Cambridge City Council Meeting

CITY MANAGER'S AGENDA
1. Transmitting communication from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to the transfer of $301,785 in the General Fund between School Department statutory accounts as follows: $301,785 from the Other Ordinary Maintenance account to the School Salaries & Wages account ($124,168) and to the Travel & Training Account ($177,617). During the course of the school year, the School Department allows principals and department administrators to move funds across statutory categories within their budgets to better meet their educational needs.
Order Adopted 9-0

2. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to the reappointments of the following members of the Conservation Commission for a term of 3-years, effective Feb 1, 2020: Purvi Patel, Ted Pickering and Kaki Martin.
Placed on File

Feb 10, 2020
To the Honorable, the City Council:

I am hereby transmitting notification of the reappointment of the following members of the Conservation Commission for a term of three years, effective Feb 1, 2020:

Purvi Patel
Ms. Patel is an Environmental Analyst at the Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act (MEPA) Office. She continues to be a valued member of the Conservation Commission with her expertise in using all feasible measures to avoid, minimize, and mitigate damage to the environment. Ms. Patel currently services as Chair to the Commission.

Ted Pickering
Mr. Pickering is a Senior Compliance Manager at Apex Companies, LLC. He shares his knowledge of site plan review and environmental permit compliance with the Conservation Commission.

Kaki Martin
Mr. Martin is a partner at KMDG. She is a landscape architect with over twenty years of practice experience focused in park design and urban streetscapes, institutional and open space master planning, and experiential learning landscapes. Her professional expertise has been invaluable to the Conservation Commission.

Very truly yours, Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager

3. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to the appointment and re-appointment of the following persons as members of the Recycling Advisory Committee for a term of 3-years, effective Feb 10, 2020: Appointments: Leah Beckett, Holden Cookson, Catrina Damrell, Shirley Elliott, Sakiko Isomichi, Lindsay Levine, Scott MacGrath, Audrey Ng, Richard Nurse, Diane Roseman, and Suzanne Wong. Reappointments: Ilana Bebchick, Debby Galef, Rob Gogan, Martha Henry, Susy Jones, Debby Knight, Janet Mosley, Laura Nichols, Meera Singh, Quinten Steenhuis, Mary Verhage, and Kristen Watkins.
Placed on File

Feb 10, 2020
To the Honorable, the City Council:

I am hereby transmitting notification of appointments and reappointment's of new members of the Recycling Advisory Committee for a term of three years, effective Feb 10, 2020:

Appointments

Leah Beckett
Leah has a passion of engaging with the community and finding resourceful to repurpose waste. Her passion led her to take the initiative to capture wool from a family farm to make wool dryer balls which helps reduce energy consumption.

Holden Cookson
Holden has worked in the organic waste recycling industry for a few years and serves on MassDEP’s Organics Sub-committee for the Commonwealth’s Solid Waste Master Plan.

Catrina Damrell
Catrina worked on the campaign to introduce curbside compost to 25,000 households during the City’s expanded program in 2018. Catrina works with national grocers and retail businesses to encourage recycling and waste diversion.

Shirley Elliott
Shirley was one of the first compost pilot participants in Cambridge and volunteered for several years to educate the community on why their participation in the composting program was important not only for our environment and the city but also for their households. Shirley wants to engage with individuals of diverse backgrounds/cultures and wants to encourage more collection of leaves during the Fall.

Sakiko Isomichi
Sakiko has extensively experience in community engagement in waste diversion and reduction. For 10 years, Sakiko helped Martha’s Vineyard reduce waste. Sakiko has extensive knowledge about the various waste systems in Massachusetts.

Lindsay Levine
Lindsay takes their passion of waste seriously, both at work and in their personal life. One of her biggest passions is the topic of single-use plastic consumption.

Scott MacGrath
Scott has been deeply engaged with waste reduction efforts in his time living in Cambridge. Scott serves on his employers’ Green Team and is passionate in trying to find a way to reduce pet waste.

Audrey Ng
Audrey is interested in waste management and zero waste goals in buildings from a professional and personal standpoint. She has performed a post-game waste audit series at Fenway Park, toured the Casella facility, and volunteered as a compost educator in the Cambridge Public Schools.

Richard Nurse
Richard’s career spans 50 years in the polymer/plastics industry. As a resident, Richard is concerned about responsible use of all raw materials, metal, paper, glass, fibers, paints, wood, electronics, construction products.

Diane Roseman
Diane is a small business owner in Inman Square and a long-time resident of Cambridge. Her business participates in the City’s Small Business Recycle Pilot.

Suzanne Wong
Suzanne is a regular visitor of the Recycling Center. Suzanne is passionate about reducing food waste, including turning food waste into beer.

Reappointments

Ilana Bebchick
Ilana Bebchick has been an elementary educator for 20 years in urban and suburban districts. She worked as a bilingual and regular education classroom teacher and is passionate about teaching the 3 R's - recycling, reuse and reducing.

Debby Galef
Debby Galef has been a member since 2010 and is also a member of the Pedestrian Committee member.

Rob Gogan
Rob Gogan, of Harvard University’s Recycling & Waste Services, has been a member of the Recycling Committee for 20 years and wants to support the City's reuse initiatives.

Martha Henry
Martha Henry is the Executive Director of the Harvard AIDS Initiative. Ms. Henry, long-time Cambridge resident, has a background in communications and is interested in how to encourage a cultural shift to consume less.

Susy Jones
Susy Jones is the Project Manager at the MIT Office of Sustainability, facilitating innovating recycling, composting, reuse infrastructure & sustainable materials selection. Ms. Jones has ten years in the sustainability field.

