. Petition expires Mar 27, 2012.
APPLICATIONS AND PETITIONS
1. An application was received from Kin Lau, AbodeZ, requesting permission to relocate curb cuts at the premises numbered 42 and 45 Bay State Road; said petition has received approval from Inspectional Services, Traffic, Parking and Transportation, Historical Commission and Public Works. Approval has been received from the neighborhood association.
2. An application was received from Get in Shape for Women, requesting permission for a sandwich board sign in front of the premises numbered 1764 Massachusetts Avenue.
COMMUNICATIONS
1. A communication was received from United States Representative Barney Frank, transmitting deep appreciation for the resolution.
2. A communication was received from Whittemore Avenue LLC, 12, 32-32R Whittemore Avenue and Tyler Court Realty Trust, 35 Cottage Park Avenue and 25 Edmunds Street, transmitting written protest to the re-filed Julia Bishop, et al. Zoning Petition.
Referred to Petition
3. A communication was received from United States Senator Scott P. Brown, transmitting thanks for contacting him about amendment (S.J. Res. 29) to the United States Constitution that would waive the First Amendment for corporations and other businesses.
4. A communication was received from Heather Maguire Hoffman, co-president, Association of Cambridge Neighborhoods, 213 Hurley Street, regarding MBTA proposals to raise fares and cut services.
Referred to CDD - Davis
5. A communication was received from Eric Grunebaum, 98 Montgomery Street, regarding facts about coal in Massachusetts.
RESOLUTIONS
1. Happy 20th Anniversary to Story Space. Councillor Toomey
2. Resolution on the death of Jamey J. Corcoran. Councillor Toomey, Councillor Maher
3. Congratulations to Ariad Pharmaceuticals, Inc. on being listed among Boston's top-performing stocks of 2011. Councillor Cheung
4. Congratulations to Senator Sal DiDomenico on being awarded "Legislator of the Year" by the Massachusetts Chapter of the American Planning Association. Councillor Cheung
5. Congratulations to Toys-For-Tots for their successful work this year. Councillor Cheung
6. Resolution on the death of Florence G. (Flaherty) Salvato. Councillor Toomey
7. Resolution on the death of Diane D. Hixon. Councillor Maher
8. Resolution on the death of Maria (Andrade) Vicente. Councillor Maher, Councillor Toomey
9. Retirement of James Parris from the School Department. Councillor Reeves
10. Resolution on the death of Holly P. Chute. Councillor Toomey
11. Resolution on the death of Marilyn Tarmy. Councillor Toomey
12. Retirement of Francisco Neris from the Cambridge Housing Authority. Councillor Reeves
13. Retirement of Judith Donoghue from the Police Department. Councillor Reeves
14. Retirement of John Gelinas from the Fire Department. Councillor Reeves
15. Resolution on the death of Harold C. Avery. Councillor Maher
16. Resolution on the death of Edith Morton (Robinson) Stokey. Councillor Davis
17. Retirement of Patricia A. Johnson from the Council on Aging. Councillor Davis, Councillor Maher
18. Resolution on the death of Jean (Melnik) Skopetz. Councillor Toomey
19. Resolution on the death of Leonard C. Donnelly. Councillor Toomey
20. Resolution on the death of Theresa Joyce (Sullivan) McSweeney. Councillor Toomey
21. Happy Birthday wishes to Ann Colette. Councillor Simmons
22. Congratulations to Councillor Henrietta Davis on being named Chair of the National League of Cities International Council. Councillor Simmons, Councillor Cheung, Councillor Decker, Councillor Kelley, Councillor Maher, Councillor Reeves, Councillor Toomey and Councillor vanBeuzekom.
