Cambridge City Council meeting - February 8, 2016

CITY MANAGER'S AGENDA
1. Transmitting Communication from Richard C. Rossi, City Manager, relative to the transfer of $661,272 between School Department statutory accounts, which includes $571,441 from the General Fund School Salary and Wages account, $89,234 from the General Fund School Travel and Training account and $597 from the General Fund School Extraordinary Expenditures account to the General Fund School Other Ordinary Maintenance account due to expenses for out-of-district tuition and student services contracts being greater than anticipated due to an increase in the number of students requiring placements and higher than expected per student tuition and service contract costs.

2. Transmitting Communication from Richard C. Rossi, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of $150,000 from Free Cash to the General Fund Human Services Salaries and Wages account ($60,000) and to the General Fund Human Services Other Ordinary Maintenance Account ($90,000) to be used to support the beginning implementation work of the Early Childhood Task Force’s recommendations.

3. Transmitting Communication from Richard C. Rossi, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of $228,500 associated with Education First’s agreement for the North Point Building project (Ordinance number 1337) from the Mitigation Revenue Stabilization Fund to the Grant Fund Human Service Programs Other Ordinary Maintenance account which will be used to support Early Childhood Scholarships for Cambridge residents with consideration of neighborhoods impacted by development.

4. Transmitting Communication from Richard C. Rossi, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of $18,580 to the General Fund Election Other Ordinary Maintenance account to cover non-salary related costs of a special state primary election to be held on Apr 12, 2016 and a special state general election to be held on May 10, 2016 to fill the vacancy of State Senator Anthony Petruccelli.

5. Transmitting Communication from Richard C. Rossi, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of a grant from the State Executive Office of Public Safety and Security for $3,515 to the Grant Fund Fire Salaries and Wages account ($2,500) and Grant Fund Fire Other Ordinary Maintenance account ($1,015) to provide funds for the Senior SAFE Program.

6. Transmitting Communication from Richard C. Rossi, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of a grant from the State Executive Office of Public Safety and Security for $10,937 to the Grant Fund Fire Salaries and Wages account ($8,337), Other Ordinary Maintenance account ($1,800) and the Travel and Training account ($800) to provide funds to continue the Student Awareness of Fire Education (SAFE) Program that educates students in the dangers of fire and its effect on people, property, and the environment.

7. Transmitting Communication from Richard C. Rossi, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of a grant from the Urban Areas Security Initiative (UASI) through the City of Boston’s Office of Emergency Management for $20,000 to the Public Investment Fund Fire Extraordinary Expenditures account for the purchase and installation of a generator docking station at our primary emergency shelter at the War Memorial Recreation Center, 1640 Cambridge Street, Cambridge, MA.

8. Transmitting Communication from Richard C. Rossi, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of $140,000 from Free Cash to the General Fund Fire Other Ordinary Maintenance account to cover the cost of replacing portable radio batteries.

9. Transmitting Communication from Richard C. Rossi, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of $686,300 from Free Cash to the General Fund Fire Other Ordinary Maintenance account to cover the cost to outfit 10 new firefighters with personal protective equipment, uniforms, and related medical evaluations and also replace 175 sets of firefighter bunker gear.

10. Transmitting Communication from Richard C. Rossi, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of $100,000 associated with Lesley University’s Porter Overlay District (Ordinance #1327) from the Mitigation Revenue Stabilization Fund to the Public Investment Fund Extraordinary Expenditure account which were used for the Massachusetts Avenue demonstration block between Harvard Square and Porter Square, including, but not limited to, sidewalk improvements, enhanced tree plantings and street furniture.

11. Transmitting Communication from Richard C. Rossi, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of $50,000 associated with the McKinnon Company’s Special Permit PB279 from the Mitigation Revenue Stabilization Fund to the Public Investment Fund Traffic, Parking, & Transportation Extraordinary Expenditures account which will support the purchase and installation of traffic counting equipment at the intersection of Cambridgepark Drive and Cambridgepark Place, adjacent to the MBTA’s Alewife Station.