Debby Knight
Debby Knight is a science teacher at the Cambridge Friends School, Recycling Center user, and has developed school gardens & beehives, making community events zero waste.

Janet Mosley
Ms. Mosley worked on recycling at Connecticut College and the University of Michigan School of Natural Resources: improving system sustainability & efficiency/ industrial ecology. Ms. Mosley has also worked with EPA on tools to measure material sustainability.

Laura Nichols
Laura Nichols is a lifelong Cambridge resident and has been a member of the Recycling Committee since 2010. Ms. Nichols serves as the Executive Director of the Cambridge Consumers Council; is a member of the Riverside Neighborhood Association; and organizes Cambridge Shred Day.

Meera Singh
Meera Singh has been a member of the Recycling Committee since 2014. Ms. Singh works with youth internationally on the Eco-Audit Program promoting sustainable practices in offices.

Quinten Steenhuis
Quinten Steenhuis is an avid backyard gardener and composter, who works as an attorney and technologist at Greater Boston Legal Services.

Mary Verhage
Mary Verhage has business experience in marketing, communications and strategic planning and successfully established a recycling program in her condo association, promoting reuse.

Kristen Watkins
Kristen Watkins is a graduate student who has worked to develop sustainable waste systems for several small Nicaraguan islands. Ms. Watkins worked at Recology, piloting new recycling programs and waste collection strategies to help San Francisco reach its goal of "Zero Waste".

Very truly yours, Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager

4. Transmitting communication from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of $1,200,000 from Free Cash, to the Public Investment Fund Public Works Extraordinary Expenditures Account for expanded tree planting and continued implementation of the Urban Forestry Master Plan recommendations.
Order Adopted 8-0-1 (Simmons ABSENT)

Feb 10, 2020
To the Honorable, the City Council:

I am hereby requesting an appropriation of $1,200,000 from Free Cash, to the Public Investment Fund Public Works Extraordinary Expenditures Account for expanded tree planting and continued implementation of the Urban Forestry Master Plan recommendations.

Over the past three years the City has taken significant steps to address urban forestry program improvements, be it in increased operating and capital budget allocations, investment in management staff in the Forestry Division at Public Works, significant revisions in tree planting and maintenance specifications and in the development of the Master Planning process itself. This allocation further represents the City’s commitment to urban forestry and more broadly to addressing climate change preparedness and resiliency.

The appropriation will supplement existing and anticipated budget allocations and enable the City to plant approximately 1,050 trees through FY21. Funds will also provide resources for technical services primarily associated with soils analysis and management, education, outreach and engagement, other work necessary to ensure the long-term health of the urban forest in order to ultimately reverse canopy decline in the city.

Very truly yours, Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager

5. Transmitting communication from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of $20,000 from Free Cash to the General Fund Human Service Programs Other Ordinary Maintenance account which will be used for the support of the math enrichment programs provided by Cambridge Math Circle, a nonprofit organization and the Martin Luther King Day morning math festival.
Order Adopted 8-0-1 (Simmons ABSENT)

6. Transmitting communication from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of $150,000 of Community Schools additional revenue to the General Fund Human Service Programs Other Ordinary Maintenance account. Funds will allow the Community Schools to continue programming and pay the increased costs related to contractual services and other costs including bus transportation.
Order Adopted 9-0

7. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 19-159, regarding safety concerns at the intersection of Walden and Saville Streets.
Placed on File

8. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to amending the Cambridge Municipal Code to insure a Welcoming Community Ordinance. [Red-Lined version][Clean version]
Received and referred to proposed ordinance - see Unfinished Business #4 below

Feb 10, 2020

Louis A. DePasquale
City Manager
Cambridge City Hall
795 Massachusetts A venue
Cambridge, MA 02139

Re: Response to Council Order No. O-9 of 1/27/20 Re: Amending the Cambridge Municipal Code to Insert a Welcoming Community Ordinance

Dear Mr. DePasquale:

We have prepared this legal opinion in response to Council Order No. O-9 of 1/27/20, which requests that the City Council amend the Cambridge Municipal Code to insert a new Welcoming Community Ordinance. We have reviewed the proposed Welcoming Community Ordinance with Vice Mayor Mallon and City staff including the Police Department and School Department, and met with Councilor Carlone and Attorney Laura Rótolo, a representative of the ACLU, to discuss recommended changes. Our recommended changes are discussed in detail below, and Attorney Rótolo is in agreement with these changes.

As an initial matter, we have made some formatting and stylistic changes in order to make the Welcoming Community Ordinance consistent with the other ordinances that comprise the Municipal Code. Additionally, we have made some changes to clarify language where necessary. Attached please find a draft including the redlined changes and a clean draft for your convenience.

The first substantive change is found in Section 2.129.040(c), "Role of Police Department in immigration enforcement." We added language referencing Section 2.129.040(j), "Raids and other immigration enforcement actions" to make these two sections consistent with one another. Next, in Section 2.129.040(e), "Federal requests for information," we added the last sentence, which provides that this section does not prohibit an officer of the Police Department from sending information regarding citizenship or immigration status to other agencies. The reason why we added this language is that a federal statute entitled "Communication between government agencies and the Immigration and Naturalization Service," 8 U.S.C. § 1373, provides that:

Notwithstanding any other provision of Federal, State, or local law, a Federal, State, or local government entity or official may not prohibit, or in any way restrict, any government entity or official from sending to, or receiving from , the Immigration and Naturalization Service information regarding the citizenship or immigration status, lawful or unlawful, of any individual.

