Cambridge City Council meeting - February 2, 2004

Cambridge City Council meeting - February 2, 2004 - AGENDA (amended)

CITY MANAGER’S AGENDA
1. Transmitting communication from Robert W. Healy, City Manager, relative to the appointment of the following persons as Public Weighers for the year 2004 at MICH-LIN transfer station: Lisa Marie Saverse, Jay Ferrazzani, Chuck Wainwright, Kristen Robatt, Joseph Mabardy, Jr., Charles J. Mabardy, Edmund Curran, Lauren Mary Mabardy, Mariel Mabardy, Daniel Pasquarosa, Stacey Vossmer, Christine Nowlan, Michelle R. LeBrun, Joann Del Vecchio, Robert Ferrazzani.

2. Transmitting communication from Robert W. Healy, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of $600,000 to the Public Investment Fund Electrical Department Extraordinary Expenditures account from free cash to provide funds for the City’s street lighting conversion project that will result in the purchase of street lights from NSTAR as part of a three phase implementation plan.

To the Honorable, the City Council:
     I am hereby requesting the appropriation of $600,000 to the Public Investment Fund Electrical Department Extraordinary Expenditures account from free cash to provide funds for the City’s street lighting conversion project that will result in the purchase of street lights from NSTAR as part of a three phase implementation plan. Once purchased, I am recommending that the City be responsible for the maintenance and repair of the streetlights. This would allow lighting repairs to be made on a daily basis as well as pole relocations, removals, pole changes and upgrades that can be scheduled on a timely basis.

     It is necessary to prepare a plan in three phases to coordinate the operation, maintenance and acquisition of the streetlight system.

     The first phase, for which these funds are being requested will be used to purchase new and/or replacement vehicles (bucket and crane trucks), equipment, technical and engineering services, replacement fixtures and parts, bulbs, lights and the like ($600,000).

     Phase two will include the actual purchase of streetlights from NSTAR. It is expected that the purchase price will be finalized by the end of the current fiscal year. At that time, I will submit another appropriation request from free cash. Based on the significant lead time to purchase and take delivery of trucks and related equipment, I am requesting funds for this first phase now to ensure that the City has the necessary equipment on-hand to begin the maintenance and repair of the street lights once the purchase is executed.

     Phase three will include the reallocation of operating funds within the General Fund Electrical Budget as part of the FY05 Budget request. The estimated savings from the elimination of the NSTAR street light maintenance costs will be offset by increased operating costs that include 3 electrician positions and related materials to repair and maintain city-owned streetlights. In addition, from these reallocations, the Electrical Department would now be able to provide a portion of traffic signal maintenance, as well as first response services that are currently contracted out using the additional staff recommended. Preliminary estimates indicate that the projected FY05 net savings in Electrical Department operating budget is projected to be approximately $250,000-$300,000.

Background:
     In 1998 the Legislature deregulated electric utilities, and as part of the deregulation there is a provision to allow cities and towns to purchase the utility owned street lighting. The following are some of the cities or towns that have purchased their street lighting: Haverhill, Foxborough, Acton, Arlington, Chelsea, Bedford, Brookline, Framingham, Lexington, Newton, Sharon, Stoneham, Waltham, Winchester, and Falmouth.

     Of the present 6978 streetlights in Cambridge the city maintains 1630 streetlights now owned by the city, including lighting in parks. The remainder is owned and maintained by NSTAR Electric.

Very truly yours,
Robert W. Healy
City Manager

3. Transmitting communication from Robert W. Healy, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 03-35, regarding public evacuation procedures.

4. Transmitting communication from Robert W. Healy, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 04-01, regarding a report on increases in gas and electric costs for Cambridge residents.

5. Transmitting communication from Robert W. Healy, City Manager, relative to the 2004 Cambridge Public Health Assessment.

