Cambridge City Council meeting - February 6, 2012 - AGENDA

CITY MANAGER’S AGENDA
1. Transmitting communication from Robert W. Healy, City Manager, relative to the appointment of the following persons as Constables (Without Power) for a term of three years effective Jan 1, 2012:  John T. Katpcianos, John P. Mosher

2. Transmitting communication from Robert W. Healy, City Manager, relative to an additional appropriation of the Low Income Heating Assistance Program grant in the amount of $175,845 funded by the Federal Department of Health and Human Services and administered in Massachusetts by the Commonwealth's Department of Housing and Community Development to the Grant Fund Human Service Programs Salary and Wages account ($23,496) and to the Grant Fund Human Service Programs Other Ordinary Maintenance account ($152,349).

3. Transmitting communication from Robert W. Healy, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 12-04, regarding a report on the steam leak on Second Street.

CHARTER RIGHT
1. Transmitting communication from Robert W. Healy, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 12-06, regarding a report on the cost of monthly winter parking at the First Street garage. [Charter Right exercised by Councillor Toomey on City Manager Agenda Item Number Eleven of Jan 30, 2012.]

2. Resolution on the death of former Mayor of Boston Kevin Hagan White. [Charter Right exercised by Councillor Kelley on Resolution Number Thirteen of Jan 30, 2012 submitted by Councillor Maher.]

3. Resolution on the death of Elizabeth M. (O'Keefe) Keefe. [Charter Right exercised by Councillor Kelley on Resolution Number Fourteen of Jan 30, 2012 submitted by Councillor Maher.]

4. Resolution on the death of Conrad Tallon. [Charter Right exercised by Councillor Kelley on Resolution Number Fifteen of Jan 30, 2012 submitted by Councillor Maher.]

5. Retirement of Penelope Kleespies from the Human Services Department. [Charter Right exercised by Councillor Kelley on Resolution Number Sixteen of Jan 30, 2012 submitted by Councillor Reeves.]

6. Thanks to the City of Cambridge Employee Diversity Committee, the Daughters of Yemaya Collective and the Artists Collective Traditions Remix for their art exhibit entitled Visions by Young Black Artists: Celebrating Black History Past, Present, and Future." [Charter Right exercised by Councillor Kelley on Resolution Number Seventeen of Jan 30, 2012 submitted by Councillor Reeves.]

7. Resolution on the death of Albert F. Dove Sr. [Charter Right exercised by Councillor Kelley on Resolution Number Eighteen of Jan 30, 2012 submitted by Councillor Toomey.]

8. Resolution on the death of Ethel Caragianis. [Charter Right exercised by Councillor Kelley on Resolution Number Nineteen of Jan 30, 2012 submitted by Councillor Maher.]

9. Condolences to the family of Brian Roach. [Charter Right exercised by Councillor Kelley on Resolution Number Twenty of Jan 30, 2012 submitted by Councillor Maher.]

10. Speedy recovery wishes to Councillor Denise Simmons. [Charter Right exercised by Councillor Kelley on Resolution Number Twenty-one of Jan 30, 2012 submitted by Councillor Decker.]

11. Speedy recovery wishes to the three firefighters that were recently injured while battling a fire. [Charter Right exercised by Councillor Kelley on Resolution Number Twenty-two of Jan 30, 2012 submitted by Councillor Decker.]

12. That the Acting Chair of the City Council is requested to appoint a temporary committee of three Council members to start the process of searching for and hiring a replacement City Clerk. [Charter Right exercised by Councillor Davis on Order Number Four of Jan 30, 2012 submitted by Councillor Kelley.]
Placed on File under Rule 19 with no action

13. That the Acting Chair of the City Council is requested to appoint a temporary committee of three City Council members to start the process of setting up a City Council review of the City Manager and to start the discussion with the City Manager of his intentions. [Charter Right exercised by Councillor Davis on Order Number Five of Jan 30, 2012 submitted by Councillor Kelley.]
Placed on File under Rule 19 with no action

ON THE TABLE
14. A communication was received from Councillor Timothy J. Toomey, Jr., transmitting notification of his intent to return the 9 Wyman Street curb cut application to the table; the history of which is as follows:
An application was received from Eric Griffith, requesting permission for a curb cut at the premises numbered 9 Wyman Street; said petition has received approval from Inspectional Services, Traffic, Parking and Transportation and Public Works. No neighborhood association for that area. [Charter Right exercised by Councillor Kelley on Applications and Petitions Number Three of Oct 24, 2011. Placed on Table Oct 31, 2011 by Councillor Cheung on roll call vote 6-3-0. Placed back on the Table Jan 23, 2012 by Councillor Toomey.]
Motion to take from the Table failed 3-5-1 on February 6, 2012 (Maher, Reeves, Toomey voted YES).