The statute does not require any officials to take any affirmative action relative to sharing information about citizenship or immigration status, but it prevents any federal, state, or local law from prohibiting such sharing. This statute has been challenged in courts and has been held unconstitutional by some courts, but not in any decisions that are binding precedent in Massachusetts or in the First Circuit. Accordingly, we added the reference to 8 U.S.C. § 1373 to be clear that the Welcoming Community Ordinance is not in conflict with 8 U.S.C. § 1373. We note that 8 U.S.C. § 1373 is also referenced in Section 2. 129.070.

In Section 2.129.040(f), "Encountering persons driving without a license," we clarified that although whenever possible officers of the Police Department shall not take a person who was found to be driving without a valid driver's license into custody and shall issue a summons to Court instead, the officer has discretion as to how to proceed. Further, we clarified that if such a driver is taken into custody, the officer shall endeavor to provide the driver with a reasonable opportunity to arrange for someone else to take his or her vehicle, unless the violation is subject to a requirement that the vehicle be impounded.

In Section 2. 129.040(i), which originally was entitled "U Visa Certification," we incorporated changes requested by Vice Mayor Mallon in order to be more inclusive of two other federal programs that protect non-citizens from removal in certain circumstances.

In Section 2.1 29.040(k), "Deputizing of local officials," we added that no officer of the Police Department shall perform the functions of an immigration officer except as required by law. Adding "except as required by federal or state law or regulations" adds the distinction that no officer of the Police Department shall voluntarily perform the functions of an immigration officer, but if a law mandates that an officer do so, that may control what officers of the Police Department can and cannot do. This section specifies that "no officer or employee of the Police Department shall perform the functions of an immigration officer, whether pursuant to 8 U.S.C. § 1357(g) or any other law, regulate or policy . ... " 8 U .S.C. § 1357(g) is a federal statute that allows a municipality to enter into an agreement with the United State Attorney General whereby an officer or employee of the municipality performs the functions of an immigration officer. A municipality's participation in such an agreement is voluntary and a municipality is not required to enter into such an agreement. 8 U.S.C.1457(g)(9). Accordingly, Section 2.129.040(k) has the effect of prohibiting the City from entering into an agreement with the U.S. Attorney General pursuant to 8 U.S.C. §1357(g).

In Section 2. 129.040(l), "School records and enrollment," we added language to clarify that the School Department shall not keep or distribute information about a student's immigration status or place of birth, except as required by federal or state law. There are federal and state laws and regulations that apply to student records, such as the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, 20 U.S.C. § 1232g, and the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education's Student Records Regulations, 603 CMR 23.00, et seq. Any retention and distribution of student records must be in accordance with those laws and regulations. Additionally, we revised the last sentence of this section to apply the restriction on the use and distribution of information concerning place of birth to all students and not just English Language Learners. The reason for this change is that there are other instances where the School Department is required to ask for place of birth, such as in connection with the Depat1ment of Elementary and Secondary Education's required forms used for special education services.

In Section 2.129.050 we made changes to provide that when complaints concern employees of the Police Department or School Department, copies of the complaints should also be directed to the appropriate officials in those departments. Lastly, in Section 2.129.060, which concerns a report that the Police Commissioner will submit every six months, we added a requirement that the report contain the total number of investigations where the Cambridge Police Department cooperated with or provided information to federal agencies charged with enforcement of immigration laws.

I look forward to answering any questions that you or the City Council may have.

Very truly yours,
Nancy Glowa
City Solicitor

ON THE TABLE
1. That the City Manager is requested to direct the City Solicitor, Community Development, Public Works, Inspectional Services and any other related departments to review the proposed amendments regarding the prohibition of Natural Gas Infrastructure in New Buildings. [Tabled on Jan 27, 2020.]

UNFINISHED BUSINESS
2. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 18-108, regarding a report on offering early voting in City Council and School Committee Elections. [Pending Response from Legislature]

3. TPO Extension PO [Passed to a Second Reading on Jan 27, 2020. To Be Ordained on or after Feb 10, 2020]
Ordained 7-2 (Simmons, Toomey - NO)

4. That the Cambridge City Council amend the Municipal Ordinances of the City of Cambridge to insert a new Chapter 2.129, entitled “WELCOMING COMMUNITY ORDINANCE” [Passed to a Second Reading on Jan 27, 2020. To Be Ordained on or after Feb 10, 2020.]
Ordained as Amended 8-0-0-1 (Zondervan - PRESENT)

APPLICATIONS AND PETITIONS
1. An application was received from One Linkage LLC, requesting permission for an A Frame sign in front of the premises numbered 1759 Massachusetts Avenue.
Order Adopted

2. An application was received from Greg Leppert, requesting permission for a curb cut at the premises numbered 147 Otis Street; said petition has received approval from Inspectional Services, Traffic, Parking and Transportation, Historical Commission and Public Works. Response has been received from the neighborhood association.
Order Adopted

3. An application was received from Michael Monestine, Central Square Business Improvement District, requesting permission for (19) nineteen temporary banners along poles on Massachusetts Avenue announcing Cambridge Historic Black Trailblazers from Feb 11, 2020 thru Mar 1, 2020.
Order Adopted

4. An application was received from Michael Monestine, Central Square Business Improvement District, requesting permission for (10) ten temporary banners along poles on Massachusetts Avenue announcing Taste of Carnival from Feb 11, 2020 thru Mar 1, 2020.
Order Adopted

COMMUNICATIONS
1. A communication was received from Katherine Tsiakkirou McMillan, regarding Metropolitan Cybersecurity World.

2. A communication was received from Robert J. LaTremouille, regarding Harvard Square Upzoning (Blier and others), Ordinance Committee changes.

3. A communication was received from Rachel Wyon, regarding support for Policy Order #7.

4. A communication was received from Charles Franklin, regarding CMA #8 Welcoming Community Ordinance.

5. A communication was received from Sheli Wortis, 106 Berkshire Street, regarding support for Policy Orders #29 and #31.