12. A communication transmitted from Richard C. Rossi, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 16-04, regarding a report on traffic issues on Gore Street.

13. A communication transmitted from Richard C. Rossi, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 16-01, regarding consumer protection measures that are available to Cambridge residents.

14. A communication transmitted from Richard C. Rossi, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 16-3, regarding a report on possibility of creating a Grand Junction Overlay District.

15. A communication transmitted from Richard C. Rossi, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 16-2, regarding a report on how residents can take advantage of the Mass Solar Loan Program.

16. A communication transmitted from Richard C. Rossi, City Manager, relative to the requirements of the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA), the that City Council adopt the attached Order for the Statement of Interest Form to be submitted to the MSBA no later than Feb 12, 2016 for the replacement of the roof at the Fletcher Maynard Academy School, including the installation of photovoltaic panels (PV).

17. A communication transmitted from Richard C. Rossi, City Manager, relative to the appointment of Sharlene Yang as the new STEAM Coordinator.

Feb 8, 2016
To the Honorable, the City Council:

I am pleased to announce that we have hired Sharlene Yang as the new STEAM Coordinator, a role that reports jointly to the School Department and the City, responsible for expanding and supporting a system of high quality STEAM learning opportunities. Sharlene has a varied background in STEM and STEAM education which combines working with classroom and out of school time teachers to develop programs and curricula, and experience as a classroom Biology teacher at the High School Extension Program and CRLS. During her tenure at the Museum of Science, where she worked as Partnership Director and Professional Development Director, Sharlene brought the Engineering is Elementary curriculum to partners around the country, training staff, developing teacher guides and materials, and demonstrating effective engineering content and project-based instruction. More recently, she has organized large community-oriented STEAM events in collaboration with city, school and community-based programs and the EL STEAM Network. Sharlene holds a Masters of Teaching in Science Education from Tufts University, a Masters of Science in Psychology from the University of Michigan, and a Bachelors degree in Biology and Psychology from Cornell University.

In her interview with me and Superintendent Jeff Young, Sharlene articulated her belief that providing students with quality STEAM experiences, particularly economically disadvantaged students, is a matter of social justice given the importance of STEAM industries and employers in the region and the state. Sharlene is a Cambridge resident with a strong commitment to working with community members to create educational offerings that are attractive and meaningful for families.

Sharlene will be building on the efforts of education, business and community partners who came together over many months to articulate recommendations for creating a robust, coordinated system of STEAM opportunities. As Coordinator, she will continue to move this work forward to achieve the vision of Cambridge as an innovative, inclusive STEAM city committed to preparing its youth for college and career.

Very truly yours, Richard C. Rossi, City Manager

18. A communication transmitted from Richard C. Rossi, City Manager, relative to the appointment of the following persons as members of the GBLT Commission:
Appointments
Brian Eiermann; Mason Weintraub; Susan Bernstein; Linda Daniels; Kimm Topping; Sylvia Guerra; Ted Gucciardi Waechter

ON THE TABLE
1. An application was received from Capital One, requesting permission for a sandwich board sign in front of the premises numbered 24 JFK Street. [Placed On The Table on a motion of Councillor Cheung on Jan 25, 2016.]

2. That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to coordinate with the Clerk’s Office and the appropriate departments to implement within three months an electronic public comment display in the Sullivan Chamber, listing the speaker’s name and affiliation as well as a timer. [Placed On The Table as Amended by Councillor Mazen on Jan 25, 2016.]

UNFINISHED BUSINESS
3. That the Council go on the record to state that the second Monday of October henceforth be commemorated as Indigenous Peoples' Day in Cambridge, in recognition of the indigenous people of America's position as native to these lands, and the suffering they faced following European conquest of their land. [Order Number Fifteen of Oct 19, 2015 Placed on Table on motion of Vice Mayor Benzan. Motion to amend by substitution by Councillor Mazen carried on affirmative vote of 8 substitute text placed on Unfinished Business by Councillor Mazen affirmative vote of 8.]