UNFINISHED BUSINESS
15. That the matter of the election of the Mayor and Vice Mayor be referred to Unfinished Business. Jan 30, 2012 ballot #4 (Councillor Cheung three votes; Councillor Davis one vote; Councillor Decker three votes; Councillor Kelley one vote and Councillor Toomey one vote) ballot #5 taken (Councillor Cheung three votes; Councillor Davis one vote; Councillor Decker two votes; Councillor Reeves two votes and Councillor Toomey one vote) ballot #6 taken (Councillor Cheung three votes; Councillor Davis one vote; Councillor Decker two votes; Councillor Reeves two vote and Councillor Toomey one vote)
Ballot #7 - Cheung 3; Decker 2; Davis 1; Maher 1; Reeves 1 (Kelley was absent)

16. 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.

17. Transmitting communication from Robert W. Healy, City Manager, relative to a draft amendment to the GLBT Ordinance increasing the maximum number of commissioners from fifteen to twenty. The question comes on passing to be ordained on or after Feb 13, 2012.

18. Transmitting communication from Robert W. Healy, City Manager, relative to an order requesting the authorization to borrow an amount not to exceed $36,800,000 for the purpose of refinancing existing General Obligation Bonds to acquire lower interest rates than those currently being paid. The question comes on adoption on or after Feb 13, 2012.

COMMUNICATIONS
1. A communication was received from Robert A. Walsh & family, transmitting thanks for the resolution of sympathy.


2. A communication was received from Alan Harwood, requesting the City Council not to vote on the Wyman Street curb cut.

3. A communication was received from Eric Griffith, 79 Raymond Street, transmitting his willingness to place a condition on the curb cut request for 9 Wyman Street that 79 Raymond Street will be used for residential purposes as allowed in Residence A-2 Zoning District.

4. A communication was received from Heather Hoffman, 213 Hurley Street, transmitting a proposed policy order approved by the Association of Cambridge Neighborhoods relating to the MBTA fare increses and service cutbacks.

5. A communication was received from Andrea Wilder, 12 Arlington Street, relating to climate change.


RESOLUTIONS
1. Congratulations to Audrey Shulman on the publication of her novel "Three Weeks in December."   Councillor Davis

2. Resolution on the death of Governor's Council member Kelly Timilty.   Councillor Toomey, Councillor Maher

3. Speedy recovery wishes to Lucy Mason.   Councillor Simmons

4. Speedy recovery wishes to Ethel Ampey.   Councillor Simmons

5. Happy 60th Birthday wishes to Robert Murrell.   Councillor Simmons

6. Moral support to the victims of the Brewer Street fire.   Councillor Simmons

7. Best wishes to Liu Jisheng on his exhibition of artwork on display at Seven Stars Bookstore in Central Square.   Councillor Simmons

8. Welcome wishes to Dr. Jemadari Omowale Kamara to Cambridge.   Councillor Simmons

9. Welcome wishes to the National Association of Women Judges who will host their Mid-Year Meeting and Leadership Conference in Cambridge on Mar 9, 2012.   Councillor Reeves

10. Resolution on the death of Harry Wallace.   Councillor Maher

11. Resolution on the death of Dorothy Martin.   Councillor Maher


12. Resolution on the death of Phyllis Kutt.   Councillor Maher, Councillor Toomey

13. Resolution on the death of William R. "Bill" Flynn.   Councillor Maher

14. Resolution on the death of Mary F. (Buckley) Crane.   Councillor Maher, Councillor Toomey

15. Resolution on the death of Lee (Waller) Smith.   Councillor Maher

16. Retirement of Crispina Gutierrez from the Finance Department.   Councillor Reeves


ORDERS
1. That the City Council go on record as supporting the Clean Air Act and urging the administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, Lisa P. Jackson, and President Barack Obama to move swiftly to fully employ and enforce the Clean Air Act to reduce greenhouse gases in our atmosphere to no more than 350 parts per million carbon dioxide equivalent.   Councillor Davis and Councillor vanBeuzekom
Amended