6. A communication was received from Ann McAdam, 28 Union Street, regarding support for Tree Protection Ordinance.

7. A communication was received from Peter Valentine, regarding Constitution is being accused of injustice by citizens of other countries.

8. A communication was received from Hasson Rashid, 820 Massachusetts Avenue, regarding Unfinished Business #4 and Late Agenda Item #1.

9. A communication was received from Michelle Lower, regarding Grand Junction Pathway Overlay District.

10. An anonymous communication was received, regarding computers either sold new or refurbished.

11. A communication was received from Peter L. Cohen, 11 Donnell Street, regarding the Tree Protection Ordinance.

RESOLUTIONS
1. Resolution on the death of Americo "Skippy" Raposo. Councillor Toomey
Order Adopted

2. Resolution on the death of Dominic "Pat" DiCardio. Councillor Toomey
Order Adopted

3. Congratulations to the 2020 Award Recipients of the Cambridge NAACP’s 34th Annual Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Brunch, on Sat, Feb 15, 2020. Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Simmons, Councillor Zondervan, Vice Mayor Mallon
Order Adopted as Amended

4. Congratulations to Cayla Marvil and Andrew Jones on being named on Forbes’ 30 Under 30 List in the Food & Drink Category. Vice Mayor Mallon
Order Adopted as Amended

ORDERS
1. That the City Manager is requested to direct the appropriate City staff to work with the residents of the Agassiz neighborhood in furthering this important neighborhood conversation and in helping make a determination as to how to arrive at an appropriate, official name change for this neighborhood. Councillor Simmons, Mayor Siddiqui
Order Adopted

2. That the City Manager is requested to rename the maintenance area within the Ryan Garage at 147 Hampshire Street in honor of Sydney Cox, with this becoming known as the “Sydney James Cox Maintenance Facility”. Councillor Simmons, Councillor Toomey
Order Adopted

3. That the Executive Assistant to the City Council confer with the Dedication Committee to consider the request from Councillor McGovern to find a suitable location near Roosevelt Towers to honor Randy Thomas. Councillor McGovern
Order Adopted

4. That the City Manager is requested to confer with relevant City departments on the feasibility of instituting a program to install rings on parking meters to expand bicycle parking options. Councillor Nolan, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Mayor Siddiqui
Order Adopted

5. City Council support of the full Massachusetts Indigenous Legislative Agenda. Councillor Nolan, Councillor McGovern, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Zondervan, Councillor Carlone
Order Adopted as Amended

6. That the City Manager is requested to confer with the Department of Human Services and other relevant departments to determine the feasibility of both expanding the Head Start program hours and adding additional scholarships to improve access to high-quality, early childhood educational resources. Mayor Siddiqui, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor Carlone, Councillor McGovern
Order Adopted

7. That the City Council go on record calling for the Parliament of India to uphold the Indian constitution by repealing the Citizenship Amendment Act, stopping the National Register of Citizens, and taking steps towards helping refugees by ratifying various UN treaties on refugees. Councillor Zondervan, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor Nolan
Order Adopted

8. City Council support of the City Manager’s request to purchase the National Guard Armory of Cambridge. Councillor Nolan, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor McGovern
Order Adopted

9. That a Roundtable/Working Meeting be scheduled for Tues, Feb 25, 2020 at 3:00pm in the Sullivan Chamber of City Hall for the purpose of discussing legislative priorities . Mayor Siddiqui
Order Adopted

COMMITTEE REPORTS
1. Report of the Ordinance Committee - Committee Meeting - Dec 10, 2019 5:00pm [PDF][HTML] - corrected
Regarding the Alexandria Grand Junction Zoning Petition
Present: Carlone, Devereux, Mallon, McGovern, Siddiqui, Zondervan, Simmons (late), Toomey (late)
Report Accepted; Placed on File

2. Report of the Ordinance Committee - Committee Meeting - Feb 5, 2020 5:30pm [PDF][HTML]
Regarding the Alexandria Grand Junction Zoning Petition
Present: Carlone, Mallon, McGovern, Nolan, Siddiqui, Simmons, Sobrinho-Wheeler, Toomey, Zondervan
Passed to 2nd Reading

HEARING SCHEDULE
Mon, Feb 10
5:30pm City Council Meeting (Sullivan Chamber - televised)

Tues, Feb 11
5:30pm Roundtable/Working Meeting for members of the City Council and School Committee to begin discussions on a preliminary budget for Fiscal Year 2021. (Attles Meeting Room, CRLS - televised)

Wed, Feb 12
5:30pm The Ordinance Committee will meet for a hearing on an order to amend section 11.202(b) of the zoning ordinance. (Sullivan Chamber - televised)

Tues, Feb 18
5:30pm The Ordinance Committee will meet for a hearing on a petition to amend the definition of family in the Cambridge the zoning ordinance. (Sullivan Chamber - televised)

Wed, Feb 19
10:00am The Government Operations Committee will meet to discuss extending the contract of City Manager Louis A. DePasquale beyond January 2021. (Ackermann Room - televised)

Thurs, Apr 16
5:30pm The Health and Environment Committee to hear a progress report and recommendations from the Climate Resilience Zoning Task Force. (Sullivan Chamber - televised)