23. Congratulations to the students who participated in the TTT Mentor Program. Councillor Simmons
24. Thanks to the mentors of the TTT Mentor Program. Councillor Simmons
25. Retirement of Robert Blake from the Fire Department. Councillor Reeves
26. Retirement of John Mingle from the School Department. Councillor Reeves
27. Thanks to Lori Lander and the organizing committee of the Many Helping Hands MLK Day of Service on Jan 16, 2012. Councillor Davis
28. Congratulations to Paul Evenson and Elizabeth Doran on their upcoming marriage. Councillor Maher
29. Best wishes to Seth Diamond on bringing his reality television show "Food Biker" to the airwaves. Councillor Toomey
30. Resolution on the death of Martin J. Shea. Councillor Maher
31. Resolution on the death of Rosalie (Brienzi) Devasto. Councillor Maher
32. Resolution on the death of Dominic Camelio. Councillor Toomey, Councillor Maher
33. Retirement of Robert Hodgkins from the Cambridge Hospital. Councillor Reeves
34. Resolution on the death of Idalina (Pais da Costa) Jorge. Councillor Toomey
35. Resolution on the death of Maria Estrela (Rodrigues) Correia. Councillor Toomey
36. Resolution on the death of James A. Griffin. Councillor Toomey
37. Resolution on the death of James J. "Jim" F. Goldberg. Councillor Toomey
ORDERS
1. That the City Manager is requested to urge the Department of Conservation and Recreation and NSTAR to immediately repair all street lights that are not working in Cambridge with a view towards enhancing the safety of pedestrians, cyclists, and other users of Cambridge roadways. Councillor Simmons
2. That the City Manager is requested to report back to the City Council on the impact of reductions in fuel assistance and weatherization funds on Cambridge residents this winter. Councillor Davis
Amended
3. That the City Manager is requested to devise and implement a system for annually reporting the energy use of each municipal building, including schools and buildings leased by the city, and to communicate this information to the public by making it available on the city website and through other means such as displays in building lobbies and city publications. Councillor Davis and Councillor vanBeuzekom
4. That the City Manager is requested to report back to the City Council with information regarding the steam pipe rupture on Second Street and the organized response by the city and those involved and to provide information regarding existing infrastructure in the neighborhood that may need future repairs or upgrades to avoid a similar situation. Councillor Toomey
5. That the City Manager is requested to report to the City Council on the installation of vending machines which dispense helmets and rules of the road brochures as the City rolls out its bike share program this spring. Councillor Davis
Amended, Kelley voted NO
6. That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to confer with the Director of Traffic, Parking and Transportation and report back to the City Council on what public outreach has been made to existing customers to notify them about the cost savings of winter parking at the First Street Garage and whether the company operating the garage was made aware of the fee change and how many residents were overcharged for the winter months. Councillor Toomey
7. That the City Manager is requested to report back to the City Council on how the City of Cambridge promotes and enforces the Cambridge Employment Plan. Councillor Toomey
8. That the City Council go on record urging the Joint Committee on the Judiciary to hasten its consideration of An Act to Establish Mandatory Mediation with Judicial Review, while urging Cambridge's legislative delegation to support this bill Councillor Simmons
9. That the City Manager is requested to designate a committee to include the City's Assistant City Manager for Fiscal Affairs, to analyze various scenarios for installation of renewable energy facilities for city buildings. Councillor Davis
10. That the City Manager is requested to revisit instituting a ban on plastic bags from retail institutions similar to that of the cities mentioned and to revisit the issue of coordination with surrounding communities. Councillor Decker and Councillor vanBeuzekom
Amended
11. That this City Council go on record requesting that Cambridge go "coal-free" in an effort to combat the negative effects such energy has on health, economics and social justice. Councillor Decker and Councillor vanBeuzekom
12. That this City Council go on record strongly suggesting that Equity World only work with companies that do meet community standards and to provide further information regarding why they chose to work with a company that does not. Councillor Decker
13. That the City Manager is requested to report back to the Council on how appropriate information pertaining to parking sticker location (how many parking stickers are issued to a street or address) may be made readily available, free of charge and on the City's website, to the general public or, if that is not possible, what information may be made available and why any limitations on dissemination of such information exists. Councillor Kelley
14. That the City Manager is requested to develop a complete list of all agreements which give continuing benefit to the residents of Cambridge and the mechanism for keeping track of expiration, enforcement or change of ownership. Councillor vanBeuzekom
15. That the City Council hereby schedule a public hearing for the Bishop petition for Wed, Feb 8, 2011 at 4pm 5:30pm in the Sullivan Chamber, to be held either as a Special Meeting of the City Council for the purpose of the hearing or a public hearing of the Ordinance Committee, if a Mayor of the Council has been elected and a Chair of the Ordinance Committee appointed by that date. Councillor Maher
Amended
COMMITTEE REPORTS
1. A communication was received from D. Margaret Drury, City Clerk, transmitting a report from Councillor Marjorie C. Decker, Chair of the Housing Committee for a public meeting held on Aug 18, 2011 for the purpose of an update on the plan of the owner of Chapman Arms to sell the building and the City's option to preserve the affordable units which comprises half of the total units in the Chapman Arms.
2. A communication was received from D. Margaret Drury, City Clerk, transmitting a report from Councillor Marjorie C. Decker, Chair of the Community Health Committee sponsored a public forum on domestic violence held on Oct 11, 2011.
COMMUNICATIONS AND REPORTS FROM CITY OFFICERS
1. A communication was received from Councillor Timothy J. Toomey, Jr., transmitting a communication regarding returning the 9 Wyman Street curb cut to the table.