2. That the City Manager is requested to appoint a committee consisting of representatives from the city, community groups and other stakeholders, to begin planning an appropriate commemoration of the 150 Anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation that is commensurate with Cambridge's reputation as a leader in affirming the civil rights of all.   Councillor Simmons

3. That the City Manager is requested to confer with the Cambridge Housing Authority regarding hiring an independent third party consultant to report back on the underlying issues that may have contributed to elevator problems at the Frank J. Manning Apartments.   Councillor vanBeuzekom and Councillor Davis

4. That the City Manager is requested to report back to the City Council within a month on the Farmer's Market recommendations in the FFPC report specifically and whether funding is sufficient for a successful market season.   Councillor vanBeuzekom and Councillor Davis

5. That the City Manager is requested to confer with the Commissioner of Public Works with the view in mind of revising the time restrictions for putting trash on the sidewalk before pickup to accommodate seniors and the disabled populations.   Councillor Decker

6. That the City Manager is requested to look into any developments on implementing EBT and debit card machines for city-wide use at farmers' markets.   Councillor Cheung, Councillor vanBeuzekom and Councillor Davis

7. That the City Manager is requested to work with the Cambridge Historical Commission and the Planning Board to look into the feasibility of investing in new audio/visual equipment.   Councillor Cheung
Amended

8. That the City Manager is requested to convene a meeting with the MBTA so that the Kids' Council can discuss their ideas as they relate to extending the MBTA passes on weekends.   Councillor Reeves
8. That the City Manager and City Council is requested to attend the public meeting on the proposed fare increase and service reductions being held by the MBTA.   Councillor Reeves
Amended

COMMITTEE REPORTS
1. A communication was received from D. Margaret Drury, City Clerk, transmitting a report from Councillor Sam Seidel, Chair of the Ordinance Committee for a public hearing held on Mar 29, 2011 to receive a presentation on form-based zoning, as it was planned and implemented in the City of Miami, Florida.

HEARING SCHEDULE
Mon, Feb 6
5:30pm   City Council Meeting  (Sullivan Chamber)