TEXT OF ORDERS
O-1 Feb 10, 2020
COUNCILLOR SIMMONS
MAYOR SIDDIQUI
WHEREAS: On Apr 8, 2019, the City Council passed a policy order asking the City Manager to direct City staff to compile a full accounting of streets, schools, and public buildings that may be named in honor of those who have ties to the American slave trade with a view toward renaming these; and
WHEREAS: The intent behind this endeavor was and is not to erase the sometimes complicated history of our city – certainly, we must acknowledge that even some of our country’s most celebrated historical figures engaged in acts that would surely earn them condemnation in contemporary society – but to force us to more honestly confront our history and the questions of whom we choose to celebrate, how we understand the fullness of their lives and their actions, and whether there are other, lesser-known but no-less-important figures we ought to be lifting up and celebrating in the ongoing desire to more fully understand our city’s history; and
WHEREAS: On June 10, 2019, the City Council passed a related policy order asking the City Manager to establish a working committee to review the monuments, memorials, and markers throughout Cambridge to determine whether any of these commemorate those who were linked to the slave trade or engaged in other similarly shameful acts, to determine which individuals – particularly women, people of color, and those from other historically marginalized communities – should be newly recognized with a monument, memorial, or marker; and
WHEREAS: Related to this larger, ongoing discussion, a meeting of the Agassiz Neighborhood Council on Jan 14, 2020 featured a discussion amongst neighborhood residents who feel that the time has come for this neighborhood to be renamed from one that honors Louis Agassiz – whose work has been used by white supremacists since the 1800s to justify their shameful and misguided positions – to one that honors someone the neighborhood can be rightfully proud of, such as Maria L. Baldwin or another lesser-known light from our city’s rich past; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to direct the appropriate City staff to work with the residents of the Agassiz neighborhood in furthering this important neighborhood conversation and in helping make a determination as to how to arrive at an appropriate, official name change for this neighborhood; and be it further
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to report back to the City Council on this matter in a timely manner.

O-2 Feb 10, 2020
COUNCILLOR SIMMONS
COUNCILLOR TOOMEY
WHEREAS: Sydney Cox worked for the City of Cambridge’s Department of Public Works for 45 years, 35 of which were spent as Master Mechanic in charge of the Department’s fleet of vehicles, and throughout his years of service, he displayed extraordinary dedication to his city, his colleagues, and his job; and
WHEREAS: Born, raised, and educated in Cambridge, Sydney oversaw the municipal garage during a time of extraordinary change, as mechanical systems modernized, trucks and cars saw increasingly complex computerization, hybrid and battery/electric vehicles became more widespread, and the development of diagnostic tools, fleet management systems, and other systems assisting in the efficient repair and maintenance of a large fleet of diverse vehicle types were all adopted; and
WHEREAS: Throughout all those changes and the ensuing new challenges they brought, Sydney never lost a beat, never stopped working hard, and continued to shine as a truly wonderful individual who has been greatly loved by his colleagues throughout the Department of Public Works, and across the entire City; and
WHEREAS: In honoring his dedication, loyalty to his home city, and years of exemplary service to that city, it would be only fitting for the City to commemorate Sydney’s decades of service with a lasting tribute; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to rename the maintenance area within the Ryan Garage at 147 Hampshire Street in honor of Sydney Cox, with this becoming known as the “Sydney James Cox Maintenance Facility;” and be it further
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to report back on this matter to the City Council in a timely manner.

O-3 Feb 10, 2020
COUNCILLOR MCGOVERN
ORDERED: That the Executive Assistant to the City Council confer with the Dedication Committee to consider the request from Councillor McGovern to find a suitable location near Roosevelt Towers to honor Randy Thomas; and be it further
ORDERED: That the City Clerk be and hereby is requested to forward this order to the Dedication Committee for their review and approval.

O-5 Feb 10, 2020 Amended
COUNCILLOR NOLAN
COUNCILLOR MCGOVERN
MAYOR SIDDIQUI
COUNCILLOR ZONDERVAN
COUNCILLOR CARLONE
WHEREAS: The City of Cambridge believes that the culture of Indigenous peoples is one to be promoted, that the history is rich, diverse, and worthy of celebration, and that the actions and policies of European colonizers of the Americas destroyed a part of that culture, and inhibited the promulgation of it for generations to come; and
WHEREAS: The City of Cambridge understands the moral imperative of condemnation of these actions, as we now know them to be violations of justice in the eyes of international, domestic, and moral laws; and
WHEREAS: The Cambridge Rindge and Latin School decided in 1989 to change its mascot from the Warriors to the Falcons due to the offensive nature of Indigenous mascots and the stereotypes they perpetuate; and
WHEREAS: The City Council adopted a policy order on June 6, 2016, stating that the second Monday of October henceforth be commemorated as Indigenous Peoples' Day in Cambridge, in recognition of the Indigenous people’s position as native to these lands, and the suffering they faced following European conquest of their land; and
WHEREAS: The City Council adopted a policy order on June 24, 2019, to find suitable location other than the Sullivan Chamber where the state flag may be displayed in compliance with state law, recognizing that the symbolism on the state flag is a painful reminder of the history of oppression and genocide indigenous peoples suffered at the hands of the colonists; and
WHEREAS: The Neighborhood & Long-Term Planning; Public Facilities, Arts, and Celebrations Committee will continue to discuss ways to establish a more robust celebration of Indigenous Peoples Day in Cambridge; now therefore be it
RESOLVED: That the City Council go on record supporting the full Massachusetts Indigenous Legislative Agenda, which includes the actions mentioned above already taken by the City, along with the support for two bills, which call for improving Indigenous educational outcomes (H.444) through the creation of a permanent commission relative to the education of Native American residents of the commonwealth, and protecting Native American Heritage (S.1811/H.2948) by ensuring that Native American objects of cultural patrimony held in governmental, municipal or non-profit collections are not sold for profit; and be it further
ORDERED: That the City Clerk be and hereby is requested to forward copies of the Massachusetts Indigenous Legislative Agenda to the Cambridge delegation on behalf of the entire City Council, imploring them to advance the agenda for a vote before the State Legislature.