4. A proposed amendment to the Ordinance entitled "Municipal Code of the City of Cambridge" in Title 6 entitled "Animals," a new Chapter 6.18 be added entitled "Prohibiting the Use of Wild and Exotic Animals in Traveling Shows and Circuses." The question comes of passing to be ordained on or after Feb 8, 2016.

APPLICATIONS AND PETITIONS
1. A zoning petition has been received from Sage Cannabis, Inc., to amend the provisions of the Medical Marijuana Overlay District Section 20.700 of the Cambridge Zoning Ordinance and Map. [details]

COMMUNICATIONS
1. A communication was received from Hasson Rashid, regarding a Cambridge Homeless Housing Trust Fund proposal draft.

2. A communication was received from Carol O'Hare, 172 Magazine Street, regarding the Blue Hills Bank/Concord Avenue sign.

3. A communication was received from Deborah Galef, 93 Hammond Street, regarding sidewalk sandwich boards.

4. A communication was received from Michael Altman, 540 Huron Avenue, regarding saying no to Columbus Day.

5. A communication was received from Gerald O'Leary and Rosemary Booth, 303 Third Street, transmitting support for a Volpe Task Force to support the development of the PUD-KS zoning proposal.

6. A communication was received from Robert J. La Tremouille, Regarding Censorship Of Objections Against Cambridge/DCR tree destruction.

7. A communication was received from Hasson Rashid, regarding the Prospect and Hampshire Street Historical Site of Clement Morgan.

8. A communication was received from Michael Dundas, Chief Executive Officer, Sage Cannabis, Inc., 13 Commercial Way, Milford, MA, regarding a status update on the zoning amendment petition APP 2015 #72 filed with the Cambridge City Clerk on Nov 9, 2015.

RESOLUTIONS
1. Happy 92nd Birthday wishes to Elvernoy Holland. Mayor Simmons

2. Congratulations to the Shady Hill School on the occasion of its 100th Anniversary. Mayor Simmons

4. Resolution on the Death of Gloria Ann "Dolly" (Sarchioni) Rastellini. Councillor Toomey

ORDERS
1. Amendment to the Municipal Code to add a new Chapter entitled “Running Bamboo Ordinance” in Title 8 entitled “Health and Safety” be referred to the Ordinance Committee. Councillor Kelley, Councillor Cheung, Councillor Devereux, Councillor Carlone

2. Cancellation of City Council meeting scheduled for Mon, Mar 7, 2016 so that the City Council can attend the National League of Cities conference in Washington, DC. Mayor Simmons

3. That the zoning petition filed by Milford Medicinals, Inc. be placed on file. Mayor Simmons

4. Dedication of a suitable location in the vicinity of Gladstone Street and Foch Street in honor of Olga Mili. Councillor Toomey

5. That the amendment to the Zoning Ordinances of the City of Cambridge to amend the provisions of the PUD-KS District set forth in Section 13.10 of the Zoning Ordinances and which includes a majority of the Volpe Transportation Systems Center site, be refiled as of Feb 9, 2015. Councillor Carlone

6. That the City Manager is requested to confer with the Community Development Department and other relevant City departments to study the benefits of a wellbeing index and plan for how it might be incorporated into various City planning processes, including the city wide Master Plan. Councillor Carlone, Vice Mayor McGovern

HEARING SCHEDULE
Mon, Feb 8
5:30pm City Council Meeting (Sullivan Chamber)

Wed, Feb 24
5:30pm The City Council will conduct a public hearing to discuss a zoning petition filed by Peter L. Cohen, et al. to amend the Cambridge Zoning Ordinance to restrict garage development in dimensionally nonconforming lots. [View the petition] This hearing to be televised (Sullivan Chamber)