6. Transmitting communication from Robert W. Healy, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of a grant from the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Dev. for $495,600 to the Human Services Salary &Wages ($11,800) and Human Services Other Ordinary Maintenance ($483,800), which was awarded to the Department of Human Services through the McKinney Homeless Assistance Act under the Permanent Supportive Housing Program and will be subcontracted to Transition House, Inc. to subsidize the cost of leasing six housing units for a period of three years and to cover the costs of supportive services for the families and/or individuals living in the units.

7. Transmitting communication from Robert W. Healy, City Manager, the appropriation of a grant from the Massachusetts Cultural Council for $13,940 to the Grant Fund Public Celebrations (Arts Council) Other Ordinary Maintenance account which is a state grant, in addition to the $35,000 in the operating budget of the Arts Council, and will be used to provide mini-grants to artists, arts organizations and community groups in Cambridge.

8. Transmitting communication from Robert W. Healy, City Manager, relative to an application for a Jitney License from Candiani Transportation received from the License Commission.

ON THE TABLE
1. Transmitting communication from Robert W. Healy, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 03-137 of December 22, 2003, regarding a report on the number of investment managers for the pension fund with the list to reflect the number of women-owned and minority-owned investment managers.

2. Transmitting communication from Robert W. Healy, City Manager, relative to proposed Cambridgeport Zoning Modifications in the Office 3 and Business A Districts at Memorial Drive, in response to Calendar Item #1, dated November 4, 2002.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS
3. A communication was received from D. Margaret Drury, City Clerk, transmitting a report from Councillor Brian Murphy, Co-Chair of the Ordinance Committee, for a meeting held on November 6, 2003 for the purpose of considering a petition filed by John Roback et al. to amend the zoning in an area bounded by the centerlines of Green, Pearl, Franklin and Brookline Streets from the existing Residence C-2A to Residence C-1. The question comes on passing to be ordained on or after December 15, 2003. Petition expires February 4, 2004.

4. Transmitting communication from Robert W. Healy, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of and the authorization to borrow an additional $31,500,000 to the Public Investment Fund Library Extraordinary Expenditures account to provide funds for additional costs related to the construction of a new library as well as the amending of the original order approved by the City Council on January 22, 2001 since the amount included in the original order relating to the acquisition of open space is being used to enhance existing open space resulting in a net gain in usable open space on the site and allow the full amount of the order to be used for construction and other related purposes. The question comes on adoption on or after February 9, 2004.

APPLICATIONS AND PETITIONS
1. An application was received from 7-Eleven, requesting a sandwich board sign at the premises numbered 589 Massachusetts Avenue.

COMMUNICATIONS
1. A communication was received from Department of Telecommunications and Energy, transmitting Notice of a Public Hearing on a petition by Boston Edison Company, Cambridge Electric Light Company and Commonwealth Electric Company d/b/a NSTAR Electric regarding tariffs designed to establish standby rates for large and medium-sized commercial and industrial customers who have their own on-site, self-generation facilities be held on Tuesday, February 10, 2004 at 10:00 a.m. at One South Station, Boston, MA.

2. A communication was received from Peter Valentine, regarding his neighborhood's C-1 Zoning Petition.

3. A communication was received from Roy Bercaw, regarding police power.

4. A communication was received from Roy Bercaw, regarding the library project.

5. A communication was received from Mrs. Catherine McGowan, transmitting thanks for the expression of sympathy on the death of her husband Bob.

RESOLUTIONS
1. Resolution on the retirement of Birge Albright. Mayor Sullivan

2. Resolution on the death of George Otto Papanek, M.D. Mayor Sullivan

3. Resolution on the death of Walter Skopetz. Mayor Sullivan, Councillor Toomey

4. Resolution on the death of Mary C. Canonie. Councillor Galluccio, Mayor Sullivan

5. Resolution on the death of Mary M. Kennedy. Councillor Galluccio, Mayor Sullivan, Councillor Toomey

6. Resolution on the death of Lawrence J. Brutti. Councillor Galluccio, Mayor Sullivan, Councillor Toomey

7. Resolution on the death of Maureen D. Nionakis. Councillor Toomey, Councillor Galluccio

8. Best wishes to Ted Darling at the Valentine's Day Dinner/Fundraiser on February 14, 2004 at the VFW Post #8818. Mayor Sullivan