O-6 Feb 10, 2020
MAYOR SIDDIQUI
VICE MAYOR MALLON
COUNCILLOR CARLONE
COUNCILLOR MCGOVERN
WHEREAS: In February 2014, former Cambridge City Manager Richard Rossi appointed an Early Childhood Task Force and charged it with developing a set of recommendations for how the City could better ensure that all children receive high quality early education and care, beginning with prenatal care and extending through third grade; and
WHEREAS: For many Cambridge families, finding high quality, full-day, year-round, affordable early childhood services is difficult and presents considerable financial hardships; and
WHEREAS: At the City Council and School Committee’s Joint Roundtable Meeting on Early Childhood on Dec 2, 2019, the key findings and recommendations from the Universal Pre-Kindergarten Program Study Report were discussed; and
WHEREAS: This included discussing what ongoing support the City could provide to Cambridge families while the development process for a universal pre-kindergarten program remains underway; and
WHEREAS: The current, limited hours offered by the Cambridge Head Start program present a barrier to many Cambridge families who would otherwise wish to participate in its programs; and
WHEREAS: Fifty-four children in the city have received scholarships to high-quality preschools to date; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and is hereby requested to confer with the Department of Human Services and other relevant departments to determine the feasibility of both expanding the Head Start program hours and adding additional scholarships to improve access to high-quality, early childhood educational resources for children and families in Cambridge; and be it further
ORDERED: That the City Manager report back to the City Council on this matter in time for consideration in the FY21 budget process.

O-7 Feb 10, 2020
COUNCILLOR ZONDERVAN
MAYOR SIDDIQUI
COUNCILLOR SOBRINHO-WHEELER
COUNCILLOR NOLAN
WHEREAS: It has come to the attention of the City Council that on Dec 11, 2019, the Indian parliament passed the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), which for the first time uses religion as a criterion for Indian citizenship; and
WHEREAS: While the far-right Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi claims this policy will help refugees fleeing religious persecution from neighboring countries, it blatantly discriminates against citizenship based on religion, favoring Hindu, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi, and Christian immigrants, while excluding Muslim people; and
WHEREAS: In August 2019, Modi’s right-wing government forced nearly two million people in the northeastern state of Assam to prove with documentary evidence their Indian citizenship or face detention at mass prisons and detention camps that the Indian government has begun to build and fill; and
WHEREAS: A nationwide expansion of this policy could strip hundreds of millions of people (disproportionately Muslim, oppressed castes, women, indigenous and LGBTQ+ communities) of their citizenship rights with no option to be re-naturalized; and
WHEREAS: Protests in India against this policy have faced repression including reports that in the state of Uttar Pradesh, police fatally fired live ammunition at demonstrators and arrested thousands, and reports that police destroyed Muslim homes in several cities; and
WHEREAS: In September 2019, President Trump hosted a “Howdy Modi” rally in Houston alongside Prime Minister Modi, in what the Washington Post ominously reported was, “the largest-ever gathering with a foreign political leader in the United States,” demonstrating the growing threat of far-right racist politicians building solidarity around the world; and
WHEREAS: Harvard graduate students and other activists recently staged a 24-hour protest in Harvard Square in condemnation of these actions; and
WHEREAS: The Modi regime’s repressive and racist policies are inconsistent with Cambridge’s values as a city that welcomes South Asian communities of all castes and religions; now therefore be it
RESOLVED: That the City Council go on record expressing solidarity with Cambridge’s South Asian community regardless of religion and caste, acknowledging the pain and hurt felt by members of the South Asian community as a result of these policies, and opposing the National Register of Citizens and the Citizenship Amendment Act in India; and be it further
RESOLVED: That the City Council go on record calling for the Parliament of India to uphold the Indian constitution by repealing the Citizenship Amendment Act, stopping the National Register of Citizens, and taking steps towards helping refugees by ratifying various UN treaties on refugees; and be it further
RESOLVED: That the City Council go on record urging our congressional delegation to support legislation censuring the Republic of India for adopting these policies; and be it further
RESOLVED: That the City Clerk be and hereby is requested to forward a suitably engrossed copy to Cambridge’s Congressional Delegation on behalf of the entire City Council.

O-8 Feb 10, 2020
COUNCILLOR NOLAN
VICE MAYOR MALLON
COUNCILLOR MCGOVERN
WHEREAS: As part of the Tobin Montessori/Vassal Lane Upper Schools Reconstruction Project, conceptual designs have been released; and
WHEREAS: There has been a concerted effort to find space for Elementary and Upper School enrollment expansion, additional much-needed programmatic elements and increased capacity for preschool enrollment, while at the same time preserving the need for open space, ensuring adequate traffic flow and appropriate site circulation has been challenging; and
WHEREAS: The National Guard Armory of Cambridge, located at 450 Concord Avenue, adjacent to the Tobin Montessori/Vassal Lane Upper Schools campus, presents a potential opportunity for the City to resolve community concerns that the proposed reconstruction designs would negatively impact the amount of available green space, and the flow of school traffic; and
WHEREAS: The Armory site, which is owned by the state (purchased from Cambridge in 1957), is currently underutilized; and
WHEREAS: A 2018 assessment of the Armory site by the state shows the need for significant investment to keep the site up to code; and
WHEREAS: The City Manager has sent a letter to the State Quartermaster expressing Cambridge’s strong interest in acquiring the Armory site; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Council go on record strongly supporting the City Manager’s request to purchase the National Guard Armory of Cambridge, and go on record as urging the City’s Delegation in the State Legislature to work to determine if the state will take the steps necessary to allow the City to purchase the entire site, to be for permanent public use in perpetuity by the City to address community driven needs; and be it further
ORDERED: That the City Clerk be and hereby is requested to forward suitably engrossed copies of this policy order to the City’s Delegation in the State Legislature on behalf of the entire City Council.