Curb cut petition placed on the Table
HEARING SCHEDULE
Mon, Jan 23
5:30pm City Council Meeting (Sullivan Chamber)
Mon, Jan 30
5:30pm City Council Meeting (Sullivan Chamber)
Mon, Feb 6
5:30pm City Council Meeting (Sullivan Chamber)
Mon, Feb 13
5:30pm City Council Meeting (Sullivan Chamber)
Mon, Feb 27
5:30pm City Council Meeting (Sullivan Chamber)
Mon, Mar 5
5:30pm City Council Meeting (Sullivan Chamber)
Mon, Mar 12
5:30pm City Council Meeting (Sullivan Chamber)
Mon, Mar 19
5:30pm City Council Meeting. [The City Manager will submit recommendation for water/sewer rates.] (Sullivan Chamber)
Mon, Mar 26
5:30pm City Council Meeting (Sullivan Chamber)
Mon, Apr 2
5:30pm City Council Meeting (Sullivan Chamber)
Mon, Apr 9
5:30pm City Council Meeting (Sullivan Chamber)
Mon, Apr 23
5:30pm City Council Meeting (Sullivan Chamber)
Mon, Apr 30
5:30pm City Council Meeting (Sullivan Chamber)
Mon, May 7
5:30pm City Council Meeting (Sullivan Chamber)
Mon, May 14
5:30pm City Council Meeting (Sullivan Chamber)
Mon, May 21
5:30pm City Council Meeting (Sullivan Chamber)
Mon, June 4
5:30pm City Council Meeting (Sullivan Chamber)
Mon, June 11
5:30pm City Council Meeting (Sullivan Chamber)
Mon, June 18
5:30pm City Council Meeting (Sullivan Chamber)
Mon, June 25
5:30pm City Council Meeting (Sullivan Chamber)
TEXT OF ORDERS
O-1 Jan 23, 2012
COUNCILLOR SIMMONS
WHEREAS: Public Safety is of paramount importance to residents of Cambridge and to the City Council; and
WHEREAS: Street lights not only deter crime, they enhance the public's sense of personal safety;
WHEREAS: Several street lights at the intersection of Mount Auburn Street, Gerry's Landing, and the Fresh Pond Parkway, an intersection so dangerous it is referred to by MBTA bus drivers as the "Bermuda Triangle" have not been working for several months now; and
WHEREAS: Twenty-seven street lights on Memorial Drive are not working, posing a significant risk to pedestrians, cyclists and other users of Cambridge roadways; and
WHEREAS: This state of affairs is not acceptable given the wave of purse snatchings and assaults that have occurred in Cambridge recently; and
WHEREAS: Functioning street lights are necessary in the winter when sidewalks become slippery and dangerous to walk on; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to urge the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation and NSTAR to immediately repair all street lights that are not working in Cambridge with a view towards enhancing the safety of pedestrians, cyclists, and other users of Cambridge roadways, and to report back to the City Council
O-2 Jan 23, 2012 Amended
COUNCILLOR DAVIS
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to report back to the City Council on the impact of reductions in fuel assistance and weatherization funds on Cambridge residents this winter.
O-3 Jan 23, 2012
COUNCILLOR DAVIS
COUNCILLOR VANBEUZEKOM
WHEREAS: Disclosing how much energy buildings use helps to promote energy efficiency; and
WHEREAS: Several US cities are already disclosing municipal building energy consumption and have also enacted regulations to require owners of private buildings to disclose their energy use; and
WHEREAS: Building energy disclosure regulations should be considered for Cambridge, and as a first step the City of Cambridge should show leadership by disclosing the energy consumption of all municipal buildings; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to devise and implement a system for annually reporting the energy use of each municipal building, including schools and buildings leased by the city, and to communicate this information to the public by making it available on the city website and through other means such as displays in building lobbies and city publications.
O-4 Jan 23, 2012
COUNCILLOR TOOMEY
WHEREAS: On Thurs, Jan 12, a steam pipe owned by Veolia burst underground on Second Street releasing steam and prompting contamination concerns; and
WHEREAS: Further investigation determined there was no health hazard as a result of the burst; and
WHEREAS: Abutting residents received mixed communications regarding the potential hazard and final safety determination; and
WHEREAS: The repair schedule is a concern for abutters because of loud equipment and generators being used in the residential area; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to report back to the City Council with information regarding the steam pipe rupture and the organized response by the city and those involved; and to additionally provide information regarding existing infrastructure in the neighborhood that may need future repairs or upgrades to avoid a similar situation; and be it further
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to confer with Veolia on an appropriate repair schedule that will result in a timely and less impactful project.
O-5 Jan 23, 2012 Amended
COUNCILLOR DAVIS
WHEREAS: MIT students have designed a vending machine to dispense helmets for Boston's Hubway bike sharing program; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to report to the City Council on the installation of these devices in Cambridge as the city rolls out its bike share program this spring; and be it further
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to direct the appropriate departments to prepare a brochure on the rules of the road for dispensing with the helmets at the vending machines.