Wed, Feb 8
5:30pm   The City Council will conduct a public hearing on the proposed amendment to the Zoning Ordinance on the petition filed by Julia Bishop, et al. and refiled 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. This hearing to be televised.  (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. (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     Feb 6, 2012  Amended
COUNCILLOR DAVIS
COUNCILLOR VANBEUZEKOM
WHEREAS: The decade from 2000 to 2010 was the warmest on record, and 2005 and 2010 tied for the hottest years on record; and
WHEREAS: The current level of CO2 in the atmosphere is approximately 392 parts per million (ppm); and
WHEREAS: One of the world's leading climate scientists, Dr. James Hansen, stated in 2008: "If humanity wishes to preserve a planet similar to that on which civilization developed and to which life on Earth is adapted, paleoclimate evidence and climate change suggest that CO2 will need to be reduced from its current 385 ppm to at most 350ppm."; and
WHEREAS: According to the Global Humanitarian Forum climate change is already responsible every year for some 300,000 deaths, 325 million people seriously affected, and economic losses worldwide of U.S. $125 billion; and
WHEREAS: Extreme weather events are striking with increased frequency, with deadly consequences for people and wildlife in the United States alone:
• 2005 had the most hurricanes on record since 1851;
• Blizzards plagued the Northeast during the winter of 2011;
• Intense rainfall and snowmelt forced the Mississippi River to overflow its banks across the Midwest and South in summer 2011;
• The unprecedented 2011 Texas drought lead the U.S. Department of Agriculture to declare the entire state a natural disaster zone;
• Heat waves scorched the Midwest and East in summer 2011, with many cities hitting record-high temperatures and, for example, Oklahoma on pace to break its record for days over 100 degrees; and
WHEREAS: Climate change is threatening food security as crop growth and yields diminish and droughts, floods and changes in snowpack depth are disrupting water supplies; and
WHEREAS: Scientists have concluded that by 2100 as many as one in 10 species may be on the verge of extinction due to climate change; and
WHEREAS: The world's ice is rapidly melting threatening water supplies, raising sea levels, and jeopardizing ice-dependent animals so severely that Arctic summer sea ice is half the area and thickness it was several decades ago; and
WHEREAS: According to Scientific American, sea level is rising faster along the U.S. East Coast than it has for at least 2,000 years, and is accelerating in pace, threatening coastal wildlife and the 40 percent of the world's population that lives within 60 miles of the coast; and
WHEREAS: For four decades, the Clean Air Act has protected the air we breathe through a proven, comprehensive, successful system of pollution control that saves lives and creates economic benefits exceeding its costs by many times; and
WHEREAS: With the Clean Air Act, air quality in this country has improved significantly since 1970, despite major growth both in our economy and industrial production; and
WHEREAS: Between 1970 and 1990, the six main pollutants covered by the Clean Air Act - particulate matter and ground-level ozone (both of which contribute to smog and asthma), carbon monoxide, lead, sulfur and nitrogen oxides (the acid gases that cause acid rain) - were reduced by between 47 percent and 93 percent, and airborne lead was virtually eliminated; and
WHEREAS: The Clean Air Act has produced economic benefits valued at $2 trillion or 30 times the cost of regulation; and
WHEREAS: The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Massachusetts vs. EPA (2007) that greenhouse gases are "air pollutants" as defined by the Clean Air Act and the Environmental Protection Agency has the authority to regulate them; and
WHEREAS: The City of Cambridge prides itself on being a leader in the fight against climate change and for clean air; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Council go on record as supporting the Clean Air Act and urging the administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, Lisa P. Jackson, and President Barack Obama to move swiftly to fully employ and enforce the Clean Air Act to reduce greenhouse gases in our atmosphere to no more than 350 parts per million carbon dioxide equivalent; and be it further
ORDERED: That the City Clerk be and hereby is requested to forward a suitably engrossed copy of this resolution to Lisa P. Jackson and President Barack Obama on behalf of the entire City Council.

O-2     Feb 6, 2012
COUNCILLOR SIMMONS
WHEREAS: Jan 1, 2012 will mark the 150th Anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation which gave freedom to slaves in the ten states that had seceded from the Union; and
WHEREAS: Although the Emancipation Proclamation did not end slavery in the nation, it was a major milestone in the effort to abolish slavery and paved the way for African Americans to join the Union army; and
WHEREAS: The Emancipation Proclamation was also a milestone in the nation's efforts to atone for its checkered historical past; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to appoint a committee consisting of representatives from the city, community groups and other stakeholders, to begin planning an appropriate commemoration of the 150 Anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation that is commensurate with Cambridge's reputation as a leader in affirming the civil rights of all; and be it further
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to update the City Council on progress in this regard.

O-3     Feb 6, 2012
COUNCILLOR VANBEUZEKOM
COUNCILLOR DAVIS
WHEREAS: The Frank J. Manning Apartments are a Cambridge Housing Authority residence for seniors and persons with disabilities; and
WHEREAS: Serious problems with the elevator dating from 2007 under original repairs and 2011 for subsequent repairs and now continuing into January of 2012 cause a dangerous and unnecessarily disruptive situation for residents unable to use the stairs; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to report on the status of maintenance for the elevators at the Manning Apartments; and be it further
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to confer with the Cambridge Housing Authority regarding hiring an independent third party consultant to report back on the underlying issues that may have contributed to the aforementioned problems.

O-4     Feb 6, 2012
COUNCILLOR VANBEUZEKOM
COUNCILLOR DAVIS
WHEREAS: The ad hoc Cambridge Food and Fitness Policy Council (FFPC) submitted a report to the City Manager on Oct 26, 2011 for the Council's first year of activity; and
WHEREAS: The report was referred to the Human Services Committee of the City Council on Oct 31, 2011 and has not been acted upon since; and
WHEREAS: The FFPC developed eight recommendations for reducing obesity and chronic disease; and
WHEREAS: The fourth recommendation includes expanded access to Cambridge Farmers' Markets with specific activities including expanding SNAP benefits at all Farmers' Markets, assigning a city staff member to serve as market liaison and using multiple channels of communication to raise awareness; and
WHEREAS: The various Spring Farmers' Markets are in the planning stages under different models of providing markets and could benefit greatly from assistance from the city; and
WHEREAS: The Cambridge Public Health Department report dated Jan 15, 2012 covers activities of the FFPC and states that implementation of some recommendations is proceeding; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to report back to the City Council within a month on the Farmers' Market recommendations in the FFPC report specifically and whether funding is sufficient for a successful market season.