9. Congratulations to the Boy Scouts of America Boston Minuteman Council Sea Walk District Award winners at their First Annual Sea Walk Awards Reception on February 7, 2004. Mayor Sullivan

10. Presentation on National Consumers Week on February 2 through February 8 at the Cambridge Senior Center. Mayor Sullivan

11. Resolution on the death of Gloria N. Costa. Councillor Toomey

12. Resolution on the death of Francis R. Buonomo. Councillor Toomey

13. Congratulations and best wishes to Ann Marie Longobucco and Ahavia Diane Glaser on their new business. Vice Mayor Decker

14. Welcome to Quincy Jones on his residency at Harvard this semester. Councillor Reeves

15. Happy Birthday to all Aquarians. Councillor Reeves

16. Congratulations to Bob Kraft, Bill Belichick and the entire New England Patriots team in winning Super Bowl XXXVIII. Mayor Sullivan

17. Best wishes for a happy retirement to Paul Prockett from the Hudson Police Department. Mayor Sullivan

18. Resolution on the death of Grace Irene (Walcott) Haynes. Councillor Simmons

19. Resolution on the death of Gurley "Archie" Moore. Councillor Reeves

20. Wishes for a speedy recovery to City Manager Robert W. Healy. Mayor Sullivan

21. Happy Birthday wishes to Councillor Kenneth E. Reeves. Vice Mayor Decker

22. Happy Birthday wishes to Nadia Chamblin. Vice Mayor Decker

23. Happy Birthday wishes to Valdir Barbosa. Vice Mayor Decker

24. Condolences offered to Councillor Kenneth E. Reeves on the death of his father. Mayor Sullivan, Councillor Simmons, Councillor Maher, Vice Mayor Decker

25. Commendations to the Cambridge Cares About Aids (CCA) Needle Exchange Program (NEP) and the Men's Health Outreach Program on the new special night of Programming for the GLBTQ community beginning January 22, 2004 and continuing every Thursday night thereafter. Councillor Davis, Councillor Simmons

26. Congratulations to Renee McLeod on the opening of her new Petsi Pies pie shop at 285 Beacon Street on the Cambridge-Somerville line. Councillor Toomey

27. Congratulations to the TTT Mentor Program and the Central Square Library on its exhibit "Minority Role Models in Science, Mathematics, Technology and Engineering, February 7 through 29, 2004. Councillor Simmons

ORDERS
1. Cancel the March 8, 2004 City Council meeting to enable the City Council to attend the National League of Cities Annual Congressional City Conference. Councillor Davis.

2. City Manager to confer with the Commissioner of Police, the Commissioner of Public Works, the City Electrician, the Harvard Police Department and any other relevant departments and/or agencies to arrange for a "safety walk" through and along the Common. Councillor Murphy.

3. City Manager to identify a funding source for Sister City activities, specifically mailings. Councillor Reeves.

4. City Manager to confer with the Community Development Department to look into the current economic impact of the Democratic National Convention on the Cambridge Economy by gauging how many hotel rooms have been booked or any other economic indicators. Councillor Reeves.

5. City Manager to confer with the officials of the Cambridge Tab newspaper about the manner in which their newspapers are delivered in Cambridge by being thrown all over the City sidewalks. Councillor Toomey, Mayor Sullivan

6. City Manager report on what NSTAR is doing to offset increases in energy costs that consumers are facing and on all NSTAR programs. Councillor Galluccio, Mayor Sullivan

7. The City Manager direct the City's cable channel to post the phone number to replace bulbs in street lights (617) 349-4925 and that information is posted about energy audits provided by NSTAR. Councillor Davis, Mayor Sullivan