O-6 Jan 23, 2012
COUNCILLOR TOOMEY
WHEREAS: The 2012 Cambridge Resident Information booklet that was distributed by the Traffic, Parking and Transportation Department states that winter parking is available in the First Street Garage during winter months for $50 a month; and
WHEREAS: Residents previously paid $100 for use of the garage and some residents have reported that they have continued to pay $100 despite the $50 rate listed in the booklet; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to confer with the Director of Traffic, Parking and Transportation and report back to the City Council on what public outreach has been made to existing customers to notify them about the cost savings and whether the company operating the First Street Garage was made aware of the change and how many residents were overcharged for the winter months.
O-7 Jan 23, 2012
COUNCILLOR TOOMEY
WHEREAS: Cambridge continues to be a much desired area for large developments; and
WHEREAS: Development creates a significant amount of employment opportunities from the start of the building construction; and
WHEREAS: The Cambridge Employment Plan, Chapter 2.66 of the Municipal Code, was developed to ensure that Cambridge residents would benefit from job creation that comes with development; and
WHEREAS: Many Kendall Square developers have committed to use union labor for their projects but it is unclear how the Cambridge Employment Plan is enforced and upheld; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to report back to the City Council on how the City of Cambridge promotes and enforces the Cambridge Employment Plan.
O-8 Jan 23, 2012
COUNCILLOR SIMMONS
WHEREAS: While Cambridge is emerging relatively unscathed from the home foreclosure crisis, the crisis has ruined lives, destroyed communities, and hampered economic recovery in towns and cities across the Commonwealth; and
WHEREAS: While data from various sources point to a slow recovery in the housing market in Massachusetts, home foreclosures continue to the detriment of many homeowners; and
WHEREAS: While banks and other financial lending institutions contributed to the home foreclosure crisis, their efforts to resolve this crisis have not been commensurate with their role in fomenting the crisis; and
WHEREAS: Banks have used fraudulent paperwork and other illegal methods to evict people from their homes and many banks have been unwilling to work with home owners through mediation to prevent foreclosures; and
WHEREAS: An Act To Establish Mandatory Mediation with Judicial Review will require banks and other lending institutions to mediate in good faith with homeowners to identify alternative resolutions before commencing foreclosure proceedings; and
WHEREAS: The bill will also establish the Massachusetts Mediation Foreclosure Program (MFMP), which will be overseen by the Attorney General, and will train neutral, third party mediators in foreclosure alternatives, and ensure all borrowers have the option to participate in mediation; and
WHEREAS: A public hearing for the bill occurred on Jan 11, 2012, after which the bill was sent to the Joint Committee on the Judiciary for further review; and
WHEREAS: Time is of the essence with this bill and it is imperative for the Joint Committee on the Judiciary to move fast so that this bill can become law as soon as possible; now therefore be it
RESOLVED: That the City Council go on record urging the Joint Committee on the Judiciary to hasten its consideration of An Act to Establish Mandatory Mediation with Judicial Review, while urging Cambridge's legislative delegation to support this bill; be it further
RESOLVED: That the City Clerk be and hereby is requested to forward a suitably engrossed copy of this resolution to the House and Senate Sponsors of this legislation Senator Harriet L. Chandler and Representatives Mahoney, O'Day and Pedone as well to the co-Chairs of the Joint Committee on the Judiciary Senator Cynthia Stone Creem and Representative Eugene O'Flaherty on behalf of the entire Council.
O-9 Jan 23, 2012
COUNCILLOR DAVIS
WHEREAS: The city has a goal to increase its use of renewable energy; and
WHEREAS: The implementation of that goal will require a significant amount of financial analysis to determine the most cost effective methods; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to designate a committee to include the City's Assistant City Manager for Fiscal Affairs, to analyze various scenarios for installation of renewable energy facilities for city buildings.