O-5     Feb 6, 2012
COUNCILLOR DECKER
WHEREAS: The Department of Public Works (DPW) does not allow trash containers to be placed on the curb earlier than 6:00pm the night before collection; and
WHEREAS: This is an effort to manage rodent control and maintain clear sidewalks; and
WHEREAS: This rule causes difficulty for many senior citizens or disabled adults. In the winter months it is often dark before 6:00pm and remains dark well after 7:00am. These time restrictions prove to be hazardous to certain senior or disabled citizens who may have trouble walking or seeing in the evening; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to confer with the Department of Public Works in revising the time restrictions to better accommodate the above-mentioned populations; 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-6     Feb 6, 2012
COUNCILLOR CHEUNG
COUNCILLOR VANBEUZEKOM
COUNCILLOR DAVIS
WHEREAS: Last term, the City Manager was requested to form a task force to look into the challenges of developing a city-wide expansion and deployment of EBT and debit card machines at farmers' markets; and
WHEREAS: Residents have expressed a renewed need for other payment options such as EBT and debit card machines as the first winter farmers' market is open for business each Saturday during the winter season; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to look into any developments on implementing EBT and debit card machines for city-wide use and report back to the City Council with an update.

O-7     Feb 6, 2012  Amended
COUNCILLOR CHEUNG
WHEREAS: The Cambridge Historical Commission and Planning Board hold hearings that allow for and encourage civic participation in government; and
WHEREAS: Residents who attend these hearings have expressed concerns about out-of-date audio/visual equipment as hearing attendees are required to bring their laptops for presentations; and
WHEREAS: Residents feel that investing in laptops and projector equipment would make City board hearings more efficient; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to work with the Cambridge Historical Commission and the Planning Board to look into the feasibility of investing in new audio/visual equipment; and be it further
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to forward to the City Council an appropriate plan supporting audio/visual needs for all public meetings together with a budgetary estimate required to fund the plan.

O-8     Feb 6, 2012  Amended
COUNCILLOR REEVES
WHEREAS: The MBTA released two proposals to increase fares; and
WHEREAS: The proposals would increase student fares by 100% and would not include weekends; and
WHEREAS: The youth involvement subcommittee of the Cambridge Kids' Council wants to work on extending the MBTA passes weekends; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to convene a meeting with the MBTA so that the Kids' Council can discuss their ideas.
ORDERED: That the City Manager and City Council be and hereby is requested to attend the public meeting on the proposed fare increase and service reductions being held by the MBTA.

TEXT OF COMMITTEE REPORTS
Committee Report #1
The Ordinance Committee held a public hearing on Mar 29, 2011 beginning at 5:10pm in the Sullivan Chamber. The purpose of the hearing was to receive a presentation on form-based zoning, as it was planned and implemented in the City of Miami, Florida.

Present at the hearing were Councillor Sam Seidel, Chair of the Committee; Vice Mayor Henrietta Davis; City Clerk D. Margaret Drury; and Brian Murphy, Assistant City Manager for Community Development. Also present were David Chilinski, PCA, 221 Hampshire Street; Tom Sieniewicz, Architect, ChanKrieger, 8 Story Street; Dick Fanning, Architect, 21 Cornelius Way; Bhupesh Patel, Design Tank, Inc., 3 Bowdoin Street; Stephen Campbell, MITIMCo, 238 Main Street; Ahmed Nur, 2 Sedgewick Rd., Planning Board member; Margaret McMahon, 14 Highland Ave.; Mark Mulligan, 66 Fairmont Street, Harvard University; Allan Hodges, Parsons Brinckerhoff, 75 Arlington Street, Boston; Tom Stohlman, 19 Channing Street; Mark Jaquith, 213 Hurley Street; Karen Martin, Cambridge; Heather Hoffman, 213 Hurley Street; Thomas Anninger, 26 Healey Street; Bill Tibbs, 79 Pearl Street, Planning Board member; Hugh Russell, Planning Board member; Charles Studen, Planning Board member.