O-9 Feb 10, 2020
MAYOR SIDDIQUI
ORDERED: That a Roundtable/Working Meeting be scheduled for Tues, Feb 25, 2020 at 3:00pm in the Sullivan Chamber of City Hall for the purpose of discussing legislative priorities; and be it further
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to direct the appropriate City Departments to attend and discuss the City Council’s legislative priorities at the Roundtable/Working Meeting on Feb 25, 2020.

AWAITING REPORT LIST
16-101. Report on the potential of building below market rental housing on City-owned parking lots along Bishop Allen Drive. On a communication from Councillor McGovern requesting that this matter be forwarded to the 2018-2019 Legislative Session.
Vice Mayor McGovern, Mayor Simmons (O-4) from 12/12/2016

16-108. Report on whether people displaced and qualify for Emergency Status who are using Section 8 in other cities or towns can retain their resident preference for the purpose of Inclusionary Housing. On a communication from Councillor Kelley requesting that this matter be forwarded to the 2018-2019 Legislative Session.
Mayor Simmons, Councillor Toomey (O-4) from 12/19/2016

18-38. Report on inventory of all City-owned vacant buildings and lots and the City's plans for them, if any.
Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor Simmons, Vice Mayor Devereux, Mayor Siddiqui (O-2) from 3/26/2018

18-60. Report on a small business parking pilot that would allow temporary on-street employee parking during typical daytime operating hours.
Vice Mayor Mallon, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Simmons (Calendar Item #1) from 5/14/2018

18-66. Report on establishing a Young Adult Civic Unity Committee to be modeled after the Citizen Civic Unity Committee and to recruit applicants from all across the community and across all socio-economic backgrounds.
Councillor Simmons (O-7) from 6/18/2018

18-73. Report on establishing and implementing a dynamic new initiative that will seek to place Port residents (ages 18 and over) on paths to jobs with family-sustaining wages.
Councillor Simmons (O-6) from 6/25/2018

18-119. Report on evaluating the existing capacity of fire stations in the Kendall Square area and whether a new fire station is needed, and if so, determining the feasibility of locating a plot of land for this use.
Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Toomey (O-2) from 11/5/2018

19-3. Report on establishing a Central Square Improvement Fund and allocate no less than 25% of funds generated to the arts.
Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor McGovern (O-6) from 1/7/2019

19-21. Report on the process for establishing a formal, thorough review of the City’s Affordable Home Ownership programs, incorporating a plan for obtaining and analyzing substantial quantitative data inclusive of all types of units.
Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Simmons, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Toomey (O-3) from 2/25/2019

19-22. Report on the feasibility of allowing small businesses to host live acoustic music performances without a license, and if feasible, present the City Council with a proposal to allow such performances.
Vice Mayor Devereux, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor McGovern (O-5) from 2/25/2019

19-45. Report on compiling a full accounting of streets, schools, and public buildings that may be named in honor of those who have ties to the American slave trade, and to work towards renaming all of these streets, schools, and buildings.
Councillor Simmons (O-4) from 4/8/2019

19-49. Report on recommending restrictions on signage specific to retail establishments that sell e-cigarettes and other vaping devices.
Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Toomey (O-15) from 4/8/2019

19-58. Report on working with the Recycling Advisory Committee and other stakeholders to draft an ordinance banning single-use plastic items in Cambridge.
Councillor Zondervan, Vice Mayor Devereux, Councillor McGovern, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Carlone (O-6) from 5/13/2019

19-62. Report on drafting a formal Anti-bias /Cultural Competency Strategic Plan for eventual adoption and implementation.
Councillor Simmons (O-2) from 5/20/2019

19-66. Report on whether it is possible to reduce or eliminate Building Permit Fees for 100% affordable housing development projects, through an exemption or other means and investigate what types of real estate tax abatements are possible for 100% affordable housing moving forward.
Vice Mayor Devereux, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Carlone, Councillor McGovern (O-3) from 6/3/2019

19-74. Report on establishing a working committee to review the monuments, memorials, and markers throughout Cambridge to determine whether any of these commemorate those who were linked to the slave trade or engaged in other similarly shameful acts and to determine which individuals should be newly recognized with a monument, memorial, or marker.
Councillor Simmons, Mayor Siddiqui, Vice Mayor Devereux, Vice Mayor Mallon (O-2) from 6/10/2019

19-75. Report on exploring the feasibility of partnering with a local research institution to conduct a study that determines how many ridehail vehicles are on the roads during both on and off-peak times and their impacts on congestion and safety.
Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor Kelley, Vice Mayor Devereux (O-4) from 6/10/2019

19-86. Report on developing a Vacant Storefront Registration Policy.
Mayor Siddiqui, Vice Mayor Mallon, Vice Mayor Devereux, Councillor Zondervan (O-5) from 6/24/2019

19-100. Report on the feasibility of implementing an additional regulatory requirement for listing a registration/license number for Short-Term Rentals.
Councillor Kelley, Councillor McGovern, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Simmons (O-19) from 7/30/2019

19-106. Report on conducting City directed environmental testing on the Sullivan Courthouse building and water in basement, to determine the risk posed to the public, and provide a timeline of completion and to establish an operational understanding directly with DCAMM officials and ask for a state designee for communication/coordination on how the building will be secured and monitored.
Councillor Toomey, Vice Mayor Mallon (O-5) from 9/9/2019