8. The City Manager is requested to work with the Department of Human Services to ensure that youth centers, crime task force agencies, public housing sites and other appropriate locations have firefighter exam applications and that appropriate outreach takes place through the community. Councillor Galluccio, Mayor Sullivan

HEARING SCHEDULE
Mon, Feb 2
5:30pm City Council Meeting (Sullivan Chamber)

Mon, Feb 9
5:30pm Special Joint City Council/School Committee Meeting for the purpose of a roundtable discussion on school consolidation, school finance, and any other school related issues. No public comment. No votes will be taken. Meeting will not be televised. (CRLS Culinary Conference Room, 459 Broadway)

Mon, Feb 23
5:30pm City Council Meeting (Sullivan Chamber)

Mon, Mar 1
5:30pm Roundtable Meeting on the topic of economic development in Cambridge. Informal meeting with no public comment and no votes. Meeting will not be televised. (Sullivan Chamber)

Mon, Mar 8
5:30pm City Council Meeting (Sullivan Chamber)

Mon, Mar 15
5:30pm City Council Meeting (Sullivan Chamber)

Mon, Mar 22
5:30pm City Council Meeting (Sullivan Chamber)

Mon, Mar 29
5:30pm Roundtable Meeting. Informal meeting with no public comment and no votes. Meeting will not be televised. (Sullivan Chamber)

Mon, Apr 12
5:30pm City Council Meeting (Sullivan Chamber)

Mon, Apr 26
5:30pm City Council Meeting (Sullivan Chamber)

TEXT OF ORDERS
O-1 February 2, 2004
COUNCILLOR DAVIS
ORDERED: That the March 8, 2004 City Council meeting be cancelled to enable members of the City Council to attend the National League of Cities' 2004 Annual Congressional City Conference in Washington, D.C., from March 5 through March 9, 2004.

O-2 February 2, 2004
COUNCILLOR MURPHY
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to confer with the Commissioner of Police, the Commissioner of Public Works, the City Electrician, the Harvard Police Department and any other relevant departments and/or agencies to arrange for a "safety walk" through and along the Common and the residential areas abutting the Common and abutting Massachusetts Avenue across from the Common.

O-3 February 2, 2004
COUNCILLOR REEVES
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to identify a funding source for Sister City activities, specifically mailings.

O-4 February 2, 2004
COUNCILLOR REEVES
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to confer with the Community Development Department to look into the current economic impact of the Democratic National Convention on the Cambridge Economy by gauging how many hotel rooms have been booked or any other economic indicators.

O-5 February 2, 2004
COUNCILLOR TOOMEY
MAYOR SULLIVAN
WHEREAS: Per City Ordinance sidewalks and streets are public ways; and
WHEREAS: Public access to streets and sidewalks shall not be obstructed; and
WHEREAS: The Cambridge Tab newspaper is being thrown all over the public sidewalks instead of being delivered to appropriate doorways or hallways; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to instruct the appropriate department to confer with the officials of the Cambridge Tab newspaper about the manner in which their newspapers are delivered in Cambridge by being thrown all over the city sidewalks and to instruct the Cambridge Tab newspaper to cease this practice.

O-6 February 2, 2004
COUNCILLOR GALLUCCIO
MAYOR SULLIVAN
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to report on what NSTAR is doing to offset increases in energy costs that consumers are facing and on all NSTAR programs including energy saving home improvements and any other programs NSTAR may have for homeowners who face unusually high increases.

O-7 February 2, 2004
COUNCILLOR DAVIS
MAYOR SULLIVAN
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to direct the City's cable channel to post the phone number to replace bulbs in street lights (617) 349-4925; and be it further
ORDERED: That information is also posted about energy audits provided by NSTAR.

O-8 February 2, 2004
COUNCILLOR GALLUCCIO
MAYOR SULLIVAN
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to work with the Department of Human Services to ensure that youth centers, crime task force agencies, public housing sites and any other appropriate locations have firefighter exam applications and that the appropriate outreach takes place through the community.