Councillor Seidel convened the hearing and explained the purpose. He introduced Ana Gelabert-Sanchez, former Director of Planning for the City of Miami and currently a fellow at the Harvard Graduate School of Design. Ms. Gelabert-Sanchez said that as a result of a development surge and an outmoded zoning code the Mayor of Miami delegated the city planning department to lead a comprehensive land use plan for the City of Miami. They held over meetings with community stakeholders, briefings and public hearings. Five years and 500 meeting later, the new plan for Miami, "Miami 21" emerged.

Miami 21 included a complete overhaul of the existing "Euclidian" zoning to "form-based" zoning. Ms. Gelabert-Sanchez explained that Euclidian zoning is zoning like the zoning of most cities, in which the goals are reduction of density and the prevention of overcrowding (a reaction to the historical conditions of cities), and the separation of uses based on size, height, noise, pollution, parking requirements as the only urban goals. The results of this kind of zoning are suburban sprawl, bedroom communities, automobile-dependent development patterns, excess parking, extreme and often unnatural segregation of uses, and the necessary creation of Special Districts to address areas which require mixed uses or other zoning configurations outside the standard uses. Form-based zoning includes goals of mixed-use activities within buildings and blocks of the city- walkable distance between offices and residences, promotion of walk-ability through a greater emphasis on the pedestrian spaces and promotion of transit by establishing nodes of greater intensity concentrations.

Ms Gelabert-Sanchez then provided a power point presentation on form-based zoning and the Miami 21 plan (Attached).

Thereafter there was a question and answer period, in which Ms. Gelabert-Sanchez answered questions about the plan and the planning process.

Councillor Seidel thanked those present for their attendance. The hearing was adjourned at 6:55pm.

For the Committee,
Councillor Sam Seidel, Chair

AWAITING REPORT LIST
12-02. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on the repair of all street lights that are not working in Cambridge.
Vice Mayor Davis and Full Membership

12-03. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on the impact of reductions in fuel assistance and weatherization funds.
Councillor Davis and Full Membership 01/23/12 (O-2)

12-04. Report from the City Manager:  See Mgr #3
RE: report on the steam pipe rupture on Second Street.
Councillor Toomey and Full Membership 01/23/12 (O-4)

12-05. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on the installation of bike helmet vending machines as part of the bike share program.
Councillor Davis and Full Membership 01/23/12 (O-5)

12-06. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on cost of monthly winter parking at the First Street garage. Report Received 1/30/12 and Charter Right exercised by Councillor Toomey.
Councillor Toomey and Full Membership 01/23/12 (O-6)

12-07. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on how the City promotes and enforces the Cambridge Employment Plan.
Councillor Toomey and Full Membership 01/23/12 (O-7)

12-08. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on instituting a ban on plastic bags.
Councillor Decker, Councillor vanBeuzekom and Full Membership 01/23/12 (O-10)

12-09. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on the use of coal and on Cambridge becoming coal-free.
Councillor Decker, Councillor vanBeuzekom and Full Membership 01/23/12 (O-11)

12-11. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on the possibility of an early winter 2012 thermal scan.
Councillor vanBeuzekom, Councillor Cheung, Councillor Davis, Councillor Decker, Councillor Kelley, Councillor Maher, Councillor Reeves & Councillor Toomey 01/30/12 (O-1)

12-12. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on zoning changes for the Sullivan Courthouse and neighboring parcels.
Councillor Toomey, Councillor Cheung, Councillor Davis, Councillor Decker, Councillor Kelley, Councillor Maher, Councillor Reeves & Councillor vanBeuzekom 01/30/12 (O-7)

12-13. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on joining the NLC Prescription Discount Card program.
Councillor vanBeuzekom, Councillor Cheung, Councillor Davis, Councillor Decker, Councillor Kelley, Councillor Maher, Councillor Reeves & Councillor Toomey 01/30/12 (O-9)

12-14. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on Veolia Energy Boston's request for a variance from the noise ordinance, what type of public outreach is required and what outreach has been performed.
Councillor Toomey 01/30/12 (O-10)