O-10 Jan 23, 2012 Amended
COUNCILLOR DECKER
COUNCILLOR VANBEUZEKOM
WHEREAS: It has come to the attention of this City Council that plastic bags are either restricted or banned in over a quarter of the world's countries. In the United States, bans have been imposed at the local level, starting with Nantucket over 20 years ago. San Francisco imposed a ban in 2007, later followed by Westport, Connecticut, Edmonds, Washington, Los Angeles County, CA, Brownsville, Texas; Bethel, Alaska, North Carolina's Outerbanks Region, Portland, Oregon; Seattle, Washington, San Jose, California, 30 rural villages in Alaska, and many cities throughout Canada. Countries that have banned or restricted them include: China, Israel, Belgium, Italy, Ireland, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, Botswana, Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa, Thailand, several states in India, three states and territories of Australia, Paris, Mexico City, Rajasthan (India), Sikkim (India), Taiwan, Singapore, Bangladesh, Malawi, Germany, Sweden, Paris, Mexico City, and three states/territories of
Australia. These cities, states, and nations have had great success in curbing the use of disposable plastic bags from retailers; and
WHEREAS: Plastic bags contribute to litter and landfill loads and find their way into our waterways, parks, beaches, and streets. Many animals ingest plastic bags, mistaking them for food, and therefore die. Also, plastic bags are non-biodegradable. These bags don't decompose, they photodegrade, slowly breaking up into smaller and smaller toxic bits. This process takes about 200-400 years; and
WHEREAS: The United Nations estimates that plastic bags kill 1 billion animals per year. These animals suffer a painful death as the plastic wraps around their intestines or they choke to death; and
WHEREAS: In 2007 San Francisco became the first major city in the U.S. to ban single-use plastic bags in chain grocery stores and pharmacies. Dozens of other cities have followed suit and rising concern about the paltry recyclability of plastic bags has emphasized the benefit of such bans and the idea of reusable totes. It is estimated that close to 100 million fewer plastic bags were handed out over the last year in San Francisco; and
WHEREAS: The recycling of plastic bags is approximately 5.2%. Even if the recycling rate of plastic bags were to double - triple - or more, the remaining bags would still present an unacceptable danger to the world's wildlife; and
WHEREAS: The Council has requested that the City Manager look into the elimination of plastic bags from retail institutions in the community; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to revisit instituting a ban similar to that of the cities mentioned above and to revisit the issue of coordination with surrounding communities; 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-11 Jan 23, 2012
COUNCILLOR DECKER
COUNCILLOR VANBEUZEKOM
WHEREAS: This City Council believes that Cambridge should serve as a model and stand with communities who are committed to alternative energy sources that are "coal-free"; and
WHEREAS: Mined coal comes at a social, economic and health cost to poor communities that both are mined for coal and process it; and
WHEREAS: Jon Levy, Professor of Environmental Health at the Boston University School of Public Health has documented in his research that more than $300 million per year in public health damages (on the order of 50 deaths per year) are inflicted on residents by our coal plants; and
WHEREAS: The issue of coal as an energy source should be seen in the context of struggle for human rights, aiming to protect communities that typically do not have the political clout or a strong voice to be heard; and
WHEREAS: It is important for the citizens of Cambridge to know that our energy comes from coal plants that inflict harm on communities in Massachusetts, such as Somerset, as well as from origin plants which range from Appalachia to Columbia; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to obtain from NSTAR the following information: How much of the electricity serving the municipal needs of Cambridge is attributable to burning coal? How much of the coal burned to generate the city's electricity comes from Columbia and how much from West Virginia? If there are other sources of coal, please specify. Please identify the mines that the Columbian coal originates from. Please identify the mines that the West Virginia coal comes from and in each case whether they are strip-mines (a.k.a. surface mines). What is the number of residential, commercial and government customers who have chosen the NSTAR Green option? This would include 50% or 100% wind generated energy options; and be it further
ORDERED: That this City Council go on record requesting that Cambridge go "coal-free" in an effort to combat the negative effects such energy has on health, economics and social justice; 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-12 Jan 23, 2012
COUNCILLOR DECKER
WHEREAS: This City Council has learned that Equity World has hired P.H. Mechanical Corporation for an extensive pipefitting job; and
WHEREAS: The building at 303 Third Street had been built completely by companies that adhere to community standards, ensuring prevailing wage, healthcare coverage, certified apprenticeship programs and pension benefits; and
WHEREAS: The exception to the rule is the hiring of P.H. Mechanical Corporation, a company that does not meet said community standards; and
WHEREAS: In the past, P.H. Mechanical Corporation has also been accused of fraud, asbestos violations, debarments, apprenticeship issues and DOL issues; now therefore be it
RESOLVED: That this City Council go on record strongly suggesting that Equity World only work with companies that do meet community standards and to provide further information regarding why they chose to work with a company that does not; and be it further
RESOLVED: That the City Clerk be and hereby is requested to forward a suitably engrossed copy of this resolution to Equity World on behalf of the entire City Council.
O-13 Jan 23, 2012
COUNCILLOR KELLEY
WHEREAS: Discussions at neighborhood meetings, Planning Board meetings, Board of Zoning Appeals meetings and numerous other planning meetings in Cambridge often involved a discussion of potential parking impacts of a proposed project; and
WHEREAS: Without ready access to parking information for their neighborhood, local residents often have difficulty quantifying parking constraints and concerns in their immediate neighborhoods; and
WHEREAS: Without ready access to parking information, especially the number of parking stickers issued to local households, neighbors often have difficulty engaging in a useful and detailed discussion about parking impacts of a proposed project; and
WHEREAS: Current discussions of the Special Permit requested for Whittemore Avenue and the associated Special District 2 rezoning are greatly influenced by people's concerns about parking; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to report back to the Council on how appropriate information pertaining to parking sticker location (how many parking stickers are issued to a street or address) may be made readily available, free of charge and on the City's website, to the general public or, if that is not possible, what information may be made available and why any limitations on dissemination of such information exists; and be it further
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is to provide to the City Council in the agenda for its Jan 30, 2012 meeting the parking sticker information for the streets and addresses requested in the attached note or to explain why such information is not readily available.