TEXT OF ORDERS
O-1 Feb 8, 2016
COUNCILLOR KELLEY
COUNCILLOR CHEUNG
COUNCILLOR DEVEREUX
COUNCILLOR CARLONE
WHEREAS: The improper maintenance of running bamboo, a non-native and invasive species, in Cambridge has created a nuisance for abutting residents; and
WHEREAS: Running bamboo that is not properly confined may cause damage to structures, pathways, and landscaping from the spread of underground rhizomes that send up shoots, and creates a general nuisance when dead or snow laden stalks fall onto adjacent property or a public way; and
WHEREAS: Residents currently have no legal protections when running bamboo has invaded their property; and
WHEREAS: Residents who wish to cultivate bamboo should be properly advised of the species’ destructive nature and encouraged to take necessary precautions in order to ensure that running bamboo is properly confined to their property; and
WHEREAS: Numerous cities across the United States have passed laws restricting the growth of running bamboo, or have banned the invasive species altogether, among which include Newtowne, CT; Dover, DE; Nether Providence, RI; Hempstead, NY; Toms River, NJ; Cambridge, MD; Worthington, OH; Champaign, IL; and Haverford, PA; and
WHEREAS: In addition to the above-mentioned municipalities, the State of Connecticut passed a law in 2013 creating a 100 foot setback to adjacent property and any public way in which bamboo may not grow; and
WHEREAS: Running Bamboo was added to the State of New York’s list of Prohibited Invasive Plants, meaning that the species cannot be “knowingly possessed with the intent to sell, import, purchase, transport or introduce;” and
WHEREAS: The Assembly of the State of New Jersey passed a law regulating running bamboo in 2014 that subsequently died in the Senate, and which has been reintroduced in January of 2016; and
WHEREAS: A Weed Risk Assessment released by the USDA stated that running bamboo “primarily affects anthropogenic areas (cities, suburbs, homes gardens and their surrounding areas). This species damages sidewalks and driveways, destroys swimming pools, invades septic systems, establishes in lawns, and shades out other vegetation,” and further reported that “Literature on bamboo cultivation in the United States makes it clear that such species should not be planted near buildings and must be contained;” now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the attached amendment to the Municipal Code to add a new Chapter entitled “Running Bamboo Ordinance” in Title 8 entitled “Health and Safety” be referred to the Ordinance Committee for a hearing and report.

O-2 Feb 8, 2016
MAYOR SIMMONS
ORDERED: That the regular City Council meeting scheduled for Mon, Mar 7, 2016 be and hereby is cancelled so that the City Council can attend the National League of Cities conference in Washington, DC.

O-3 Feb 8, 2016
MAYOR SIMMONS
WHEREAS: On Nov 4, 2015, a zoning petition was filed by Milford Medicinals, Inc. to include 1001 Massachusetts Avenue in the Medical Marijuana Dispensary District; and
WHEREAS: The Ordinance Committee held a public hearing on the petition on Dec 10, 2015 at which time the petitioner stated that the petition had legal deficiencies and requested the Ordinance Committee not to conduct a substantive hearing; and
WHEREAS: No public hearing was held by the Planning Board which is required within 65 days of filing the petition as required by Chapter 40A; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the zoning petition filed by Milford Medicinals, Inc. be placed on file.

O-4 Feb 8, 2016
COUNCILLOR TOOMEY
ORDERED: That the Executive Assistant to the City Council be and hereby is requested to confer with the Dedication Committee to consider a request from Councillor Timothy J. Toomey for the dedication of a suitable location in the vicinity of Gladstone Street and Foch Street in honor of Olga Mili.

O-6 Feb 8, 2016
COUNCILLOR CARLONE
VICE MAYOR MCGOVERN
WHEREAS: In early 2015, the Cambridge Community Development Department (CDD) began participation in the Leadership STAR Community Program; and
WHEREAS: The STAR Community Rating System (STAR) is a certification program for evaluating the sustainability of U.S. communities; and
WHEREAS: STAR provides a data-driven approach to assessing social, economic and environmental conditions which helps to identify gaps and prioritize investment; and
WHEREAS: The STAR certification process is currently underway and will be rolled into the Envision Cambridge Citywide Planning process; and
WHEREAS: The STAR System does not intensively engage the community to best understand the health and wellbeing of city residents; and
WHEREAS: While the concept of measuring wellbeing is relatively new to American government, incorporating meaningful measures of how people are doing into the traditional assessment of performance, prosperity, and progress will be instrumental in truly understanding the health of the citizenry: and
WHEREAS: Those governments that have already invested resources in measuring wellbeing and developing a “wellbeing index”, including countries such as Canada, France, Australia, the UK, Bhutan, and many organizations including Rand Corp., Bloomberg, Brookings Institution, New Economics Foundation, Harvard, Yale, and others, can provide important lessons as leaders in this global movement; and
WHEREAS: There is a tremendous amount of change occurring in the City of Cambridge, and especially as we embark on a city wide master plan, it is critically important that we incorporate a measure of wellbeing into this and other policy development processes; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to confer with the Community Development Department and other relevant City departments to study the benefits of a wellbeing index and plan for how it might be incorporated into various City planning processes, including the city wide Master Plan, and report back to the City Council on their findings.