19-123. Report on the feasibility of closing some portion of Harvard Square to vehicular traffic on a select number of days during the summer of 2020 to have open market-style events.
Vice Mayor Mallon, Vice Mayor Devereux, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Zondervan (O-1) from 10/7/2019

19-127. Report on instituting regularly scheduled public conversations between Public Utilities' representatives from Eversource, the Water Dept. Comcast, Verizon and any other appropriate entities to keep the City and public informed.
Vice Mayor Devereux, Councillor Zondervan, Councillor Carlone (O-8) from 10/7/2019

19-128. Report on allocating more funds in the FY21 budget to Inspectional Services and on the feasibility of providing monetary compensation to homeowners who have had to self-finance traps and what funds could be allocated in the future to help homeowners buy traps.
Councillor Toomey (O-11) from 10/7/2019

19-130. Report on requesting to allocate more funds in the FY21 budget for the small business improvement grants and to confer with the Massachusetts Attorney General’s office on whether other cities in Massachusetts have been facing similar issues with ADA compliance and what can be done to protect the small businesses.
Councillor Toomey (O-14) from 10/7/2019

19-132. Report on planting new trees in Magazine Beach Park in the Spring of 2020 with a special focus on the eastern end of the park and the grove area.
Councillor Zondervan, Vice Mayor Devereux, Councillor McGovern, Vice Mayor Mallon (O-18) from 10/7/2019

19-134. Report on increasing funding to the City’s HomeBridge program so that access to homeownership may be made available to a wider range of incomes, as the program intends.
Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Simmons, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor Toomey (O-20) from 10/7/2019

19-137. Report on determining if ISD can be given the authority to issue citations for smoking in non-smoking buildings and to report back to the City Council.
Councillor McGovern (Calendar Item #4) from 10/7/2019

19-139. Report on determining whether it would be possible to allow a permitted area for serving alcoholic beverages on Danehy Park property during special community-wide events.
Vice Mayor Devereux, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Kelley, Councillor Simmons (Calendar Item #5) from 10/7/2019

19-141. Report on looking into the idea of hiring a social worker in the FY2021 budget for the Central Square Library branch.
Vice Mayor Mallon, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor McGovern (Calendar Item #8) from 10/7/2019

19-142. Report on determining the feasibility of expediting the Demolition and Rebuilding permitting process in the event of a natural disaster.
Vice Mayor Mallon (O-1) from 10/21/2019

19-143. Report on the feasibility of piloting a program of assigning additional security officers to work collaboratively with and exclusively within Cambridge Housing Authority premises in and near Central Square and the Port.
Councillor Simmons, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor McGovern (O-2) from 10/21/2019

19-144. Report on determining the feasibility of instituting and funding a Fire Cadet Program.
Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor Toomey, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Simmons (O-4) from 10/21/2019

19-145. Report on reviewing all the City’s policies and procedures related to the procurement, installation and disposal of artificial turf.
Vice Mayor Devereux, Councillor Carlone, Councillor Kelley, Councillor Zondervan (O-7) from 10/21/2019

19-147. Report on installing hearing loop technology inside the Sullivan Chamber as part of the upcoming renovations to City Hall, and in other critical City meeting venues wherever possible and other accessibility improvements.
Councillor Zondervan (O-4) from 10/28/2019

19-151. Report on the feasibility of making Porter Square and Massachusetts Avenue between Roseland Street and Beech Street a quick-build Complete Street with bus priority.
Councillor McGovern, Councillor Zondervan, Vice Mayor Devereux (O-10) from 10/28/2019

19-153. Report on plans designed to mitigate the impact of the closing of Windsor House upon Cambridge seniors.
Councillor Simmons, Councillor McGovern (O-4) from 11/4/2019

19-157. Report on providing an update of when the public Police Dashboard will be fully operational.
Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor Simmons, Councillor Kelley, Councillor McGovern (O-1) from 11/25/2019

19-159. Report on ways to review safety and devise any safety interventions at the corner of Saville Street and Walden Street. See Mgr #7
Mayor Siddiqui, Vice Mayor Devereux (O-4) from 11/25/2019

20-1. Report on the work that has been done to Support Small Business and the Arts through Tourism.
Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor McGovern (O-2) from 1/13/2020

20-2. Report on updating the department’s maintenance plan with an emphasis on cleaning open-trash receptacles more frequently and report back to the council no later than Feb 10, 2020.
Councillor Toomey (O-1) from 1/27/2020

20-3. Report on determining the feasibility of purchasing sensory bags for Police vehicles as a pilot program and report back to council for FY21 Budget.
Vice Mayor Mallon, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Simmons, Councillor McGovern (O-2) from 1/27/2020

20-4. Report on the feasibility of instituting and funding a fare-free pilot bus program.
Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Mayor Siddiqui (O-5) from 1/27/2020

20-5. Report on the potential for implementing sufficient traffic-calming solutions on Upton Street.
Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor McGovern (O-7) from 1/27/2020

20-6. Report on the acquisition and implementation of interpretation services for City Council meetings and other public City meetings.
Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor McGovern (O-8) from 1/27/2020

20-7. Report on reviewing the roles, responsibilities, and compensation of City Council Aides with an eye toward designating this as a full-time position.
Councillor Simmons, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor Carlone (O-1) from 2/3/2020

20-8. Report on working with the residents in the vicinity of Eustis Street to implement traffic calming measures on this street.
Councillor Toomey (O-4) from 2/3/2020

20-9. Report on allocating the necessary funds, and develop a comprehensive public safety plan, including contingency plans so that the event can take place in a secure time and place, even in the presence of significant threats that can be anticipated.
Councillor Zondervan (Calendar Item #2) from 2/3/2020