O-14 Jan 23, 2012
COUNCILLOR VANBEUZEKOM
WHEREAS: Over the many years the City of Cambridge has been developing and building its residential, commercial and educational institutions, concessions may have been given to benefit the residents of the city; and
WHEREAS: Some of the agreements which govern concessions are recorded with the Registry of Deeds; and
WHEREAS: Some agreements which govern concessions may be legally enforceable documents; and
WHEREAS: Some of the agreements may be unenforceable guidelines for property owners; and
WHEREAS: Some of the agreements may have limited terms or not apply to subsequent owners; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to develop a complete list of all agreements which give continuing benefit to the residents of Cambridge and the mechanism for keeping track of expiration, enforcement or change of ownership.
O-15 Jan 23, 2012 Amended
COUNCILLOR MAHER
WHEREAS: By order of the City Council the petition by Julia Bishop et al. to amend the Zoning Ordinance in the area of Linear Park, North Cambridge was re-filed effective Dec 7, 2012; and
WHEREAS: A public hearing on the petition was advertised in the Cambridge Chronicle and an abbreviated hearing held on Dec 28, 2011 for the purpose of referring the petition to the 2012 City Council and the petition was so referred; and
WHEREAS: In light of the City Council's February and March schedule, In order to enable the City Council to ordain the amendment if it so desires, the proposed amendment would have to be passed to a second reading no later than Mar 5th, 2012, which means that a public hearing must be scheduled for no later than Feb 15th; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Council hereby schedule a public hearing for the Bishop petition for Wed, Feb 8, 2011 at 4pm 5:30pm in the Sullivan Chamber, to be held either as a Special Meeting of the City Council for the purpose of the hearing or a public hearing of the Ordinance Committee, if a Mayor of the Council has been elected and a Chair of the Ordinance Committee appointed by that date.
TEXT OF COMMITTEE REPORTS
Committee Report #1
The Housing Committee held a public meeting on Aug 18, 2011 beginning at ten o'clock and three minutes A.M. in the Sullivan Chamber. The meeting was held for the purpose of an update on the plan of the owner of Chapman Arms to sell the building and the City's option to preserve the affordable units which comprises half of the total units in the Chapman Arms.
Present at the hearing were Councillor Marjorie C. Decker, Chair of the Committee; Councillor Leland Cheung; and D. Margaret Drury, City Clerk. Also present were Brian Murphy, Assistant City Manager for Community Development Department; Peter Daly, Executive Director, Homeowners' Rehab Inc. and member of the Cambridge Affordable Housing Trust (AHT); Gwen Noyes, AHT; Michael Haran, Director of CASCAP, AHT; Michael Johnston, Deputy Director, Cambridge Housing Authority; Elaine DeRosa, Executive Director, CEOC; Tom Lucey, Director of Community and Government Relations, Harvard University; Lynda Jordan, resident of Chapman Arms; Ann M. Allosso, resident of Chapman Arms; Sandra I. Rosa, resident of the Chapman Arms; Rose A. Robinson, resident of the Chapman Arms; Clifton H. Ashe, resident of the Chapman Arms; Jean A. Pierre, resident of the Chapman Arms; Egda Henao, resident of the Chapman Arms; Victoria Hickey, resident of the Chapman Arms; Judith Parker, resident of the Chapman Arms; Lillian Greeley, resident of the Chapman Arms; and Yehuda Avneil, resident of the Chapman Arms; and Cheryl Ann Pizza-Zeoli, Alliance of Cambridge Tenants.
Councillor Decker convened the meeting and explained the purpose. Mr. Daly, Homeowners' Rehab, informed the committee that the state had appointed HRI to act as its representative to try to preserve the affordable housing. HRI made an offer to purchase and today it was accepted. Now HRI has a purchase and sale contract with the seller. Both HRI and the seller hope to close by the end of the year. HRI is already talking to CHA about a long-term extension of the Section 8 subsidies.
Councillor Decker thanked everyone who worked for this result, especially the residents. She reminded them that she said in the beginning that it would be essential for tenants to be actively involved in saving their homes. They did it - they were actively involved and their persistence demonstrated to the owners that if the owners did not work with the tenants and the City to preserve the affordable housing they would face a long battle with the residents.
Mr. Daly said that Chapman Arms will continue as rental housing with 50 percent of the units affordable to low and moderate income tenants. The management company will be Winn Management. He added that the current management company has done a reasonably good job in keeping up the units so he does not expect rent increases. The tenants can count on stability.
Councillor Decker asked what the residents could expect in the next two months. Mr. Daly explained that HRI will be doing inspections. Mr. Daly said that they are counting on Community Preservation Acts (CPA) funds for part of the purchase price. He urged residents to attend the CPA hearing on Aug 31, 2011. It is important for tenants to come and talk about how essential CPA is to them and their housing.