AWAITING REPORT LIST
16-1. That the City Manager is requested to confer with the City Solicitor regarding the various consumer protection measures that are available to Cambridge residents. [See Mgr #13]
Councillor Carlone (O-6) from 12/21/2015

16-2. That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to work with the Department of Public Works and other relevant departments to determine how Cambridge residents can take full advantage of Mass Solar Loan Program. [See Mgr #15]
Vice Mayor McGovern, Councillor Cheung (O-2) from 1/11/2016

16-3. That the City Manager is requested to confer with the Assistant City Manager of Community Development and report back to the City Council with language that could create a Grand Junction Overlay District that would help to create incentives and ensure the completion of the Grand Junction Multiuse Path. [See Mgr #14]
Councillor Toomey (O-6) from 1/11/2016

16-4. That the City Manager is requested to confer with the Director of Traffic, Parking and Transportation and the Police Commissioner to determine ways to remedy the traffic situation on Gore Street and report back to the City Council. [See Mgr #12]
Councillor Toomey (O-7) from 1/11/2016

16-5. That the City Manager, in conjunction with the Director of the Cambridge Peace Commission and other relevant staff, is requested to explore a Sister City relationship with the City of Reykjavik, Iceland, in order to foster ties between the municipalities and report back to the City Council on the potential for establishing said relationship in a timely manner.
Mayor Maher (O-8) from 12/21/2015

16-6. That the City Manager is requested to coordinate with the appropriate City departments to report back with a rough estimate of capital and operating expenditures for a pilot City of Cambridge tool library for the year 2017.
Councillor Mazen, Councillor Carlone, Councillor Devereux (O-3) from 1/25/2016

16-7. That the City Manager is requested to report back to the City Council on the progress of contract negotiations with the Police and Fire Unions.
Councillor Cheung, Mayor Simmons, Vice Mayor McGovern (O-5) from 1/25/2016

16-8. That the City Manager is requested to confer with the Department of Public Works and the Community Development Department to work with Eversource and other power providers to plan and implement infrastructure improvements to fully support future development in Cambridge and further to confer with the appropriate departments to draft an amendment to the City’s Zoning Ordinance that would see projects needing a special permit undergo a power needs assessment as part of the permitting process.
Councillor Cheung, Councillor Devereux (O-8) from 1/25/2016

16-9. Report on organizing a Volpe Task Force made up of representatives from abutting neighborhood groups and Kendall Square residents and businesses.
Councillor Toomey (O-2) from 2/1/2016

16-10. Report on ways the City of Cambridge can implement such a service with the goal of notifying residents of city-wide and neighborhood events and meetings via automated calls or text messages.
Vice Mayor McGovern, Councillor Devereux (O-3) from 2/1/2016

16-11. Report on appropriate strategies for public outreach, education, and support for residents who may be concerned about the Zika virus.
Councillor Devereux, Councillor Carlone, Vice Mayor McGovern (O-5) from 2/1/2016

16-12. Report on the current total number and locations of sandwich board and A-frame signs, details on the process and criteria for approval and annual renewal, details on the enforcement of non-compliant and unpermitted signs, whether the annual $75 fee remains appropriate, whether reasonable design guidelines could be encouraged or required in historic districts, and whether the application process could be improved to include more detail to better inform decision makers.
Councillor Devereux, Councillor Carlone, Councillor Mazen, Mayor Simmons (O-8) from 2/1/2016