Councillor Decker described the history of the CPA in Cambridge. She emphasized that throughout the years 80 percent of CPA funds have been consistently allocated to affordable housing, and the City Manager has never turned down a request for an increase of open space because of a lack of or unwillingness to utilize funds for open space. She then invited questions and comments from the public.
Judith Parker, market rate resident at Chapman Arms, asked about rents for market rate units. She said she hopes HRI will keep the building's current maintenance supervisor and office manager. Assistant City Manager Brian Murphy said that the current market rate units will remain market rate units.
Mr. Daly said that tenants had a big impact on the sellers.
Lillian Greeley, resident, Chapman Arms, asked about upcoming inspections and whether she would get notice. She wants to be there when her unit is inspected. Mr. Daly said that tenants would get at least 24 hours notice and it is absolutely their choice as to the whether to be present during the inspection.
Councillor Decker thanked the tenants and the City and management and staff who have worked very hard to get this result. She also thanked Harvard University. Elaine DeRosa thanked Councillor Decker for her important role in preserving this affordable housing. The meeting was adjourned at ten o'clock a.m.
For the Committee,
Councillor Marjorie C. Decker, Chair
Committee Report #2
The Community Health Committee sponsored a public forum on domestic violence on Oct 11, 2011 beginning at eight o'clock and twelve minutes A.M. in the Malkin Penthouse, 4th floor Littauer Building, Harvard Kennedy School of Government.
Present at the meeting were Councillor Marjorie C. Decker, Chair of the Committee; Councillor Leland Cheung; Councillor Sam Seidel; and City Clerk D. Margaret Drury. City administrative staff present included Robert W. Healy, City Manager; Ellen Semonoff, Assistant City Manager for Human Services; Claude Jacob, Cambridge Chief Public Health Officer; and Dr. Karen Hacker, Institute for Community Health; Police Commissioner Robert Haas; Police Superintendent Steve Williams; Police Detective Joanne McEachern; Kimberly Sansouci, Director of the Women's Commission; Emily Shields, Program Manager, Women's Commission; Brian Corr, Director of the Peace Commission; and Sara Doherty. Also present were Jeffrey Young, Superintendent of Schools; and Gregory Russ, Executive Director of the Cambridge Housing Authority. In all, approximately 100 people attended the forum. A list of attendees is attached (Attachment A).
Councillor Decker convened the meeting and welcomed all of the participants. She said that in 1996 the Cambridge Women's Commission and the City's Violence Prevention Coordinator convened the city's first domestic violence summit to answer "what is the role of government when home is not safe?" As a result the city's first domestic violence free zone emerged. She said that the purpose of this forum is to provide an opportunity to come together as a community to reflect on this work over the last decade and how best to move forward. Councillor Decker then introduced City Manager Healy to make opening remarks. Mr. Healy emphasized the importance of domestic violence prevention to the health and safety of the Cambridge community. He stated that he is very proud of the resources that the City of Cambridge provides for domestic violence programming and commended the City Council for its support for this programming. Police Commissioner Haas then addressed the meeting and provided some more in-depth information about the important role that the Cambridge Police Department plays in domestic violence prevention. Recently the numbers of domestic violence incidents have gone up again. Cambridge police are working with surrounding communities and trying to be proactive. The biggest challenge is families that do not want to come into the system- how do we be respectful of their feelings and needs and continue to provide help. Commissioner Haas said that CPD's greatest success is working with community partners.
Small group activities at the round tables at which all participants were seated followed these introductions. The first activity was a discussion of the how domestic violence touched and affected participants in their work and lives. One member of each table group reported back to the whole gathering on the results of the group discussion at his or her table. Thereafter, all the participants at each table discussed Case Study: Karla (Attachment B) and the questions listed at the end of the document. The case study was based on an actual case with all specific identifiers changed to preserve privacy. Responses were recorded by a note-taker and shared with the larger group.
A panel discussion followed the case study discussion. The following panelists participated:
Aimee Thompson Arevalo, founding Executive Director of Close to Home whose mission is to foster community-wide responsibility to prevent and reduce the impact of domestic violence. The organization is building and supporting networks of community residents and organizations in local neighborhoods that want to take action and address the problem of domestic violence together.
Ilana Amrani-Cohen, LICSW, Ph.D., director of Families with Voices, part of the domestic violence services of The Guidance Center at Riverside Community Care. She supervises Children with Voices, a child witness to violence program which she started 15 years ago, as well as The Community Based Program and the Meeting Place, a supervised visitation program. Dr. Amrani-Cohen strongly advocated for and was co-founder of the Cambridge, Arlington and Belmont High Risk Assessment and Response Team (CAB HART).
Julie Khan-Schaye, a licensed clinical social worker specializing in family violence intervention, youth development and counseling. She is part of the executive management team at Transition House, where she directs Youth and Family Services. Ms. Khan-Schaye created the Youth Action Corps out-of-school-time dating violence prevention peer mentoring program in collaboration with the Cambridge Department of Human Services.
Rhonda Greene grew up in Cambridge graduated from CRLS and then was a classroom teacher there for over 15 years. She received recognition as an Outstanding Master Teacher and she currently serves as an adjunct professor through Fitchburg State College. Ms. Greene is a founding member and co-director of the Ladies Invitational Team Enterprise, LITE, and sport and education program dedicated to building self esteem confidence and skill for girls ages 13-19.
Ann Fleck-Henderson, Cambridge resident, Ph.D in Psychology, licensed clinical social worker and recently retired professor of social work at Simmons College, facilitated a large group discussion based on all that had been part of the previous discussions. Barriers to domestic violence prevention were discussed. Among the issues raised were cultural pressure to "stay in the marriage," the difficulty of making connections to the agencies that could provide help, need for childcare. The forum ended with a large-group brainstorming session on possibilities and ideas about how to increase the availability of domestic violence prevention programs to those who are in desperate need for those services.
The following themes and issues were emphasized:
Reach a broader group.
Strengthen existing collaborations like the Domestic Violence Task Force and focus on strategic collaborations, e.g. , people who are not covered in the existing programs.
Address the needs of youth for knowledge and understanding of domestic violence- many teens do not know what behaviors are actually domestic violence and sexual assault. Use social media, domestic violence curricula in schools and mentors. Provide age appropriate information beginning earlier than the teenage years.
Provide opportunities for community members to speak to domestic violence professionals and public officials about what their needs are, including resource problems, interventions with perpetrators, better use of volunteers and strengthening neighborhood connections.
Be mindful of the need for follow-up after this forum.
Councillor Decker thanked all those present for their participation, with particular thanks to the presenters and the organizers of the event. She stated that this was just the first part of an in-depth look at domestic violence in Cambridge, what resources exist and how we can do more. The meeting ended at 12:47pm.
For the Committee,
Councillor Marjorie C. Decker, Chair
Documents distributed at the forum and available at the Office of the City Clerk:
"How to Respond to Employees Facing Domestic Violence," Cambridge Public Health Dept.
"Poised for Prevention - Advancing Promising Approaches to Primary Prevention of Intimate Partner Violence," Prevention Institute.
Attendees: Jean Burbidge, Lynne Tyree, Laura Taylor, Lt. Pauline Carter Wells, Tanya Milner, Osvalda Rodrigues, Minka vanBeuzekom, Risa Mednick, Julie Kahn-Schaye, Fred Berman, Victoria Burt, Ellen Wilbur, Rachel Bedard, Yoko Harumi, Gail Council, Steven Donahue, Ester Serra Luque, Ilana Cohen, Duane DeFour, Ellen Semonoff, Roxann Mascoll, Chris Burke, Liz Mongillo, Brian Corr, Marie Turley, Nancy Ryan (Facilitator), Rhonda Greene, Jenny Herrera, Linda McMaster, Deputy Paul Ames, Assaad Sayah, Michelle Farnum, Katherine Rafferty, Carline Desire, Emily Shield, Curt Rodgers, Ronit Barkai, Kim DeAndrade, Sgt. Silverio Ferreira, Allison Bayer, Nancy Schlacter, Sarah Cortes, Kimberly Sansoucy, Leland Cheung, Denise Simmons, Rob Marlin, Jasmine Khalfani, Gerald Reardon, Dorothy Finch, Claude Jacob, Susan P. Pacheco, Steven Swanger, Leah Cefalo (Facilitator), Paulo Pinto, Gloria Leipzig, Elizabeth Hague, Alex Gordillo, Eleni Carr, Louis DePasquale, Barbara Mitchell, Joanne McEachern, Commissioner Robert Haas, Aimee Thompson, Dave Degou, Chris Cotter, Patti Duggan, Trudy Bartlett, Greg Russ, Cindy Nemet, Fran Roznowski, Peggy Barrett, Hema Sarang-Sieminski, Sarah Rankin, Tracy Rose-Tynes, Eva Martin Blythe, Elaine DeRosa, Shawn MacMaster, Yamini Saravanan, Diane Rosenfeld, Melody Brazo, Ziv Paz, Beth Halloran, Heather O'leary, TinaAlu, Alexandra Detjens, Damon Smith, Lauren Shebairo, Matthew Wood, Rachel Martin, Ann Fleck-Henderson, Sara Doherty, Alex Miller, Margaret Drury, Irene Kostakis, Ini Tomeu, Tracy Joyce, Corey Pilz, Peggy Kutcher, Manisha Tibrewal.
AWAITING REPORT LIST
12-01. Report from the City Manager: See Mgr #5
RE: report on whether the use of rodent resistant trash bags would improve the City's pest management efforts.
Councillor Cheung, Councillor Davis, Councillor Decker, Councillor Kelley, Councillor Maher, Councillor Reeves, Councillor Simmons & Councillor Toomey 01/09/12 (O-5)